Five Great Rock Songs for Beginner Female (and Higher-Voiced) Singers
- Carrie Griffths
- Nov 11, 2025
- 7 min read
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into your inner rock star — microphone in hand, crowd at your feet — but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you. Whether you’re female, female-presenting, or female-identifying, or a male or male-presenting singer with a slightly higher voice (like a tenor or alto), these five songs are fantastic starting points for building a strong, healthy rock sound.
They’re not just fun to sing — they’ll help you develop the vocal strength, placement, and style you need to sing rock with confidence while protecting your voice for the long haul.
So if you’re ready to dip your toes into rock singing — or you’re a singer-songwriter, cover artist, or aspiring performer learning how to use the right technique — these songs will help you lay a solid foundation.
Let’s dive in.
1. “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Few songs embody the spirit of rock quite like this one. “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” is a timeless anthem — punchy, powerful, and gloriously unapologetic. It’s also one of the best songs for beginners to start exploring that forward, twangy placement used in most rock singing.
Why it’s great for beginners
Low, comfortable range: Even though it sounds big, the melody doesn’t sit too high. This makes it easier to sing loudly and confidently without pushing or straining.
Perfect for forward resonance: You can really feel the sound buzzing in your mask (the area behind the nose and cheekbones), which is key to achieving that classic rock tone.
Customisable lyrics: Joan Jett famously flipped the gender perspective in her cover of the Arrows’ original version. If you prefer, you can easily adapt the pronouns — “saw her standing there” or “saw them” — to make it your own.
What to watch out for
The main challenge here is diction. Joan Jett’s edgy delivery can tempt beginners to mumble or overuse distortion. Instead:
Start clean. Learn the notes, the phrasing, and the forward placement first.
Add grit later. Once your technique is solid, then experiment with vocal fry, growl, or rasp.
“Learn it clean. Just get the notes, get the placement, get the diction. Then add the sexy stuff later.”
Singing rock doesn’t mean wrecking your cords — and this song is a great way to start developing that balance between power and control.
2. “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” – Garbage
When Garbage released this track in the mid-90s, it became an instant grunge-pop classic. Shirley Manson’s smoky voice and emotional delivery gave “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” its moody, melodic edge — perfect for beginner rock singers who want something expressive but not too demanding.
Why it’s great for beginners
Accessible range: The melody stays comfortably low, making it easy for most voices to manage.
Helps develop tone consistency: The song allows you to practise maintaining a steady forward placement across your range.
Expressive, not shouty: It teaches emotional control — how to sound dark and dramatic without pushing.
You’ll notice Shirley Manson often adds subtle vocal flips, slides, and tonal shifts that bring the song to life. But again, the rule of thumb applies:
“Learn it clean. Add the embellishments afterwards.”
Focus first on the melody, placement, and clarity. Once that feels easy, you can experiment with the stylistic details that give it that delicious 90s edge.
3. “Bring Me to Life” – Evanescence
If the first two songs are about grounded, gritty power, this one takes you straight into the realm of epic, theatrical rock. Amy Lee’s voice is one of the most recognisable in modern rock — blending classical purity with emotional intensity.
Why it’s great for beginners (especially those learning head voice)
“Bring Me to Life” is a brilliant introduction to head voice for rock singers. While the other songs on this list use more forward “twang,” this one sits higher and demands a different approach — lighter, purer, and more supported.
Builds range and control: It encourages you to explore your higher notes safely.
Develops breath management: Sustaining those long lines and powerful phrases requires consistent airflow.
Teaches stylistic versatility: You’ll discover how classical-style singing can fit beautifully into modern rock.
Common beginner mistake
Many new singers try to belt this song — “Wake me up inside!” — right from the start. But Amy Lee’s original performance isn’t actually a full-on belt. It’s a controlled blend of chest and head resonance.
“It’s not twangy, it’s not belty — it’s more classical. You could belt it, but if you’re a beginner, it’s going to be really difficult.”
Use this song as a way to strengthen your head voice and connect it smoothly to your chest register. It’s an essential skill for any singer — especially if you’re planning to belt later on.
And if you’re unsure how to get started, this is a perfect moment to book a vocal lesson or join a training program that teaches you how to use head voice properly without strain.
4. “Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac
Switching gears, “Dreams” offers a softer, more introspective vibe — but don’t let its calmness fool you. Stevie Nicks’ ethereal tone and steady control make this song an ideal training ground for singers who want to develop vocal stability and emotional expression.
Why it’s great for beginners
Gentle range: It sits comfortably in a low-to-mid register, easy for most voices.
Great for breath and line control: The smooth melody teaches you to sustain long phrases without tension.
Helps you practise vibrato — properly.
Vibrato can be a tricky topic. Many singers try to make vibrato happen in the throat, which leads to tightness and fatigue. The key is to let it occur naturally through relaxed breath flow and balanced technique.
“Most people sing vibrato in their throat, and this causes fatigue. Learn the song straight first — add the vibrato once your technique is solid.”
So, think of “Dreams” as a vocal yoga session — soothing, grounding, and brilliant for reconnecting with your natural voice.
5. “Pretend We’re Dead” – L7
Now we’re back to attitude and grit. L7’s “Pretend We’re Dead” is pure alt-rock attitude — edgy, catchy, and just rebellious enough to make you feel unstoppable.
Why it’s great for beginners
Low range, high confidence: The melody sits in a comfortable range, so you can focus on phrasing and attitude rather than worrying about pitch.
Teaches forward placement: Like “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” this song helps cement that bright, buzzy resonance that defines rock vocals.
Empowers authentic expression: It’s raw, real, and perfect for exploring your performance persona.
You don’t need to force an American accent or copy L7’s exact delivery. In fact, you’ll sound more authentic singing in your own voice.
“You can sing in your own accent. If you have a hard ‘R,’ use it. It’s all about finding your natural sound.”
This song reminds us that great rock singing isn’t about shouting or straining — it’s about intentional energy. Confidence. Connection. A strong message delivered with control.
Bonus Tips for Singing These Songs
Here are a few universal tips to help you get the most from this playlist:
Learn each song clean first. Strip it back to melody, pitch, and placement before layering on effects like growl or vibrato.
Focus on technique, not volume. True power comes from efficient resonance and support — not from pushing.
Listen like a musician. Notice where each singer uses breath, vibrato, and articulation.
Work smarter with key changes. If a song feels too high or too low, you can easily buy a backing track in a different key online (often for less than £2).
Make it your own. Change pronouns, adjust the phrasing, or modify the arrangement — rock singing is about self-expression, not imitation.
A Note on Vocal Health
All of these songs involve some level of emotional intensity — and that can easily translate into vocal tension if you’re not careful. Here’s how to keep your voice safe while developing your rock sound:
Always warm up before singing. Gentle sirens, lip trills, and humming are excellent ways to prepare the voice.
Hydrate consistently. Your vocal folds rely on moisture to vibrate freely.
Take breaks if you start to feel hoarse or fatigued.
Avoid overusing rasp, distortion, or growl until you’ve been shown how to do them safely by a qualified vocal coach.
Remember, great technique equals longevity. Many of the most powerful rock singers — from Stevie Nicks to Hayley Williams — maintain their careers because they’ve learned how to blend passion with precision.
Why These Songs Work So Well
These five tracks share some important qualities that make them ideal for building a rock foundation:
Skill | Song(s) That Develop It |
Forward placement | “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll”, “Pretend We’re Dead” |
Diction and clarity | “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll”, “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” |
Head voice and range extension | “Bring Me to Life” |
Breath control and smooth phrasing | “Dreams” |
Style and emotional connection | All of them |
They’re also versatile enough to work for multiple voice types. If you’re a higher-voiced male singer (tenor) or a lower-voiced female singer (alto), you’ll still find these songs accessible — and if not, a simple key change can make all the difference.
Your Next Step as a Singer
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re serious about improving your voice — not just mimicking your favourite artists but understanding how to sound like you.
Whether you’re an aspiring professional, a semi-professional performer, or a singer-songwriter wanting to strengthen your voice and protect it for years to come, personalised training can make all the difference.
Working with a professional vocal coach helps you:
Unlock your full vocal range safely
Learn how to use distortion, rasp, and power without strain
Develop confident stage presence and microphone technique
Refine your tone so your voice cuts through in recordings and live settings
Ready to unlock your authentic rock voice?
Apply now for in-person or online singing lessons designed specifically for existing and aspiring professional and semi-professional singers.
Whether you’re polishing your technique, writing your own songs, or preparing for a big performance, you’ll get the tools and guidance to make your voice stronger, freer, and more expressive — without losing what makes it uniquely yours.
Remember: Rock singing isn’t about perfection. It’s about expression, freedom, and connection. Start with these songs, learn them clean, and grow into your power — one note at a time.
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