Should You Warm Up Before Singing? Easy Voice Prep and Care
Before you sing, loosen up your body, start with quiet humming, and sip some water. Don’t jump straight into loud or high notes. Build up slowly, and if something feels off, stop and rest.
What should I do before singing?
A simple pre-singing warm-up takes a few minutes and has three steps:
- Loosen your neck and shoulders. Gently tilt your head side to side, and roll your shoulders or lift them and let them drop.
- Breathe deeply. Inhale until your belly expands, then exhale slowly and evenly.
- Start quietly. Move on to humming and lip trills.
How do humming and lip trills work?
Humming and lip trills are two gentle ways to start making sound, and many singers find them easier on the voice.
- Humming. Close your lips lightly and say “mmm.” Start low, then glide up and down.
- Lip trills. With lips loosely closed, blow air so they flutter (“brrr”). Slide the pitch gently up and down.
You don’t need volume. Stay in a range that feels easy.
When should I drink water?
Sipping water before and during singing is a common habit among singers. Small, frequent sips work better than waiting until you’re thirsty.
Many people find room-temperature or warm water easiest on the throat. Everyone differs, so pick what feels comfortable.
What should I avoid?
Four habits are best avoided when singing:
- Going full volume right away. Loud or high notes with no warm-up can strain your voice.
- Singing many songs in a row. Take sips and short breaks in between.
- Pushing through a tired voice. If it feels strained or hoarse, stop and rest. For a bit of mild tiredness, a lower key can help.
- Clearing your throat hard, again and again. It can irritate the throat. A small sip of water or a gentle swallow is kinder.
What if something feels wrong?
Stop singing and rest if you feel pain, hoarseness, or trouble producing sound. Drink some water and keep quiet for a while. If pain is severe, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, see a doctor promptly. If hoarseness lasts around two weeks, get it checked.
How about singing at home?
Singing at home means you can sing a little at a time, whenever you like, and stop the moment you’re tired. With Hitokara, lyrics scroll along with your favorite Apple Music songs. For setup ideas, see how to do karaoke at home.