Many people who enjoy singing try to improve their voice by taking vocal lessons. However, singing skills can be developed independently while increasing self-confidence. For that, start practicing vocals every day, for example by singing your favorite song or just vocalizing the scales. Feel free to use creative ways when practicing vocals. The right way to get the best sound quality is to keep your vocal cords healthy by not smoking and making sure you stay hydrated.
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Method 1 of 3: Finding Out Your Vocal Range
Step 1. Record your voice using the microphone
Download a voice recorder app on your computer or phone. Then, set the feature to record audio so that the recording quality is the same as the original sound. Sing a few songs while recording your voice.
- For comfortable singing while recording, place the handheld microphone next to your computer or phone. This will help you figure out how your microphone position or how you sing with the microphone has on the sound produced.
- Many singers choose Perfect Piano and Pocket Pitch applications for voice recording.
- Also, use a digital sound quality controller or download an app that provides feedback to control the accuracy of the basic notes, such as Vanido.
Step 2. Repeat the mastered song
Print out the lyrics of your favorite song and understand what it means. Then, find out how to adjust the inflection of the voice in detail to transform the song you want to sing.
- Choose a song that you like because this song will be sung over and over again.
- Before practicing, make sure you choose a song that fits your vocal range so you don't strain your vocal chords.
Step 3. Find out how to sing using different parts of the body to produce sound
Singing is not just making sounds through the throat and out through the mouth. Practice singing the same song over and over again while doing vocal inflections using your tongue, mouth, diaphragm, throat, and nose. Recording and listening to your own voice helps you distinguish between the sounds you make when you sing using specific body parts.
- For example, you can produce higher pitched nasal sounds by blowing more air through your nostrils. The sound will change if you blow air not through your nostrils.
- When singing, bring your tongue to the roof of your mouth to see how different the sound is. Move your lower jaw left and right to make different sounds.
- To find out the quality of the sound produced when using your diaphragm, exhale from your lungs all at once while continuing to sing. Notice the difference if you let the air out bit by bit as you sing.
Step 4. Try to sing with feeling
Before singing, first determine the emotion you want to express to the listener and then try to bring out those emotions when singing. Imagine an event or moment that can trigger the emotion you want to express.
- Make sure you remember the moment just to trigger emotions, but don't get carried away. Vocal quality doesn't improve if you always cry when you sing sad songs.
- If you want to sing a song about breakups, try remembering a bad experience in a relationship.
- In order not to get carried away by emotions, focus your mind on the lyrics and notes that are being sung after remembering a sad moment.
Step 5. Find out your vocal range
Sing to the accompaniment of the piano while harmonizing the sung notes with the sound of the piano. The vocal range starts from the lowest to the highest note that can still be sung without making the voice sound hoarse or discordant. In order to determine the correct vocal range, make sure you sing in a chest voice, not a nose or neck voice.
- Determine the color of your voice. Men usually use falsetto to sing long high notes. In contrast, women usually sing high notes with a head voice and low notes with a chest voice.
- Keyboard or piano apps on your phone, such as Perfect Piano, can be used to determine vocal ranges. This application provides information on how precisely the notes are sung to the notes that are heard from the piano.
Method 2 of 3: Strengthening the Vocals
Step 1. Get into the habit of reading aloud every day
Improving voice quality is not enough just to practice singing. You need to use your voice by reading aloud. This method is useful for practicing inflection and increasing endurance when singing. Read your favorite newspaper or novel for 30 minutes a day.
Step 2. Warm up your voice before singing so you don't injure your vocal cords
Say "eee…" as long as possible in a soft voice using a middle C for women or an F an octave below middle C for men. Repeat this exercise 2 more times. Another way to practice warming up your voice is to say the word "knoll" while singing from the lowest to the highest in a scale. Repeat this exercise 2 more times. Then, do the same, but this time sung from the highest note to the lowest note 3 times.
When you hit the middle notes in your vocal range, say "oll" in 5 notes (C-D-E-F-G). Repeat this exercise 2 more times
Step 3. Sing "do re mi…" up and down a scale
This step is useful for flexing the vocal cords and practicing the ability to maintain a consistent tone. Start practicing by singing an octave of basic C, C#, and so on. Sing each note without rushing and try to "shoot" the notes just right, instead of just hitting the notes according to the scale.
- Focus on singing the usual scale of "do re mi fa sol la si do". To make it more challenging, vary the notes, for example up 2 notes then down 1 note or use another pattern.
- After that, practice using the variations above, continuing to raise the basic notes according to your vocal range.
- A scale is a series of intervals between 2 successive notes. When you sing an ascending and descending scale, you are practicing with the low and high notes. For example, C to C# and C# to D# are scales with different basic notes.
Step 4. Practice singing for at least 30 minutes a day
The duration of this exercise includes a warm-up of the vocal cords. Don't practice for so long that your vocal cords become tense. Make the most of your time by practicing while concentrating. If you're a singer by profession, set aside time to practice singing in front of an audience.
- Get in the habit of practicing singing in front of an audience every day. Even if it's only for a short time, this exercise will make you feel comfortable performing on stage and interacting with the audience.
- If you want to become a professional singer, apply to companies that need singers, such as coffee shops or restaurants. Also, take advantage of volunteer singing skills by joining a church or other community choir.
Step 5. Practice maintaining proper posture while singing
Stand with your back straight and your face facing forward. Get in the habit of pulling your shoulders back and don't look down. Let the tongue relax so that the tip of the tongue almost touches the lower incisors. Move your lower jaw left and right to stay relaxed.
- Don't bend over or lean forward while singing.
- Practice in front of a mirror while standing sideways so you can check your posture while singing.
Step 6. Perform breathing exercises to strengthen the diaphragm
Get into the habit of breathing using your diaphragm by stretching your ribs to the sides and expanding your abdominal muscles as you inhale. Allow your abdominal muscles to contract as you exhale. Perform diaphragmatic breathing according to the following instructions.
- On a count of 1: inhale to fill 1/4 of the lung volume.
- On a count of 2: inhale to fill 2/4 of the lung volume.
- On a count of 3: inhale to fill 3/4 of the lung volume.
- On a count of 4: inhale to fill the lungs completely.
- On a count of 5-12: exhale slowly and slowly.
- Repeat the above steps several times.
Method 3 of 3: Keeping Healthy and Caring for the Vocals
Step 1. Get in the habit of drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day
The vocal cords are always hydrated capable of producing a melodious sound with a wide vocal range. Warm, but not hot, water is the best drink for treating vocal cords. Cold water makes the throat constrict. Add 1 teaspoon of honey or a slice of lime to the water to give it a taste and soothe the throat.
If you use honey, choose natural honey. As much as possible, do not consume additives and chemicals
Step 2. Get in the habit of getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night
Fatigue strains the vocal cords, especially if you sing for a long time. Time to sleep if you the night before you could not sleep well 8 hours without waking up.
Sometimes, sleeping for 30 minutes right before practicing your voice warm-up and singing can really help improve voice quality
Step 3. Practice deep breathing
Learn how to breathe deeply by inhaling through your mouth so that the air fills your lungs completely and then exhaling through your nose. Do this breathing technique repeatedly while counting, for example 1-2 inhales, 3-4 exhales. Additionally, watch online videos explaining different deep breathing techniques or consult a respiratory therapist.
Similar to deep breathing, meditation is beneficial in preventing and dealing with stress. The quality of the voice decreases and the vocal cords become tense if you sing under stress
Step 4. Don't use your vocal cords beyond your capabilities
Use the microphone to make your voice sound louder, instead of talking loudly, shouting, or singing at your loudest, especially for long durations. Allow the vocal cords to rest to recover after a lot of use, such as for singing in performances or giving a speech.
- Practice singing in short sessions and take a break between sessions.
- Widen and relax your throat while singing so you don't strain.
- Don't cough or clear your throat often.
Step 5. Don't smoke
Talk to your doctor to find out how to quit smoking, such as using nicotine patches or medical therapy. The habit of smoking is very difficult to stop suddenly, but the sound quality will improve if this habit is reduced little by little.
In addition to irritating your throat and vocal cords, smoking reduces lung capacity and makes it difficult to maintain tone
Step 6. Identify tense vocal cords
You may sing with strained vocal cords if your voice sounds hoarse, hoarse, or harsh. This condition makes the throat feel sore or slightly painful when singing or practicing vocals. If you have to put more energy into singing the same note, the tensed vocal cords won't get it right.
- For the time being, don't sing until your vocal cords are completely healed. It's even better if you reduce your speaking or practice your vocals. A strained voice can be a sign of overusing your vocal cords, so you may need to rest to recuperate.
- If you've rested for 2 weeks, but your voice doesn't improve or it sounds different than usual, talk to your doctor. It is possible that the thickened vocal cords may affect the ability to sing.
