Unlock Your Potential - 7 Vocal Essentials for All Singers

Welcome to my beginner’s guide to essential singing techniques! Whether you're already a budding singer, looking to start your journey, or just curious to learn more about how your voice works, this blog post will delve into the the fundamentals that every singer should understand. I’ll explain the terminology, why each technique is so important, and offer practical tips to help you improve your vocal skills. So, let's get started!

Breath Control

Breath control is absolute foundation of all healthy singing, and gaining mastery should be your first priority as a beginner.

Fundamentally, you are aiming to be able to manage the intake and release of your breath to create consistent and sustained airflow. Proper breath control can allow you to hit high notes effortlessly and maintain vocal clarity - this is one of the first things I touch on with new students, and many are shocked at how much of a difference focusing on breathing makes to their sound almost instantaneously!

To get started, simply place your hand on your stomach, with your thumb touching your belly button and fingers resting below. Relax your shoulders, and take a deep, slow breath through your nose, trying not to let your shoulders rise as you do. Do you feel the area around your stomach expanding? If so, great! This low, supported breathing is hugely important for singers, as it allows us to push through large quantities of air with minimal effort in the throat. Repeat this a few times until it feels natural, at which point you can begin to add this to your singing. If you are struggling to feel this movement, try repeating the exercise lying down!

Pitch and Range

Understanding of your vocal range and an ability to pitch notes are crucial to your success as a singer.

Vocal range is often split into four main categories; soprano (high female voice), alto (low female voice), tenor (high male voice) and bass (low male voice). However, this is a huge oversimplification, as in reality everyone’s voice is different and your voice may fall somewhere in-between these parts. A more useful way of categorising your voice is to put it in terms of what your highest note and lowest note are (eg G2-B4). This is easy to assess - simply use a piano/keyboard (or an app on your phone like GarageBand) to play a descending series of notes and sing along to an ‘ah’ or ‘ee’ until you can't go any lower, then repeat with ascending notes for your higher register. The two notes you stop at on each end are your highest and lowest note respectively. Bear in mind this can change day to day depending on how your voice is feeling, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t reach the same note every time!

If you are struggling to pitch the notes from the piano (record yourself to test this), then using an app such as Pitch can help you to track the note you are singing and correct any mistakes. As a general rule, it is very useful to have a second set of ears (ideally a vocal coach) listening to help guide you, as it is often hard to hear where are you going wrong by yourself.

Why not get in touch for a free consultation to help determine your range?

Vibrato

Vibrato can add a beautiful, rich and natural sound to your singing. Whether you are a classical or contemporary singer, don't underestimate it.

Vibrato, originally from the Italian word ‘vibrare’ (to vibrate), is a vocal technique whereby a singer allows the pitch of the note they are singing to quickly oscillate higher and lower, often between two completely different notes. This gives the effect of a deeper, richer sound, and can be a hugely useful tool in conveying emotion and passion in your singing. While everyone’s voice is capable of vibrato, some find it harder than others to access it naturally. Generally speaking, heavy use of vibrato is more common in classical and jazz styles than it is in pop and musical theatre, and so depending on the style of music you are singing you may not have had to employ this technique as often.

To help access this effect, you can start by singing and holding any note, and slowly oscillating a semitone (half step) above the note and then back down. If you can, increase the speed of this until it is almost imperceptible that you are switching notes, thus creating a vibrato effect. Alternatively, try holding a note while shaking your stomach with you hands (creating a wobbling effect) and after a few seconds stop shaking and see if you are able to continue to make the same shaking sound with your voice.

You can hear examples of vibrato use in my recording of Roger Quilter’s ‘Come Away Death’ below:

Articulation and Diction

Articulation and diction are crucial elements in singing as they directly impact the clarity and intelligibility of the lyrics. Conveying yourself clearly allows for a stronger connection and engagement with the performance.

Clear articulation ensures that each vowel and consonant is fully formed and distinct, while diction refers to the correct pronunciation and enunciation of words.
To improve articulation in singing, practice exercises that focus on precision and clarity, such as tongue twisters or complex rhythms. One helpful technique is to exaggerate the pronunciation of each word, paying close attention to the movement of the lips, tongue, and jaw.

Enhancing diction requires a thorough understanding of the lyrics and their meaning. Especially if you are singing in a language that is not native to you, you should study the exact pronunciation of each word carefully to ensure the meaning of the song is accurately conveyed. In some cases, practicing vowel modification (changing the vowel an incorrect pronunciation) can aid in achieving a clear and resonant tone, especially on higher notes. Working with a vocal coach who specializes in diction or studying with a language expert can further support the refinement of diction skills.

Vocal Warm-Ups

Before every performance or practice session, a proper vocal warm-up is essential. While it may seem boring, preparing your voice well helps you get the most out of it and unlock your potential.

Getting into a healthy warm-up habit is a crucial part of the singing process, regardless of the style you sing or your voice type. There is no single warm up routine to rule them all - in fact, the way you warm up should be personalised and tailored to your specific vocal needs. There are, however, some fundamental points that you should ideally try to cover in order to maximise your vocal efficiency. Here are the four essential pillars should be addressed prior to making any actual sound: Neck/Shoulders, Tongue, Jaw and Breathing. See my article Singing Warmups - Where to Start? for an in depth look at exercises that will cover each of these areas.

Utilising Resonance

Resonance is the natural amplification of the voice through the interaction of sound waves within the vocal tract, and is an essential element in producing a rich, full-bodied tone and projecting the voice effectively.

By accessing and controlling your resonance, you can unlock a vast range of tonal colours, enabling you to express yourself more effectively and captivate your audience. Resonance plays a fundamental role in projection, and is what allows performers like opera singers to fill larger spaces effortlessly, ensuring their voice reaches every corner of the room despite a lack of amplification.

Moreover, resonance enhances vocal endurance and reduces vocal strain. When singers don't rely solely on their vocal folds to produce sound, they distribute the workload across the entire vocal instrument. By engaging the resonators effectively, singers can achieve a balanced and healthy vocal technique, reducing the risk of vocal fatigue, hoarseness, or vocal cord damage. Resonance acts as a buffer, absorbing excessive vocal strain and allowing singers to maintain their vocal stamina over longer periods.

To engage your resonance, start by finding your natural speaking voice. Pay attention to the vibrations you feel in your chest, throat, and head. This will give you an idea of where your resonance lies. Now, as you sing to an ‘ah’, focus on trying to open your throat and mouth, as if to yawn, allowing the sound to flow freely. Experiment with different vowel shapes and mouth positions to find the optimal resonance for each note. Listen to recordings of yourself and seek feedback from a vocal coach to identify areas where you can further engage and enhance your resonance. With consistent practice and mindful attention, you will be able to tap into the full potential of your voice and create a rich and resonant sound.

Vocal Health

As a singer, your voice is your instrument. It is crucial to prioritise vocal health both to optimise your singing and maintain longevity in your career. Taking care of your voice not only prevents potential vocal issues but also enhances your confidence in your voice over time.

To keep your voice in peak condition, there are several strategies you can incorporate into your routine. Firstly, adopting healthy vocal habits such as practicing proper breathing techniques and maintaining good posture is essential. As mentioned previously, warming up your vocal cords before you sing helps to prevent strain and injury. Adequate hydration is another key aspect of vocal health; drinking plenty of water keeps your vocal folds lubricated and prevents dryness. Bear in mind, only drinking water when you start to sing is too late, as water takes around2 hours to enter your bloodstream and hit your vocal cords after consuming. Resting your voice and allowing it to recover from strenuous singing sessions or excessive talking is important as well, sometimes even cutting out talking entirely for a day or so can make a world of difference!

Developing an understanding of your vocal anatomy through vocal coaching will allow you to gain an awareness of your own vocal health and how to maintain it. If you’ve been struggling with a vocal injury, or would just like to improve your endurance and stamina, get in touch today to schedule a vocal health session:

Mastering these vocal techniques is a journey that requires dedication and practice. With the knowledge and insights provided in this article, you'll be well on your way already to becoming a skilled and confident singer, so keep at it! Remember, consistent practice and patience are key to unlocking your full vocal potential.

Like this article? Why not check out Learning to Sing As An Adult