This is one of the most asked vocal questions. What do you do when you wanna sing like a rock or Broadway star but the voice that comes out would barely be audible past the 2nd row?

Singers will do a lot of things to have more power. And many of them are downright damaging to the voice they’re trying to protect. Like what? Well, scream-singing for one. If you’ve ever done it, it was the time(s) that you felt like your voice was being strangled while you ‘belted’ or the veins in your neck took on a life of they’re own. (nasty). Can you get more power scream-singing. Sure you can. But the trade off is swelling and hoarseness in the short run and potential serious damage like busted blood vessels in the cords and nodules in the long run. And because of the physical process that takes place when scream-singing (chest voice only), you can’t access more than half of your range. So, it’s a lose-lose.

Another way singers try to gain more power is to lock in to that big hollow classical sound and take it to town (more prevalent in broadway and classical styles). This is kind of the opposite of scream-singing. The problem with it is that because it’s grounded in head voice only, it also can only capitalize on a portion of your range and leaves your bottom notes like a giant balloon with most of the air dissolved out. And while it can provide some volume, it really lacks the power you’re looking for.

So can everyone really sing with power? Yes! Then, how? By developing a strong MIX of both head and chest voice. Chest voice is where the power lives, but without thinning out into the head voice as the notes ascend, it will yank up your larynx giving you that nice strangled feeling and cause more bad than good. Head voice can get hallow and boomy toward the top, but without a touch of chest voice, it can’t give anything to the bottom notes, and the volume it can give the higher notes is always void of the same sharp tone a power singer should have throughout their range.

Everyone has a vocal tendency toward singing with too much chest voice or too much head voice. It’s not always as simple as that but good technique instructor can identify what your tendencies are and set a plan to correct the balance of chest and head voice, or your MIX VOICE. Like training for anything, it does take a bit of time, but even if you can’t take lessons at this point in your life, there are a few things you can do to stay away from dangerous waters:

No Pain – All Gain

Healthy singing NEVER causes pain. Be aware of times when you have pain or discomfort while singing or even afterward. This is a warning sign that your tendencies could be taking you down a road to vocal damage. Identify when it happens and back off slightly do avoid damage. You’ll probably hate the loss in perceived power, but you’ll be sparing your cords.

Feel the Mix

The best way to head away from your tendencies is to aim for a mix, which is hard if you don’t know what that feels like!  Say ‘whoo’ on a long and sliding note like you’re going up and down hills on a roller coaster.  Even better, learn the ‘bubble’ (basically blowing your lips like a baby does ‘the motorboat’ while sliding the notes up and down).  You’ll find you can slide the notes farther on each end after awhile.  And each of those is a note in your range you could sing with good technique training!  Do the bubble as a warm up every time you’re on your way to sing.  It’ll start teaching your voice what that balance should feel like and you can’t beat the benefit of the warm up too!

Stop Blowing Hot Air

If your voice tends to be weak and airy, try practicing your song with a super whiney, pouty lipped ‘weeee’.  The whinier the better.  This introduces a touch of chest voice.  It will sound ugly, especially because your voice has convinced you that only light an airy is lovely.  But just a simple exercise like this will be a step toward feeling the difference between your tendency (too much head voice) and what it will feel like to begin mixing with chest voice.  Then when you’re able to, find a good technique instructor to help you build a strong balanced mix.  You’ll be blown away at the difference!

We all wish there were a magic exercise to solve our vocal problems but the truth is that none exists any more than a magic pill exists to lose extra weight (still waiting for it though!).  Developing a strong, healthy voice takes regular work with a qualified instructor, so if you’re really invested in singing better you have to plan to add that at some point.  If you’re not there yet, keep learning however you can.  The more you know about what will harm your voice, the more you can be your best advocate.  You’ve already started by reading this, so you’re already on your way!