# Starboy by The Weeknd

Source: https://pitchhighway.com/songs/the-weeknd-starboy
Site: PitchHighway — learn to sing your favorite songs (https://pitchhighway.com)

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## Measured data

- Key: not established
- Vocal phrasing tempo: ~63 BPM (median pace of the sung phrases, measured from real uploads — it can sit below the song's beat BPM on sustained passages)
- Vocal range: B2–A4 (22 semitones)
- Difficulty: medium

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## Starboy by The Weeknd: measured vocal data

The Weeknd released Starboy in 2016. The track sits at a phrasing tempo of 63 BPM with a measured vocal range of B2 to A4. That span covers 22 semitones. The average note density lands at 0.4 notes per second across a 230-second runtime. Difficulty registers as medium.

### What makes it easy or hard to sing

The 63 BPM tempo gives singers time to shape phrases without rushing. At the same time the 0.4 notes-per-second rate keeps the line from becoming sparse, so breath planning stays important. The 22-semitone range from B2 to A4 requires solid low-note support and a clear transition into the upper chest voice around A4. Medium difficulty stems mainly from that range width rather than speed or ornament density. Singers who lose support below C3 or tighten above G4 will feel the edges of the part quickly.

The even pacing at 63 BPM also means sustained notes appear regularly. Holding those tones without excess vibrato or pitch drift becomes a repeatable drill. Because the note rate stays modest, the main technical demand is consistent airflow across the full 22 semitones rather than rapid articulation.

### Who it suits

Baritones and lower tenors will find the B2-A4 window comfortable. The lower end sits inside typical baritone tessitura, while the A4 top stays reachable without heavy head-voice flip for most tenors. Higher voices can transpose down a third or fourth and still keep the original timbre intact. Lower voices may need to lighten the top of the phrase to avoid pushing.

### How to practice it

Start by mapping the exact B2 and A4 boundaries with a keyboard or app. Sing the lowest phrase on an open vowel, then move upward in half steps until the tone thins. Mark the spots where support drops or the sound spreads. At 63 BPM, practice each phrase at half speed first, focusing on steady air rather than volume. Once the pitch holds, return to full tempo and add the measured 0.4 notes-per-second contour.

Work on breath resets between longer lines. The medium difficulty rating suggests the challenge lies in range endurance, not in fast runs, so short daily sessions that cover the full 22 semitones build stamina faster than long marathons. Record a pass, compare the lowest and highest notes to the measured B2-A4 window, and adjust posture or vowel shape on the next try.

Upload the song to PitchHighway and learn it phrase by phrase.