Unit 1 Contents

Unit 2 Contents

Unit 3 Contents

Unit 4 Contents

Unit 5 Contents

Unit 6 Contents

2.1. Tips for all the voice exercises

Here are some tips relevant to all the exercises in the course:

Sitting position

We’ll be covering posture in more detail later, but for now when on the upright chair in your quiet space just aim to feel balanced and relaxed. So:

  • Have both feet on the floor and your back as straight as possible while feeling comfortable. Try not to lean on the back of the chair. Put a cushion behind your lower back if you really need support.
  • Hold your neck straight, so that your head feels well balanced and level.
  • It’s very important to avoid tilting your chin up towards the ceiling, as this will introduce tension into your voice. Use your mirror to check, but if you’re still not sure then lower your chin slightly: pointing down a bit is better than up.
  • If you feel tense, or become tense, shrug and roll your shoulders a few times or give your arms a good stretch.

When practising elsewhere, sit or stand in a way that feels equally balanced and relaxed.

Breathing

Breathing normally will give you all the breath you need for the exercises, just as it does when you speak.

Breathe through your nose if at all possible. First, it is healthier: it prevents your mouth and larynx drying out, nose hairs filter out airborne particles, and during its passage up the nose the air is warmed before reaching your mouth. It is also more helpful than mouth breathing for keeping the focus of your voice in your head. 

Starting notes

Unless directed otherwise, start all the exercises on a note somewhere comfortably in the middle of your vocal range.

You might like to use an app to identify and store suitable notes to use.

Note: Most people think the middle of their voice is lower than it actually is, so go for a note a bit higher than you first thought.

Volume

Do all the exercises quietly. If you turn the volume up too much early on you’re very likely to force your voice from your throat.

Distractions 

It’s good to avoid external distractions during your practice, but self-generated distractions can be helpful. 

If you are someone who tends to ‘live in their head’, thinking a lot and possibly worrying quite a lot too, you may apply too much brain power to the voice exercises – which are really far more about feeling than thinking.

If that’s you, then you might find that keeping some of your brain busy with a simple, repetitive physical task such as bouncing a ball or tossing one from hand to hand, or even just moving your arms around, will free up your voice. 

The next section introduces you to the first voice exercises.

Unit 1 Contents

Unit 2 Contents

Unit 3 Contents

Unit 4 Contents

Unit 5 Contents

Unit 6 Contents

2.1. Tips for all the voice exercises

Here are some tips relevant to all the exercises in the course:

Sitting position

We’ll be covering posture in more detail later, but for now when on the upright chair in your quiet space just aim to feel balanced and relaxed. So:

  • Have both feet on the floor and your back as straight as possible while feeling comfortable. Try not to lean on the back of the chair. Put a cushion behind your lower back if you really need support.
  • Hold your neck straight, so that your head feels well balanced and level.
  • It’s very important to avoid tilting your chin up towards the ceiling, as this will introduce tension into your voice. Use your mirror to check, but if you’re still not sure then lower your chin slightly: pointing down a bit is better than up.
  • If you feel tense, or become tense, shrug and roll your shoulders a few times or give your arms a good stretch.

When practising elsewhere, sit or stand in a way that feels equally balanced and relaxed.

Breathing

Breathing normally will give you all the breath you need for the exercises, just as it does when you speak.

Breathe through your nose if at all possible. First, it is healthier: it prevents your mouth and larynx drying out, nose hairs filter out airborne particles, and during its passage up the nose the air is warmed before reaching your mouth. It is also more helpful than mouth breathing for keeping the focus of your voice in your head. 

Starting notes

Unless directed otherwise, start all the exercises on a note somewhere comfortably in the middle of your vocal range.

You might like to use an app to identify and store suitable notes to use.

Note: Most people think the middle of their voice is lower than it actually is, so go for a note a bit higher than you first thought.

Volume

Do all the exercises quietly. If you turn the volume up too much early on you’re very likely to force your voice from your throat.

Distractions 

It’s good to avoid external distractions during your practice, but self-generated distractions can be helpful. 

If you are someone who tends to ‘live in their head’, thinking a lot and possibly worrying quite a lot too, you may apply too much brain power to the voice exercises – which are really far more about feeling than thinking.

If that’s you, then you might find that keeping some of your brain busy with a simple, repetitive physical task such as bouncing a ball or tossing one from hand to hand, or even just moving your arms around, will free up your voice. 

The next section introduces you to the first voice exercises.