Mastering the Modern Pop Duet
"We Don’t Talk Anymore" is a masterclass in modern pop minimalism. Released on Charlie Puth's debut album Nine Track Mind, this tropical house track eschews big belted notes for groove, breathy textures, and emotional restraint. Whether you are singing Charlie's part, Selena's verses, or attempting both solo, the challenge lies in the subtlety.
Unlike power ballads, this song requires a "conversational" tone. The notes aren't just sung; they are almost spoken in rhythm, until the chorus lifts into a light, airy head voice. Let's break down the technique.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Airflow
A common mistake is singing too cleanly. This song needs a "breathy" quality, especially in the chorus. Relax your vocal cord closure slightly to let more air escape with the sound, but support it from your diaphragm so you don't go flat.
Phase 1: Charlie's Verses (C#3 - G#3)
The verses sit in a comfortable lower-mid range for Tenors. The rhythm is syncopated and rapid. Charlie tends to slur words slightly ("I-overdosed" sounds like one fluid motion).
The Trap: Because it feels like talking, singers often get lazy with pitch. Use the Singing Coach AI app to monitor your intonation on the quick jumps down to C#3. Keep the sound buzzing in your chest.
Phase 2: The Chorus Hook (C#5 Falsetto)
The hook—"We don't talk anymore"—jumps up to a C#5. This must be sung in a light head voice or falsetto. If you try to pull your chest voice up here, it will sound too aggressive for the song's vibe.
- The Flip: Practice the transition from chest voice in the verse to head voice in the chorus. It needs to be instant and seamless.
- Vowel Shape: Modify the "Any-more" vowel to be more narrow ("Any-muuh") to help sustain the higher pitch without strain.
Phase 3: Selena's Perspective
Selena Gomez enters with a softer, smokier tone. Her verse mirrors the melody but with slightly different inflection. If you are performing this as a solo cover, differentiate the two characters by changing your tone color—make the second verse slightly softer and more legato.
The bridge creates a counterpoint where both vocal lines intertwine. Focus on rhythm here; the two lines dance around each other without clashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal melody hits a C#5 in falsetto during the chorus. There are ad-libs that may go higher depending on the live version, but C#5 is the target note.
It is difficult. The song's identity is tied to that falsetto hook. However, you can transpose the song down -3 or -4 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app to bring that high note into your chest/mix range.
The guitar riff sets the groove. Tap your foot on the 2 and 4 beats. The vocals often start on the off-beat, so internalizing that pulse is crucial.
