My Go-To Vocal Warm-Ups
Hey fellow singers! If you've ever played a sport or have worked out in the last decade, you know the importance of warming up before you start. It’s the same with singing! Our voice is a muscle, and a successful “workout” starts with a warm-up. Over the years, I've developed a routine that I absolutely love, and I want to share it with you. It's fun, it's effective, and it gets me ready to sing my best.
1. Breathe In, Breathe Out: The Foundation
It all starts with the breath. Seriously, you can't build a house without a solid foundation, and you can't sing without solid breath support. I like to begin with simple breathing exercises: deep inhales through the nose, feeling my diaphragm expand, and slow, controlled exhales through the mouth. This helps me connect with my body and prepare for the work ahead.
2. Lip Trills (aka "Flubs")
Next up, we’ve got lip trills. I call them "flubs" because, well, that's kind of what they sound like! Just relax your lips and let them vibrate as you blow air through them. This helps loosen up the muscles around your mouth and get the air flowing smoothly. Don't worry if it sounds goofy – that's part of the fun! It requires more breath than you think. If you are unable to flub right now, just keep practicing. You will get it over time!
3. Hum and Slide: Embracing the Noise
Now, we're going to make some noise! Start with a comfortable hum and then slide up and down your vocal range. Don't worry about being perfect here; the goal is just to get those vocal cords moving and warmed up. If it's a little sloppy, that's okay! We're just getting the engine running.
4. Sirens: Expanding Your Range
Next, we move into sirens. This is a fantastic exercise for expanding your vocal range. Start with a low note and slide smoothly up to a high note, then back down again. Imagine you're a fire truck or an ambulance – it's a great way to unleash your inner diva!
5. "Ba Ba Ba": Getting Precise
Now that we're really into our warm up, it's time to get a little more precise. We'll sing "ba ba ba" on a 1 3 5 3 1 pattern. This helps us start to focus on accurate pitches and get our vocal cords working together.
6. Tailoring the Warm-Up: Individual Needs
From here, I tailor the warm-up to the individual singer's needs. If someone needs to work on their high notes, we'll focus on exercises that target that area. If someone is struggling with breath control, we'll spend more time on breathing exercises. The key is to listen to your body and adjust accordingly.
BONUS: The "Strawberry" Exercise!
And now, for my absolute favorite, the "strawberry" exercise! We sing the word "strawberry" over and over again to the tune of "The Can-Can." It's ridiculously fun and a great way to get your vocal cords moving in a playful way. Try it – you won't regret it!
So, there you have it – my go-to vocal warm-up routine. Give it a try and see how it works for you. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. Happy singing!
