Q&A for How to Strengthen Your Singing Voice

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  • Question
    What foods can I eat to improve my singing voice?
    Patrick Muñoz
    Voice 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 Coach
    Expert Answer
    Make sure you drink plenty of water. If your voice is tired or hoarse, it's a really good idea to drink some warm water with honey, lemon, and even some apple cider vinegar to clear things out. Try to avoid acidic foods and drinking too much milk. These foods can give you indigestion, which is one of the worst things for your voice.
  • Question
    Which yoga exercises should I adopt to improve my breathing?
    Community Answer
    I would recommend reading through this article: How to Breathe Like a Yoga Master .
  • Question
    My voice is naturally high-pitched, can I stop that?
    Community Answer
    Don't stop it. Your high-pitched voice could be your strength, and if you use your voice correctly, you'll probably sound beautiful. Just work on using your voice the right way, and if you feel your voice isn't strong enough, follow the instructions in this article.
  • Question
    What makes the voice waver when singing?
    Community Answer
    It's called vibrato. You need to create resonance using vocal plates to get vibrato.
  • Question
    How do I strengthen an aging voice? I am 88.
    Community Answer
    Drink enough water. Stand up straight with soft knees and breathe in and out from your diaphragm. Do these breaths every day. Lightly howl like a wolf, from a higher note down. Let the voice follow that keening sound naturally. It massages and strengthens the cords. Do that as often as you like.
  • Question
    I just quit smoking, and I want my voice back. What should I do to improve it?
    Community Answer
    Drink lots of water and avoid sugar. Use mucilaginous herbs such as slippery elm (you can purchase this in lozenges), aloe, and marshmallow to lubricate your throat and stomach and help with healing.
  • Question
    Do I need equipment to sing before I can start learning to rap?
    Community Answer
    No. The only equipment you need at first is your voice.
  • Question
    Is it possible for anyone to sing?
    Community Answer
    It certainly helps if you have a talent for hitting the correct notes, but anyone requires training and nurturing to be able to sing properly. In other words, if you can already hit notes correctly, you'll have an easier time learning to sing. If you can't do it yet, then you can be trained to do it. Remember, there have even been singers who were fully deaf.
  • Question
    I have a very good singing voice, but it's been scratchy lately. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    It means your vocal folds are constricted and tight, and you're having to force breath out. You can fix this by relaxing your vocal folds when singing.
  • Question
    Do I need to do more singing to enhance vocal strength?
    Community Answer
    Yes, definitely. Like anything, singing must be practiced in order to maintain a good, strong voice. But also focus on your breathing and stance as well since both of these contribute to the tone, quality, and strength of your voice.
  • Question
    Will vibrato come naturally or should we force make it?
    Community Answer
    Unless you can really control your voice in high/low ranges, then a vibrato will occur. If you can control your voice well then you will have to force a vibrato.
  • Question
    I smoke, but not a lot. Is it harmful, or will I be affected?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is still harmful and you will likely be affected at some point. It is best for your voice -- and your health -- to quit altogether.
  • Question
    How do I get enough confidence to sing in front of people?
    Bluefizz
    Community Answer
    First, practice in front of someone who will support you and not laugh at your mistakes - whether that's a family member, friend, or music teacher. Then, slowly start working up to more and more people. Think through why you're nervous and try to address that problem. For example, if you're worried that the audience is too big, make eye contact with only specific people around the auditorium.
  • Question
    Does the head voice always sounds more shrill? I like my chest voice much better, but I have to sing high notes. Any recommendations?
    Community Answer
    Your head voice doesn't have to sound shrill. If you sing with lots of space in your mouth and really raise your soft palette, your head voice can have a very open sound and it will be very comfortable to sing in.
  • Question
    Do I have to warm up every day even if I'm not planning on singing?
    Community Answer
    No, you don't. You only need to warm your voice up prior to singing.
  • Question
    I have a melody voice, but I want to sing carols. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Practice makes perfect! Practice your carols. Ask a friend or parent if you could sing to them. They may give you advice, and they won't hurt your feelings.
  • Question
    How can I sing in a higher voice in a short time?
    Chesterr
    Community Answer
    Just practice all the time. You don't have to do heaps, but just practice, and don't strain your voice too hard or you might break it.
  • Question
    It seems as though my voice often takes a turn and I feel like I'm singing in a completely new voice. Is this a good thing?
    Community Answer
    You probably enter the falsetto region of your scale. While you can master falsetto to sound good (like the Bee Gees and Radiohead vocalists did), it's often considered as not so good a thing. Still, if you're confident and not off key, go for it. To strengthen your voice, you should sing with your diaphragm. If you give it your best and still have a "squeak" while singing, it's possible you're not singing in your optimal registers. Try changing the key to a lower one until you can sing all the notes confidently.
  • Question
    How do I learn breath control?
    Community Answer
    Learning to control how much air you push out for each note will help you run out of air slower. Try breathing exercises and holding your breath to help increase your lung capacity. Some sports like swimming are very good for increasing your lung capacity and giving you better breath control.
  • Question
    How can I learn to control my timing?
    Community Answer
    One way to learn is to practice with the help of a metronome or metronome app.
  • Question
    What are the most important things for beginners to know about singing?
    Community Answer
    You will mess up. The important thing is consistency and taking rests. It takes many hours to become a professional. Just keep at it and you will achieve your goals.
  • Question
    Singers must have strong and light voices: true or false?
    Community Answer
    False. Voices don't have to sound one specific way to be good. Some artists have a strong and mighty voices. Others have light and dainty voices.
  • Question
    How do I know if I can sing well?
    Community Answer
    You can ask a voice coach or trusted adult.
  • Question
    Is it bad to fake the "gritty" sound of a singer who smokes?
    Community Answer
    It's not necessarily "bad," but it could cause damage to your throat in the long run.
  • Question
    Can I learn how to sing at 13?
    Community Answer
    Of course! You can learn how to sing at pretty much any age, all you need is the determination to do so. Take singing lessons or sign up for choir at your school.
  • Question
    Which exercise is good for having good vocal stamina to read a long script in one breath?
    Community Answer
    Try taking a big, quick breath and then releasing it as slowly and evenly as you can. Repeat this about five times per day.
  • Question
    Will playing a flute make your voice bad?
    Christopher Capers-Jones
    Community Answer
    No. It will not make your voice bad at all.
  • Question
    Is singing every day okay?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you are singing in a way where you don't feel awful afterward. Your vocal chords are a muscle, so exercising them (while warming up before) is a good way to strengthen your voice.
  • Question
    What do I do everytime my voice wavers when singing. How can I help it?
    CageyCat
    Top Answerer
    Sing softer. Don't try to force your voice to gain volume. Notice times when your voice is not wavering and practice what that felt like in your throat and chest.
  • Question
    How much should I practice per day?
    Kookiepow
    Community Answer
    It depends on your availability and your range. Just sing whenever, wherever.
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