Q&A for How to Find Your Own Singing Voice

It could help bring blood to your vocal folds before your warm-ups. My favorite method of this kind of vocal care is using a personal humidifier (with just water- no medication packets).

It may not be "ugly"––it is commonplace for many people to dislike the sound of their own voice when they hear it, especially when it's recorded and listened to. Get the opinion of people you trust really know singing when they hear it before deciding your singing voice isn't so great. If you still think it's not great after some feedback, there are ways to improve a singing voice enough for it to be pleasant, through singing lessons, vocal exercises, finding your best range and practicing. Don't give up––be determined to improve instead.

You can develop your singing voice by learning more about the abilities and limits of your own vocal range, practicing singing a variety of songs, taking singing lessons with a professional singing teacher and participating in group singing such as choirs or church singing. If you can afford it, taking singing lessons or getting vocal coaching is a great way to improve your singing skills through professional help. At home, following the detailed steps in the article above should give you a head start in developing your singing skills.

Some ways to help "open your voice" include widening your mouth when singing, dropping your jaw lower and trying to remain as relaxed as possible at the same time, so that your throat is not constricted. It can help to imagine yourself yawning when trying to open your mouth. Breathing from your diaphragm is also important to the openness of your singing voice––see How to Sing Using Your Diaphragm for more help.

Training your voice to sing requires more than just belting out sound; many parts of your body are involved in producing a good singing voice, including your nose, throat, diaphragm and mouth. You need to learn to listen properly, practice both high and low notes and breathe properly while singing. For help with learning to sing, see How to Learn to Sing .

Provided a person can talk, that person can learn to sing. This does not mean everyone can sing with a beautiful sound or in tone; that’s another matter. However, most people can learn to use their singing voice well enough to sing along at celebratory events, parties, the national anthem, in the shower, etc. Moreover, there are techniques which can be learned to make your singing voice louder, clearer and sufficiently pleasant for you to be an all right singer at shared singing occasions even if you're never going to be a star solo performer.

A good way to find a song that suits your voice is to ask yourself these questions: Do I strain my voice when I'm singing this song? Does it feel natural? Does it come from the heart and evoke emotion? Pick a few songs you like and sing them for a friend or family member, then ask them which song sounds the best.

The only thing you have to do is breathe right. Do not breathe through your nose whole singing, and breathe through your mouth and deep in your lungs.

Practicing will help you improve your voice. Listen to new songs to find new techniques. You can also find a vocal instructor to help direct your training.

It may be that your friends are telling you the truth, that you don't have a very good voice. Do you trust their judgment and their friendship? On the other hand, it may be that they don't know what a good singing voice is, especially if you have a unique style that isn't much known. Whatever the case, the unspoken rule is that you support your friends no matter what, so if they keep being mean, then perhaps they're not supportive friends.

Start with close friends and family. Ask for their feedback and don't take it to heart if you don't like what you hear. You can also sing karaoke as a good way to gain confidence.

Practice singing your own songs without comparing your voice to other people's voices.

Practice makes perfect. Start by doing vocal warmups, starting at the lowest note in your vocal range and progressing to the highest. Each time push yourself a little bit higher -- it might take a while. Practice every day for 15 minutes, and do that for two weeks. Hopefully, you should see that you can successfully sing at least a note or two higher.

Songs that you hear people singing a lot at karaoke make good choices. A good choice may be something related to activities or emotions that evoke feelings in you.

Try starting with singing in front someone close to you, such as a friend, a significant other, or your parents. Then, gradually work on performing for other people. If you have trouble singing in front of even one person, practice the song by yourself until you are confident with it and then try sing to them.

Find a singer whose voice is similar to yours and within your vocal range.

Try "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran, or "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith. You could also try other songs by the same artists since they should be similar in range.

Practice makes perfect. Vibrato happens naturally when you are able to hit notes comfortably without straining, but you can help it along by practicing. Find and watch some YouTube videos to help you along. Don't expect quick results; developing vibrato takes time. Be patient, and remember the basics: warm up, sit up straight, and breathe from your diaphragm.

You can try to imagine a crowd in front of you when you are practicing to get used to it. Also, try to perform with smaller groups before larger ones.

You want to try to practice for at least an hour a day. If you live with someone, tell them you would like to have some privacy to practice. You can also sing whenever you have a spare moment (in the shower, in the car, etc.). Make time for singing if you can. If you find yourself unable to make time at all, then you can always hum quietly to yourself. Humming warms up your vocal cords.

Find a song of theirs in your vocal range. Then, practice that song and any other that are in your range which will get you to sound more like them.

I would take that as a compliment. So many singers today need auto-tune to sound decent, and so your voice must be incredible to sound like it's got it built in!

An octave is a range of eight notes. If you count eight notes up from any note, you'll reach that same note. (Example: eight notes up from C is C.) A scale is playing these eight notes in the correct order for that key signature. A piano teacher may be able to give you a better explanation or visual if you ask her.

Not really, it can tear your vocal chords if you try too hard, but practice makes perfect.

Do warmups daily. Drink a lot of water even when practicing or doing vocal warmups. Also, avoid coughing while singing or clearing the throat all through singing. For a better voice, you should avoid sugary foods.

Sing an octave lower. If you can't, try to harmonize with another note. For example, if the melody calls for a D out of your range, try an F or A.

Your voice may continue to change, though less drastically, even into your late twenties, and your vocal range will lower in old age. Regardless, do not wait to sing! Your best bet is to continue singing through the change and practice your higher range.

An electronic guitar tuner shows the notes you are plucking, so I would think it would work for any instrument, including the voice. Sound waves are sound waves.

Try to breathe in and out from your stomach. Your stomach should expand when you inhale, and deflate when you exhale. This will give you more control of your pitch. Also make sure your posture is good.

Just find a song that appeals to your feelings and put those emotions into your performance.