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Voice Lessons : Tips on How to Sing Better
New to voice lessons? Are you still trying to find the right tips on how to sing better? If you are, I introduce to you the “Voice Lessons.” Included in this page are several YouTube videos to aid you with your voice lessons. What are we waiting for? Let’s begin your Voice Lessons! Drum roll please…
Should I Find A Vocal Coach Or What?
In my early twenties, one of my uncles commented that I had a good singing voice and added, “if you get trained, maybe you’ll really improve.” That prodded me to look for a voice coach on my own. Young and feeling a bit foolish, I enrolled and found myself in the company of a woman in her late forties.
My first voice lesson was held in a small room with a piano and scatter of books and papers everywhere. I frowned upon this clutter but my attention was riveted to my voice teacher who made me stand up in front of her. With no preliminary talks, she gave me a vocal workout. After she asked, do you know the song “Memory?” I nodded meekly, feeling uncomfortable. She made me sing that song. So I sang, “Midnight, not a sound from a pavement…”
For the life of me, I couldn’t recall what happened after that. I just remembered my voice becoming hoarse for days. When I went back the second time, I voiced out my concern. She dismissed it and made me sing again. “Midnight, not a sound from a pavement…”
I don’t know what you would have done. But I never went back again.
Important Tip: If you are serious about your singing career and have the budget for it, invest in finding a good vocal coach. Ask for referrals. Find out what her/his philosophy is and how she/he teaches voice lessons. My own experience made me realized that finding a bad voice coach made me withdraw from singing during that time. Of course, I never bothered to investigate. That was plainly the actions of a young girl who didn’t know any better.
How to Breathe When Singing
Breathing Properly
The most important thing you should know about learning how to sing better is to breathe properly. This is the basic foundation technique. If you observe, the note that you sing is carried as your breath flows in and out of your mouth. The more you are able to control your breathing, the more control you will have when you sing. If your breath is even and steady, your vocal tone will be strong and smooth. If your airflow is uncontrolled and inconsistent, your voice will sound like that too.
This was one of the things I struggled with. You see because of my chronic sinusitis, I don’t know how to breathe properly. Ms. Daisy Ba-ad, who just recently became my voice coach, told me that I have been breathing wrongly for the longest time. This is the area that I am working on. It really takes time to undo certain habits and retrained myself.
Important Tip: Whether you are new to singing or not, this is a tip one must never take for granted. Learn to breathe deeply, properly and evenly. If you are able to breathe properly, a major foundation has been built in helping you sing better.
Sing with your diaphragm , not your throat
Diaphragm Exercise
Vocal Warm Ups
Vocal warms ups or vocalization is the next important thing a singer must do in order to improve one's singing. As an athlete or dancer does warm up exercises, so must a singer engage in vocal warm ups. This is imperative. If you want to be able to sing properly and take care of your voice at the same time, NEVER forget to do vocalization.
Sing with Your Diaphragm and Not Your Throat
It is beneficial to note that a singer must learn to sing using one’s diaphragm and not the throat. If you sing using your throat, it’ll end up being sore and it doesn’t sound as nice when you sing using your diaphragm. Also, you will notice you can hold the notes or sing longer phrases without breathing difficulties.
Try this: Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly. When you inhale, your abdomen expands and when you exhale it contracts. Practice this many times. Place your hands on the sides of your waist. Feel your abdomen as it expands and contracts.
Be sure to watch the videos as they illustrate clearly how this is done.
Quick Warm Up Exercises
Freeing Your Vocal Range
Vocal Range
This part of the warm-up will aid in expanding and strengthening your vocal range.
What is vocal range? Vocal range is the measure of the breadth of pitches that a human voice can phonate. Simply stated, it is the distance between the high notes and the low notes that you can reach.
Vocal warm ups that engage in scales help you expand your vocal range
Mi Me Ma Mo Mu Vocal Exercise
Improving Tone
What is tone?
(n.) A sound of distinct pitch, quality, and duration; a note.
(v.) To give a particular tone or inflection to.
(v.) To assume a particular color quality.
By relaxing the throat open, we can improve the resonance and freedom of the voice. These exercises will bring richness to your tone, and can help to free your vibrato.
Improving tone
Creek Vocal Exercise
Protecting the Throat
How to Not Oversing: Humming Exercise
Protect the Throat
If you sing wrongly, you will notice that your throat will ache. Like me, I often have hoarseness in my voice following a vocal workout. This indicates that my throat is not fully relaxed and when I sang my voice was strained.
The combination of an effortless low breath and a fully relaxed throat allows the vocal folds to vibrate freely. The exercises mentioned on this part of the video aid in training the tongue to remain gently arched upward and forward, while relaxing the back of the throat.
Try the humming exercise.
This is another wonderful vocal warm up which helps you to vibrate deeper within your lungs/larynx.
Remember to drink warm or lukewarm water.
How to Hit High Notes When Singing
How to Phrase Words When Singing
More Articles
Keep Practicing
Remember:
- Master breathing properly
- Always do vocal warm ups before singing
- Do the scales to improve vocal range
- Do vocal warm ups to improve tonal quality
- Relax your throat
- Drink water
- Humming exercise helps you to use your diaphragm than your throat
- In singing high notes, use your head tone
- Phrasing is an important part in singing
- Take breaks from singing. Don't overdo it.
- Find a good vocal coach to guide you and help you see what areas you need to improve on
It takes time, patience, effort and discipline to improve one's singing skills. Don't be discouraged. Just keep practicing and singing. If you do the vocal warm ups with proper breathing, you can immediately notice the improvement in the way you sing. I know I did.
What's more when you can learn to sing better, you can also speak better too.
By: Michelle Simtoco
Comments
i'm very to know some of your tips...thank you so much for sharing it!!!
I learned a lot Ilove to sing I worked so hard I got really good at It singing ROCK's!!!!!!!!!!
I love to sing it ROCK'S!!!!!!!
What happened to the videos?
hey michelle thankyou a lotsssssssssssss, for the information you gave.....but my voice is rough low husky one will the information help??
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To all who have commented, I am so glad this has been helpful. Keep singing :)
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Maddie, coming from you that is such an awesome comment....yay!!! :)
Michelle, I have no idea how I missed this Hub when you first published it. Great layout, great use of videos, and very thorough. All around great Hub!
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Linda Fisher: Your comment really made my day. Thank you for such an uplifting comment. Blessings all the way to UK! And continue to use your voice to inspire many people. Take care... :)
Your tips are very professional .. I have been singing for 28 years .. As a profession.. And I have to say that over the years these are things that I have learned over the years! Please keep giving your wonderful advice! I have always believed, you can't put a voice where there isn't one.. But you can teach a voice to better itself and give it a longer life! Well done... Keep up your very good advice!!!!! Best wishes from the UK!!!! Xx
thank you so much hub
This site really helps me!!!!!!!!!! keep this site for the future plz...!!!!!!!thanx :))))))))))))
thanx soo much..i use this site 24/7..i really do..thanx..i am trying to practice singing every single day...and i am getting better and better...thank you everyone who was kind enough to mak this site....thankk uuuuuuu sooo verry much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks a lot for this article. May I use this as one of my teaching tools? :-)
Wow! thanks for your great post. I really like it.....
Thank you so much for sharing such an impressive blog. I really like this stuff very much...
wow i am such a bas singer but want to get the mane part in a play (witch you had to sing in) any way i got it thx so much xxxx
i like your tips
Well it doesn't work I just practice
you can also study voice lesson for pop Music... call 420.2008 of you are in cebu or visit the site www mmpaacademy com
Good Job on explainig!
Hi ripple maker.
Thanks for the reply.
Basically , I've been with this Welsh lady for a year and 2 months.
As the time goes by, weekly I'm going for an hour of voiceo lesson. no missed attendance. 12 months. We started slow. Then slow moderate then mildly moderate then mild challenging. She knows what she's doing. She finished music in college. And she's a recording study here on London. And I've got to see her everweeky. It's amazing. We are doing contemporary style with little bit on jazz and pop.
Then we work on a song. I've improved. In voice. But after this year I need to do more and well work harder to reach that high f note. I can't wait.
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Nate, when I will have the time as my schedule is so hectic nowadays...I will go and watch your video! Thanks for dropping by. :)
Hey, yes to develop your skill because of your love for music and singing is a beautiful thing. Keep on :)
Hi Hub. I enjoyed reading ur page. I stumbled into it obviously while searching for singing articles. I love ur article. I love ur response to people. So positive. I'm a Filipino guy from London. I've been studying voice with a lovely Welsh voice teacher. I'm learning pop, jazz. I'm not into classical. Although I love it. My first teacher in Phil was pop. The next was classic trained. Then I moved to London. And I found this lovely music teacher. I'm learning piano as well. I will continue to study voice not because i'll be a performer, but i just love music and singing.
My goal is SM Entertainement's global audition! This is really helping me get prepared. Thank you so much! God bless you! I have always loved singing since I was a child. I sang at even the most inoppertune times. Please, wish me good luck. Thanks again~~! :]
Ummm I was wondering if you can watch my youtube video and tell me what I need to work on the most....My voice is missing so much and everything and I try and practice a lot but dont practice how I should but if you could check it out and tell me i'd be so thankfull:) for the video just search for Nate00k and it should be my only yotube video...
im just a kid that wanted to learn to im practicing hard and harder!!! to get my goal!!!! im keep practicing !!!!
my goal is 30 days! :D
thanks a lot for this site it helps me on how to breath properly and sing a song that helps me to improve myself for any amature.
Thanks for the great post...nice
Thanks for your good tips and advice.
My singing is changed after reading your hub.
Thanks
tenk u so much.. Father GOD will repay your good deeds.. keep it up... keep this site alive for the future..
HI I need help,how do I
know I sing good?;)
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Icar, now that's funny indeed! :D
Singing tips: Yes true!
Lina, glad to be of help. Yes get a cd with the vocalization this will help your choir immensely in the long run. Thanks for leaving a comment. :)
This really help me a lot about proper singing...im a vocal soloist actually without any training,but with grace of God,He gave me this talent of singing and in these time im sharing it to my choir members and truly it was very helpful to me being the choir leader..thanks a lot for sharing these articles...
Ripplemaker, this is a fantastic page for singing resources. You have left no stone unturned. Well done. My biggest improvements came after I took professional voice intruction from a Nashville studio over skype.
My instructor knew exactly what my voice needed to get it to release. It was a great feeling. I have been able to sing a greater variety ever since.
I always recommend to people, "If you have the money, invest it in your voice with a good vocal coach".
its funny, i just finished my 1st singing lesson.. and my teacher asked me to sing memory too! she is a good teacher though.. hehe.. a madringal singer. i was just surprised that we both started our lesson with the same piece! too bad your first teacher was a disaster. heheh.. :D
Hi, just wanted to thank you for a very useful and informative hub. I've been singing since I was 12-13, but never publicly. But I do love singing. Thank you for some great advice, I really enjoyed reading this.
If it hurts your doing something wrong. You hit on very important points about properly training your voice the safe way. Great Information for everyone!
they're 6,3, and 1 year old. unfortunately, my 2 boys do not have any interest in music at all (maybe in the future they will), with my baby girl, it's too early to find out.
yes, it is very sad that pop singing makes more money than classical. unless you belong to a well known chorale or get a descent role at the opera. not so many people appreciates classical music these days.
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Glen, hope you could find something that fits your voice. :) Best of luck..
Khay, it's nice to meet another Cebuana on Hubpages! My mentor is all for classical so it's sad to know (?) that pop singing earns more. :) Does any of your kids love to sing as well?
you were right, having the talent is one thing, but getting a good training from a good instructor is another. I was once a classical singer (now just a lullaby singer to my 3 kids) trained under Gamaliel Viray and Luchie Javier of the former San Miguel Masters chorale. I benefited a lot from the rigorous training and it did wonders to my voice. but there's a down side, the transition from classical to pop (where the money is) wasn't very easy. once you're classically trained, getting rid of those vibratos is harder than you think.
by the way, i am from cebu too :)
Always glad to see another squid here!
I love the videos that you added to help understand what exercises are out there and that we can follow along with. Thank you very much!
i know how 2 sing really good
i never learned how to sing but im a natural
im tryna get better because i have an auditon tomorrrow
on NOV.14.2010 SUNDAY FOR AMERICAS GOT TALENT......im soOoO excited..:))yayyyy...!!! i was born 2 siing is why im natural..:)
It doesn't need to be a natural born singer to be able to sing properly. We just need the right lessons, the right singing tips to be able to learn how to sing.
Very good hub on singing. I will link this to my hubs on singing in the future. Learning to breathe by correct use of the diaphragmatic muscle, relaxing any tension in the face or neck area and correct placement of the tone are key factors. Thank you for the excellent information. Rated up.
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Hi Cheeky girl, hahahahah now you made me want to listen to you sing :)
killey, you are welcome
anonimuzz, thanks, that's wonderful to hear!
Hehe, I enjoyed this hub. I'm linking to it in my own hub about singing and also approaching goals wisely.
hi its realy cool thanks for your notices
I read this a while back and didn't leave a comment! Grrh! Sorry about that! This is amazing! You have a whole singing course here, ripplemaker! You have covered just about everything! I know how to "save" my voice now! Now there'll be no peace in this house! I'm gonna wear out that latest tune in my head till people beg for mercy! LOL! Cheers!
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Hello blbhhdcn and Athlyn, thanks for dropping by. Enjoy singing :)
What a good, comprehensive Hub. Chock full of good usable information. Very well done!
hello fellow pinay. You have a great article on singing tips.
I sing and I also have great tips here http://hubpages.com/hub/Im-Singing-How-Could-You-s...
But thanks for this other tips you share to everyone.
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Hey sir Mike, long time no hear from you. :) Hugs...
Hi Jessica, I miss being in the music ministry too. :) Glad to hear from you and thanks for dropping by.
Hi Sol, that incident made me laugh too. I felt so funny and silly. Oh you are so right about the tummy with the diaphragm exercise. I still highly recommend people to keep on singing in the bathroom. I still do -my fave room to sing--with matching eyes closed, if you know what I mean. LOL
You're a real talent teacher Michelle. Your experience with your first coach made me laugh so hard especially the “Midnight, not a sound from a pavement…” part. Know what I've been interested in singing as well when I was younger, I have joined some singing group before but for some reason I have lost interest, well maybe singing was not for me. Now I only enjoy singing in the bathroom.BTW I love the diaphragm exercise; I think it will help me lessen my tummy fats. LOL!
I sang in a church choir when I was very young, but quit when all of my friends who weren't in the choir were playing. That interested me more. I've always regretted not continuing to sing. I'll have to start again someday.
Thanks for the "ripples" of inspiration!
Hey Lady M:0)
great Hub cynthia was just talkng about taking lessons!!!!! Thanks
Hope all is well with you Both
Michael :0)
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Prabhjotbedi and japzlloyd...enjoy singing! :)
nice hub! gotta find a good vocal coach! lolz
Neat!
Love the detail and the encouragement!
Cheers!
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SweetiePie: You are so right. There are a lot of helpful materials in the internet already and one just has to diligently research for it. :) Thanks for the visit. Hope all is well with you.
Tatjana: I got your email and very excited to make the article. Many thanks! And singing is good for the soul heheh
lyricsingray: Thanks too :)
Adam: Some people are just born with good voices. Well you don't have to get a voice coach if you are doing fine. I'm curious..do you do vocal warm ups before you sing? My voice coach encourages it a lot. :) Have fun performing.
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Emievil: What's an EB? I'm from Surigao but have been staying in Cebu for the longest time. Just email me when you really plan to come here so we could prepare :)
Dottie: Sis, I'm singing with you. I'm singing! Warming up with the blessings...LOL
I am a singer with no training and have been performing professionally for over ten years. I have always thought about getting a voice coach, but it was never a big priority. I am going to check out those youtube clips when I get home and see what it is like. Thanks for the hub.
Great Hub and a ton of work - Thanks!!!!!
Hi, Michelle, finally I answered on your questions and made corrections in the second e-mail!
Love your Hub, ane listen you singing, it is beautiful, touching and so inspiring!
Good thing for the Internet because a few years back people would have to pay to take such lessons. One thing I love about YouTube is you can find all sorts of helpful self-instruction, and for free! This can be a good source for families that cannot afford voice lessons for their kids.
La La La La La La La, Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma
Ok sis I'm all warmed up now to sing...'If I had a million dollars', hahahahahaha. hmmmm, maybe I'll warm up some more with 02, 22, 31, 32, 53,....40 LOL..
Yup. yehey, instant EB! I'm from Northern Mindanao =).
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Just Simple: Glad you love this hub! I appreciate the visit. :)
Emie: 45 mins huh? Do you mind if I ask from where? Sure, you could hold my word for it. Just email me so we could prepare. :) Aside from those whom I really know, it would be quite nice to meet hubbers face to face, don't you think so?
Alta: I'm sure you would be a better singer than me. I'm pretty shy you know. But I love singing in the music ministry and would love (as I mentioned in my above comment to angiwu) to finish a healing chant CD. So I'm all for improving my singing skills. Hahahaha Thanks for the visit.
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Triplet Mom: Not even the triplets? Hahahaha
Advisor: It's a pleasure to meet another singer :) Thanks for bookmarking this hub. :)
Jill: Acting, singing..what's next? Healing! LOL You made me giggle. Thanks! :)
Angiwu: I don't think I'll ever be a great singer because of my sinusitis. But the voice lessons and vocal warm ups helped improve my singing a lot. And I want to improve because I really want to complete a healing chant CD. Here is a sample chant in youtube. Here's the link: http://www.lovingabundance.com/2009/07/04/healing-... Hope you like it. Hmmm as for the other things I can't do, I can't swim! And I need to learn to really cook seriously! Hahahahah
Hi Ripplemaker, buti na lang magaling akong kumanta, hahaha!! Hope to meet you one day and hear you sing in person..hala!
ripple, I'll hold you to that LOL. I'm just like 45 minutes away from you by plane =).
Great Hub... very good hub
Wow--now I know your ripples include sound waves too. The melodious ones. Is here something you don't/can't do?
As a shower singer, I can only say "wow," when I hear someone with a good voice. Maybe, you should have some youtubes of your rendition--it'll be a treat.
Way to go Michele! You really are a ripple maker! Acting...singing...what next?
Great hub!
Awesome hub! I am bookmarking this one. I am a singer.
I love to sing but I am horrible at it and I am certain that NO ONE wants to hear from me, lol!! Great hub!
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VioletSun: Hehe humming is good and I'm humming with you now. Yes performing arts does require a lot of passion and discipline. Thanks Marie! :)
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Dohn: Ooh singing on long trips is a great idea. LOL No need to be embarrassed to share the songs you sing. Each song is beautiful in its own way. Thanks for dropping by. :)
Michelle: Was just humming, not so I can learn to sing, don't think I can because of my hearing problem, but... like the idea I am relaxing my throat by humming. :) Here in Hubpages one can learn so much, it is fun to peek into the world of acting and singing through you and Daisy, and learn what goes on. Its a field that does require discipline and plenty of passion.
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Emie: Okay, okay if you ever come to Cebu, Daisy and I will invite you to eat somewhere...no singing and dancing..just chatting. LOL Will that do? :)
I was much in the way of a "Dancing Bear," when I was a toddler...Hell, until I became an adolescent. My parents use to make me sing songs (Lao songs, mind you) in front of guests and family. After tiring of this, I quit and gave them my 2 week notice! I then tried singing after I hit puberty and hated my own voice (no more High Cees!)
My favorite time to sing is on long trips. I gather all my favorites an bring them with me. (I'm embarrassed to say what I sing, so I won't share that with you :P ) I sometimes wonder what would've happened had I pursued singing.
I really had fun reading this! Thank you again, Michelle!
hahhahah, oh no. I have two left feet. I can sing in a karaoke anytime, just don't make me dance, please? =)
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Hahahahah But I don't think you could do that the first time you learn to sing classical. I only mastered singing a bit (take note, only a BIT) more powerfully after months of rigorous practice. LOL Oh well, at least you tried anyhow. You could always go for dancing lessons instead. Hahahahah
Hehe it was much more difficult because I really don't like classical music. And my teacher was like telling me that I should make the walls shake and the piano vibrate with my voice. Er my voice is not that powerful LOL.
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Hi Emie, that is surprising. When Ms. Daisy taught me to use my classical voice, I discovered it was so much easier to sing esp. the high notes. I no longer was exhausted. Hmmm unless the breathing exercises made you dizzy at first. LOL I did experience that. :)
LOL, you beat me to the topic =). We Filipinos do love to have voice lessons. I've tried classical voice lessons (I'm a soprano) but I didn't like it, it's too tiring. Now pop voice lessons - that's my kind of thing. But unfortunately, that thing does not like me. I quit after one full session. LOL
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Hahahaha I learned a lot from my own experiences. LOL Thanks!
Hahaha now who would ever think that a reluctant singer would end up writing a hub on voice lessons? way to go Michelle. Keep using that voice to spread love and joy. Hugs:)
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