We asked vocal artists we’ve enjoyed on Instagram: “how have you learned to take care of your voice?”
We think you’ll be interested in their insights – some learned the hard way!
Learn what works for you!
Jermaine Jones @jermainejonesmusic – What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for others. Learn what works for you and what doesn’t in order to take care of your voice. I’ve learned that sleep and rest is necessary for me to access the higher parts of my range.
Warm up – mental AND physical
Kevin Lin (aka LINZ) @kevin_lin_diary – I make sure to warm up at least 5 minutes and, if possible, 30 minutes before attempting to sing a song or perform in front of an audience. With proper vocal techniques and focused vocal warm ups, we can sing with much more ease, resonance, clarity, freedom without damaging our vocal health by straining due to lack of vocal exercising. My warm up also includes meditation, body stretching exercises, breathing exercises, and so much more.
Don’t forget to hydrate
Ted Jameson @tedjamesonmusic – When I first started out, I was very unaware in how important your vocal health is to any performance you do. It wasn’t until I met my wife (who was classically trained in vocal music) that she taught me various ways of vocal warm ups, and proper liquids to help with sustaining that health (ginger tea, lemon, honey).
Beware of your sensitive foods
Sabrina Cheref @sabrinacheref_ – I am very sensitive to acid food and beverage (coffee, alcohol, oranges, lemon, tomatoes…) and it causes me a lot of severe issues, voice wise. So I try to avoid them as much as I can.
REST like your mamma told ya to!
Kevin Lin (aka LINZ) @kevin_lin_diary – another important lesson I learned to enhance my vocal health is to stop singing when you feel your body is fatiguing, even if you have the strong desire to continue singing: Rest, and let your body heal. You will feel much better and thank yourself for not singing through fatigue and causing unnecessary tension and straining to your voice, thus risking the health of your vocal cords.
Take care with placement and breathing…
Marina Kosor @mina.singss – I do musical theatre and I am a belter. I used to have a very unhealthy belt that I would place in my throat. It didn’t sound good, it didn’t feel good, and you could tell that I was struggling to hit the notes. I worked with vocal teachers who taught me how to place notes in my ‘mask’ of my face not the throat. They also taught me how to use my mix so I’m not straining for the high notes. A healthy way to belt is by using your diaphragm. I learned how to use this tool by different breathing exercises even one where I was told to lay on the floor! By using your diaphragm, figuring out the correct note placement in your body, and knowing when to use your mix you can find a much easier and healthier way to belt.
Sing softly (aka DON’T PUSH)
Sam Robbins @samrobbinsmusic – Something I wish I had learned a LONG time ago was to SING QUIETER. I’ve spent a lot of time playing in loud bars where you have to get in people’s faces to get them to pay attention. Singing loudly is great for that kind of setting, but I was recently having trouble in a recording session, and my girlfriend (an amazingly talented singer) told me “just try singing quieter! You’re on a mic!” It changed everything. My voice holds up better, has better tone, and is more free in everything I do.
Think like an athlete
Martin Bailey @martinsbaileymusic – I can’t claim to have had many singing lessons, but that aside, warm-up exercises are very important to improve vocal quality and vocal health, I suppose it’s a bit like a warm-up before a 5k run.
OPEN YOUR MOUTH for ultimate resonance
Sabrina Cheref @sabrinacheref_ – It may surprise you and sound stupid but it is to actually open my mouth! The more we open it, the better it sounds. It is also very important not to try to over perform because if you miss the point you’ll be affected for days or weeks!
More About Our Contributors:
Sam Robbins describes himself as an “old soul singer songwriter.” A Nashville based musician whose music evokes classic singer songwriters like James Taylor and John Denver, Sam Robbins has gained recognition as the first artist to perform a Jim Croce song on NBC’s The Voice, bringing a 1970’s sound to the modern era. He continues to gain considerable attention as he tours promoting his latest release “Remind Me” and plans to release a full album in Summer 2020. Listen to “Remind Me” here on YouTube Music. Follow on Instagram.
Sabrina Cheref (formerly known as Sans Elle) is a French singer and songwriter and award winning vocalist. Winner of Jazz en Baie, semi-finalist of Montreux Vocal Competition and other French national jazz contests in 2015, she made quite a name for herself on the jazz and soul scene with the release of her debut album ‘Beyond’ in late 2014. Hear her sing the jazz standard ‘Skylark’ here on Youtube.
Jermaine Jones moved to New York City from Toronto Canada where he was born and raised in 2010 to chase his dreams as a singer. He has since then performed the national anthem at the Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, toured with Universal Recording artist Ryan Leslie, Trey Songz, Ne-yo and won BETs’ Apollo Live with a standing ovation from the legendary Gladys Knight in 2013. Jermaine’s music is about love and heartbreak. His first single “Promise You’ll Stay” along with his 2012 EP tilted “The Gentlemen Code” were projects heavily influenced by that 90’s RnB sound. Since then, Jermaine’s music has evolved into a soulful and classic sound, reminiscent of the 60’s, which you can hear in his recent release “Regret The Day” (2018). You can find him on Instagram @jermainejonesmusic. You can also visit his website at WWW.JERMAINEJONESMUSIC.COM
Marina Kosor is a 16 year old sophomore in high school who has been singing and performing for over nine years. She loves musical theatre, choir, and was recently apart of her school’s improv team. In her free time, she loves to hang out with her friends, go to the beach, and do makeup! Music has shaped her life since she was young and she says she can’t imagine her life without it. Follow her on Instagram @mina.singss
Martin Bailey is an independent Christian song writer and part of the worship group at the church he attends. Martin took organ lessons from age 10-16 and started song writing at 19 (left it after a few years and picked it up again in his late 30s). More recently, he started to teach himself the piano by watching YouTube videos. Follow him on Instagram and check out his Youtube Channel.
LINZ grew up in the city of Taipei, Taiwan and he has loved to sing since the age of 3. He started taking singing, dancing, acting, and performing seriously at the age of 16 and later on enrolled in UC Irvine’s Drama Program with an emphasis in Musical Theatre and Acting. Check out his new channel on YouTube and his instagram page.
Ted Jameson is a Toronto singer/songwriter and member of The Muso Project. Ted is a music lover & creator.
Check out his music on SoundCloud. Instagram: @tedjamesonmusic Twitter: @IAmTedJameson
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