7 Simple Steps to Becoming a Better Singer

Music has such a powerful effect on people that many of us can’t help but Sing along when we hear a song we love. But a great many of us will never dare sing outside the privacy of our own room or shower or car. If you love to sing but think your Voice needs a tune up, fear not! Even though it might seem like some people can effortlessly sing like a nightingale, remember that even professionals go through extensive training and practice. If you’re looking to give your Singing voice a makeover, keep reading. Discussed below are 7 simple steps that you can help you become a better singer without having to spend an arm and a leg and without even having to leave your home!

Pay Attention to Your Posture. So much of singing isn’t even in your voice, but in the rest of your body. Observing good posture will help ensure that the sound comes out just right. Whether you’re sitting or standing, you’ll want to be like a soldier, though you don’t have to be quite as rigid. Instead of tilting to one side or the other, keep your body straight. Nonetheless, you want to be relaxed. Keep your feet hip width apart, one foot slightly in front of the other, and don’t let your knees lock. You’ll also want to keep your shoulders back, your chest up and out, and your chin straight and parallel to the floor. Your hands should be relaxed at your sides, and your head should be in line with your shoulders and your spine. Let your jaw drop and keep your tongue relaxed toward the front of your mouth. Lifting the roof of your mouth in the back as if you are about to yawn will open up your throat and allow more air to flow through. You want to relax all your facial muscles as well. If you are not used to this, it will probably feel awkward at first. But whether you are singing or not, the more you practice good posture, the more natural it will feel over time

Breathe from Your Diaphragm. If you want to sing better, more than half the battle is in learning to breathe better. You might be thinking, “I’ve been breathing my whole life! What do you mean ‘learn how to breathe’?” It’s true that breathing should be intuitive, but far too many of us tend to breathe from our chest instead of from our diaphragm (our belly). Breathing from the chest works when you’re exercising or when you’re in “fight-or-flight” mode, but this is a shallow method of breathing that only lets so much air flow. When you hear the phrase, “Take a deep breath,” what you are being told to do is breathe from your diaphragm. Practice breathing from your diaphragm by placing one hand on your tummy and the other hand on your chest. Slowly inhale and exhale through your nose. Your tummy should be expanding and contracting rather than your chest. Just like with your posture, diaphragmatic breathing might feel awkward at first if you’re not used to it, but the more you practice, the more it becomes second nature. Having the proper control of your breath will help you sound better when you sing. Doing breathing exercises daily, including lip trills (blowing air through your lips, causing them to vibrate), can help you with your breath control.

Watch What You Eat and Drink. Hydration is essential to a beautiful singing voice. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will keep your vocal chords moist and cool, making it easier for them to open and close. Try to have warm water instead of cold water, as cold water can tense up your throat muscles. If you know you’re going to be singing, try to avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Contrary to what you might think or how you might feel, alcohol will not make you sound better. In fact, it can have the opposite effect, as alcohol dehydrates. As for food, try to avoid dairy and sweets before singing, as they can cause mucus formation in your throat, making it harder to sing. Spicy, salty, or highly acidic foods can also irritate your throat and vocal chords. On the other hand, foods that are beneficial for your voice include honey and lemon, ginger tea, and leafy green vegetables. Gargling with warm salt water before bed at night is also an effective way to keep your vocal chords in healthy condition. If you need to eat before singing, a light meal is your best bet. Singing on a full stomach can interfere with your breathing.

Pay Attention to Your Vowels. Stand in front of a mirror and say the vowels A, E, I, O, and U one by one. Notice what your mouth does as you say each of these vowels. Chances are your jaws probably closed a bit when you said E, and maybe some of the others as well, right? The trick is to keep your jaw open (length-wise, not width-wise) as you say each of these vowels. As you sing, you want to make sure to keep your jaw open as you articulate your vowels. Just like with everything else, this might feel forced at first. Be mindful and keep practicing until it becomes second nature. In time, you will notice your voice sounding better.

Get Enough Sleep and Rest. You might be wondering what sleep has to do with singing. Quite a bit, actually. It is only when you sleep at night that your body is able to recover from any stress or damage it incurred during the day. Furthermore, when you practice your singing exercises, your muscle fibers grow and adapt to these exercises. It is only during your sleep that these muscle fiber changes get integrated into your body. Remember that your voice is a muscle like any other, and using it too much can actually be harmful. Just like when exercising any other muscle, you need to make sure you give your voice a chance to rest.

Observe Professional Singers. Watch some videos of your favorite singers. Notice what they’re doing with their mouth, their face, and their bodies. Pay attention to these details and try to imitate them as you sing or even as you go about your daily routine.

Take One-on-One Live Video Sessions on Konversai. The best way to improve at any skill is to practice, and what better way to practice than through a personalized session with someone who knows what they’re doing and can help you? Taking singing lessons (or sessions on any topic in which you might be interested) is now easier than ever with Konversai. Konversai is your one-stop shop for any and all personal human knowledge. The platform connects providers of knowledge with seekers of knowledge on any topic of interest through one-on-one live video conversations. Knowledge providers have the option of charging as much as they want to share what they know and love, while knowledge seekers can enjoy personalized, one-on-one sessions catered to exactly what they’re looking to learn.

Based on what you’re looking for, your voice provider can work with you to come up with a daily routine to help you improve your singing voice. This might include breathing exercises, warmups, scales, and practicing songs of your choice. Sessions take place at times that are mutually convenient for the provider and the seeker, and both parties can be anywhere in the world. All you need is a working device with an Internet connection. All users on Konversai are encouraged to be both providers and seekers of knowledge on any and as many topics as they wish. With Konversai, geography and technology are no longer barriers to learning what you want to learn. So if you’re looking to improve your singing voice, what are you waiting for? Sign up for Konversai today and book a session with any of our many talented vocal providers. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

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