Before you attend rehearsal or practice on your own, it is important to warm up your vocal folds if you are going to be presenting dialogue, especially so if you are going to sing. Much like stretching your muscles before you exercise, warming up your voice helps you perform better and avoid injury. Doing so can also increase blood flow and rid of excess mucus. To avoid fatigue, developing hoarseness or nodules, here is how to warm up your voice, with proper technique, in preparation for extensive vocal fold use.
Prepare for the Warmup
There are a few things you can do to warm up without even making a sound. Start off by standing or sitting with good posture. When you stand or sit straight, you are able to maximize your air flow which can help you produce better sound and project your voice.
To loosen your upper-respiratory muscles, take deep breaths while maintaining relaxed shoulders. You can use the heel of your palm to massage your cheeks, where your jaw bone lies. This will relax your face and mouth. When your body is loose and relaxed, you will have better control over your voice. It won’t sound or feel pinched. Remember to maintain good posture throughout your warmup as well.
Warm Up Your Voice
When you warm up, you can focus solely on technique. Try exercises that concentrate on making vowel sounds, so that you can explore the range and tonality of your voice. Running scales can help you safely extend your range overtime. Tongue trills and humming can increase the blood flow in your throat and mouth, which can benefit you when it is time to start singing with lyrics.
“Sirens” and “kazoos” will boost air flow and warm up your lungs, in preparation for belting out those larger notes. Sirens are when you go from your low register to your high register in one note. Moving your arms in-sync to the pitch can further enhance this warmup. To perform kazoos, suck air in like you would spaghetti and exhale with a “woo” sound.
Hit the Books
Studying up on different ways to warm up your voice is a great way to improve your technique. If you don’t have a professional vocal coach, consider getting one. If that’s not something you are interested in doing, you should at least consult the Internet. Dozens of famous singing celebrities have shared videos of their own vocal warmups so that others just like you could learn a thing or two.
Local theatre is a great way to receive instruction on vocal care and how to warm up your voice. Once you have nailed the technique, you can safely practice singing and presenting dialogue without hurting your vocal folds. The theatre is the place to put your practice to the test, as well, as you exhibit your talents.
If you are interested in learning more about your local Norcross theatre, please visit our website or contact us at Lionheart for the latest updates on our upcoming shows.