If you’re feeling tension in your throat, neck, shoulders, abdomen or elsewhere? That is NOT GOOD. We do not want tension when we’re singing. The best place to start, is by keeping everything nice and relaxed is in warm ups! Here’s 4 ways to do that:

1. Take some deep breathes before you begin

2. Breathe from a LOW LOW LOW place

3. Use your hands

4. Lip Buzz on the notes

QUESTIONS

Why do you start with some deep breaths?

Deep breathing brings your awareness back to the NOW. It brings awareness to your body. Since your body is the instrument in singing, this awareness is vital. Take 2 -5 deep breaths and breathe into every part of your body. Take your breath into your hips, down to your feet, up to the crown of your head and out your hands.

Why do I need to breathe from a LOW LOW LOW place?

Breathing from a low place encourages the breath to have more power behind it. Creating more power behind your breath will strengthen your singing and ability to sing longer phrases. You don’t want to sound weak while you sing. Trust me.

I feel stupid when using my hands to sing. Is it really necessary?

It is REALLY NECESSARY. Since when does your instrument care how you use it to get the desired result? Turn off your brain thoughts for a minute and just do it. Will it feel weird? Probably. But it will help your voice and breath to move more freely throughout your body. The more you move, the more freedom your voice will have.

How do you get your lips to buzz? I’m struggling here.

First off, shake out your legs and loosen up your lips. Physically. Then as Sebastian would say “pucker up your lips. Like this!” If you need to, wet your lips a bit to get things moving. Still struggling to buzz? Try pushing MORE AIR through your lips - like you do when you sneeze.

The video below will help you with the exercise. Check it out and see if you can find success in your lip buzzing. Be sure to like the video on Youtube and comment below if you have any questions!