Improving Your Vocal Cords - Voice Lessons

by Cindee Daniel
Guitarists have their guitars, drummers have their drums, and singers, well, singers only have their voice. Though this "instrument" is innate in all of us, only a few can harness it so well. This said, you might want to know how to take care of your vocal cords properly. If you're already enrolled in voice lessons, then this how-to guide will surely be of help. So read on and find out how you can sing better and more comfortably.

Breathing is Key
Like a guitar's amplifier, your breath is what fuels your voice. With that in mind, it's critical that you know how to breathe properly in between verses. Without proper breathing, there's almost a sure chance that you're not unleashing your voice's fullest potential. If you're breathing correctly, you should notice that your stomach (not your chest) should expand whenever you inhale. Done correctly, your diaphragm--the muscle beneath your lungs--inflates. As it inflates, your voice could produce higher and longer notes. So, again, breathe properly.

Watch Your Posture
Try this for a moment: while standing, hunch down till your arms can reach your toes. Then, try singing a tone or two. Not so easy, wasn't it? See, posture also affects how you sing. How you stand affects the airway between your lungs and your mouth, affecting your breath, and in this context, your singing abilities. So stand properly by having your legs a shoulder-width apart. Have your chest lifted at an angle where your lungs have enough room to expand. Also, remember to relax as being tensed would also stiffen your posture.

If It Hurts, Something's Wrong
It's important that you sing at a strong, yet comfortable, volume. If something hurts, say your throat, then it might mean that you're already at the limit of your vocal range. It might also mean that you're doing something wrong. Now if you feel pain when you're trying to hit a certain note, then that means that note is outside your range. Don't go over the limit and attempt that you could hit that note, however, as this might damage your vocal cords. Worse, you may even suffer permanent vocal box damage. This said, choose your songs wisely.

Warm-Ups are Always Good

Never, ever hit the stage (or any other performance for that matter) without doing any warm-ups. This is one of the most fundamental rules in voice lessons, yet not a lot of singers practice it. With that in mind, start out by doing simple breath exercises. A minute or two of deep breathing should do the trick. Then, start humming a scale or two. Once done, proceed by working on a couple of scales. Not only does this prepare you for the recital at hand, it'll also warm your vocal cords. Again, remember to relax.

Relax, Relax, and Relax Some More
In voice lessons, the term "relaxed" isn't meant the same way you do when you're having a vacation. Relaxed, in the context of singing, is a state of mind. See, being too worked up could lead you to forget the lyrics, proper intonation, volume, and other assortments of mistakes that you wouldn't want to commit on stage. Though your voice might be of top quality, there's no point to it if you're going to mess up all the techniques you've been practicing on. This said, stay loose.

Improving Your Vocal Cords - Voice Lessons