How To Sing Like Dave Mustaine (Explained)

BySophie Collins

When you think of Dave Mustaine, it comes with memories of the great band “Megadeth”

Dave Mustaine was the popular lead vocalist of the hit band “Megadeth”. This Rock star is not just a vocalist but also a lead guitarist.

His sound is a unique one. His voice has always been in its raw state. Amazing fans are still thrilled by this.

He has some outstanding singing skills that a lot of persons would love to emulate.

If you happen to be a lover of Dave Mustaine’s voice, here’s the good news – this article will provide you with information on how to sing like Dave Mustaine. Let’s dive right in! 

What Are The Steps Needed To Sing Like Dave Mustaine

How To Sing Like Dave Mustaine

Dave has quite a unique voice. The truth is every singer does and that’s why no one can totally sound like another.

However, Dave does have some incredible techniques you can learn. Here are some steps that can help you learn some of his singing techniques.

1. Develop a mixed voice 

Dave isn’t the riff and runs kinda singer but he sure knows some good singing techniques.

He does a lot of mixed voicing when singing. To be a great singer, developing a mixed voice is a necessity.

A mixed voice is basically the blend of both the head and the chest voice. Wondering how to get this done? Here are some steps that will help you sing in your mixed voice.

1. First of, you have to discover your mixed voice. I am sure you’re wondering how you can achieve that.

To discover your mixed voice you have to find the break between your head and chest voice. You can find the break in your voice by singing in ascending and descending scales.

2. Secondly you have to sing across the break between your head and chest voice. You can achieve this by singing in ascending and descending scales.

But this time you have to apply speed at the point you begin to descend and vice versa.

3. Thirdly ensure you aren’t straining your voice while singing. You do this by training your larynx to lie low. There are vocal exercises that can help you do this.

One of such exercise is as making the “Gug” sound on a low note in your range, and continue singing “gug” up and down through a major arpeggio.

4. Finally, you can also consider getting a vocal trainer. A vocal coach would help you and make the learning process easier.

While there are several ways to get self-trained, getting a vocal coach is one of the best ways to develop your singing skills.

So if you can afford one, it’s going to be helpful.

2. Vocal Distortion 

Having a voice with grit is almost a prerequisite for singing in a rock band. Distortion is also known as grit. Dave has a gritty tone in his singing.

Distortions add a level of depth and emotion to the music in a way that can’t be matched by clean vocals.

However, note that distortions should be minimal when singing. This is because it can have adverse effects on the voice over a period of time.

Whether you’re learning how to sing rock style for fun or as a serious career, you must take care of your voice.

You must know how to sing correctly and always take care of your throat and vocal cords.

Be sure to stay hydrated during your practice sessions and take frequent breaks, especially if you’re a beginner.

3. Add some nasals to your singing 

Dave has a natural nasal voice. Note that nasal voice and nasal resonance are different. While nasal resonance is a good singing technique, nasal voice isn’t.

A nasal voice isn’t dangerous to the voice but it could affect the sound and beauty of your voice.

Note that the above-listed steps aim to make you a better singer.

You might not need a nasal sound if you are not a rock singer. Even as a rock singer, it isn’t totally necessary that you should.

4. Use vocal compression 

Most rock singers use vocal compression and Dave is not an exemption. Vocal compression has a way of adding more dynamic control to the voice.

It is also used to shape and enhance the tone of the vocal which makes quite beneficial.

However, vocal compression can be good and bad, depending on how you use them.

It can make the voice sound very professional when used correctly which is good. But if your compression is done by an amateur, it can ruin your entire recording.

5. Practice often

It’s one thing to know some singing skills that can help you grow.

And it’s another thing to keep growing on what you have learned. Practice is very essential for you to gain mastery of your music.

There are a lot of great singers but no one became as they are suddenly. When it comes to singing, there’s no magic but practice.

What Voice Type Does Dave Mustaine Have

Dave is best described as a baritone singer. The baritone is the second-lowest singing range and overlaps both Bass and Tenor.

The typical baritone range is from A2 to A4 and might extend down to F2 or up to C5.

Generally, baritones are divided into different subcategories based on;

  • Your range
  • Your vocal timbre
  • The weight of your voice
  • Dexterity of your voice

Generally, baritones are broken down into nine subcategories:

What Makes Dave Mustaine’s Voice So Unique

Dave has a very distinct voice which is very easy to spot. When you hear Dave, you’ll definitely know it’s him without a second guess.

Dave Mustaine has a solid metallic tone.

The distortion in his voice gives a mix of aggression and energy when he sings and this gives him an incredible sound.

His ability to switch from his chest voice to his head voice is definitely something.

He also has an amazing snarl that makes him stand out. And what’s more amazing is the fact that every musician has his uniqueness.

That’s the whole essence of being original.

Here is an article I wrote on how to sing like Florence Welch

Can Dave Mustain Actually Sing 

Dave isn’t a fantastic vocalist. But for a rock singer, he is pretty good.

He has the basic requirements for his selected music genre and that’s all that matters really.

However, there has been a lot of change in Dave’s voice.

Dave underwent surgery for stenosis in 2011. This lead to a drop in his vocal texture as it hasn’t been the same since his surgery.

But, what’s more important is that he can still sing. and we are glad we still get to enjoy hearing his amazing voice after all.

How Did Dave Mustaine Start Singing

Dave started his music career when he joined his first music band “Panic”.

He was the lead guitarist of the “Panic”. The band fell out in 1981 and he went on to join another band “Metallica”.

And, he was also the lead guitarist in this band.

After he was dropped by several groups as a result of alcohol, drugs, and aggressive behavior, he joined the “ Megadeth”.

This was really when his singing started. He sang and played the lead guitar as well.

What Is Dave Mustaine’s Vocal Range

Dave’s vocal range is between A4-F2.

This is the normal vocal range for a baritone singer. His higher notes are almost like screams and they are way lighter in-depth than the lower note.

His lower notes are usually very deep and low.

Also check out this article I wrote on how to sing like Dove Cameron

What Is The Highest Note Dave Mustaine Can Sing

The highest note Dave can sing is A4. That’s the highest he has ever sang. In his song “last rights” he sang on A4. His lowest note ever is F2. 

What are some classic Dave Mustaine songs to practice 

1. Holy wars

2. Phantom Lord

3. Sweating bullets

Conclusion 

Dave is a super unique singer and guitarist. He started as a lead guitarist and then he transcended into singing and playing the guitar at the same time.

He is not a professional vocalist but he was the best fit for Megadeth. The emotions that come with the distortion in his voice is very contagious.

Dave is not like every other vocalist; he is indeed very outstanding and easy to spot out because of how different he sounds.

Hi my name is Sophie, I am a Singer, Producer and Instrumentalist. I also love to bake and get creative with my hands. When I am not strumming my guitar, you can find me reading a good book with a glass of wine in my hands.