Archive for May, 2011
Warming up your voice before a performance is one of the most important aspects of singing. Even if the performer is in a hurry a proper warm up must be conducted. Permanent vocal cord injury can occur without proper warm up. Warming up before singing is just as important as an athlete warming up before running. It can improve your lung capacity and increase your ability to hit higher notes and lower notes.
Basic breathing exercises can warm up your voice. Inhale for a count of four, hold the breath for four beats and then exhale for an eight count. Breathing exercises exercise your diaphragm to prepare for singing. This exercise also reminds the performer to sing with their diaphragm and not the throat. Practice controlled breathing while doing these exercises.
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Now it’s time to sing the scales. Start with the lowest note to the highest. Sing up the scale and then down. Repeat several times. This warm up prepares the voice to hit the proper notes at the highest and lowest level.
It may sound unusual but remember those old tongue twisters you used to recite as a kid? Recite them now. They warm up your enunciation capabilities. They also stretch the mouth muscles.
Always carry a bottle of water. Nerves can sometimes produce a dry throat and nice notes never come from a dry throat. Eat an apple. Apples are known to hydrate the vocal cords, so if you are hungry before a performance munch on one!
Remember, taking care of your voice means warming up your voice properly before singing to ensure a long, happy singing career.
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