The Importance of Vocal Warm-ups

Exercise is important to the singer as it is to an athlete, the process of warming up and cooling down your vocal chords helps to prevent strain on your vocal cords (soft tissue) and the inner muscles of the larynx (the muscles that control the closing of your cords). Studies have shown that changing pitch undoubtedly stretches the muscles, and any singer will tell you that vocal warm-ups make them feel more prepared.

Often times when we think of warm-up as singers we think of our vocal chords but Physical whole-body warm-ups also help prepare a singer. Muscles all over the body are used when singing (the diaphragm being one of the most obvious). Stretches and relaxation of the abdomen, neck, and shoulders are important. Stress and tension can influences the sound of the voice.

One may ask apart from the above mention reason what else does warm-up do? Well warm-up activities teach, pitch control, vocal strength, breath control, diction, blending, singing with beauty, using your chest mix, singing with balance and so much more.

Singing a great song should always move your audience. You are required to get your heart and mind into your singing. This means getting in touch with the emotions of the song. Your voice is the window to your soul and you are allowing the audience to experience your feelings with you. Good warm up activities before singing will enable you to express your emotions properly and with confidence. Singing is hard work! It can be physically and emotionally draining if you are putting in your ‘all’. Singers have to create a beautiful voice that is expressive. There has to be a perfect blend of timing and beautiful notes that are clear and moving. Both, sound as well as words should touch the listener’s heart.

Training your voice and body creates muscle memory. It is just as easy to create bad muscle memory as it is to create good muscle memory. With the right technique and training you are preparing your body to, once you have an audience, use that muscle memory so that you can focus on your performance, not your voice or pitch. If the training is there, you can be certain that you will perform with confidence, grace and leave your audience wanting more.

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