Q&A for How to Train Your Voice

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  • Question
    How can I train my voice at home?
    Patrick Muñoz
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    There are dozens of ways you can train at home. Read books, watch YouTube videos, listen to audio recordings, and/or work with online coaches. The key to training your voice is to practice breathing, resonating, projecting, and articulating. Record yourself and listen objectively to your progress.
  • Question
    How can I hear my real voice?
    Patrick Muñoz
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    Use your phone to record yourself speaking and then listen back. If you have access to a high-quality microphone and large speakers for playback, you'll be able to hear your real voice.
  • Question
    Is banana good for singers?
    Patrick Muñoz
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    A banana doesn’t really do anything for a singer. It contains potassium, which can help a dancer or athlete avoid leg cramps.
  • Question
    Can everyone sing?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Almost anybody can learn to sing, unless there is some kind of damage to the vocal cords, but not everyone will have a good singing voice. In addition, some people can be tone deaf, that is, they have difficulty telling the difference between notes, which will make it very difficult for them to ever sing a song in tune.
  • Question
    What do singers drink to clear their throats?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Usually warm drinks of any kind will help, but many singers especially recommend herbal teas such as: ginger, licorice, fennel or chamomile. Honey or lemon is often added to the tea as well. Try a few and see what works best for you. Avoid cold drinks, alcohol or soft drinks, which can all irritate your vocal cords.
  • Question
    What do singers drink before they sing?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    A common choice for singers is simply room temperature water. If you choose another drink, be sure to avoid cold drinks, alcohol, carbonation (you don't want to burp while you're singing), coffee or anything that might irritate your throat.
  • Question
    Where do I touch to feel my diaphragm?
    Community Answer
    Place your hand upon your tummy, just below your rib cage, and say HAH! You should feel a muscle flex against your palm. This is your diphragm.
  • Question
    What is a way to comfortably sing high pitched?
    Community Answer
    Practice scales every day to increase your range. Do this consistently and slowly so as to not strain your vocal chords.
  • Question
    What foods are good for my voice?
    Community Answer
    Veggies, foods with high water contents, fruits, and soups can be good for your voice, and carbs can give you energy to sing.
  • Question
    How do I control my voice?
    Community Answer
    Try practicing holding a note and keeping it steady and clear, using your diaphragm. But controlling your voice is all about learning your vocal strengths and building on them. Practice, practice, practice! What worked for me was picking a song that fit my vocal range and tone, then singing along with that. Recording yourself practicing is great, because then you can listen back and look at the areas where you could have been stronger, or held a note more clearly, then repeat. I guarantee after the first few recordings you'll notice the difference. I have a very soft voice, but have been able to strengthen it.
  • Question
    What items can be taken to clear your throat?
    Community Answer
    If you're getting over a cold, you'll just have to wait it out. But if you're feeling a little clogged up, water is always a good choice. Avoid soda and other foods and drinks that will "coat" your throat.
  • Question
    What kinds of food should I eat?
    Community Answer
    In terms of daily diet, nothing special. If you are talking about what to eat before you sing, try to have a lot of water beforehand. It may not be good to load up on food, since you will be using your diaphragm a lot and it could cause your throat to become dry, irritated, or clogged. Also, avoid foods that produce gas, like soda and large meals. It's awful when you sing something and you have to burp in the middle of it.
  • Question
    If I start off as a mediocre singer, is it still possible to for me improve my voice?
    Community Answer
    Of course! To a certain extent. There are some aspects that you can improve, such as staying on tune, breathing, articulation, expression, etc. The voice you're born with is, however, is the voice you are stuck with.
  • Question
    How do I stop my voice from cracking while I sing?
    Community Answer
    Drink warm water with honey and lemon at least once a day. You should continue this process until you notice results and even then continue drinking the mixture. Also, just keep practicing.
  • Question
    What food should I eat before singing?
    Community Answer
    Try not to eat before singing. Rather, drink something that will open up your throat, such as hot water with honey and lemon.
  • Question
    How can I know my voice part?
    Community Answer
    The first part of knowing what group you belong in is your gender. If you are a female, then you are either an alto or soprano. If you are a male, then you are either a tenor or bass. The second part is how high or low your voice is. If you are a female and you're more comfortable singing at a high pitch rather than a low pitch, then you are a soprano. If you are a female and you're more comfortable singing at a lower pitch, then you are an alto. If you are a male and you're more comfortable singing at a higher pitch, then you are a tenor. If you are a male and you're more comfortable singing at a lower pitch, then you are a bass.
  • Question
    How often should I practice? I practice so much that it makes my throat sore. Am I supposed to do that?
    Community Answer
    No, you shouldn't, as it damages your throat. You should practice for however long you like, just stop before your throat is sore.
  • Question
    How do I read and understand a note?
    Community Answer
    Study note names, note values, and how each note sounds. Practice each note one at a time and start with reading songs with simple music, like "Hot Cross Buns."
  • Question
    How do I improve my singing?
    DexterTheCat02
    Community Answer
    Things that vocal coaches will always stress are vowels, enunciation, and breath control. You want to have tall vowels when singing. Put your pointer and middle fingers between your front teeth to give you an idea of how wide your mouth should be. Make sure to over-stress your words. The clearer, the better! When breathing, don't breathe from your lungs, breathe from your diaphragm instead, near your stomach. Pretend you're sipping in chocolate milk. That's where you should breathe from.
  • Question
    How do I clear my throat? I always feel like something is in there blocking it?
    Community Answer
    If you feel like something is blocking your throat constantly, then it's possible the songs you sing aren't in your range.
  • Question
    How do I practice without a piano or keyboard?
    Community Answer
    There are many apps you could download that give you pitches or function as a virtual piano.
  • Question
    What songs should I practice at to become a better singer?
    Community Answer
    Pick songs that test your vocal range without straining your voice. Watch Youtube videos, or consult a professional instructor, to learn exercises and technique that will help you to improve.
  • Question
    How can I stop myself from shouting while singing?
    Community Answer
    Don't push your voice - if your throat feels like it's starting to hurt, you're probably shouting. It's good to project, but not shout. Your voice should still sound melodious, and shouldn't overshadow any accompaniment.
  • Question
    How do I make my pitch higher?
    Community Answer
    Keep practicing your high notes one by one. Start where you are comfortable and start going higher.
  • Question
    How do I stop my voice from being breathy when I sing?
    Community Answer
    Use your diaphragm as much as possible in notes within your range. You can use your diaphragm as much as you need to sing powerfully.
  • Question
    How can I keep my voice from cracking when I sing high notes?
    Community Answer
    Try running through your vocal range in the "ng" sound. Do this multiple times until it starts to feel smooth.
  • Question
    How do I train my soprano voice and make it louder?
    Community Answer
    To make your voice louder, try singing a vowel sound and then alternating between quiet and loud as you sing.
  • Question
    How can I maintain my soprano voice while singing?
    Community Answer
    Sing in falsetto if you feel yourself start to slip into tenor. It also helps to train your voice through videos.
  • Question
    Is a hot drink good for the voice?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the drink. As long as it's not sticky, dairy or thick, it's fine. It's likely that it wouldn't change your voice much.
  • Question
    My friend's range is A2-C4, but his comfortable lowest note is C3. What voice type does that make him?
    Community Answer
    Baritone. His range fits in the Fach. A tenor can reach a C5 or above, depending on his vocal weight, but by vocal range, your friend is a baritone.
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