Warmups

Make sure to do a complete warmup over your entire range before services – this is essential for vocal health and stamina.

Jaw Release

This helps reduce tension in your mouth and jaw area during singing.  Place the heels of each hand directly below your cheekbones.  Pushing in and down from your cheeks to your jaw, massage your facial muscles.  Allow your jaw to passively open as you move your hands down your face.  Repeat several times. 

Lip Rolls

This helps release lip tension and connects breathing and speaking.  It also releases tension in the vocal folds.  Place your lips loosely together and release the air in a steady stream to create a trill or raspberry sound.  Focus on making a “b” sound rather than a “p.”  Hold the sound steady and keep the air moving past the lips.  Next, try to repeat, gliding your voice gently up and down the scales.  Don’t push beyond what it comfortable at the top or bottom of your range. 

Tongue Trill

This helps relax the tongue and engages breathing and voice.  Place your tongue behind your upper teeth.  Exhale and trill your tongue with an “r” sound.  Hold the sound steady and keep the breath connected.  Now try to vary the pitch up and down the scale while trilling.  Again, don’t push beyond what is comfortable at the top or bottom of your range. 

Two Octave Scales

This provides maximum stretch on the vocal folds.  Start in a low pitch and gently glide up the scale on a “me” sound.  Now reverse and glide down the scale from the top to the bottom on an “e” sound.  You can try this on the “oo” sound also.  Don’t push the top or bottom of your range but do try to increase the range gently each time you do the scales. 

Resonance Wake-Up

This improves the resonance in your voice.  Take a breath.  With your mouth kept slightly open and unmoving, rest the tip of your tongue against the back of your bottom teeth.  Put the back of your tongue in the “ng” position and begin sustaining a comfortable midrange pitch.  Feel the vibration shimmer along the roof of your mouth.