If you’ve landed on this page then you’re like many people who love to sing and are struggling with how to sing higher.
You’ve probably spent countless hours practicing, trying to reach the high notes that seem to be just out of your range.
Unfortunately, even people who practice on a regular basis might only experience minimal results at best.
But the truth is, learning how to sing higher doesn’t have to be as hard as you think.
Practicing and perfecting your singing techniques can have a major impact on your singing voice by improving the resonance and quality of your voice, your range and overall strength.
If you have been struggling to hit the higher or lower notes, you may need to meet with a vocal coach for tips and advice regarding the proper exercises that can improve your vocals over time.
Testing Your Singing Range
The reason it’s hard for some people to develop their range is simply because they go about it in the wrong way. Singing should be as easy as speaking.
If you’re constantly straining to hit the high notes you’re putting unnecessary strain on your voice, which can cause damage to your vocal cords. So how can you hit the high notes safely and easily?
The ideal speaking voice should sound both connected and smooth. When speaking, there should be a steady flow of air and your voice should sound strong and full.
You don’t have to strain to speak, and you shouldn’t have to strain your voice to sing higher. A normal speaking voice comes from a balanced vocal mechanism.
Now, when you practice how to sing higher, you need to focus on steady airflow. Air is what will power your singing voice, so you need to practice releasing the right amount of air while singing.
If you force out too much air when you sing, you’ll end up creating too much resistance under the vocal cords, which can lead to pressure building in the throat.
This can cause discomfort while you sing and make the larynx rise, which is what leads to your voice cracking. If you don’t use enough air, your voice can sound weak.
A well-connected sound is an important aspect of singing. When you sing staccato, you need to keep the air pressure moving forward. Never let air pressure build up in the throat.
Instead, keep the pressure in the front of the mouth, right behind your lips. If you do this, you’ll be able to continue the steady airflow, in addition to maintaining a connected sound.
Balancing the Vocal Mechanism
Many singers make the common mistake of pushing their notes out. Doing so will significantly limit your range and can leave your voice sounding unbalanced and off-key. This poor technique needs to be avoided at all costs.
Singing like you speak allows you to have a balanced vocal mechanism. A balanced vocal mechanism means cord closure.
So what is cord closure?
Cord closure involves the vocal cords coming together in order to create sound. When the vocal cords are not fully closed, air will be able to seep out, and this can be bad for a couple of reasons.
- It can create a breathy-sounding voice.
- A lack of cord closure will interfere with achieving steady airflow.
- Poor cord closure will cause problems because it will force you to use unnecessary muscles in order to create sound, causing tension that can get in the way of a strong-sounding voice.
The larynx is where the vocal folds are located. The larynx is in a level position when a person speaks, and this type of positioning is actually also ideal for singing. Unfortunately, it’s very common for the larynx to hike up when you sing, especially if you’re trying to sing when the tongue is tense.
Because of this, keeping the larynx lowered is crucial for learning how to sing higher. When the larynx rises, it can throw the vocal mechanism off track, causing the singer’s voice to crack. Learning how to spread vowels while singing can also cause the larynx to adjust to a raised position.
To prevent this, it’s recommended that you try to make the vowels sound narrow and taller.
Remember…
Singing higher isn’t just about continually reaching higher and higher and forcing the voice to push out notes. Singing in this manner will fatigue your voice, and it can also be a hard habit to break if you don’t correct this method of singing right away.
The Importance of Practicing For a Stronger Singing Voice
- When you’re working on learning how to sing higher, focus on singing as you would speak. Instead of pushing out air, focus on maintaining steady airflow while keeping your tone sounding smooth.
- Next, make sure that you consistently practice vocal cord closure and that your larynx is in a lowered position.
- Once you have practiced how to balance all of these aspects of how to sing higher, you’ll begin to hit the high notes effortlessly.
- Continuing to sing correctly can also increase your singing range by an octave or more.
Small Changes That Can Have A Big Impact
If you’re not happy with your singing voice, there are several ways you can eliminate any nasal tones, increase your volume and expand your range. Following these techniques can guide you in the right direction to becoming a better performer and singer.
- If you naturally have bad posture, being mindful of correcting your posture as you sing can make a big difference. Poor posture can affect your singing by blocking the passage of air from your lungs. The next time you sing, make sure that you stand with your chest lifted, your legs shoulder width apart, and your shoulders pushed back and relaxed.
- Breathing correctly is also important because the vocals are dependent on how well you breathe as you sing. Muscles need to be trained in order to learn how to breathe correctly during a performance. Just like when you learn how to play a new instrument, you’ll need to practice breathing and singing daily in order to get better.
- Staying hydrated is also important. The quality of your voice can be significantly affected by the mucous membranes, which function at their best when they’re hydrated. When you’re dehydrated, it can be almost impossible to hit higher notes. Shoot for drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.
- Relax your muscles as you sing. If you’re tense during a performance, it can affect the resonance and tone of your voice, making it sound weaker. Often, if you tense up during a performance, the muscles in your throat can tighten up, affecting air’s ability to flow easily to the mouth. If you feel anxious when you sing, practice singing in front of a friend or family member, which can help you to overcome your fears.
- Warming up before a performance is also crucial because it can significantly improve your range and volume. As you practice warm-up exercises and songs, gradually increase the intensity of your range.
- You should also get used to listening to recordings of your voice, something that many vocalists try to avoid. Many experts recommend listening to recordings of your voice in order to critique yourself adequately. Recording your performances is also a good way to track your progress.
- Singing should not be painful. If you experience any type of pain, you may be pushing your voice too hard. Pain can indicate that you’re doing something wrong or singing out of your range. If pain occurs when you’re singing loudly, this can indicate that you’re not supporting your voice well enough. If it’s painful to hit high or low notes, this means that you’re probably singing out of your range. Regardless of how good your breath control is, you may still not be able to hit certain registers.
- The position of your tongue also plays a major part when it comes to the quality of your vocal tone. The tongue should be brought forward, with the tip of the tongue touching the bottom of the teeth. This position encourages more airspace, which helps to produce a more resonating and vibrant sound.
- As you sing, your larynx will move up and down constantly. When you speak to someone, the larynx is stable and relaxed. Next time you sing, be mindful of the position of your larynx. A singer with experience will be able to control their larynx, lowering it at will for a richer, more vibrant-sounding voice.
- In order to produce a stronger voice, you must constantly work your vocal cords. Try singing in the car or shower or whenever you have the chance. Much like the other muscles in your body, the vocal cords will grow stronger when routinely exercised.
- Cooling down your vocals is just as important as warming them up before a performance. Spend ten minutes on cooldown exercises in order to prevent vocal fatigue.
Taking Care Of Your Voice
Should you ever feel pain or discomfort while you sing, you should stop immediately. Pain is typically the first sign of poor singing technique.
There are certain methods of training your voice that actually encourage the singer to dismiss pain and discomfort while learning a new technique or vocal effect, assuring the singer that this type of pain or discomfort will eventually diminish after the singer has become accustomed to singing a certain way.
However, if the pain is persistent, then you should rest your voice. You may even need to see a throat specialist, as this can indicate damage to the vocal folds.
Pay Attention To Small Changes In Your Voice
In most cases, a singer will notice subtle changes in the quality of their voice without any discomfort or pain. The inability to sing at a softer volume, unsteadiness, hoarseness, range limitations or a voice that cuts out are all signs of injury, strain or fatigue.
If you experience any changes in the quality of your voice, even if these changes are not accompanied by pain, you should seek medical attention immediately. Continuing to sing during this time can lead to more serious vocal problems that can be permanent.
If you find that you need a couple of days of rest between performances or rehearsals, this can also indicate that you’re using incorrect techniques, although it may not mean that your vocals are being overworked.
If you experience pain only at certain ranges, you should immediately descend the scale and reexamine the techniques used for more challenging ranges. Pay special attention to even subtle signs of strain or tension in your throat.
Should you notice pain or discomfort, cease pushing your voice higher. Sing only when the range feels comfortable until your technique has been corrected.
Meet with a vocal coach who can assess the problem, recommend exercises that can eliminate range problems in the future and provide practice singing tips. Learning the correct techniques can help you to cope with intense demands and a full singing schedule.
While practice makes perfect, it can also hinder your progress if you don’t have the appropriate techniques down.