A Goodbye to Slim Shady
Released on Curtain Call: The Hits in 2005, "When I'm Gone" is one of Eminem's most emotionally raw tracks. It represents a wrestling match between his alter ego, Slim Shady, and his responsibility as a father. The track doesn't just require rhythm; it requires acting.
To perform this well, you need to master the switch between the weary, melodic chorus and the increasingly desperate, aggressive verses. Let's break down the technique.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breath
The third verse is a marathon. Our analysis shows users often run out of air before the "Shady made me" line. Mark your breath spots before you start recording to maintain power.
Phase 1: The Verses (Storytelling Flow)
The verses are written in A Minor with a tempo of roughly 76 BPM. However, the density of syllables makes it feel faster.
The Trap: Rushing. Because the beat is somber and relatively slow, new rappers tend to speed up their delivery, falling off-beat. Sit back in the pocket of the beat. Articulate every word clearly, especially during the dialogue sections with his daughter.
Phase 2: The Melodic Hook
Unlike many of his tracks, Eminem sings the chorus here: "And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn..."
- Pitch Accuracy: This sits comfortably in a Baritone range (A2-A3). Avoid sliding into notes; hit them directly.
- Tone: The tone should be breathy and sad, not operatic or projected. Use a "half-voice" mix.
- Layering: In the original, this is double-tracked. In the app, try to sing slightly louder to mimic that fullness.
Phase 3: The Climax (The Dream Sequence)
The final verse depicts a nightmare where he is on stage and his daughter leaves him. The vocal intensity must rise here.
You need to transition from a conversational tone to a near-shout on the line "And I scream 'I love you Hailie' as she loads the box." The key is to increase volume without losing diction. Use your diaphragm to support the shout so you don't strain your vocal cords.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is moderately difficult. While the flow isn't as fast as "Rap God," the emotional inflection and breath control required for the long verses make it a challenge to do perfectly.
The song is in A Minor. The somber piano loop defines the track's emotional weight.
The melody is simple but repetitive. Focus on vowel shapes—keep them narrow ("Gone" sounds more like "Gun") to match Eminem's Detroit accent and stay on pitch.
