VOCALS
MORE THAN A WARM-UP | Sheri Gould
Are you one of those singers who knows you should warm-up your voice but guiltily admits that they don ’ t ? Well , you ’ re not alone . I have worked with thousands of singers over the years , and I would say it ’ s the exception , rather than the rule , to find a singer who is committed to warming up before singing let alone warming up daily . Your vocal folds ( cords ) are muscles ( encased in membrane ) and function best when slowly and systematically stretched and infused with blood . This helps to not only give you the best performance , but also helps to keep your voice healthy and safe . So , although warming up should be an integral part of every singer ’ s life , I want to talk about something more …
WHAT IS A VOCALISE ? A vocalise is a singing exercise using individual syllables or vowel sounds to develop flexibility and control of pitch and tone . Unless you ’ ve studied voice with a professional vocal coach , you ’ ve probably only used vocalises to help you warm-up your voice . However , every vocalise has specific functions and they aren ’ t necessarily relegated to simply warming up . Knowing the purpose and potential for the vocalise you are doing can go a long way toward improving your vocal technique . So beyond warming up , these exercises can take you farther , into an actual vocal workout .
I like to think of vocal exercises as I would any exercise for the body . First you warm up and stretch , then you move on to specific target zones . As singers , the best way to get closer to your vocal goals is by finding exercises ( and then songs ) that line up with what you ’ re trying to achieve and practice them with those goals at the forefront of your mind . Because vocalises are simpler , musically , than a song , it becomes easier to focus on a specific task . Once a singer has mastered a technique in an exercise , then they can try to apply it in a song . Songs can be much more challenging , but having mastered the “ tool ” through exercises , the singer then has a chance of transferring the skill to a song .
OLD AND NEW There is nothing new about the human voice . Singing has been a vital part of the human voice since its creation . There are often fads with regard to style , but the construction of the voice has not changed . The care and development of the voice still requires the same processes . Warming up and working out your voice will always be a process of slowly and systematically stretching at first and moving on to other more strenuous types of exercises and then finally songs . However , there are myriads of exercises that exist to help you do this . It is perfectly acceptable to use the same warmups you did in your high school choir if you like the way they work and how you feel afterward . The important thing is to warm up ! If you like the exercises , you are much more likely to do them . Working out however , is something that will likely need to be adjusted over the years as your vocal needs and goals change . If you are still doing the same work-out exercises you ’ ve always done , you will likely maintain what you have , but will not be pushing yourself forward to meet new goals . This is where you will need to try new vocal exercises that will better match your new target areas .
I often team teach with my daughter Karinne . I always learn from her as I watch her demonstrate different techniques and exercises . In fact , I will call on her expertise from time to time because of her familiarity with certain aspects of singing that she is particularly good with . She learned some vocal exercises when she was in college that I find fascinating . I plan to share some of these with you in future articles .
Over the next couple of months , I ’ m going to do the best I can to share some of these exercises here , via the written word . It won ’ t be easy , but I think it will be worth it for you in the end ! So , stay tuned and I will provide you with “ new ” and hopefully helpful ways to not only warmup your voice but to help work it out too . If you just can ’ t wait and need some exercises now , head to my website where you will find resources to help you .
God bless you as you sing for Him !
Sheri Gould Sheri is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach . She ’ s been helping artists and worshipers find their voice for over 40 years . For help and resources visit her site . www . SheriGould . com