Hello, dear readers! Are you ready to take your vocal skills to new heights? Today, I'll be sharing some simple yet effective tips on how to sing those high notes and low notes with confidence and ease.
Believe it or not, during my 16 years in choir, I sang everything from 1st Soprano, 2nd Soprano, 1st Alto, 2nd Alto, to 1st Tenor ~ based on the whims of different choir directors.
The highest note I have sung in a live performance, back in the day, was an E6* (above high C6) and I believe that the lowest note that I have sung in a live performance was a A3. And, just so you know, I have sung up to a D7 at home.
According to my Mom, I started singing at age 2 (there is proof on cassette tape). She says that I loved to go up to perfect strangers and sing to them! I have always loved music.
So, I've learned a few things in my 50 years of singing, 34 years of researching top methods, and 26 years of holistic voice coaching that I would like to share with you.
- Warm up your voice Just like stretching before exercise, warming up your voice is essential. Start with gentle humming or lip trills, gradually moving on to simple scales and more advanced exercises. This helps relax your vocal cords and prepare them for those soaring high notes.
- Do sirensDo sirens on a "woah" or a "poh" sliding smoothly up and down - and visualize a smooth arc. This will help keep your tone consistent and help you to expand your range easily.
- Sing with a buzz in your faceIf you are struggling with your high notes, you are most likely singing from your throat with a high larynx. To avoid this, sing forward with a buzz in your lips, nose, and cheeks.
- Find your head voiceYour head voice is like a magic key to unlock those high notes. Imagine that you're a damsel in distress and exclaim "Oh, help me!" to find your head voice. Practice scales in this head voice, gradually moving higher. It may feel strange at first, but with practice, you'll discover the sweet spot for those high notes.
- Breathe deeplyTaking deep breaths is your secret weapon for hitting high notes. Inhale deeply, feeling your belly expand, and then exhale slowly, imagining you're blowing out candles on a birthday cake. This helps you control your breath and support your voice when reaching for those sky high notes.
- Keep your chin levelPointing your chin way up to the sky and or way down towards the ground will bend your throat like a water hose - which will squeeze and limit the sound of. your voice. If this is a challenge for you, you can put your finger on your chin to keep it more steady. Thankfully, moving your side to side is totally fine ~ and will add interest to your performance.
- Adjust your vowelIf you are struggling with a certain note, adjust your mouth shape. If your mouth is too wide, put your hands on your cheeks. If your mouth is too small, drop your jaw and put your finger on your chin.
With these seven simple yet powerful tips, you're well on your way to expanding your range. Remember to warm up, do sirens, sing with a buzz in your face, find your head voice, breathe deeply, keep your chin level, and adjust your vowels. Most importantly, believe in yourself and enjoy the journey. Keep singing, and let your voice soar!
* Now that I am post-menopausal and have less estrogen, my range has lowered and my highest note is a Bb5 ~ which is pretty good for my age.
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The Holistic Voice Coach Blog
by Karen. Lyu
https://www..holisticvoicecoach.com/blog
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