Mastering the Modern Baritone Anthem
Released on his debut studio album Wanted on Voyage, "Stand by Your Gun" showcases George Ezra's signature vocal style: deep, resonant, and effortlessly cool. Unlike many pop songs that live in the tenor stratosphere, this track is a playground for baritones and basses.
To sing this well, you need to master your "speaking voice" register. The challenge isn't hitting high notes; it's maintaining pitch accuracy and energy while singing low. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Don't Push Down
When reaching for the low G2 notes in the verse, many singers tuck their chin and push their larynx down. This causes a muffled sound. Keep your chin level and think of the sound vibrating in your chest, not your throat.
Phase 1: The Rhythmic Verse (0:00 - 0:42)
The song opens with a catchy, marching beat. Ezra's delivery here is almost percussive. The phrase "I'd stand by your gun" sits comfortably in the lower octave. The key here is diction.
The Trap: Because the pitch is low, it's easy to get lazy with articulation. Ensure your consonants (T, D, B) are crisp so the lyrics cut through the acoustic guitar mix.
Phase 2: The Chorus Energy (0:42 - 1:15)
The chorus shifts energy. "Oh, my love, my love, my love" lifts the melody slightly but stays firmly in the chest register. You need to increase your breath pressure here to match the swelling instrumentation.
- Vowel Shapes: George Ezra uses very open, tall vowels. Shape your mouth like an oval to get that warm, "woody" tone.
- Resonance: Aim for a "buzz" in your sternum. If you feel it in your nose, you are too nasal for this style.
- Timing: The phrasing is strictly on the beat. Dragging behind the beat will kill the momentum of the song.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Style
The bridge maintains the driving rhythm. The repetition requires you to vary your dynamics so it doesn't become monotonous. Try singing the first half of the bridge slightly softer, then building volume as you head back into the final chorus.
Frequently Asked Questions
The song frequently dips down to a G2 in the verses. This is quite low for a standard pop song and requires a relaxed vocal cord setup.
Having a Baritone voice helps, but Tenors can sing this too. If the G2 is too low, use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the track up +2 or +3 semitones to make it comfortable.
Relax your jaw and lower your tongue slightly. Ezra sings with a lot of chest resonance and a relaxed, open throat (the "yawn" position).
