September 1, 2010

Vocal Tips On Singing

If you've been singing for awhile, you might begin to feel that you're in a rut. Below are some helpful vocal tips to help regenerate your enthusiasm and enhance your performances.
Vocal Tips 1–Take a Lesson
Even if you’ve had extensive training previously, it's always useful to get fresh, objective advice. Perhaps you have slacked off in your breathing exercises, or fallen into imperfect vocal habits. Call your previous teacher and schedule a "tune-up" lesson. Most trained singers and even singing teachers still search out occasional lessons.
Vocal Tips 2–Mix it Up
If you have been focusing exclusively on one technique or particular song, try something different. Pull out one of your favorite recordings from high school and sing along with it. Choose a new track to learn, maybe one in a style you haven't done for awhile. Once you come back to your standard routine, it won't seem so stale.
Vocal Tips 3–Do a Self-check
Review the basics and make sure you're still using good posture, breath support, and tone placement. Check for any unwanted tension, particularly within your face and neck, as this may detract from your sound and make singing less fun.
Vocal Tips 4–Relax
Start each practice session and performance warm-up with simple stretching and relaxation exercises. One simple relaxation exercise is the "rag doll". Standing together with your feet about hip-width apart, bend forward from the hips and allow your arms, head, along with upper body to hang loosely. Shake your arms and head somewhat, then allow them to dangle again. Relieving stress can make a tremendous difference.
Vocal Tips 5–Get Some Exercise
If you have a hectic performance timetable, you may have gotten out of your habitual fitness routine. Should you be on the road, most hotels include workout facilities; if not, just take a stroll. If the weather is inclement or you're in an unfamiliar city, you can walk in the hotel hallways. Unless you're toting equipment, use stairs instead of elevators.
Vocal Tips 6–Pamper Yourself
Spend some time in a hot tub, search out a professional rubdown, treat yourself to a favorite dessert, or re-read a favorite paperback. Take pleasure in some small luxury; it doesn't have to be expensive.
Vocal Tips 7–Have a Jam Session
Get a bunch of musician acquaintances together for an off-the-cuff jam session and play a number of old favorites. Avoid performance material and just have a good time! You may want to include a casual dinner, and ask everyone to bring part of the meal so no one has to do all the work.
"Wait a minute," you may be thinking. "So far, only half of these so-called 'singing tips' include actual singing!" That's correct, but consider it this way: when a guitar gets tough to tune, you swap the strings. Each time a piano gets out of tune, you call in a tuner. As a singer, your instrument is your body. When your voice gets out of tune, you want to carry out the best maintenance.
When one's body is in good condition, it is easy to revisit to your singing routine with new energy and enthusiasm. Choose some fun new material to work on and jump back in. Look at your fundamentals and take the advice you received in your "tune-up" lesson, and you should be back on track.

Tags: singing tips, tips on singing, Vocal tips

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