Participating in a warm up before singing is as important as a runner stretching before a race.  It gives the muscles that you are going to use the ability to be more productive and offer a higher performance level by becoming limber.  It is also crucial to warm up to avoid ruining your vocal career by causing long-term damage.

Warm Up Your Lungs

Whether you use the “Easy Singing Lessons” online program or pay the big bucks to have a coach, you will quickly learn that your lungs are a big part of your singing warm up.  You can do this be very slowly taking deep breaths in and out, making sure to allow your stomach the opportunity to fully contract and expand every single time.  If you do not have adequate air pushing through your vocal chords, you will not be able to make the sound that you want.  Keep in mind that some singing really requires a lot of strength that comes straight from your lungs.

Humming

Humming is the easiest way to get your voice going.  It creates sound towards the front of your face, rather than the back of your throat.  You need to make sure that you do not clench your teeth together or hold your lips tight while you are humming.  Your jaw should be lose and there should be a small space in between your teeth at all times.

Completing a few slides going up and down your range is an effective warm up before singing.  Always take caution to  not go too low or too high when you are just warming up.  You want to begin in your comfortable range and then you can expand.  If you are having difficulty mastering this, the “Singorama” singing software program can help guide you through a warm up before singing.

Buzzing

Although it may sound and feel funny at first, making a motor boat sound by flapping your lips is an excellent way to warm your voice up.  Buzzing requires a constant flow of breath which is important in singing.

You should start by doing this without a pitch and just concentrate on getting the air and coordination going, then you can add your voice to it.  Make the buzzing sound up and down your natural scale, being careful once again, to not go too  high or too low.

You may find it difficult to do this particular warm up before singing because your mouth is weak or you are not using nearly enough breath that you need to keep you lips constantly vibrating.  With practice you will improve!  You may find it easier to roll your tongue and make that Spanish “R” sound instead.  Either way allows your voice to be produced near the front area of your mouth and  not in your throat.

Tongue Twisters

Performing a few different tongue twisters as part of your voice warm up is really helpful for clearly enunciating your words.  Below are some tongue twisters that you should say about eight times a piece as fast as you can.

•    Blue lorry, green lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry
•    Four handles, four candles
•    Six thick thistle sticks
•    The blue bluebird blinks
•    Three free throws
•    Bad blood, good blood

Helpful Tips

There are many ways to warm up before singing and a program like “Singorama” can help substantially.  Here are a few helpful tips:

•    Always drink and carry water with you.
•    Never sing from your throat, only your diaphragm.
•    Eat a piece of apple to hydrate your vocal chords.