Becoming a singer can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things you do in your life. It is also challenging and requires hard work and commitment to achieve success. However, many tips will make it easier for you to improve your singing voice and keep it healthy over time. This article will explore some of those tips so that you can start improving your singing as soon as possible.
1. Start Vocal Lessons if Possible
If you are serious about improving your singing voice, one of the best things you can do is take vocal lessons from a qualified instructor. It will help if you learn how to sing better by accessing the latest techniques and information to help you achieve your goals sooner rather than later. There are many different vocal coaches, do some research online or ask for referrals to find someone right for you. You won’t regret it.
2. Avoid vocal projection
When projecting your voice, you are doing more harm than good. You are forcing your vocal cords to work harder than they need to, which can lead to long-term damage. Try to avoid projecting as much as possible and focus on keeping a robust and consistent tone instead. It will help protect your vocal cords and allow you to sing for more extended periods without feeling tired or strained.
3. Protect Your Voice
Singing is a strenuous activity on the body, especially when performing at high volume levels for long periods. It can be highly draining both mentally and physically. It’s essential to take steps to protect yourself while singing as much as possible. It includes wearing breathable clothes that allow airflow around your neck area, drinking lots of water before performances or during rehearsals, taking regular breaks between songs, and even using throat sprays if necessary.
4. Exercise Your Voice
Like any other muscle in your body, the vocal cords need exercising regularly to stay healthy and strong. You can do it by singing regularly at home and in rehearsal settings. Even the most talented singers in the world work hard every day at their craft. Don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and get started right away. This way, you will see results much faster than if you were sitting back and waiting for them to come naturally without any effort on your part. There are many different exercises that you can do for this purpose, but a good basic one is to sing scales starting from the lowest pitch possible and moving up gradually. It will help loosen up the vocal cords and prepare them for more strenuous use.
5. Stay Hydrated
One of the most important things you can do for your voice is drinking plenty of water daily. Dehydration can lead to all sorts of problems with the vocal cords, including inflammation, dryness, and even swelling. Ensure to drink at least eight glasses of water per day more if you are performing or rehearsing regularly, and avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol as much as possible. These substances will only dehydrate you further and make it harder to maintain good vocal health.
6. Warm-up Gently
Start by humming a few notes and then gradually build up your range from there. This way, you’ll give yourself the best chance of sounding great without straining or hurting something in the process. Warm-ups are essential for protecting your voice. Don’t skip them even if you’re short on time because it won’t be worth it later when everything starts to go wrong.
7. Don’t Shout
If you tend to speak loudly or yell a lot at work or when hanging out with your friends, it might be time to cut back. When you’re constantly forcing your voice in one direction, the vocal cords will also become fatigued much faster, leading to damage down the line. Ensure not to use mentholated products, though, because these might irritate the delicate membranes in this area even more than usual.
Exercise your voice by singing regularly both at home and in rehearsal settings while making sure to warm up before each performance or practice session. Drink plenty of water daily and consider taking professional lessons if possible so that you can improve your singing skills over time without hurting yourself along the way. Practice makes perfect but don’t overdo it and always warm up first to protect your voice from damage. If you tend to speak loudly or yell a lot, cut back because constantly forcing the vocal cords in one direction will make them fatigued much faster, which can cause permanent damage.
Published by HOLR Magazine