Okay, you want to sing well and hit those high notes. You have your reasons, either for professional or leisure undertaking. Whatever it is improving your vocal range requires physical exertion. Not doing it right can lead to vocal injuries. So, enhance it with delicate care.
Your vocal range – no matter how wide it is – is a precious gift. So, treat well like athletes treat their bodies while slowly pushing their limits. You have the same responsibility and should have the same perspective. The big question now is how you can do and apply it in your passion.
1. Prioritize practice, but don’t overdo it.
You can’t improve a skill or a talent in one single shot. It always takes time, but time alone doesn’t suffice. Achieving desired results can’t be accomplished overnight. It requires regular, deliberate practice.
To give you a word of advice, do not overkill it. You are not sprinting here. As the saying goes, “You are running a marathon.” Ease into it and ease out from it.
You must warm up before you engage in the exercises that will give you progress. After the practice, you need to cool down to avoid burn out.
Warm-up and cooling down are indispensable components of practicing. It always applies to routine in any craft and field, so do your best not overlook them.
Although the goal is to improve your vocal range, you also want to improve the clarity of your words. With that, it is only imperative that you also work with your pronunciation.
2. Take care of your current vocal range.
Improving any part of yourself includes knowing its current state and taking care of it. It might not be in its best shape, but you don’t want it to get any worse. Start with what you have. Then slowly work your way up there.
Working on your vocal range is a real job. It’s only reasonable that you exercise forces that make your vocal cords healthy while pushing them beyond their limits.
Eat foods that contain a lot of vitamins to keep you well and energized. Do not overuse your voice to avoid unnecessary stresses on your vocal muscles. Speak only when needed. Avoid screaming and speaking too loud. Rest when there’s a call for it. Schedule it as well.
For anything that you do, always consider your voice. Please stay away from anything detrimental to it.
3. Always hydrate.
Being always hydrated has all the benefits. It makes everything go right. It’s great for the organs in the body, for the muscles, and your voice. It is needed to speed up the repair in the micro-damages that are happening in your body after a strenuous, but productive practice from improving your vocal range.
Having enough fluids in your body also prevents having a dry mouth. If you have a dry mouth, it’s almost impossible to practice. It will only lead to frustration, which you do not want.
Without enough fluids, the tension in your vocal fold will be more severe. Water is the substance that solves this problem. One of the worst scenarios that can play out if there is too much stress that is going in the vocal folds is an injury that is beyond repair. Scary, right? So, make it a habit to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
4. Do not drink cold water or any beverage that is.
While it may be debatable if drinking cold water is bad or good for your health, warm water bears healthier benefits. You might as well sign up for the one where you can get more.
One thing is for sure, though, drinking with cold water induces more tension in your muscles, including those in your vocal cords. The higher pressure, the more distress there will be, and the more difficult it will be for you to practice and perform.
If you desire for a cold drink, do not take it right after your practice. It’s a good idea to do it on rest days or when your voice box isn’t exhausted. Drinking a cold beverage after tiresome use of your voice can cause fatigue and will add salt to the wound.
5. Drink fresh ginger tea.
Make drinking fresh ginger tea a part of your daily regimen. Preferably, do it after an arduous practice or have it right when you get up for breakfast.