HOW TO SING

Four Parts:Setting the FoundationHealthy Singing HabitsThe AttitudeThe PerformanceCommunity Q&A

Singing - the one talent virtually everybody possesses. Of course, some are more naturally skilled than others, but even a poor voice can be overcome by dedication, practice, and more practice. Even if you're content to sing in the shower, there are some things you can do to improve your voice. Your golden voice will be ringing out in no time!

Part 1

Setting the Foundation

1. 
   1
   Choosing your singing style. The style you want to sing in can vastly change the way you sing. Understand the demands of your particular style, but realize that learning the techniques of multiple styles can only make you a better singer. Try going to a high note then a low note. This way you can test and see if you feel comfortable with notes... This article mainly covers overall technique, but you can get specifics on particular styles like:
   

   • Pop
   • Rock
   • R&B
   • Jazz
   • Country
   • Hip Hop
   • Rapping
   • Beatboxing
   • Psychedelic style - If you want to take a risk with your musical appearance, then perhaps try this style. This is a more 'dreamy' and 'new wave' style of singing, which many people will appreciate. Styles like this, if you pull it off properly, will likely develop a 'cult' like following, if you make it big!
   • 'Indie' style music is very big nowadays, and there are many opportunities in the genre for creative growth, particularly in songwriting.
2. 
   2
   Find your vocal range. This is essential, as singing pieces written for the wrong range may strain your voice to the point that you sound like a bear with a cold.
   

   • Your range is largely determined by the size and shape of your instrument: your voice. The size and shape of your larynx is the primary factor contributing to your vocal range. However, it is possible to extend your range higher than you most likely will ever need to sing, but it takes very specific training and must be done correctly.
   • Below is a guideline of vocal facts or voice types. Everyone has a "sweet spot" in their range and it generally lies in the following areas, once the voice is developed:
     • Sopraninos: Reaching the highest of the ranges, a Sopranino can sing to D6 and beyond.
     • Sopranos: Sopranos sing from C4 to A5, or higher.
     • Mezzo-soprano: The mezzo-soprano range extends from about A3 to F5.
     • Alto: The standard range for altos is approximately E3 to E5.
     • Contralto: The lowest female voices are called "contralto," and extend below E3.
     • Countertenors: Males with very high vocal ranges, into the alto and soprano ranges of female vocals, or who have a strong, clear falsetto, are called "countertenors."
     • Tenor: This is near the upper end of the male's vocal range. A tenor can comfortably sing between C3 and A4.
     • Baritone: A baritone singer ranges between F2 and E4.
     • Bass: The range for a bass singer is around F2 to E4, with a comfort range normally between G2 and A3.
     • Contrabass: If you can sing G1 or lower, you are what's known as a sub-bass, contrabass, or a basso profundo.
   • People will love or hate your voice based on its sound character, not just how many notes you can hit or runs/trills you can do. Your range can be developed with the right training, but be sure to use proven techniques that do not strain or wear out your voice.
3. 
   3
   Get started for free. There are hundreds of vocal training videos on YouTube, filled with everything from amateur tipsters to educated, professional singers.
   

   • Be careful because not all of the information is correct and even if you find good information, there is a chance you will misinterpret the instructions. This is why a teacher or vocal coach is preferred.
   • It can be tricky finding a good vocal trainer on the Internet, but think of it this way: It's a great way to find out if you like being taught how to sing, whether you're ready to practice, and most of all, if you're ready to start taking lessons.
4. 
   4
   Take lessons. Find a vocal coach or qualified voice teacher who can help you become a better singer. Check with your local music store or your school music teacher for trustworthy references.
   

   • If you're serious about becoming a singer, taking lessons sooner rather than later is the way to go: Poor performance techniques can ruin your singing voice for good!
   • If you cannot afford a teacher, or do not want the dedication that comes with hiring a professional voice coach, consider joining a local choir.
   • There are also a few at-home vocal training courses out there, such as Singing Success, Sing and See, Singorama, Singing for the Stars and Vocal Release, but be sure to do your research to see which ones have really worked for other singers.
5. 
   5
   Get to know your singing tools. The more familiar you are with how everything is supposed to move and feel, the more attuned to your voice you will be.
   

   • Touch the top of your collarbone. About a half of an inch below your finger is the top of your lungs.
   • Examine your ribs. They move like bucket handles attached to your spine and your sternum. When you breathe in, they move upward as your chest expands. When you breathe out, they move downward as the air in your lungs is exhaled.
   • Find your chest line. This is the place where your lungs expand the largest. Place your hands about halfway down your torso, towards the bottom of your sternum. Take a deep breath, and move your hand till you find the point of maximum extension of the ribs.
   • The bottom of your lungs is right below your sternum, where your rib cages meet. This is also the housing for your diaphragm. The reason your stomach may pooch out when you breathe deeply is because your diaphragm is pushing down on everything below your rib cage, not because your lungs are in your stomach.

Part 2

Healthy Singing Habits

1. 
   1
   Stand up straight! Correct posture helps, so stand tall, one foot slightly in front of the other one, and feet shoulder width apart. This allows you to breathe easily and reach maximum lung capacity, which results in better notes and phrases.
   

   • Stand up straight with shoulders pulled back and down, so that you are floating over your torso. Make sure that your chest is high to give room for your lungs to expand and contract. Relax.
   • If you're sitting, the same things apply! Keep both of your feet flat on the floor--don't cross your legs. Keeping your body in line allows for more control and sustained singing without strain if you are sitting your back should also not touch the back of seat it should be straight.

1. 
   1
   Breathe properly. The voice is best described as a wind instrument, because breathing is 80% of singing and proper singing begins and ends with proper breathing. Breathe low, from your stomach, and push out, tightening the muscles when you exhale.
   

   • If you try breathing from your chest, you will find you won't have enough support for high notes.
   • Practice the old fashioned book method: Lie on the ground and place a book on your stomach. Sing a comfortable note, and when you are exhaling/singing, try to make the book go up.
2. 
   2
   Practice your warm ups. Before you begin singing or doing practice exercises, it's always best to warm up. Try this: sing in your middle range, then low range, then high range, and back to middle.
   

   • You should spend at least 10 minutes on each range and do not stress your voice if you're frustrated and cannot hit a note. Relax, then try again, carefully. Other things to practice:
   • Dynamics: Dynamics are variations to the intensity of your resonance. Even the simplest use of dynamics will make your songs come alive, and the more you practice, the louder and softer you'll be able to sing healthily. Sing a comfortable pitch and start very softly, crescendo to loud then decrescendo to soft. When you start out, you will probably only be able to sing from mp (mezzo piano, or moderately quiet) to mf (mezzo forte, or moderately loud), but your range will increase with practice.
   • Agility—Hit the "do re mi." Try singing from do to sol, back to do really fast back and forth, trying to hit all of the notes. Do this in increments of half steps on different syllables. This will help your voice become more flexible.
3. 
   3
   Pronounce your vowels correctly. Practice all your vowels at every pitch (high, low, and in between). In English there are very few pure vowels. Normally, we will encounter diphthongs which are two or more vowel sounds elided together.
   

   • In classical singing, the singer will sustain the note on the first vowel and then say the second on the way to the final consonant. In country, singers like to slide through the first vowel and elongate the second vowel on the sustained note.
     • For example: whereas a classical singer might sing "Am[aaaaaaai]zing Gr[aaaaaai]ce" and a country singer would sing "Am[aiiiiiii]zing Gr[aiiiiii]ce".
   • If you can, always sing the first vowel for as long as you can before letting the second vowel in.
   • Here are some pure vowels to practice with: AH as in "father", EE as in "eat", IH as in "pin", EH as in "pet", OO as in "food", UH as in "nut", EU as in "could", OH as in "home".
4. 
   4
   Practice scales. Practice this often, especially if you have pitch problems. Most coaches will recommend 20-30 minutes a day when starting out, as practicing scales will also strengthen the muscles used for singing and give you better control.
   

   • To practice scales, identify your range (tenor, baritone, alto, soprano, etc.) and know how to find the notes that cover your range on a keyboard or piano. Then practice the major scale in every key, moving up and down using the vowel sounds.
   • At some point you can start working in minor scales as well. Solfege (Do,Re,Mi,...) is also an effective tool for improving pitch problems.

Part 3

The Attitude

1. 
   1
   Be confident. Do not care what people think, just keep practicing. If you are limited by your inhibitions, your voice will be, too.
   

   • Be confident that you are going to get better, and you will continue to improve. Making safe decisions will not stretch your abilities. In order to do new things with your voice, you must be fearless.
2. 
   2
   Be reasonable with your expectations. Regardless of where you are coming from, if you can devote 20 minutes or more a day to practicing scales and songs, you can expect measurable improvement within four weeks.
   

   • Most pitch problems can be corrected within 3-4 months. Understand that your progress is linked to your ability to practice daily (as with most training). If you only do 10 minutes a day, a few days a week, you could spend a year or more.

Part 4

The Performance

1. 
   1
   Make sure you have practiced. By the time it comes to performing your piece in front of others, you should have practiced a lot and ensure that you are confident that the performance will be comfortable and sound amazing.
2. 
   2
   Stay confident throughout the performance. Audiences often have misleading expressions. If they don't look impressed, don't worry about it. Keep singing, and smile too - it will cheer them up endlessly.
3. 
   3
   Look at the people. Nobody wants you looking at the ceiling. You might find it easier to look just a little above their heads if you have stage fright.