Have you ever wanted to become a singer? Well, everyone starts off with that — an interest. Slowly, that interest can transform into a passion, especially after listening to music and hearing renowned singers do their thing. Many people think that they’re stuck with the voice they have. And if they can’t sing, then they can’t be a singer. But that’s actually not true.
Think of singing like a body work out. You’re not born with abs. Instead, you work on them by going on a diet and doing workouts specific to the core. It’s the same case with singing. Whatever voice a person has, it can be worked on and have the potential to develop. In fact, even record-breaking singers spent years controlling and training their voices.
Taking the time and effort to attend voice lessons in Tampa or practicing your singing voice at home can unlock a lot of potential. Here are some tips to improve your singing voice.
Do vocal warm ups
Your singing voice is a muscle. And just like how you need to do some stretching exercises before undertaking physical activity, so should you warm up your voice. There are several warm up exercises you can do before practicing your singing, such as scales and tongue and lip trills. But the best and most simple method is by humming.
Close your mouth and gently hum a tone of a song you are familiar with. Or you can make up your own tune. As you go, transition from a closed mouth to opening and vocalizing the vowels. This exercise will help relieve tension in the lips, tongue, and jaw, making your singing more relaxed and natural.
Open your mouth wide
Of course, your mouth is the most important bodily function you need to sing. But there is a certain way you should be using it. When singing, make sure your mouth is open very wide. Otherwise, you’re suppressing your voice and not unleashing its full potential.
Place two fingers on top of each other and position them in your mouth — one finger touching your upper teeth and another touching your lower teeth. That’s how wide your mouth has to be when you’re singing. Practice keeping it this wide as you sing, and you’ll immediately notice how much more powerful your voice is.
Practice your breathing
When it comes to singing, you’re working not only your mouth, but also your lungs. Many singers do not use their lung’s capacity to its full potential, which is why their singing voice sounds restrained and flat. In order to hit those high notes and sustain the long ones, you need to work on your breathing.
Relax your body and do some breathing exercises. Inhale for 4 counts and hold for another 4. Then exhale 4 counts before inhaling again. Religiously practice breathing exercises every day to help you get the most out of your singing voice.
Stick to your range
Although it’s true that you can actually control your singing voice, you cannot do so beyond your range. There are different types of range levels, such as soprano and alto, and bass or tenor for men. Some people are more comfortable singing higher notes, while some can only do lower ones. The important thing is to stick to your range to prevent straining your throat. Not being able to reach high notes can be frustrating, but just consider it as the sound that makes your singing voice unique.
Everyone can sing, as long as they know how to use their vocal cords. With a little determination and practice, you’re well on your way to unleashing your singing voice’s full potential.