Practice Singing

Most singers will agree that in order to build your voice into an instrument that you can depend upon and that will last over the years takes practice. But do we really know how to practice?

How to Practice Singing

In my experience, many singers simply give themselves concerts - that is - they sing songs in the practice room - and feel that in doing so, they are developing their singing skills. For most singers, this kind of work is not enough.
So, how to practice... A quick overview
Start with breathing.

Now I know that some teachers feel that breathing exercises are highly overrated. They believe that when you sing, you just breathe naturally and learn to control the expiration.

But when I talk with my own students about how to practice, I tell them that by doing a few breathing exercises before you practice or before you take a lesson, you gain in various ways.

First - you are making a definite break between your often-frantic life and this time of concentrated work on your voice.

Second - you are taking a few minutes to re-focus your mind for the task at hand. And practice does take a quiet mind. So any healthy ritual that can help slow down the race driver in the head, is useful.

Vocal Exercises

Begin with something that is simple and sits in your easiest range - usually your low-mid range. I like to start with "bubble-lips" (you make your lips flap with a small stream of breath.) This is a good starter exercise because it gets your breath moving and does not strain the vocal cords.

If you do not use the bubble-lips exercise, choose another good starter and then do a few more simple exercises that you know from your singing lessons.

Then increase the level of difficulty - in terms of range, power and flexibility.

After you have worked for about 15 - 20 minutes, and you feel warmed up - start to incorporate a few exercises that will help you with specific problems in your songs.

Then - sing your songs.

How to Practice Singing