Tips on How to Improve Your Singing Voice
One of the most amazing thing about singers is that you can meet people with incredible singing voices that have never had a lesson or theoretically worked on their voices. However, when was the last time you met someone that had never played guitar, sat down and shredded? Keep in mind that we can never put our voices down the way we rest other instruments- your voice is with you always. Subsequently, you may be getting more practice than you realize! But even the most amazing voices out there often need work. Look no further than the incomparable voice of a generation: Adele. Adele has opened up about having surgery on her vocal folds. A beautiful voice can also be misused! So whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned pro there may be aspects of your technique that you need to work on. Here are some tips on where to focus ti improve your singing voice:
Intonation. Working on your pitch accuracy is of course one of the most important aspects of being a singer. For some it takes more work than others but a lot of this also has to do with ear training. Working with a vocal coach that will hold you accountable for staying on pitch can be very helpful but I also encourage you to record yourself singing and listen back.
2.Relax. Our best sound manifests from our bodies and our minds being more relaxed. There are many vocal exercises and breathing exercises you can do to encourage your body and mind to chill out. With singing we especially want to pay attention to tongue and jaw tension, laryngeal tension and ab tension. The more relaxed you are in these aspects, the better you will sound.
3. Solid Breath Management. having strong diaphragmatic support as you sing is really important at base level but also we want to have continued support and control from the diaphragm. Often times singers regulate the air flow by tightening up in the throat which can lead to vocal health issues and tired voices. Many powerful singers are guilty of this.
4.Volume Control. One of the biggest issues singers face is figuring out how to hit high notes softly and to hit low notes loudly without hurting themselves. If you’re practicing a vocal exercise put a focus on singing evenly and letting the diaphragm muscle move up or down to control the airflow and help you to keep an even volume. When you’re an established singer, applying dynamics to your vocals and not singing everything at the same level- too loud or too soft- will help to engage your listener.
5. Rhythm. Singing with good rhythm is very important to work on. Some of the greatest singers in the world were also complete experts in finesse and feel. It’s a combination of emotion and precision! Do you have trouble knowing when to start or end phrases? Paying attention to the rhythm of the song will help you get a better feel.
6. Be self- aware. The best way to gain self-awareness is to record yourself singing and listen back. Look back at this list and think about what you did right and what you need to work on. Don’t beat yourself up about mistakes, let yourself enjoy it!
7. Take Care of your Voice. As I said in the beginning, you can’t put your vocal cords down the way you can set down a guitar and walk away. Take care of your voice. Many vocal health issues arise from how the speaking voice is used and treated throughout the day. Eat well and get better rest for optimal results- no different than any advice you would receive from a doctor.
8. Practice. Identify any weaknesses you have fro the list above and work on them! Hire a vocal coach like me or practice vocal exercises to gain more control over these different aspects of singing. Practice makes perfect! With more practice you will gain confidence in yourself and it is the confidence that leads to our best performances. Your vocal coach should be one of your biggest cheerleaders but you should also be on that list! Don’t wait, get started today!