Q&A for How to Learn to Sing

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  • Question
    How do I stop my voice from shaking when singing?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Singing Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Singing Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try taking in a deep breath down into your ribs, and hold your rib cage out. That can stabilize your breath and therefore your voice.
  • Question
    How do I find my vocal range?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Singing Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Singing Coach
    Expert Answer
    Warm up your voice, then hum down and drop your voice as low as it can go. The lowest note you can hum that still sounds clear is the bottom of your range. Then, hum up as high as you can go. The highest note that you can hold for 3 seconds is the top of your vocal range.
  • Question
    How do you stretch your vocal cords?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Singing Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Singing Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try humming or singing as high as you can, then slowly go as low as you can. Keep singing up and down your range for a few minutes. High notes expand your vocal cords, while low notes shrink them, so this can help stretch out your vocal cords to make them more pliable.
  • Question
    How should I stand when I'm singing?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Singing Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Singing Coach
    Expert Answer
    When you're singing, then about standing tall. Imagine your spine and the back of your head extending all the way up to the sky. However, try to stay loose, as well.
  • Question
    Can I noticeably improve my singing in one month?
    Community Answer
    You can become a much better singer by simply practicing. Just a few warm-ups in the shower daily can make a big difference. Practice your vowels; they are so important. Do this by dropping your jaw and elongating your vowels, to have better breath control. Your tone will improve as well.
  • Question
    Is it possible for me to sing well if I have a horrible voice?
    Community Answer
    Yes of course! Not all great singers have traditionally beautiful voices.
  • Question
    Will humming improve singing?
    Community Answer
    If you are humming correctly, yes, it can actually help to improve your voice. It can also improve your speaking voice, so you get double the benefit!
  • Question
    Why does my voice sound different in recordings than it does in real life?
    Community Answer
    Your ear picks up the sound of your voice through the vibrations in your skull. Sounds travel differently through bone than through air. The recording is how you actually sound to other people.
  • Question
    How do I get my voice to sing a high pitch longer?
    Community Answer
    Start practicing the way you breathe when you hit the high notes. Lighten your voice because it is much easier to hit high notes when you sing softly.
  • Question
    How can I stay on key when I'm singing?
    Community Answer
    Always listen to what you are singing. You can achieve this easily by either plugging one of your ears with your finger or putting your hand in front of your mouth. Do not cover it though. Then, change your pitch slightly until you are certain that you are singing in the right key.
  • Question
    How do I extend my vocal range?
    Community Answer
    You can find online exercises for this, especially increasing your upper range by learning the "mixed voice" register. However, it's easy to strain your voice if you don't know how to use your muscles properly. It's best to ask a vocal coach for guidance, or to learn the amazing things you can do with your current range.
  • Question
    Even after practicing, do I need to play a tone on an instrument or computer before singing?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Only a small percentage of people have perfect pitch, and they all develop it in childhood.
  • Question
    What are basic vowel sounds for beginners to practice?
    Community Answer
    Start with the vowels in FOOD GO TIE PAY MEET. Try to keep your jaw still during the sound, and avoid grinning or nearly closing your jaw when you transition to the EE.
  • Question
    Does drinking Listerine help you sing better?
    Allie C
    Community Answer
    No, you should not drink it because it has alcohol in it and is dangerous.
  • Question
    How do I learn to breath a lot more?
    Community Answer
    Practice taking deep breaths and after a period of time you will be able to take in a lot more air.
  • Question
    Can practicing everyday help me become a professional singer?
    Allie C
    Community Answer
    Yes, practicing every single day makes you a better singer and closer to becoming a professional singer.
  • Question
    How many years does it take to sing?
    Allie C
    Community Answer
    It all depends on how much you practice singing.
  • Question
    How do I sing from my diaphragm?
    Community Answer
    Place your hand flat against your abdomen, where you diaphragm is, and imagine pushing your voice out through this area instead of your mouth. Takes practice, but it becomes easier the more you do it.
  • Question
    How do I learn to sing without a teacher?
    Allie C
    Community Answer
    Practice everyday, drink a lot of water, and do a lot of breathing exercises.
  • Question
    What can I do if the note does not come out right?
    Community Answer
    Figure out what you did wrong and practiced over and over. There are times where you may have followed every step but still sing the wrong note. That's perfectly fine. You can't expect to hit the right notes on the first try. Remember to follow the basic steps before you start singing.
  • Question
    Can being in chorus and/or choir help my voice?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You will practice using your voice and learn techniques for better singing. This will help improve the quality of your singing and the health of your voice (by teaching you to avoid things like vocal strain).
  • Question
    How long will it take to improve my voice?
    Community Answer
    It depends. If you have a teacher, it might take you a few weeks to start developing.
  • Question
    Is it is possible to become a good singer without a coach?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    How can I learn to sing and be a professional?
    Community Answer
    You will have to take singing lessons. On the days you don't have lessons, be sure to practice anyway. Try to go to a music school.
  • Question
    How do I prevent voice cracks?
    Dave Hudson
    Community Answer
    Know your range and stick to it. In rehearsal, push it. Sometimes the adrenaline of playing live can bring it crashing down, other times it gives you the lift you need to kill it.
  • Question
    Can this change my voice if I cannot sing?
    Community Answer
    This cannot change your voice, it can only improve your voice.
  • Question
    Could I learn to sing higher pitched and how long would it take?
    Community Answer
    Anyone can learn to sing higher-pitched as it takes practice. How long would it take just depends on how much you've been practicing and it varies. Some singers have practiced for a long time while not famous singers (who can still sing) have began singing with little practice. Some are natural while others need more practice. It's important for you to go with your own pace and do not feel discourage.
  • Question
    I downloaded two Learn How To Sing apps, is that a good way to get started?
    Community Answer
    If the apps tell you to practice, help find your range, and have breathing exercises, then yes.
  • Question
    To become a singer, do I need an instructor?
    Community Answer
    If you want to sing, you can't learn on your own! If you think you will really stay committed to it, then ask your parents for singing lessons. You can also join a choir either in your community or at your school.
  • Question
    What you do to be an expert at everything?
    Community Answer
    You can't be an expert at everything. It takes many years to become an expert at just one thing. Choose one to a few things that are especially important or interesting to you, and focus on learning about/practicing those things as much as possible over the years if you want to develop expertise in those areas. However, even if you can't be an expert at everything, you can still learn about a wide variety of things and have good general knowledge. See How to Increase Your General Knowledge .
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