Singing Tips
(This part is copyrighted and should not be duplicated without permission.)
Written by: John Khoo
Singing can be really complicated. I have compiled a few tips that have worked wonder for me over the past few years.
I started singing with a range of only 1 and three quarter octaves. My range now strethes across 3 octaves because of all these exercises.
1. Warm-Ups
Warm-Ups is the most under-rated activity that singers carry out. A proper warm up is necessary in order for you to protect your vocal chords, to prolong your singing career, to achieve a rich vibrant tone, to connect your chest voice with your head voice.
2. Lip-Trills. (Or bubbling like many will call)
Bubbling or doing lip trills with your lips work wonders in relaxing the muscles that are surrounding your vocal chords, allowing you to achieve what people call a "free voice". Linking up your voice properly with lip trills will also help to connect your chest voice, mixed voice and head voice together, making your voice very much richer.
3. Proper projection
Many people sing in hoarse airy voices, thinking that it would make them sound better (more emotional) or (more manly), (more rock), etc. Improper usage of this airy voice would damage your vocal chords by causing them to thin out. We should always try to sing using our speech level voice. (i.e. the way we speak, would more or less be the same like the way we sing). Airy, hoarse voices adds on to the style of your singing and can be used (think of singers like Ah Du, or David Cook), BUT only moderately.
4. Using a cry-like tone to sing
Making use of a cry-like manner in singing is something that singers like Michael Jackson have tried in the past. It allows you to add a certain layer of richness into your voice. At the same time, it also adds emotions to your singing. It may not be the most authentic and orthodox method of learning how to sing, but it certainly has proven helpful for a couple of my students...
Singing can be really complicated. I have compiled a few tips that have worked wonder for me over the past few years.
I started singing with a range of only 1 and three quarter octaves. My range now strethes across 3 octaves because of all these exercises.
1. Warm-Ups
Warm-Ups is the most under-rated activity that singers carry out. A proper warm up is necessary in order for you to protect your vocal chords, to prolong your singing career, to achieve a rich vibrant tone, to connect your chest voice with your head voice.
2. Lip-Trills. (Or bubbling like many will call)
Bubbling or doing lip trills with your lips work wonders in relaxing the muscles that are surrounding your vocal chords, allowing you to achieve what people call a "free voice". Linking up your voice properly with lip trills will also help to connect your chest voice, mixed voice and head voice together, making your voice very much richer.
3. Proper projection
Many people sing in hoarse airy voices, thinking that it would make them sound better (more emotional) or (more manly), (more rock), etc. Improper usage of this airy voice would damage your vocal chords by causing them to thin out. We should always try to sing using our speech level voice. (i.e. the way we speak, would more or less be the same like the way we sing). Airy, hoarse voices adds on to the style of your singing and can be used (think of singers like Ah Du, or David Cook), BUT only moderately.
4. Using a cry-like tone to sing
Making use of a cry-like manner in singing is something that singers like Michael Jackson have tried in the past. It allows you to add a certain layer of richness into your voice. At the same time, it also adds emotions to your singing. It may not be the most authentic and orthodox method of learning how to sing, but it certainly has proven helpful for a couple of my students...
5. Proper breathing.
Many of my students breathe incorrectly. Breathing is the most BASIC thing about singing. You may think that you are breathing correctly, but more often or not, you are not. Good singing starts from good, proper breathing. Correct methods to breathe include not sucking in your stomach, nor raising your shoulders when you take in a breath. The airflow that comes out while you are singing a note should also come out at a constant frequency.
6. Vocal Damage
This is no laughing matter! Many students that i initially taught have been practising with incorrect singing methods. Incorrect singing methods may lead to worn out tonsils, and thinning of the vocal cords. Inflammation of the larynx is also common amongst singers who practise the wrong method. Your voice wears out. If you want to still be singing the same way at 50 years old, practise the right methods!
I hope these tips have given you a little insight on the things you would be learning if you take up vocal lessons with me. At the same time, i would be more than willing to help people who have queries about singing even if you are not interested in taking lessons. I would answer any doubts to the best of my ability. Email jkcm129@hotmail.com =) Cheers!
I hope these tips have given you a little insight on the things you would be learning if you take up vocal lessons with me. At the same time, i would be more than willing to help people who have queries about singing even if you are not interested in taking lessons. I would answer any doubts to the best of my ability. Email jkcm129@hotmail.com =) Cheers!