Dear Singer

In this article I am covering how to care for your voice. Yet maintaining your voice is but the singing equivalence of maintaining the status quo. As with any other discipline you need to continuously develop new skills in order to improve as a singer. A good example of how to do so is vocal range expansion; which is what we will talk about in this session.

Having mastered an octave is a solid first step toward becoming a good singer. For many singers it is indeed even the only step they have needed for success. However to increase your vocal range might be desirable if you wish to be able to perform a greater variety of music.

The vocal range is an inherited trait that varies from individual to individual. The breadth of a singer is therefore in part a matter of natural affinity, but it has also been proven that all there is to holding a higher note is a different muscle coordination of your vocal cords. As long as the note is within the limits of your voice you can therefore develop and get used to this combination, thereby becoming able to produce more extreme notes more comfortably.

The first step to doing so is to identify your current singing range. Once you have, set a reasonable goal for yourself in terms of higher notes and begin practicing. The process is not dissimilar to physical exercise; as your vocal muscles strengthen over time you will find it easier and easier to sing in a higher octave. However pay attention to your body when you do so. If your neck and jaw are tense while you are singing, you are constraining your vocal cords, making it more difficult to hit the note you are aiming for. Warm up with notes within your default singing range and try to keep your posture as you climb higher or lower. In helping you relax it will also prevent needless injuries to your vocal cords.

You will need time and persistence, but keep at it and you will eventually get there.

Best,

Steve