If you have been captivated by the haunting beauty of “Sailor Song,” you are not alone. Gigi Perez delivers a masterclass in vocal technique with this track, and there is so much we can learn from the way she uses her voice.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced singer, breaking down the techniques in this performance can help you grow as a vocalist. Let’s dive into the key vocal elements that make Sailor Song such a standout piece.
Thick Vocal Folds and Lower Range Singing
One of the first things that stands out about Gigi Perez’s performance of Sailor Song is how she handles the lower part of her range. The song sits relatively low, coming down to around A flat 3, which is below middle C.
For many singers, this can be a challenging area to navigate. Gigi uses thicker vocal folds in these sections, which gives the sound a rich, full quality.
If you find that this part of the range feels too low for your voice, consider transposing the song up by two or even three semitones. That small adjustment can make a big difference and prevent the sound from becoming too airy or weak.
The Art of Vibrato in Sailor Song
Gigi Perez uses several different types of vibrato throughout Sailor Song, and each one adds a unique layer of expression. Rather than relying on one consistent vibrato style, she shifts between them depending on the emotional tone of the moment. Here are the main types she uses:
- A slower, irregular shake that acts more as a coloring technique than a traditional vibrato
- Pharyngeal vibrato, where the back wall of the throat (the pharynx) is used to create a larger, more dramatic oscillation
- A subtle wobble or shimmer that adds vulnerability and emotional depth to softer passages
In contemporary and pop singing, there is no single “correct” vibrato. It really comes down to personal preference and the emotion you want to convey. However, if you were singing in a classical or musical theater context, a smaller, quicker, and more regular vibrato would typically be expected.
Vowel Changes and Accent Choices
One of the most interesting aspects of Gigi Perez’s approach to Sailor Song is how she changes her vowels throughout the performance. These shifts are not random. They serve a descriptive purpose, helping to convey emotion and character.
The key here is that these vowel changes should be felt, not prescribed. Rather than copying exactly what Gigi does on every beat, focus on what you are trying to express. What are you feeling in that moment? The vowel choices should flow from your emotional intention.
If you are working on this song, try adapting the vowel changes to your own natural accent instead of imitating Gigi’s. Copy her version first to appreciate the artistry, and then ask yourself how you can make it your own piece of art.
Thyroid Tilt and Sung Quality
As the song progresses, Gigi Perez shifts into thinner vocal folds with a significant amount of thyroid tilt. This is the mechanism that makes a voice sound more “sung” rather than spoken.
The thyroid cartilage, which sits at the top of the larynx (where your Adam’s apple is), tilts forward, helping the vocal folds stay closed and producing a smoother, more connected tone. Thyroid tilt also plays a role in accessing vibrato and maintaining vocal stability.
You can hear this clearly in Sailor Song during the more melodic, sustained passages where Gigi’s voice takes on a sweeter, more refined quality.
Dynamics and the Loud to Quiet Challenge
A particularly impressive element of this performance of Sailor Song is the way Gigi Perez handles dynamic contrast, moving from louder, chest-driven sounds to much quieter, more intimate moments. This transition is one of the hardest skills for singers to master.
Without proper technique, the sound can feel like it simply drops out rather than gracefully shifting in volume. The key lies in developing your mix voice, which is the bridge between your chest voice and your head voice. Building this takes time and focused practice, but it allows you to move smoothly between loud and soft without losing the core of your sound.
Falsetto Flips and Emotional Expression
Throughout Sailor Song, Gigi Perez uses falsetto flips as an expressive tool. She moves from thicker vocal folds into a lighter falsetto sound, sometimes using this as an offset at the end of a phrase rather than at the beginning. These flips add a sense of vulnerability and raw emotion to the performance.
They can also occur naturally when a singer is feeling nervous or emotionally charged, and there is something genuinely beautiful about that. The important thing is to never apologize for it within the performance. If your voice flips or shakes, own it and make it part of the moment.
False Vocal Folds and Constriction
In certain sections of Sailor Song, Gigi Perez brings in a gritty, constricted sound by engaging the false vocal folds. These sit just above the true vocal folds, and when the throat squeezes slightly, they come over the true folds to create a scratchy, edgy texture.
The key here is that she maintains good vocal fold closure underneath and does not push excessive air pressure from below. Instead, she increases the pressure above the vocal folds to achieve that raw, powerful sound without causing damage.
Mouth Shape and Pharyngeal Space
Gigi Perez is very intentional with her mouth positioning during Sailor Song. In some passages, she uses a more closed mouth shape, which contributes to a tighter, more intense tone. As she moves higher in her range, she opens her mouth slightly to allow for more pharyngeal space, which makes singing higher notes easier and more efficient.
The important takeaway is that there is no single perfect mouth opening for singing. The goal is always to use the least amount of effort for the greatest result and to make sure the jaw is not clicking outward or pushing the larynx down.
Cross-Training Your Voice
Sailor Song by Gigi Perez is an excellent example of what vocal coaches call cross-training in singing. The song requires you to work on thick vocal folds in the lower range, thin vocal folds higher up, dynamic control from loud to quiet, and the ability to shift between different vocal qualities. This kind of training is invaluable because it strengthens every part of your voice rather than just one area. Here are some of the skills this song can help you develop:
- Chest voice strength in a lower tessitura
- Smooth transitions between chest voice and falsetto
- Controlled use of vibrato for emotional coloring
- Dynamic range from powerful to intimate
- Vowel modification for expressive storytelling
Even if you choose to skip the more improvised section at the end, the core melody of the song offers a fantastic workout for your voice.
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.