No matter how accomplished, singing with ease is every singer’s goal. Whether it’s seamless transitions between registers or effortless high notes, I’m often asked for tips about how to sing better. Singing well is a balancing act between active energy and relaxation and knowing the difference between tensions (not good) and the sensations of pressure in your body the active energy creates (just fine). It sounds more complicated than it is. It’s a little like trying to explain how to ride a bicycle but in reality it’s no more complicated than talking. So here are a few simple things you can do on your own to make “riding your bike” easier. Of course, it’s safer and you’ll learn to ride faster with someone teaching you so, give me a shout if you need me. I’m happy to help.

1. Instead of “taking a breath” before you sing, think your thought instead.

When we sing we will run out of breath before the end of our thoughts because we’re focused on singing notes rather than saying words. In life, we don’t “take” a breath before we speak. Our body naturally knows how much we need because it responds to what we want to say. Apply that to your singing. Actively “taking” a breath can cause tension in your chest, shoulders, neck, etc. Just relax and say what you have to say you’ll find your body will have the air situation pretty much under control without your help.

2. Don’t hold your breath before you start to sing

When we speak we never hold our breath. Everything we say is a continuous exhalation. Stop now and read any sentence in this blog out loud. Done? You didn’t need to take a breath and you were exhaling as you spoke. Notice this ease when other people speak to you. Don’t hold your breath. You’re doing too much trying to make things happen. Just relax and say what you have to say.

3. Open your mouth

Open your mouth now. If you’re not holding your breath you’ll feel an instant connection to your belly moving in and out. If this feels the way it feels when you’re yawning, your mouth is open wide enough. Some people say two fingers height between your teeth is a good position for singing. I guess that depends on the size of your fingers but it’s a good guide.

4. Become the village idiot!

Tension is a singer’s worst enemy. Become the village idiot sitting in the town square. Slack jaw (remember to open your mouth), fat tongue (the tip resting on your bottom teeth and loose jaw, lips and neck. Your head should feel loose like one of those bobble head dolls on springs or a poplar tree swaying with the breeze. Now please don’t sink into the stupid letting it weigh you down. Reclaim your intelligence but retain the idiot’s relaxation and you’re in a good state for singing.

5. Speak on pitch.

Think of how you feel when you sing. Does it feel the same as when you’re speaking? If not, you’re probably doing too much. Try resting your fingertips on your Adam’s apple (or where it would be, if you’re a woman). This is your larynx which houses your vocal cords. Swallow and you’ll feel it move up. Now yawn and you’ll feel it come down. Now, with your fingers still in place, speak normally. It remains in place even when the spoken pitch varies. The same thing should happen when you sing. It stays still whether you’re moving up or down in pitch. Pitches go up, not because you reach or strain to make them go up, nor do they go down because you push them down. Relax your larynx to keep it steady and sing the way you speak.

6. Warm up your body thoroughly before you warm up your voice.

A good yoga workout or deep stretching and a run are great ways to warm up before you ever sing a note. How do you know when you’re warm? You’ll be sweating. When your body is loose and energized your voice will respond much faster when you begin to sing.

7. Care deeply about what you’re singing.

Whatever you’re saying/singing must be the most important thing in the world to you. You can’t be passionate about what you don’t understand. Know what your lyric means to you in a very personal way. This will not only allow us to believe your performance, but your voice will also relax and open in response just as it does when you speak passionately in your life.

8. Singing is athletic.

Singing is a very physical activity. It’s about being completely engaged with what you’re saying and expressing that passion with your whole body. Bend your knees and engage your quads (thigh muscles) while keeping your upper body relaxed and free as a bird.

I hope that helps! Happy singing!

.

.

All my best,

Philip

.

Philip Hernandez is a respected acting teacher and singing coach in NYC. He is also the only actor in Broadway history to play both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. He created principal roles in Broadway’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Paul Simon’s The Capeman. You may also know him from his many television appearances: The Blacklist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, The Path, Bull, Nurse Jackie, Elementary, Person of Interest, Law and Order, Hostages and Damages to name a few. For information about acting lessons CLICK HERE or singing lessons CLICK HERE. 

Follow him on twitter @philip24601, on Instagram @philip24601 and on Facebook at @philip24601.