There is a lot more to singing than having a good voice. Carrying a tune and hitting the right notes is just half the battle. From learning new breathing techniques to finding your singing posture, every element plays an integral role in your success, and we’re here to help you master every component.
If you’re ready to take your passion for singing to the next level, here are eight techniques you should know:
1. Perfect your singing posture
The way you position your body can impact your singing voice, so you’ll want to correct your singing posture to get the most out of your voice.
You’ll want to start by keeping your head level, your chest and shoulders high, and make sure your abdomen is flat. From there, relax your hands and keep them on your side. Also, make sure you don’t lock your knees. Try to keep your body feeling as natural and comfortable as possible.
2. Find your volume
If you don’t find the correct volume, you could risk singing too softly or too loud, which can cause your voice to crack or fall flat. Every singer has their volume. Once you find it you’ll be more comfortable with your voice.
We recommend pretending you’re performing. Try singing a few notes at a comfortable volume that is loud enough for the entire audience to hear, without yelling or whispering.
3. Always warm up before you start singing
Don’t underestimate the power of warming up. Before you start singing, we recommend trying simple vocal exercises, like the yawn-sigh technique or humming warm-ups.
This is also when you’ll want to perfect your singing posture, engage your core, and get your body comfortable. By taking this extra step, you’ll be able to improve your singing and get your voice where you need it to be.
4. The thyroid tilt technique
Your thyroid glands sit in front of your windpipe. If you learn how to tilt your thyroid gland at a 45-degree angle, you can improve the depth of your singing voice without causing any unwanted straining.
5. Be mindful of your jaw and lips
While singing, you want to be as relaxed as possible. Make sure you aren’t tightening your lips or protruding your jaw. If you tighten your lips or move your jaw too much, it could impair your singing and affect your performance. You’ll also want to form vowels with your tongue without disrupting your mouth too much.
6. Always sing from your diaphragm
Your diaphragm is beneath your lungs. Every time you exhale, it pushes against your lungs, and when you inhale it pulls on your lungs. To master your singing voice, you’ll want to learn how to sing using your diaphragm.
To do this: You’ll want to locate your diaphragm muscles and practice breathing into your diaphragm. Try prioritizing airflow to your vocal cords and strengthening your support. You can also utilize breathing techniques to help strengthen these muscles.
7. Learn how to speak-sing
If you didn’t know: you should sing the way you speak. That’s because your voice is the most relaxed when you’re talking to others. You’ll want to try to bring this level of relaxation to your singing.
Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t sound right at first. The more comfortable you get, the easier it comes to you. As you gradually move from speaking to singing, you’ll be able to master your singing voice and get it where you want it to be.
8. Don’t forget to cool down your voice
Everyone always talks about how important it is to warm up your voice but forget that cooling down is just as essential. We recommend using the same vocal exercises you used to warm up. Finish with a few humming or lighter exercises, and you’re good to go. By taking this additional step, you’ll be keeping your singing voice nice and strong for next time.
Register for an online vocal program
At MI, we offer an online vocal program that combines technical and creative development with performing experience to help you discover your voice and style. Our teachers will work with you to help you gain confidence in your ability and grow into the singer you’ve always wanted to be. Contact us today if you’re ready to learn more about the online program or register.
