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If you have been singing for awhile, you might start to sense that you’re in a rut. Below are a few valuable vocal tips to help renew your enthusiasm and enhance your performances.
Vocal Tips 1–Take a Lesson
Regardless of whether you’ve had extensive training previously, it’s always beneficial to get new, objective instruction. Maybe you have slacked off on your breathing exercises, or fallen into imperfect vocal habits. Call your former trainer and schedule a “tune-up” lesson. Most skilled singers and even singing instructors still search out occasional lessons.
Vocal Tips 2–Mix it Up
If you have been focusing solely on one technique or type of song, try something different. Pull out one of your favorite recordings from high school and sing along with it. Pick a new tune to learn, maybe one in a style you haven’t done for awhile. When 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, plus tone placement. Check for any unwanted tension, particularly within your face and neck, as this will detract from your sound and make singing not as much fun.
Vocal Tips 4–Relax
Start each practice session and performance warm-up through 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 your hips and allow your arms, head, along with upper body to hang loosely. Shake your arms and head somewhat, then let them hang down again. Relieving tension can make a tremendous difference.
Vocal Tips 5–Get Some Exercise
If you have a busy performance timetable, you may have gotten out of your usual fitness schedule. If you are on tour, most hotels have workout facilities; if not, simply take a walk. If the weather is inclement or you are in an unfamiliar town, you can walk in the hotel hallways. Unless you’re toting equipment, use stairs rather than elevators.
Vocal Tips 6–Pamper Yourself
Spend some time in a hot tub, search out an expert rubdown, treat yourself to a favorite dessert, or re-read a favorite paperback. Indulge in some small luxury; it does not need to be expensive.
Vocal Tips 7–Have a Jam Session
Get a bunch of musician friends together for a casual jam session and play a few old favorites. Avoid performance material and simply have fun! You may want to include an informal dinner, and ask everybody to bring part of the meal so nobody has to do all the work.
“Wait a second,” you may be thinking. “So far, only half of these so-called ‘singing tips’ involve actual singing!” That’s correct, but think of it this way: each time a guitar gets hard to tune, you replace the strings. Every time a piano gets out of tune, you call in a tuner. As a singer, your instrument is your body. As soon as your voice gets out of tune, you should perform the appropriate maintenance.
When one’s body is in good shape, you can actually revisit to your singing routine with new energy and enthusiasm. Choose some fun new material to work on and jump back in. Assess your fundamentals and take the advice you received as part of your “tune-up” lesson, and you should be back on track
Written by Mukhtarifin Mukhtarifin
