8 Daily Habits for a Better Singing Voice

People sometimes assume that singing is one of those things that you either have or you don’t, but that’s not the full picture!! Singing is actually a SKILL that can be learned and honed, so if you’ve got enough passion and dedication — and you take on these eight daily habits — you’re bound to see significant improvement in your singing voice in due time.

1. Stay Hydrated

If you want to protect your voice, you need to drink plenty of water daily. This helps your vocal cords stay lubricated so your voice can remain agile, limber, and powerful. Water is ideal, and herbal teas can be great as well, but be careful not to consume too much caffeine, as it actually dehydrates you. 

2. Daily Warm-Ups

Warming up and working out your voice are essential to building the skills to be a GREAT singer. The good news is that you don’t need hours and hours on end - rather a few minutes a day of focused practice is all you need. Think 5-15 minutes with your Singing / Straw and your favorite song, and you’ve got a solid workout. Set aside time each day for a warmup routine that covers all the bases as far as vocal workouts, including enunciation, flexibility, projection, dynamics, etc. 

3. Regular Movement

Your vocal folds are not the only part of your body that helps you to sing. Becoming healthier overall will no doubt prove beneficial to your singing voice. This can be any type of movement, cardio, yoga, walking, dancing… even sports! Whatever movement feels good to you, get out there and enjoy! 

4. Eat Healthy 

A nutrient filled, balanced and non-restrictive diet can help you develop muscle tone and strengthen your immune system, which will help you maintain and improve your singing voice. Avoid anything that doesn’t make you feel good or causes inflammation (and this can be very individual, it’s not one-size-fits-all!). And, of course, drink plenty of water. 

5. Give Yourself Some Rest

Sometimes not singing is just as important as singing when it comes to strengthening and improving your voice. We all have “vocal rest” naturally built into our daily schedules… when we are SLEEPING! So make sure you’re getting good quality, consistent sleep. It’s vital in protecting your voice and allowing time for recovery. 

6. Use Vocal Training Tools 

It’s great to train your ear with a piano or work on your timing with a metronome, but there are also tools to help you train your voice. Get down to the vocal folds themselves! With the Singing / Straw, you can amplify the impact of your warmups and vocal workouts. It helps you use your voice more efficiently, ease tension on your vocal folds, and reduce the risk of damage or injury to your voice. 

8. Try Not to Overdo it

Pay attention to your voice and your body, and what they are telling you. If you find that you’re feeling tired or your voice is scratchy after a long practice or rehearsal - it’s worth digging into your vocal technique to see if there are ways to reduce the impact of your singing. Ideally, you want singing to feel easy and natural - and if it doesn’t, take a step back and get some guidance.

Embrace Your Unique Voice!

There’s one more thing you should remember. The real secret to becoming the best singer you can be is understanding your voice’s unique qualities and learning how to highlight them in your approach. You may not have that crystal clear high end or that deep emotive growl, but if you can find that special place where your voice shines, that’s what authentic singing is all about.