Whether you are a seasoned vocalist or a total newbie, perfecting our singing technique is an ongoing journey. There are many different ways you can improve your singing, but which are the most effective and accessible for all abilities? In this article we break down some tried-and-tested methods and techniques that you can use to help you sing better, no matter your skill level.
Master Proper Breathing Techniques
Breathing is the foundation of good singing. If you don't breathe properly, your voice will be lacking in power and you will struggle to access your full range. Here's are a few ways you can work on your breathing technique:
Diaphragmatic Breathing - Focus on breathing from your diaphragm. When you inhale, your belly should expand, not your chest. This deep, controlled breathing will give you more air support for sustained, powerful notes.
Breathing Exercises - Try exercises like "sniffing the air" (short, sharp inhales) followed by a long exhale through pursed lips. This builds booth control and capacity in your breath.
Breathing for Phrasing - Practise sustaining long phrases or sentences with minimal breaths. This will help you increase your breath control, which is essential for managing long notes and avoiding strain.
Work On Your Vocal Range
Expanding your vocal range is one of the most rewarding aspects of vocal training. However, it's important to do this gradually and with proper technique to avoid straining your voice.
Begin by singing comfortable notes in your range, and then practise extending up or down one note at a time. Avoid forcing any notes that feel uncomfortable, as this can cause vocal strain. Once you feel familiar with this exercise you can then repeat the process in the different vocal registers of your voice such as chest voice, mixed voice and head voice. Learning to seamlessly transition between different vocal registers is key for a broader vocal range.
Focus On Vocal Tone
Having a consistent and pleasant vocal tone is one of the marks of a skilled singer. A quality vocal tone often comes from a relaxed voice with a lack of tension, and so we can work on this element of our singing by focusing on removing any tension in the mouth and throat.
Practice singing with an open, relaxed mouth, especially on vowels. This reduces strain and allows your voice to ring out clearly. You can use this same technique to also target your throat by singing with an open throat, as though you were yawning. This keeps the sound your voice is producing relaxed and smooth.
Improve Your Vocal Warm Ups
Warm-ups are essential for preparing your vocal cords for the demands of singing. They help you to avoid vocal strain, and perform with an elasticity to maximise both range and vocal resonance.
Lip Trills and Sirens - Start with easy lip trills (blowing air through closed lips to create a buzzing sound). Then, work up to sirens—sliding smoothly up and down your range like a police or ambulance siren. When used properly these exercises help to relax the vocal cords and improve pitch control.
Humming and Buzzing - Humming allows you to gently engage your voice. Try humming through notes on a scale or following a simple melody, paying attention to the sensation of vibration through the face, throat and head.
Scales and Arpeggios - Practising vocal scales exercise allows you to focus on accurate pitch and smooth transitions between notes. You can start with simple major and minor scales and gradually increase the complexity of these as your vocal control improves.
Perfect Your Diction And Articulation
Clear diction is crucial for singers, as it ensures that the audience can understand the lyrics and connect emotionally with the performance.
One of the most effective ways to improve your diction is by exaggerating your vowels during practice. By over-enunciating vowels, you train your mouth and tongue to form clearer sounds, which will carry through when you're singing more naturally.
It’s also helpful to incorporate tongue twisters into your routine. These fun exercises challenge your articulation and speed, forcing you to move your mouth quickly and clearly. Regular practice with tongue twisters will help you sing with more precision, even at faster tempos or in more complex phrases.
Try repeating the phrase “she sells sea shells on the sea shore” faster and faster, alternating the pitch higher and lower through your vocal range as you do so.
Work With A Vocal Coach
Our final proven technique to help improve your singing is to work with a vocal coach. As with learning any new skill in life, it's much easier for us to learn if we are being guided through the process by a professional tutor. In the case of a vocal coach, you are learning from someone who regularly works with singers of all different voices and abilities and can give you personalised, specific advice to help you level up your singing skills.
Working with a vocal coach will also save you a lot of time, as they will be able to more quickly identify your areas that need improvement, and recommend exercises to help strengthen your voice. A good coach will also be able to inspire and motivate you when you are perhaps feeling disheartened by a lack of progress, helping you to stay on track and remain consistent in the pursuit of your singing goals.
Learning how to sing is something that is intensely rewarding. It can bring added richness to your life and give you an outlet for creative expression. Hopefully using some of the techniques covered in this article can help you to stay motivated as you walk the path to becoming an expert singer.
Thank you for checking out this post on proven techniques to enhance your singing. If you enjoyed reading then please share this post with a friend!
Opmerkingen