Q&A for How to Sing Clearly

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  • Question
    What is the best thing to drink before singing?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    Water is definitely the best. It's common for singers to have different preferences, like adding a bit of lemon or honey to the water or preferring warm water. Avoid creamy things like milk or sugary liquids like soda.
  • Question
    Can everyone sing?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    Everyone who can speak can sing, except for a small number of people who have amusia, also known as tone deafness.
  • Question
    How can I improve the quality of my singing voice?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    The vocal cords are muscles, so just like dance or weightlifting, practicing regularly is necessary for improvement. Work on the skills in this article, and hire a private voice teacher if you want more guidance.
  • Question
    What should I eat to improve my singing voice?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    A healthy diet is best. Caffeine can dry out your vocal cords, dairy can cause unhelpful mucus buildup, and sugar can cause the vocal cords to be a bit swollen. Eating right before sleep can cause acid reflux, which can temporarily paralyze the vocal cords and cause hoarseness.
  • Question
    Should an RPE affect your singing?
    Annabeth Novitzki
    Music Teacher
    Annabeth Novitzki is a Private Music Teacher in Austin, Texas. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004 and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Memphis in 2012. She has been teaching music lessons since 2004.
    Music Teacher
    Expert Answer
    I'm guessing you mean a rapid palatal expander. While definitely distracting, there's likely no reason it should have to affect your singing.
  • Question
    How do I improve my vocal range?
    Community Answer
    You can do some daily voice exercises, practice singing a couple songs, and try to practice singing in a low voice and a high voice. Then your vocal range will hopefully start improving.
  • Question
    How can I keep my mind calm?
    Community Answer
    Try meditating before a performance to increase calmness. When you are in front of the audience, you can try to pretend that they are not there and that you are singing alone. The more you perform in front of others, the calmer you'll become.
  • Question
    My voice is so heavy. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    If you feel like your voice is too heavy you should open your mouth wide enough. If you are singing the A vowel you should be able to fit an apple in your mouth, if you're are singing an E, a banana. Try lifting your soft palate higher and try to sing forward a little more. Sing in your nasal cavity a bit, your nose will vibrate if your doing it right. Singing in your head voice is the best way to fix this problem, in other words keep everything light and try to put your voice into your head instead of your chest, if that makes sense.
  • Question
    How can I become a famous singer?
    Community Answer
    You might try posting a video of you singing on youtube, many performers get their start that way.
  • Question
    I am a good singer but I want to better myself so how I should move further?
    Community Answer
    Practice singing a little every day for at least 15 minutes.
  • Question
    What can I do if my voice is vibrating?
    Community Answer
    If it is vibrating, try gargling and rest for a bit. Do this four times a week, and you may feel better.
  • Question
    How can I learn singing without a teacher
    Community Answer
    Practice, and make sure to record yourself and be self-critical enough that you can improve.
  • Question
    Will I be able to sing, even though I don't have singing in my genes?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you can, get lessons or a vocal coach.
  • Question
    How do I increase my confidence?
    Community Answer
    Try something you've never tried before, and keep at it until you have mastered it. Then move on to another challenge and do it again. The bigger the challenge, the greater your confidence will soar.
  • Question
    Can I sing well if I have bad speech?
    Community Answer
    Yes, absolutely.
  • Question
    Can I be a singer while in school?
    Community Answer
    Of course you can! I do it every day. Practice in front of a true friend or by yourself during recess. It does not matter what age you are!
  • Question
    How do I clear my voice to get a better tone if it sounds scratchy?
    Community Answer
    Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. Warm tea with honey also helps.
  • Question
    Besides water, what can I drink to boost my voice?
    Community Answer
    Boosting your voice isn't really possible with drinks, but to soothe the muscles in your throat (which leads to clearer notes), you can drink tea mixed with honey and lemon. If you drink the honey-lemon tea, I would suggest you let it sit in your mouth to relax your soft palate as well.
  • Question
    My voice is clear when I sing naturally, but when I sing on a microphone or in the studio recorder, I experience a deep, cracked and hoarse voice. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Always sing naturally. Keep in mind that the microphone will not affect your voice, it only projects it and makes it louder. If you get nervous, that might affect your voice. One way to relax yourself from nervousness when on stage, is to breathe in and out and pretend like you either know everybody in the room as a friend, or pretend you are singing alone.
  • Question
    How can I sing better so God will love me?
    Community Answer
    God already loves you, and will appreciate your song as long as you are sincere.
  • Question
    Will smoking affect my voice?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will. Smoking can cause inflammation or irritation of the throat. It can also cause your voice to become raspy.
  • Question
    How do I make my head voice strong, as I sing in a choir?
    Community Answer
    Try making your throat vibrate while your voice doesn't. To make sure its vibrating, press two fingers on your throat and sing.
  • Question
    How can I capture all the scales in my personal song class?
    Community Answer
    Record yourself, then play it back to catch your mistakes and learn from them.
  • Question
    Who is the right person to sing with and ask if I am good? My friends are too nice, but my family is too mean.
    Nairi Lee
    Community Answer
    Find an acquaintance who is good at singing, someone who doesn't know you too well. They won't lie to you, and they won't be mean either. Ask him/her to point out where you get things wrong, and practice singing with them. (You'll also probably make a new friend by doing this, too.)
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