If you have ever watched the live performance of Golden at the BAFTAs and wondered how EJ, Audrey Nuna, and Ray Ami pulled off such a breathtaking vocal performance, you are not alone.
This performance is a masterclass in vocal technique, emotional delivery, and the beauty of individuality in singing. Let’s break down the key techniques behind Golden and explore how you can start applying them to your own voice.
Three Singers, Three Unique Voices
One of the most striking elements of this Golden performance is how three completely different vocal styles come together to create something extraordinary. EJ, Audrey Nuna, and Ray Ami each bring their own vocal identity to the song, proving that there is no single “right” way to sing.
Each voice carries its own texture, weight, and emotional quality, and together they complement one another beautifully. This is a powerful reminder that finding your authentic voice matters far more than trying to sound like someone else.
Low Range Technique in Golden
The opening of Golden sits around the F3, which is the F below middle C. This is a notably low note for a female voice, and it requires careful technique to sound full and resonant rather than hollow.
To achieve this, the singer uses a lower larynx position paired with a gentle flow of air through the sound. Volume control is critical here; the microphone stays close to the mouth, and the overall dynamic is kept soft and intimate. If you are working on your own low range, keep these principles in mind:
- Maintain a low, relaxed larynx position.
- Keep the volume soft and controlled.
- Allow a gentle stream of air through your tone.
- Bring the microphone close to reduce the need for projection.
Vocal Fold Thickness and Twang
As the performance of Golden progresses, we hear shifts in vocal fold thickness and the introduction of twang. One of the singers demonstrates a slightly thicker vocal fold quality with added twang, which makes the sound cut through naturally without the need for shouting.
This is an important distinction: volume in singing should never come from pushing or forcing air. Instead, it comes from adjustments in vocal fold configuration and resonance. When listening to EJ, Audrey Nuna, and Ray Ami, notice how the louder moments feel effortless rather than strained.
Head Voice and Breath Control
In the sections where the melody of Golden rises, we hear a transition into a breathy head voice. The singer uses thin vocal folds with a small amount of air to keep the tone light and floating.
Breath management plays a huge role here. Instead of taking deep, heavy breaths, the approach involves short, sharp, high breaths that match the phrasing of the song. Key points to remember when working on head voice include:
- Use thin vocal folds to keep the sound light.
- Avoid flooding the tone with too much breath.
- Take quick, efficient breaths between phrases.
- Allow the sound to feel easy rather than forced.
Understanding Mix Voice in Golden
One of the most discussed concepts in modern singing is “mix voice,” and this performance of Golden offers a clear example of it in action. Mix voice occurs when a singer finds a balance between chest voice thickness and head voice lightness.
Think of it as a sliding scale rather than a switch: the vocal folds are thicker than they would be in pure head voice but thinner than in full chest voice. This creates a sound that is both powerful and controlled without flipping into falsetto. EJ demonstrates this beautifully as the song builds, sitting in a middle ground that allows her to navigate challenging intervals with ease.
The Reality of Performing Live
One of the most honest and human moments in this Golden performance comes when a note doesn’t land perfectly. Rather than being a failure, this moment is a testament to what live singing actually looks like. These are living instruments, and they respond to nerves, fatigue, schedule demands, and the pressure of performing on a massive stage like the BAFTAs.
What sets a professional apart is not the ability to never make a mistake; it is the ability to recover and keep going. EJ does exactly that, collecting herself and delivering the rest of the performance with confidence.
High Belt and the Cricoid Cartilage
The climax of Golden features some seriously high belt notes, reaching up to a G5. At this level, the cricoid cartilage (located just below the larynx) tilts back to allow the vocal folds to thicken, enabling a powerful sound high in the range.
However, what makes this performance so impressive is the use of a “quiet belt,” where the thickness of the vocal folds is maintained without pushing for maximum volume. This is an advanced technique that requires:
- A strong foundation in chest voice and belt.
- The ability to manage subglottic pressure carefully.
- Short, sharp breaths to support the high notes.
- Resisting the instinct to push more air or volume.
Tongue Position and Laryngeal Stability
Another subtle but crucial element in the Golden performance is tongue position. A higher tongue position helps create the brightness needed for those soaring high notes. The tongue connects directly to the top of the larynx, so having controlled tension in the tongue actually helps stabilize the larynx during demanding passages.
That said, every voice is different, and the exact tongue position that works for one singer might not suit another. Personalization is key; vocal technique should always be adapted to fit your unique instrument.
Why Golden Is Such a Challenging Song
Golden is not a song you can casually walk into without preparation. The range is wide, the vocal qualities shift dramatically from verse to chorus, and the emotional demands are immense. If you are working on this song, consider the following approach:
- Master the lower range passages first before tackling the high belt sections.
- Build your belt semitone by semitone rather than jumping straight to the top.
- Consider adjusting the melody or vocal quality slightly to suit your voice.
- Focus on smooth transitions between vocal registers.
This performance by EJ, Audrey Nuna, and Ray Ami is not just a display of incredible singing. It is a lesson in resilience, authenticity, and the beauty of the human voice. Golden reminds us that singing is a complex coordination, and learning to love the process of mastering that coordination is what makes the journey worthwhile.
If you want to learn more about how you can learn to implement these singing techniques into your own voice, let’s sit down for a chat and discuss if the vocal academy is the right fit for you. You can join us here.