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Generator
New member
I really don't know where to put this thread, so I'm just going to write here. Does anyone know any exercises to warm up your voice? Thanks.
jitteringjim
Insert Custom Title Here
Yeah, we really need a vox forum around here - agreed.
The old tried and true "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do" scales have worked for me for years, however, so have a pack of Camels & a pint of cheap whiskey before vocal cuts.
Also, I always demo my vocal lines before seriously recording them - I mean, after five or so takes of the tune - you should be warm enough. If you're talking about live work, different story I guess.
The old tried and true "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do" scales have worked for me for years, however, so have a pack of Camels & a pint of cheap whiskey before vocal cuts.
Also, I always demo my vocal lines before seriously recording them - I mean, after five or so takes of the tune - you should be warm enough. If you're talking about live work, different story I guess.
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mgiles7
New member
Going up and down scales while buzzing your lips is a good way to relax your throat as well as kick in your support.
The best way to warm up your throat is figuring out a way to relax it. don't do any warm-ups that you have learned that make your throat feel constricted or tired. start off using a Z or V sound while doing your scales, that vowel tends to engage your diaphram more than any others. try not to start off in any one extreme direction of your range. Stay in the middle of your voice where you are comfortable for at least the first 10 minutes of singing. I might add more to this later as I have time. Hope this helps!
Matt
The best way to warm up your throat is figuring out a way to relax it. don't do any warm-ups that you have learned that make your throat feel constricted or tired. start off using a Z or V sound while doing your scales, that vowel tends to engage your diaphram more than any others. try not to start off in any one extreme direction of your range. Stay in the middle of your voice where you are comfortable for at least the first 10 minutes of singing. I might add more to this later as I have time. Hope this helps!
Matt
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littledog
New member
Generator said:
Swallow a few tubes? Then maybe 2 or 4 blues harps. (I was told that even harmonicas add warmth...)
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Generator
New member
Thanks for the feedback. I'll try all the stuff that you've mentioned... I've heard that whiskey really works, by the way.
Anyway, yes I'm talking about live work. This is really important to me, cuz in a couple of months I have a show and I definitely don't wanna screw up in front of 200 ppl. The tunes are hard to sing and when my voice is 'cold' I just can't sing them. They're in my vocal range though, so with a warm voice it's a different story, I can sing them easily.
So any additions are very welcome. Thanks again.
Anyway, yes I'm talking about live work. This is really important to me, cuz in a couple of months I have a show and I definitely don't wanna screw up in front of 200 ppl. The tunes are hard to sing and when my voice is 'cold' I just can't sing them. They're in my vocal range though, so with a warm voice it's a different story, I can sing them easily.
So any additions are very welcome. Thanks again.
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whisky "works" but it doesn't, really. Its relaxing, sure, but also dehydrating. Not good for your voice.
I drink hot herbal tea with honey while I'm getting ready to perform or during recording. The heat directly relaxed your voice muscles and the honey is good for it, too. Then I sing within my comfort zone until I start feeling confident with it. Especially while warming up, I'll try to breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. This also helps keep the pipes warm and hydrated.
Avoid breathing cold air or smoke through your mouth. Use the snot in your nose for its intended use- to filter and warm the air before it hits your throat and lungs.
Works for me.
Or at least it helps.
Chris
I drink hot herbal tea with honey while I'm getting ready to perform or during recording. The heat directly relaxed your voice muscles and the honey is good for it, too. Then I sing within my comfort zone until I start feeling confident with it. Especially while warming up, I'll try to breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. This also helps keep the pipes warm and hydrated.
Avoid breathing cold air or smoke through your mouth. Use the snot in your nose for its intended use- to filter and warm the air before it hits your throat and lungs.
Works for me.
Or at least it helps. Chris
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misterx
New member
"Use the snot in your nose for its intended use- to filter and warm the air before it hits your throat and lungs."
I could be wrong, but I don't think "snot" has any relation to vocals except when you have a cold and you sound nasaly from all the "snot". I do agree breathing through the nose is good, however a loud breath through the mouth sounds great on a ballad before a verse line.
I could be wrong, but I don't think "snot" has any relation to vocals except when you have a cold and you sound nasaly from all the "snot". I do agree breathing through the nose is good, however a loud breath through the mouth sounds great on a ballad before a verse line.
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littledog
New member
Well, Chris, I got it at least...
And snot has a long and illustrious history in vocal music. Remember Tom Jones' classic:
"It's SNOT unusual to be loved..."
And snot has a long and illustrious history in vocal music. Remember Tom Jones' classic:
"It's SNOT unusual to be loved..."
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you go to kiss your honey
And your nose is kind of runny
You might thinks its funny
But its snot.
-C
And your nose is kind of runny
You might thinks its funny
But its snot.
-C
octoruss
New member
Thanks guys--good advice. I've got my first live gig coming up this weekend (requiring lots of high harmonies) and wouldn't you know it I'm coming down with a cold. I'm going to try the tea, honey and vinegar solution someone told me about.
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Generator
New member
Hey I'll try the tea with honey, I've heard about that before but I thought it was only necessary if you had a cold. Thanks.
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mgiles7
New member
A couple other various tricks I have heard about are -
Dont talk or make a sound the whole day before you sing (if that isn't possible because of a job or something just limit yourself to the bare neccessities (sp?) )
Force yourself to yawn a lot before you start singing, it is suppose to be a great muscle relaxer on the throat.
Matt
Dont talk or make a sound the whole day before you sing (if that isn't possible because of a job or something just limit yourself to the bare neccessities (sp?) )
Force yourself to yawn a lot before you start singing, it is suppose to be a great muscle relaxer on the throat.
Matt
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mgiles7 said:
I'd actually disagree with this one. Talking is generally an excellent warm up for the voice- anything that gets the vocal chords moving is good. Loud talking, shouting, etc. though aren't good.
Never tried it, though. I just know that my voice cracks like crazy after a day-long motorcycle ride and my voice takes a bit to recover.
Take care,
Chris
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misterx
New member
Steve Perry has a history of annoying band mates and fans alike by not signing autographs while he was with Journey. He would always leave right away, not talk to anyone, and keep his voice quiet until the next gig. I've read where he also would not speak much the day of the show, except for his warm up before the show. So I would agree to a point of not using the voice too much the day of the show. I've also read where a long warm up session is good, singing at soft levels, g r a d u a l l y increasing volume to normal to loud levels. I will say this, I can sing higher notes early in the session, but as the session progresses my voice sounds meatier and fuller, but my high notes suffer.
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mgiles7
New member
Chris,
i didn't mean to not talk on the day OF the gig, just the day before. The next morning you can talk or warm up, But I would still take it easy even then. Just to clarify. I have never actually tried it either, But my voice teacher suggested it and she rules so I thought I would pass it along.
matt
i didn't mean to not talk on the day OF the gig, just the day before. The next morning you can talk or warm up, But I would still take it easy even then. Just to clarify. I have never actually tried it either, But my voice teacher suggested it and she rules so I thought I would pass it along.
matt
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littledog
New member
Chris Shaeffer said:
That's from swallowing all those bugs!
C
chessparov
New member
Two fine instruction/exercise on CD books are "Secrets of Singing"
by Jeffrey Allen, and "Set Your Voice Free" by Roger Love.
"Set Your Voice Free" is fantastic for fast upper range extension.
These are excellent for anyone, especially because they can be used by beginning students too and have great warmups.
Lots of plain old room temperature water is great for your voice.
Another is taking a warm shower with or without your groupie!
If your voice is healthy, a moderate amount of talking on the day
fo performance is fine, especially for pop singers generally.
My baritone voice takes 30-35 minutes to properly warm up, a friend (tenor of course), can warm up in less than 15!
So every"body" is different...
Chris
P.S. A good idea if you're a car singer like me, is NO high notes
or loud singing. Great time to practice style not technique.
by Jeffrey Allen, and "Set Your Voice Free" by Roger Love.
"Set Your Voice Free" is fantastic for fast upper range extension.
These are excellent for anyone, especially because they can be used by beginning students too and have great warmups.
Lots of plain old room temperature water is great for your voice.
Another is taking a warm shower with or without your groupie!
If your voice is healthy, a moderate amount of talking on the day
fo performance is fine, especially for pop singers generally.
My baritone voice takes 30-35 minutes to properly warm up, a friend (tenor of course), can warm up in less than 15!
So every"body" is different...
Chris
P.S. A good idea if you're a car singer like me, is NO high notes
or loud singing. Great time to practice style not technique.
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