[krisavalon]

I figured that even though this doesn't directly pertain to musicals in my case, some people here should be able to offer some sound advice. I've been singing for a long time, but I perform a basically down-tempo style of electronic music and have not had to really stretch the limits of my voice too much. Now, however, I am working on a concept album and find that I am forced to really belt out the choruses, so that the singing matches the dramatic nature of the lyrics. I can usually pull it off (to the best of my limited ability), however I always end up losing my voice after a couple of hours of recording, and then have to wait another three or four days before I can pick up again. Any suggestions on how I might remedy this?

[jcstar]

Do scales when you wake up. Your vocal chordes haven't streched, yet. It's a good diea to do this, because you can get your lower range done first, then go up.

Then, eat breakfast. Continue eith you morning routine, but hum scales still)

Don't do ANYTHING demanding forst thing in the morning... vocally. Just keep doing scales until you feel that you've warmed your voice. Then, sing along with the radio or Cd or something.

(Personally, I sing "In The Still Of The Night" while shaving)

Also it's a good idea to do some diction exersises, and some "May, me, ma, mo, moo" things as well.

THEN do some physical warm-ups.

NOW, sing something demanding... like "Piano Man" by Billy Joel.

Estimated time for warmup: 1 hour.

Andy.

[Quique]

I do siren noiuses. It helps warm up the upper registers.

[jazzygirlsings]

^And it helps to free up your voice...that's a really good one...

Honestly, though...warming up your voice is different every day. You have to be really familiar with your voice to be able to tell what's working and what's not.

If my head voice isn't kicking in the way I want it to, I do some low "ooo's" or other excercises that use "ooo" (Usually ooo to Ah works very well.) Then high Ah's...Trills also work pretty well for this...

If my chest voice/throat isn't engaging properly, I do female "falsetto" exercises, but since you're a dude, that probably wouldn't help you..."Eeee to Ah" vowels generally help a lot to open up the throat, as do slides/sirens as Q mentioned. Also, a low short A vowel sound in a belty low register helps as well...and decending "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah's" belted...(And if you aren't an experienced belter, I HIGHLY advise going to a pro voice teacher because you could hurt yourself!)

If you are singing for two hours straight, that's really not great for your voice. Try to take breaks every so often...even a minute or two every half hour/fifteen minutes or so makes a HUGE difference. Keep hydrated! I can't stress that enough!

And, if you don't have one already-get a good voice teacher! It's hard to know whether you would do the exercises above properly, simply by telling you what I do...

[Matthew]

If you can break a good sweat doing dance warm-ups, do that. If not, take a 15 minute jog. Doing such warmups can also warm-up the vocal chords.

[jazzygirlsings]

^So true! It's all connected!

[opheliarose]

[quote="jazzygirlsings
And, if you don't have one already-get a good voice teacher! It's hard to know whether you would do the exercises above properly, simply by telling you what I do...[/quote]

I was just going to say that, Jazzy!

You can save yourself a LOT of damage by getting a good voice teacher- (I'm lucky, both me and me hubby have voice degrees, so we can coach eachother). Also, listen to your recordings- you'll be able to hear what technique is working and what is hurting you.

Here's my quick and dirty vocal warm up, when I don't have time for a really good one.

1. Hum (very forward) staccatto 5 note decending scales, up and down register. You can also use lip trills here if that's better for your voice.
2. repeat same 5 note scales, this time singing on "ya" Only sing as high/low as comfortable at this point, usually a third to a fifth short of upper limit.
3. decending 8 note scales to lower register, going from open to closed vowels.
4. lower bridge excercises (this tends to be more for top-heavy sopranos)
5. bridge work combined with breathing exercises
6. Full scales to full extent of range. By now you can stretch a bit further.
7. At this point, just for variety I'll usually switch to a aria full of coloratura to help wake up the flexibilty a bit more. Mozart's Alleluja is pretty much a warm up in itself.

This all takes about 15 minutes. For a full day of singing you'll want to spend more time gently warming your middle register. Another good rule of thumb- if you're singing high, warm up low, and vice versa.

The best advice I ever had was- if it hurts, STOP! And also, if you use lozenges or cough drops, DO NOT use the anesthetic kind. You can do damage to yourself and not feel it. Also, don't ever ever ever take aspirin.

I would also avoid talking alot on days when you'll be recording all-day.
Hope that helps!

[jazzygirlsings]

^You are totally right about "if you are singing high, warm up low" and visa versa!

And anothing thing about throat aids...Don't use anything with menthol in it. (Which is what I know you were getting at saying "the anesthetic kind" of cough drops)...

Like I said KEEPING HYDRATED is the key!

[opheliarose]

*lobs water balloon at Jazzy*


SPLASH!

[jazzygirlsings]

[Jekkienumber24601]

yeah water fight!

[jazzygirlsings]

*Shoves Jekkie in the pool!*

[Jekkienumber24601]

[krisavalon]

Hey, thanks for all the advice. I still have a few elective credits I need at my college; maybe I'll see if I can find any vocal-related classes.

[jazzygirlsings]

That would be a great idea! And you would probably find out why you are losing your voice, if it has to do with a technique issue. I would highly recommend that you take one!

*lobs a water balloon krisavalon's way!*

KEEP HYDRATED! LOL!