Have you ever wondered how some singers have such a wide vocal range? Many aspiring singers have found it challenging to reach high notes while singing. However, having a good vocal range is about getting the high notes and the low notes as well. As a singer, you need to work on your vocal range and expand it. With a few tips and exercises, you can increase your vocal range.
Know your current vocal range
Before going further, it is essential to know your current vocal range. You need to know the range between the highest and the lowest note, that can be sung by you comfortably without any strain. To find your comfortable vocal range, use a keyboard or an app and start with a middle C. Play it and try to match your voice with it. After this, keep going down until you find the lowest note that you can sing comfortably. Repeat this to find the highest note that you can sing without any strain. This will be your natural vocal range. Try to master your current vocal range first by starting to hum as low as you can and slowly proceed to go higher until you find a note that causes strain to your voice. After understanding your current vocal range you can follow the below tips and exercises to increase your vocal range.
Start with warm-ups
Start every practice session with warm-up exercises. Loosening your vocal cords can help you healthily widen your vocal range. Try to warm up gradually. You can try humming or performing trills.
Practice breathing
Incorporating proper breathing techniques while singing can greatly help you expand your vocal range. Try to breathe from your diaphragm. When you inhale deeply, your diaphragm should push your stomach out. Make sure you don’t move your chest or shoulders when inhaling. When you exhale, your stomach should slowly come in. You can learn to control your breath by practicing to inhale for 4 seconds, then holding your breath for 4 seconds before finally breathing out for 4 seconds and repeating this exercise at a comfortable pace.
Maintain good posture
This is a simple and easy way to increase your vocal range. To attain a good posture while singing, stand straight with your feet placed shoulder-width apart and lift your chest without leaning too forward or backward. Relax your shoulders and keep your head and neck up. This posture will allow airflow which will help you reach a wider range of notes while learning to sing.
Take care of your vocal health
If you wish to become a successful singer, your voice is your asset. Take good care of your vocal health and prioritize it. Here are ways to do it-
1. Always make sure you get 7 to 9 hours of good night’s sleep.
2. Keep yourself hydrated by sipping water regularly.
3. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and other drinks that will make your throat dry. Avoid ice creams and other mucous-causing products too especially before singing.
4. Treat coughs and sore throats as soon as possible. Make sure to address your symptoms immediately and treat them soon.
Exercise effectively
Regularly exercising can strengthen your voice and can also increase your vocal range. Some exercises that you can start with are-
1. Vocal sirens
Start by singing an ‘oo’ or ‘oh’ from the lowest note that you are comfortable with to the highest note that you are comfortable with. Then come back down. Repeat this a few times.
2. Lip trills
To do this, try to blow air through your lips while you try to sing the vowel ‘uh’. Let your lips vibrate gently.
Modify vowels
Use rounded, closed vowel sounds when you reach high notes. This reduces the pressure on your vocal cords. When singing words at high notes, keep the vowel rounded. Open your throat when ending the word so that the pronunciation sounds normal.
Replace words
When singing high notes, you may come across tough words. You can substitute these words with simple words. Keep substituting complicated words until you find it comfortable to sing the note with the right word.
Keep your muscles relaxed
Tightening your muscles to expand your vocal range can strain your vocal cords. You need to release the tension in your muscles and keep your muscles loose. Keep your tongue and your throat loose while singing. This will help with airflow and will help you reduce strain when trying to widen your range. Stick your tongue out a couple of times a day when you are not singing to help you loosen up.
Having a singing teacher to guide you throughout your singing training is better than trying to self-learn the craft. At Music4humans you can find excellent singing instructors who can help you expand your vocal range safely and can also help you to enhance your voice quality. Find your dream teacher today!
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