How to develop a voice for singing

Listening to good music and voices can truly entertain and amaze people. We often find ourselves wanting to have that voice but we end up frustrated because we just don’t have the talent and skill to do so. Well, I have great news for all of you. Studies have shown that anyone can build up a voice for singing with appropriate lessons and strong will power. The key to success is constant practice and determination. True that it can’t be achieved overnight but I tell you it is possible.

 First, it is essential that you must be familiar with the basics of singing. A solid foundation is absolutely important to have that singing voice you want. There are 5 basic factors to consider in singing namely pitch, rhythm, breathing, voice and diction. Pitch is the sound and the notes we hear when someone sings. The singer must  make sure to hit the notes accurately in order to blend perfectly with the harmonies and music accompaniment. Primarily, pitch dictates the quality of song we hear whenever we watch someone singing. Rhythm on the other hand is the beat and tempo of a song. This is responsible for the feet tapping we unconsciously do whenever we hear a music. Rhythm somehow dictates the type of music, may it be a slow song or an upbeat song. The next factors are breathing and voice. These two are inseparable.  These are techniques used by singers to control the quality of voice. Furthermore, these will enable the singers to hit the right pitch at the right time without causing damage to one’s vocal cords. This will take a lot of practice to master this skill but eventually you will get the hang of it if you do it constantly. Lastly is the diction. Diction is very important so that the audience can understand the words we utter during singing. Good diction can help deliver the message of the song effectively.

Materials:

Notebook

Tape recorder

Steps in developing a singing voice:

1.       Obtain an simple track that is very familiar. Get your recorder and try singing it while recording. Rewind and listen to the your recording. This will enable you to identify your voice’s strengths and weaknesses. Play back again, however this time take note of areas where you sound out of pitch and create a listing of the areas where you need to improve.

2.       Develop your ability to recognize different notes and chords. This can be done by listening to different notes while closing your eyes. This can’t be done overnight so constant practice is needed to master this ability. Only a few are born with this special skill.

3.       Have a power over your breathing. Again, this will take a lot of practice to accomplish this correctly. To do this, rest between notes and try breathing deeply not from your chest but rather from your stomach.

4.       Scout any voice and singing class in your vicinity. Comprehend and apply the information and exercises imparted. This is cheaper than individual lesson.

5.       Select songs that can flatter your type of voice and stage progress. If you have low nasal voice, a country music would be appropriate. On the other hand, if you have a high voice, a folk ballad can be carried. It is better to start with the low and simple songs then progress later to a higher level.

6.       Start with the basics first like note and chord matches and recognition of pitch, and try mastering it before moving on with vocal ornamentation like inserting slides into songs. This is a special and complex ability which can disturb your preliminary advancement.

Tips:

·         Before singing, warming up is necessary. This will prevent straining your vocal cords and even produce better sounds. Moreover, this will allow your vocal chords to stretch before engaging in a challenging work.

·         When breathing, make sure not to breathe through your nose rather with your body while strengthening your diaphragm. It will make you reach the high notes easily.

·         When selecting a song, consider your vocal range. Start with the lower notes first then as you go along,  gradually increase the pitch. In the long run, you will develop your better voice and higher range.

·         Allow your vocal chords to relax but placing your thumb over your larynx and push from side to side. This will allow you to reduce the stress in your larynx when you start to sing.

Keeping in mind the basics of singing and following these steps will surely enable you to sing in no time. Keep practicing and sing your hearts out. Good luck!