Vocal Analysis - Don Dokken - In My Dreams

Vocal coach, Eli Prinsen analyzes Don Dokken's vocal technique in the isolated track of "In My Dreams" from their album: Under Lock And Key.
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[@jahiddle]

His vibrato was one of the best in that Era!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Agreed, especially on the last "Your love is STRONG" - the word strong, he did his signature ah sound with a widened vibrato.

[@waycooljr.3147]

Thanx for making this vid. Don Dokken is criminally underrated and there are very few analyse/reaction videos for him. He is basically my fave singer :)

[@NealVio]

Love Don. One of the greatest singers of all time. One of the things you missed is how he goes in and out of vocal compression for added emotion and passion. The first verse shows this. Most singers miss this when covering Dokken songs.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

True, and he does that all throughout the range.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Don Dokken is one of the best Hard Rock singers.

[@MarkBlumenthal1]

He was, check out his latest video

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@MarkBlumenthal1 Which one?

[@MarkBlumenthal1]

@@ColtraneTaylor del lago resort and casino, live with George Lynch, 3 song set, you should be able to find on KZbin easy

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@MarkBlumenthal1 I have a feeling you're directing me to an awful performance. We all know he's not great live anymore.

[@culleykaufman2295]

Was........

[@MAG-li5jo]

Back when Dokken was a freaking MONSTER band! Don Dokken is still may favorite singer from the era. And George Lynch never did well commercially without Don. They were the perfect combo in the 80's. Best guitarist and singer, combined with Pilson and Brown. MONSTER band!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

I saw them a couple times back then, they were awesome!

[@CRITTERBUSTERS]

This was a fascinating analysis, Don Dokken for me was one of the greatest singers in Hard Rock and Metal. It’s no surprise he has a similar range or technique to Klaus Mein as Don played with them in Germany and even did back up vocals on The Scorpions black out album. I think Don is a very unique singer as he fused a classic rock voice with blues and a hint of opera and for me is my favourite singer of the 80s and that’s saying a lot because there were a lot of great singers during that decade. Dokken also got me into metal and rock.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Cool info that you added there. Rock on man.

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

​@@EliPrinsensHVTVocalsit's not a coincidence that Don sounded like Klause. I heard in a documentary, and it is not that well known, that Don sang backup vocals for the Scorpions and filled in for Klause when he was having trouble with his voice. There are tracks from that time period that still exist but Don himself, said that they would not be released.

[@mattstuckey9156]

What a song! George Lynch's solo might have been the zenith of hair metal. Don's vocals carved a commanding spot in radio and music stores. This analysis was fascinating. Love the technical breakdown. You think Don did all this knowingly? Or merely instinctively? Amazing song and performance, and superb analysis!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

I think a blend of both on Don's part. Lynch is a BEAST!

[@hollandrocksls]

This was such an eye opener to a band I've listened to so much. Killer job. I love these videos and song selection.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Thank you very much!

[@catrowe6774]

Still rocking to these songs at age 51🤟💖

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Same!

[@kellywendlandt3940]

Great analysis Eli. I especially appreciate the vowel modification breakdown. It's really helpful and very much appreciated. Keep them coming.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@metallicblood]

Thank you so much for the work. Videos like those help me little german fella in awe of Klaus Meine, Don Dokken and alike just to understand their craft a little better. I have my own band on the way and my bandmates will appreciate me developing my voice further down the line.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

You’re very welcome!

[@stephensanchez9590]

Don dokken has a great voice and one of the best singer in the 80s metal /hard rock era,great band

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

I completely agree.

[@JackieMac5150]

Holy crap! You are AMAZING!!!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Wow! Thank you 🙏

[@TruthSurge]

funny to hear you mention the slurring into one long word cuz I realized not long ago I have a tendency to BARK each word out instead of SING a phrase that's connected and merely interrupted now and then by those consonants. I guess learning is still learning whatever age you are. Sometimes I feel like I'm singing and sometimes barking. Always interesting vids, Eli!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

I used to do the same thing. Glad I'm helping! And thanks man, I sincerely appreciate it!

[@ToriS61910]

Pov ur 12 and OBSESSED WITH DON DOKKEN (Edit: 13 now😊❤)

[@saecarnifex]

Spot on analysis! Thanks man!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

My pleasure!

[@Rockenstein68]

I believe Don was a backup singer in Germany, for the Scorpions.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Really!?, that's awesome!

[@metallicblood]

@@EliPrinsensHVTVocals Yes, he acutally was and they even considered hiring him as replacement for Klaus while the latter had to undergo throat surgery around the recording of the Blackout-album.

[@stephensanchez9590]

I've never heard avocal coach break down a singer like this it makes a lot of sense And I appreciate the break down, I do know he is a huge scorpions fan and did do background vocals on an early 80s scorpions album from an interview he did

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

That is so awesome! You can definitely hear the influence in his singing!!!

[@rentedtux1883]

I loved you in Sacred Warrior! Great breakdown of Don's vocals.

[@mitchmartinico3013]

I’m aware of Don’s medical issues and all. I also take in to account his age. It has been rough to watch him struggle to even keep in key for the last several years. Don in his prime was certainly one of the best!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

I agree. I'm thankful for his prime recordings and lives shows I attended. Great memories and regular jammings!

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

The sad part is, he won't stop smoking !!! Regardless of what other health issues a singer may have, cigarettes do more damage to the vocal chords than anything else. It also happened to Whitney Houston. After she died, her vocal coach stated, that even though she struggled with other drugs, smoking was the primary reason that she could no longer hit the high notes. You need a healthy oxygen supply to get that range and smoking destroys that.😮

[@alexmalmstrom7299]

This cat looks similar to Don…. And almost sounds like him too👍

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Thanks!!!

[@RicardoMarlowFlamenco]

I still have the GFTPM magazine where George won best solo over vanhalen 5150 yngwie marching out and master of puppets, with this tune transcribed. I remember learning from the score the vocal part in falseto. Now 35 years later I can actually sing all those part thanks to HVT!!! Lol

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

That's awesome, Ricardo! Keep it up!

[@reuelgiddiel23]

Could you do a vocal analysis on Michael Kiske

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

I actually do a complete and full breakdown of his voice in this HVT add on program: eliprinsenshvt.sellfy.store/p/BibM/ I also did a cover by him: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3SuioOur6d2j5o

[@DenisMorissetteJFK]

He sings with the same « nose « sound as the Scorpion singer.

[@reedmak77]

Thanks for this Eli! I'm definitely going to book some lessons with you soon. There's a song that's kicking my butt. LOL

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Looking forward to it!

[@jamiesonmathias7859]

DOKKEN WHAT IF SERIES VICALS & ALL What if each Dokken album was done in the style of the year I'll put cause album titles would get to long here's a Example to start out with. BREAKIN THE CHAINS - DONE IN THE STYLE OF 87 BACK FOR THE ATTACK , ETC & SO ON ACTUALLY EVERY SINGLE DOKKEN ALBUM DONE IN THE STYLE OF 1987 BACK FOR THE ATTTACK. TOOTH N NAIL - 87 UNDER LOCK N KEY - 87 UP FROM THE ASHES -87 LYNCH MOB- 87 THEN FROM DOKKEN 1994-2024 DONE IN 1987 STYLE !

[@TruthSurge]

Don's voice, though, sounds rather plain to me. Not someone I think of when I think of really great singers but just my opinion. My opinion? George Lynch MADE Dokken what it was. Not hating on Don but my gosh, George was a beast and his tone sounded so killer.

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

He's a BEAST! I remember air guitaring to the "In My Dreams" solo so many times (Even did it in the analysis video)! LOL!!!!

[@TruthSurge]

@@EliPrinsensHVTVocals You do play some guitar, tho, yes? I saw what looked like an Ampeg SS model in one video. I used to love those things.

[@StrokerAce78]

Don dokken has more talent in his right testicle that any rapper in history of the world!!!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Hahahaha. Yeah, he definitely rips!

[@henriquespencer8644]

Can you please dissect Hansi from Blind Guardian ?

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Will check it out.

[@jeffreyklaproth7794]

How can you analyze his song and totally blow off the harmonies in the beginning and the chorus? It's the biggest vocal part of the song LOL,😆 It would be awesome if you would show you're strong talents and break down the harmonies in the beginning and the chorus! I don’t think anyone else on you tube has done it so that could be valuable to your channel. I found your analysis and teachings VERY helpful. Your communication is excellent and I enjoyed the video thank you!

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

VERY good point, will remember this for future videos!

[@jesusmetaldude3796]

Smilin the whole time! Thank you brother! FYI that solo is my ringtone 😁

[@greentongueman]

freddy lives

[@ColtraneTaylor]

9:57 You're pointing out the flaws of all the "over singers" of the last 20 years.

[@jeremygillihan]

I thought you were Allan Holdsworth in the thumbnail 😅

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

Haha. Wish I could play like him!

[@paulgreblick]

How did you get the isolated vocal?

[@EliPrinsensHVTVocals]

There are AI software services that can extract vocals from songs. Sometimes you can just search the name of the band and song title and type "Stems" or "isolated vocal track" and find a pretty good variety of them.

[@paulgreblick]

@@EliPrinsensHVTVocals Thank you!