My practise routine

To better my singing skills, I'm starting (from 10/12/18) to work on my voice every day which will ultimately help me for the assessment in January. I know I need to work on my breathing as shortness of breath is the main thing I notice when I am singing. To do so, I have created a routine filled with different types of vocal exercises which will hopefully turn out to be an effective strategy to improve my voice:
  • First of all, I need to check my POSTURE and make sure I am standing correctly to allow my lungs to expand fully. This means feet slightly apart, standing upright, stable and balanced, and no fidgeting. This helps optimise breathing for a better-sounding voice.
  • BREATHING exercises (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sing/learning/breathing.shtml): 
Breathe deeply from your lower lungs - imagine a rubber ring around your waist (your diaphragm)
Breathe in and try to push the ring outwards.
Breathe in through your nose and out through your nose and mouth.
Avoid raising your shoulders as you breathe in - keep them relaxed and level.
Relax! Tension will prevent you from making a good sound.

Exercise 1 - Hissing

  1. Breathe in to the count of 4, breathe out, hissing, to the count of 4
  2. Then, breathe in for 6, and hiss out for 10
  3. in for 6, out for 12
  4. in for 2, out for 12
  5. in for 4, out for 16
  6. in for 2, out for 16
  7. in for 4, out for 20
  8. in for 1, out for 20
Sometimes I ran out of breath to exhale so I just did the best I could. Honestly, I don't feel like I have become better at breathing - it fluctuates and every day is different.

Exercise 2 - Snatched Breaths

  1. Breathing in gradually, think of your lungs filling up in fractions, when you count. Focus on the diaphragm, being careful not to hold tension in the throat.
  2. On the count of '1' - breathe in (¼ full)
  3. '2' - (½ full)
  4. '3' - (¾ full)
  5. '4' - (full)
  6. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - breathe out, gradually.
  7. Repeat, on the count of '1' - breathe in (½ full) '2' - (full)
  8. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - breathe out gradually.   
  1. SCALE exercises to warm up:
- Singing "ngee" up the scale
- "mini mini ma, mini mini ma, mini mini ma ma ma ma ma . . ." exercise going down the scale
- "ma ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, maaaaaaaaaAa . . ." exercise going up the scale which includes staccato, legato and glissando notes which helps with voice technique/ control and use if diaphragm
- Singing Do Re Mi which also works on using all the VOWELS and warming up facial muscles
  • Singing Bella Mama just because it's my absolute favourite warm up and I always seem to sound more strong and confident when I sing it
  • Then I memorise and practise the songs which I plan to sing for the assessment so I am prepared and I also sing other songs which I enjoy to increase my repertoire
  • In the last week, I have started looking in the mirror whilst I sing to see what I look like which may help me improve on my stage presence
I have found doing this routine nearly everyday for the past three weeks has increased my lung capacity, helping me sustain notes and project my voice. It has also made controlling how loud or soft my voice is easier for me. I have been able to sing higher notes with a smoother tone and with more ease. Overall, I have become more used to hearing my own voice, finding out which riffs suit me and gaining the ability to give myself corrections and sound better as a result.

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