The old adage is true:
Practice makes perfect.
Practicing is vital to your overall success as a vocalist.
Take what you and develop it. If you want to excel at anything, you need to put in the work and apply yourself. That means daily conditioning, remaining disciplined and staying focused. On this site you’ll find vocal exercises that will benefit the singer at any level. If you’re a novice singer who just starting out, then this is a great place to begin. If you are a veteran vocalist, then these exercises will help you maintain your level of vocal proficiency.
These exercises will help strengthen you vocal coordination. Over time, as you become more skilled, your confidence will grow. This will carry over and translate into your song delivery.
Remember: the type of exercises you do is important, but only when done on a regular basis.
Now, let’s get to it:
Come up with a plan.
Write it out if you have to. But, stay committed to it. You’ll probably find the first month typically easy, when you feel particularly motivated. But, the key is remaining consistent even when the novelty of “new” wears off.
Keep in mind: you not only need to consider what you practice, but how you practice. 30-45 minutes of vocal exercises 5-6 days a week is ideal. That’s it!
Establish a routine.
Muscles take time to develop. As is true with most exercise routines, it is the daily conditioning that brings out results. Good vocal habits take time to develop especially when you are combating and trying to overcome previous vocal tendencies. Remain diligent with your practice sessions. Hold yourself accountable. If singing is your passion and you want to progress as a vocalist, then take the time to invest in yourself.
Set a good foundation.
If you want to build something sturdy, then for goodness sake, make sure you are building upon solid ground. Don’t neglect your technique. I know, I know, everyone wants to get to the “fun” stuff right away: intricate runs, licks and trills. But, your vocal style will shine once you have established a solid technical base.
Confidence comes from feeling prepared.
The more comfortable you become with your technique, the less haunted you’ll be by vocal insecurities. You’ll be able to concentrate on the message of a song instead of worrying, “Oh crap, here comes that high note…umm, here goes! Please don’t let me crack!” Vocal confidence gives you the freedom you richly deserve to focus on the story you are telling, and how to best share it.
Remember, performing is all about connecting with your audience. You want to immediately set up a good relationship with them. Allow yourself to be transparent and vulnerable…let them in emotionally. They are not there merely to be entertained, but to experience something with you.
Remember: This is a process.
Be sure to give yourself grace as you go through this process. Yes, this process. Which means it’s not always going to be perfect. The voice is a human instrument, and by all means, we are far from perfect. There will be days when you totally and completely rock your workout or nail an exercise. Then there will be days, when it seems like your vocal coordination is anything but coordinated.
It can be tempting to throw in the towel and give up on yourself. But, hang in there. Don’t let frustration get the better of you. If a particular exercise isn’t working well, then let it go and move on to the next. Don’t try to force it. This tension will carry over into your vocal muscles and add unnecessary strain. Try taking a 2-minute break. Then, come back and try again. If it’s still not working, then let it go for the day. However, don’t carry that irritation into your next practice session. Begin anew and start fresh.
Listen to your body
This is especially important for all you beginning singers out there. When you get tired…stop. Pushing through when you are vocally fatigued is only going to get you a set of worn out vocal cords. Give your muscles the time they need to develop and strengthen and you will gradually build your vocal stamina. One practice session does not an overnight sensation make. It’s the accumulation of many hours and steadfast determination that gets you were you want to be.
Listening to your body also means taking care of yourself. Late nights, unhealthy habits and continual “burning the candle at both ends” will all eventually catch up with you.
Enjoy the journey. Where you begin and were you end is important. But, it’s all the learning and discovery that takes place in between that defines who you are as an artist. Daily exercise is a great way to get to know your voice! As you practice, you’ll uncover so much about your voice: what it’s capable of, what your vocal strengths are, what needs improving, etc.
An effective vocalist is one who communicates well and has a technically balanced voice.
Committing to vocal exercises allows you to discover the kind of singer you want to be, reveal your vocal identity and embrace your true artistic potential.