Activities that require the heavy use of your voice can be physically demanding. Not only does it take most of your stamina and energy, but it may also damage your vocal cords if your voice is overworked.

An effective voice warm-up allows you to comfortably access your full vocal range and use your voice with more freedom and consistency. It also prevents you from losing your voice at the end of your performance.

Vocal exercises are likewise important for the following reasons: 

Protects your voice from muscle fatigue and damage

Like how athletes accidentally strain themselves without adequately warming up, performers who use their voice may quite literally pull a muscle if they skip vocal warm-ups. 

The best way to prevent this from happening is to train your vocal cords every day for at least 20 minutes. This is especially crucial if you perform regularly.

Remember: warm-up exercises unlock hidden abilities that are just waiting to come out. If you don’t have a regular warmup routine already, it’s best to create one ASAP! 

Online Singing Lessons from Vocal Coaches 


Why Are Vocal Exercises Important?

Whether you're a beginner or advanced, here are five of the best vocal warm-ups that'll help you take your voice to the next level!

Take a deep breath and hold it for four counts. Then, purse your lips and exhale while releasing a hiss or an 'sss' sound. 

Do this process at least 10 to 15 times, with each hissing exhale taking longer than the last. Keep hissing until you run out of breath. Breathe from your diaphragm as you inhale and relax your neck and shoulders. This breathing exercise is aptly dubbed as the ‘Hissing Exercise'.

Alternatively, lay on your back with your hands on your stomach and sing a vocal piece or do some tongue twisters. Concentrate on your breathing and focus on getting air in and out of your diaphragm as you sing or talk. 

Breathing exercises loosen your vocal folds and expand your range. Do this exercise for about three to five minutes before moving on to the next warm-up.  

Place your palms onto the fleshy part of your jaw and, for a minute or two, massage the area with slow, circular motions while opening and closing your mouth. Then, say "ma-ma-ma-ma" and "wa-wa-wa-wa" with little lip contact. 

Humming is a great way to stretch your vocal cords, improve your breathing, and relax your facial muscles. 

First, take a deep breath and force your body and facial muscles to relax and droop. Then, place the tip of your tongue in between your two front teeth. With your lips closed and your jaw loosened, create a humming or a 'hum' sound. 

Change your pitch's intensity from low to high and vice versa while keeping your mouth closed. That's it! Repeat this exercise several times until you feel your face muscles completely relax. 

This exercise helps you release any tension from your lips and connects your breathing and speaking pattern. It's a great way for easing and relaxing your facial muscles. 

Get your lips wet by licking them. Then, place the tips of your middle three fingers on the corners of your mouth and press your cheeks up, as if forcing your lips to smile. 

Hold that position as you blow a steady stream of air through your lips to create a sort of trill or raspberry sound. 

Steadily blow the air with an 'h' sound then repeat with a 'b' sound. Experiment with different sounds once you're comfortable, slowly going up and down the scale. 

Sirens, also known as octave slides, involve imitating the “wee-ow” sound of a siren or a fire engine. 

In this exercise, simply slide an “eee” or “ooo” note using your lowest range before gradually increasing your note until you reach the top of your range. 

Once you're used to it, switch your range from low to high, to high to low. You can also go from the lowest to the highest volume you can comfortably manage. 

You might feel a bit silly, but it's actually quite effective! Sirens allow the muscles of your larynx and vocal cords to safely stretch and retract. For this reason, singing sirens are perfect for individuals who struggle with note transitions while singing. 

Warm-up vowels are arguably the most popular vocal exercise in the world. It involves singing the "ah-ae-ee-oh-oo" or “mah-may-me-mo-moo” in no particular order, gliding the notes up and back down by half a step or two as you go. Try your best to sing in one connected syllable without taking a breath in between. 

Start low, then gradually increase your octave. Focus on the way you annotate your vowels and try to create the best vocal sound you can manage. Don't push your voice too hard while doing this exercise—it's meant to be slow, relaxed, and fun! 

Are you familiar with The Sound of Music's Do-Re-Mi? If so, you already know what this exercise is about! Solfège is a great vocal exercise that trains and increases your range, pitch, and harmony. The more you train, the better your notes will sound. 

Some singers get carried away and force themselves to hit the highest pitch even if their voices haven't warmed up just yet. Avoid this by starting slow and low before gradually increasing your pitch.

7 Warm-Up Exercises That Work Like Magic for Your Voice

Vocal warm-ups not only prevent injury but also improve the quality of your voice. Maintain your voice by practicing the above warm-up exercises for at least 10 to 20 minutes a day. Good luck!

How to Warm Up Your Voice: 7 Best Vocal Warm-Up Exercises Before a Performance

Mentors who can help you with this:

Melissa Shampine

How to Warm Up Your Voice: 7 Best Vocal Warm-Up Exercises Before a Performance

Why Are Vocal Exercises Important?

7 Warm-Up Exercises That Work Like Magic for Your Voice

Wrap Up

Mentors who can help you with this:

How to Warm Up Your Voice: 7 Best Vocal Warm-Up Exercises Before a Performance

Mentors who can help you with this:

Melissa Shampine

How to Warm Up Your Voice: 7 Best Vocal Warm-Up Exercises Before a Performance

Why Are Vocal Exercises Important?

7 Warm-Up Exercises That Work Like Magic for Your Voice

Wrap Up

Mentors who can help you with this:

Related Articles: