Learn How to Sing in the Fastest and Easiest Way

What exactly should I do to warm up my voice before I sing?

Like any athlete or person who plays a sport, it is also necessary for you to warm yourself up before you sing in order to get the most optimum results.

Imagine a gymnast who goes directly to a competition without preparing himself or warming himself up. He will not be able to last very long and his performance will be of low quality. He could even strain his muscles.

In the same way, a singer needs to warm up their vocal cords, which are also muscles. Warming up makes the singer feel more motivated and confident, not only physically, but also psychologically.

It is also not a good idea to start off a performance after a heavy meal. Many singers are invited to sing after a large meal at a party or gathering. In this situation the singer should cordially decline the request since it is very difficult to sing well on a full stomach and particularly without warming up.

When an athlete starts to run without exercising his muscles first, the warmth that he produces from the physical activity makes the muscles tense which can limit his flexibility. This also will happen with a singer who does not warm up their voice.
The warm up exercises should be relaxing, calm and comfortable. They should never be rushed and you should always take the appropriate time needed while doing them.

Singers have different and distinct routines, depending on their personal needs. Having consistency and always practicing warm ups is very beneficial. Some people start with physical exercise, such as stretching or yoga. This helps to alleviate muscular tension.

Muscles in the mouth, the tongue, the jaw and the lips can relax with the appropriate techniques. This helps to provide better air flow and also improves vocal resonance.

It is best to start off with notes that are comfortable to the singer. Little by little you will be able to arrive at the highest notes which will make your vocal cords vibrate quicker.

Warm up Exercises for you to Practice Before you Start to Sing

We can start by saying the letter “M” like “mmmm” continuously and in an intermediate tone. Afterwards, we can continue and say “mahh” and repeat it by going up a note each time you say it. This will require good management of vocal respiration.

One of the most common exercises for warming up while you sing is to sing along with a musical instrument such as a guitar or a piano. The piano is probably the easiest to use so that you can find the notes of the chords easier.

For example, start with arpeggios using the lowest chord in your vocal range. If we start with the “C” chord, we would play the notes in the following order: C, E, G, E, C. This type of arpeggio is one of the most popular to use while warming up since the order that the notes are played with go from low to high and then to low again. It is also easy to play this specific arpeggio in all of the chords.

We should sing the notes slowly and at the same time that they are being played. Continue on to the next chord, which is one half step (a semitone) higher, which in this case would be C#. Continue with the arpeggios until you hit around one of the highest chords in your vocal range.

Warming up and taking care of your voice should always be your top priority. Remember to take your time and relax while doing the exercises. Your voice is a very important tool and should always be maintained, especially when you are learning how to sing.