How to Sing Like Jessie Ware: 7 Vocal Techniques Singers Can Learn
Jessie Ware has one of the most elegant and expressive voices in contemporary music. Her performances feel intimate, controlled, and deeply emotional — even when the vocal technique behind them is quite complex.
If you’ve ever wondered how to sing like Jessie Ware, there are several vocal techniques you can learn from the way she approaches songs like The Way We Were.
What makes her performance so compelling isn’t just vocal power — it’s control, tone color, phrasing, and storytelling.
Let’s break down some of the key techniques behind Jessie Ware’s sound and how singers can begin developing these skills in their own voices.
1. Light, Thin Vocal Folds Create an Intimate Sound
One of the most noticeable qualities in Jessie Ware’s singing is the light, airy tone she uses in softer phrases.
This comes from singing with thin vocal fold contact, sometimes allowing a small amount of breath through the sound.
The result is a tone that feels intimate and delicate rather than powerful or heavy.
Tip for singers
If you want to experiment with this type of sound:
- Reduce your overall vocal volume
- Allow a small amount of airflow through the tone
- Avoid pushing for loudness
The key is lower volume rather than more breath pressure.
Many singers accidentally push too much air when trying to create a breathy sound, which can destabilize the voice.
2. Controlling the Transition Between Vocal Qualities
A fascinating part of Jessie Ware’s performance is how she moves in and out of different vocal qualities.
At times the voice stays in thin vocal folds, while in other moments it briefly shifts toward falsetto.
These changes create subtle shifts in color and emotional expression.
Tip for singers
Practice moving between:
- Light head voice
- Slightly breathy tone
- Fuller vocal fold contact
The more control you have over these transitions, the more expressive your singing becomes.
This kind of coordination takes time to develop, but it’s something singers gradually refine through structured vocal training.
3. Slack Onsets Can Help Create Smooth Phrases
Another technique heard in this performance is something called a slack onset.
A slack onset happens when the vocal folds close slowly and gently at the beginning of a phrase.
Instead of attacking the note directly, the sound begins softly and naturally.
Example exercise
Try beginning a phrase with a gentle sound like:
“ahh… the way we were”
This slower onset helps prevent excess tension and can make the voice feel much freer.
Many vocal coaches use exercises like this to help singers access both lighter and stronger vocal qualities without pushing.
4. Thyroid Tilt Helps Extend the Range
When Jessie sings higher phrases, there is often a noticeable increase in thyroid tilt.
The thyroid cartilage (the front of the larynx) tilts forward slightly, which helps the vocal folds stretch and thin out.
This is actually one of the major differences between speaking and singing.
Why this matters
Thyroid tilt allows singers to:
- Reach higher notes more easily
- Maintain a smooth vocal tone
- Avoid pushing chest voice too high
Without this adjustment, singers often strain when approaching the passaggio — the area where the voice transitions between registers.
Inside The Vocal Academy, this is one of the key concepts we teach singers when they’re learning how to navigate their range more comfortably.
5. Vowel Shapes Can Change Vocal Color
Vowel shaping plays a huge role in Jessie Ware’s vocal style.
For example, when singing words like “choose” or “remember,” a more closed vowel shape helps maintain a controlled tone.
Closed vowels can make it easier to:
- Maintain vocal fold closure
- Avoid sudden register shifts
- Keep the tone warm and stable
Tip for singers
Experiment with adjusting vowels slightly when singing higher notes.
Small changes in mouth shape can dramatically affect the ease and color of the sound.
6. Emotional Expression Shapes the Voice
One of the most impressive aspects of Jessie Ware’s performance isn’t purely technical — it’s emotional.
Rather than simply singing the notes, she performs the emotional actions behind the lyrics.
Instead of thinking in terms of vague emotions like “sad” or “happy,” singers often perform better when they think about actions.
For example:
- remembering
- reflecting
- holding back tears
- sharing a memory
These kinds of actions naturally influence the tone and phrasing of the voice.
This approach is something we explore quite deeply inside The Vocal Academy, because emotional intention often changes vocal color more effectively than technical instructions alone.
7. Simpler Songs Are Often Harder to Sing
One surprising truth about songs like The Way We Were is that they’re often much harder to sing than they appear.
Why?
Because there are no vocal acrobatics hiding behind the performance.
Instead, the singer must rely on:
- phrasing
- tone control
- storytelling
- emotional presence
Every small detail becomes noticeable.
That’s exactly why these songs can be such powerful vocal training tools.
Final Thoughts: Learning From Jessie Ware’s Voice
Jessie Ware’s voice shows how powerful singing can be when technique and expression work together.
Her performance highlights several key vocal skills:
- controlled breathy tone
- flexible vocal fold coordination
- smooth register transitions
- expressive phrasing
- subtle emotional storytelling
But perhaps the most important lesson is this:
Great singing isn’t just about hitting the right notes — it’s about making the listener feel something.
If you want to learn to sing like Jessie Ware, focus on building technical control while also developing your own authentic interpretation of the song.
Because ultimately, the most compelling singers don’t just copy another voice — they discover how their own voice tells the story.