What are some good vocal/warm up exercises?!
Question: What are some good vocal warm up exercises?
I don't own a piano and I can't read music so don't tell me to use a piano. I know about Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do.
Are there any others?
Could I just warm up by singing a few songs? Or do you HAVE to warm up? Can you damage your vocal chords if you don't warm up properly?
And any tips and advice you could offer would be appreciated.
Also, I'm an alto if that helps.
Answers: What are some good vocal warm up exercises?
I don't own a piano and I can't read music so don't tell me to use a piano. I know about Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do.
Are there any others?
Could I just warm up by singing a few songs? Or do you HAVE to warm up? Can you damage your vocal chords if you don't warm up properly?
And any tips and advice you could offer would be appreciated.
Also, I'm an alto if that helps.
Honestly, if you can't read music it is going to be impossible to give you specific vocal exercises on the Internet. And anyone who tells you they can are lying. You can't use that singing success program, because it requires you to know a little theory I am sure. There are a couple of ways you can get around it by ear.
If you know solfege (do re, mi, etc), you can understand notes. You can use solfege and go up the scale and change keys, but it can only take you so far.
Ask an accompanist or a music teacher/director you know to record vocal warm ups or you. They can record what vowels you can use to warm up, and they can play the notes for you. That way, you will not have to be able to read. You can do it by ear and just listen to what to do.
The problem with singing a few songs is that most songs don't have the range to properly warm up your voice. The majority of them are too limited in warming up the entire range, even songs by Mariah or Christina. Also, there is a major reason for warming up. Professional athletes always warm up and stretch before a meet or a sprint. Singing is no different. You have to prepare your voice for the meet before plunging yourself into song. You only do your best when you prepare your voice ahead of time. Treat your voice as a muscle. The voice is delicate and needs care.
Reading basic music isn't as hard as you think. You don't have to be able to play Moonlight Sonata in 6 months, just learn what note names are on the piano. It is only 7 note names, and the sharps and flats are understandable if someone just shows you those basics. Don't be overwhelmed by reading. You don't have to be a pianist to be a reader. Trust me. Most vocalists can't play a lick on the piano, but they know note names because it isn't as challenging.
Being an alto will not affect your warm ups. You are still to warm up your entire range, not just where you are comfortable vocally. There aren't warm ups just for altos. Warm ups are for every voice and you stop once you reach your limit. Every voice is different. There are some Altos who can sing higher than Sopranos and vice versa. Vocal range has little to do with your voice type. Vocal fach is about where your voice is most comfortable singing in.
So try that recording in the meantime, and be open to explore your horizons.
www.SingingSuccess.com
I always warm up by singing Christina Aguiliera :)