Singing is something that almost everyone does, whether it’s just humming along to the radio, or professionally performing. Regardless of why you sing, there are certain guidelines you can follow to help produce a nicer sound and to maintain an overall healthy voice.
First of all, the most important thing to remember in singing is that air equals sound. One’s vocal cords only vibrate when air is pushed through them so, naturally, breathing is an essential part to singing. Make sure all parts of the chest, abdomen, and even the back, expand when breathing to completely fill the lungs with air. If you try to sing with not enough air, you will overwork your vocal cords and this can cause damage.
Another very important point to make is which muscles to use when singing. The only muscle that should be engaged when singing is the diaphragm. Never should one tighten their throat, tongue, neck, or jaw muscles. Trying to produce sound while tightening the neck or face can also result in vocal damage. Let your mouth just simply be a gateway for the sound to escape your body. Your tongue should relax and sit low in your mouth and raise the soft pallet in the back of the mouth to allow much room for the sound to resonate.
Finally, using good posture is another key to good singing. Your feet should be firmly planted on the floor, yet maintain a little bit of bounce in your knees. If the knees are locked, the jaw muscles automatically tighten. The pelvis should be slightly forward with the tail bone pointing straight toward the ground. Your arms should rest loosely at your side. The head should be straight up and forward slightly so that the ears are aligned with your shoulders.
