Stop Cracking! High Note Warm-Up for All Singers

A Singing Straw™ Vocal Workout to Stretch Your Range Without Strain

If your voice gets tight, strained, or straight-up bails on you the second you reach for a high note… yeah. 

You’re in good company.

Those top notes can feel like they have a personal vendetta against you, but the truth? It’s not you. 

It’s your technique.

Let me be very clear: high notes aren’t supposed to feel like a full-body panic. And they definitely shouldn’t hurt.

I designed this warm-up to help you stretch, stabilize, and finally relax into those high notes—no cracking, no clenching, no “oh no it’s coming” dread. 

We’ll be using the Singing / Straw, because this little tool is a not-so-secret weapon when it comes to vocal ease and range expansion.

Let’s fix those high notes together without the drama.

Why High Notes Can Feel So Hard

Let’s be honest. 

Most of us were never taught how to sing high notes in a way that feels sustainable.

So we push. 

We reach. 

We hold our breath and hope for the best.

Spoiler alert: that’s exactly what makes high notes harder.

Here’s the deal: your vocal folds want to work for you, but they need support and balance, not brute force. 

When you sing through a straw (this is a type of SOVT—semi-occluded vocal tract—exercise, in case you like your technique with a side of fancy acronym), you create gentle back pressure that helps your vocal folds vibrate more efficiently and reduces tension in your throat.

Translation: you get more sound with less strain.

And that’s the secret to accessing high notes that don’t make you want to cry.

Let’s Warm-Up Together

In the video below, I walk you through a full high-note warm-up using the Singing / Straw one of my absolute favorites for range, strength, and ease.

You don’t need to be “ready.” 

You don’t need to sound perfect. 

You just need to show up, grab your straw, and hit play. 

I’ve got you from there.

📺 Watch the full warm-up here:

Here’s what we’ll be working through together:

• Straw Slides (aka Vocal Sirens): Long glides from your lowest to your highest note and back again. This is like foam rolling for your voice: stretchy and slightly awkward, but so effective.

• Descending Arpeggios: We’ll land softly on that high note, no scooping allowed. Just aim, breathe, and float right in.

• Siren Sweeps: A freeform moment to get playful and glide through your full range like a vocal rollercoaster.

• Octave-and-a-Half Scales: This one challenges your control as you bridge registers and yes, if you need to do it in a deep stretch or while leaning over the kitchen counter? Fully allowed.

• Fifth-to-Octave Slides: These help you “sneak in” to the top with support from just below. Think of it as a vocal side-door.

• Five-Tone Stretch: A short, sweet pattern to reinforce everything you just opened up.

And here’s your permission slip: if something feels too high, drop the octave.

Seriously.

Don’t white-knuckle your way through it. 

This warm-up is here to help not stress you out. 

Meet your voice where it is, and you’ll find it gives you more in return.

What Singers Are Saying

This little note landed in my inbox recently and I just had to share it:

“More than satisfied.”

I'm 73 and I sing 4 days a week for 30 minutes, accompanying myself on my autoharp & harmonium. In addition, I sing arias for 90 minutes every week. I sang with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and onstage in musicals when I was young. Recently, it has required more courage to continue singing, even though I am better for the exercise, but it was disappointing to hear myself.I've been using Singing Straw for a few weeks now to warm up, & I must thank you! It's such a great tool that has given dramatic results. Bless you.”

That’s the kind of transformation I live for. 

Whether you're singing on stage or in your living room, your voice deserves tools that support you… not scare you. 

You're never “too late,” too old, too beginner, or too anything. 

You just need the right tools and support.

Want to Kick Things Up a Notch?

If you made it through this warm-up, whether you hit every note or dropped out and came back in… you showed up for your voice today. 

And I want you to know: that matters.

Progress in your voice doesn’t come from “perfect.” 

It comes from presence, from repetition, from just pressing play and trying. 

So keep coming back to this warm-up. 

Save it. 

Bookmark it. 

Turn it on while you’re still in your pajamas and drinking your coffee. 

Let it be a habit that’s just for you and your voice.

And when you’re ready for more structure and support? 

I made the Love Your Voice Course just for you. 

It’s where we go deeper not just in technique (although, yes, scales galore), but in confidence, mindset, and actually knowing how to work with the voice you’ve got. 

With custom warm-ups for your range, song application, and a clear path to vocal freedom.

Learn more about how YOU can LOVE your voice with the Love Your Voice Course

And hey, if you don’t yet have a Singing / Straw? 

Or you’ve been meaning to grab an extra for your gig bag, glove box, or that one kitchen drawer that has everything?

The Sili Straw (my soft, comfy favorite) is 30% off right now as part of our Summer Sili Sale. No code needed, just click and go.

I’m so proud of you for doing this for stretching, showing up, and getting a little more brave with your voice today. 

You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

You just need to keep going.

Your not-so-basic-vocal coach,

Whitney Nichole