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How do Singers Warm Up?

06 Jun 01 - 04:10 PM (#477791)
Subject: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: GUEST,Gern

There is alot of available wisdom to tap here at MC, as I found out on the 'Breath Control' thread. Now here's a related question: what do you singers do to warm-up before a gig? I've got a competition coming up in a couple of weeks, and am trying to be a lot more analytical about singing technique than my usual "let it fly" style of singing. What physical, breath, tonal or concentration exercises do you use?

06 Jun 01 - 04:17 PM (#477795)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Clinton Hammond

I do some theatre stuff I learned a few years ago to warm into a gig... especially if I was out the night before hootin' and hollerin' and smokin' and boozin'... gentle scales and such to slowly roll the vocal chords back to shape...

06 Jun 01 - 05:42 PM (#477858)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Walking Eagle

ME Meh Mah Mo Moo - - going up the scale and sliding back down on Moo. You can alternate with N instead of M for a different work-out. Keep it even! When you inhale, think of your first tone, in this case, Me. Start on top of the tone, that is, sound it a little higher than you think it should be as most people tend to sing flat. Think of the tones as being verticle as opposed to horizontal.

Also, Yo Ho Ho OO OO works well. Again going up and sliding back down. Sing these in a staccato rythym. Short bursts of exhaled breath.

Along with this, pick a song that you really like and that crosses into your higher and lower registers. Sing that before hand as then you'll be able to concentrate on your song when you perform.

Another suggestion, have someone listen to you while you practice. Your ear can fool you and accoustics change, but your friend can make helpful suggestions.

Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

06 Jun 01 - 07:18 PM (#477927)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: mooman

Good to hear I'm potentially useful for something!!! However it's quite a while since anyone offered to try that with me !!!

(;>)

Moo(man)

06 Jun 01 - 07:45 PM (#477947)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: CRANKY YANKEE

I don't

06 Jun 01 - 08:12 PM (#477968)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Alice

Gern, check out the some of the first links in this older thread, where there are links outside of Mudcat to: Warming Up The Voice, Guideline Dos and Don'ts for Singers - vocal health, and Singing - The history of singing, theory, vocal health, etc. CLICK HERE!

06 Jun 01 - 08:28 PM (#477984)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Alice

Here is a direct link to the Warming Up The Voice page, at Center For Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University.
Click HERE

The article is written by Teresa Radomski, MM, an accomplished soprano soloist and Associate Professor of Voice and Theatrical Singing at Wake Forest University. In addition, Ms. Radomski is a consultant for the Center for Voice Disorders, and a contributing editor of the newsletter, The Visible Voice. Her column, "A Singer's Notes" is a regular feature of THE VISIBLE VOICE.

06 Jun 01 - 08:35 PM (#477987)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Alice

Singers and Singing, Center for voice disorders, Wake Forest University

06 Jun 01 - 09:24 PM (#478025)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Alice, those are fantastic articles! Thanks for the references. I just forwarded the "Survival tips for choral singers" to my entire chorus!

06 Jun 01 - 09:47 PM (#478040)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Matt_R

If it's in the morning, I eat something a drink a Coke. Any other time, I don't warm up.

06 Jun 01 - 11:17 PM (#478091)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Clinton Hammond

LOL! Matt!!

You may as well light a smoke and have a shot of Tully with that healthy a regiment for your voice!

LOL!!!!

06 Jun 01 - 11:26 PM (#478098)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Bert

I usually sing on the way to a gig and if it's a long journey my voice is completely knackered by the time I get there.

07 Jun 01 - 08:36 AM (#478252)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Hamish

a) avoid fizzy drinks b) join in on all the other singers' songs

07 Jun 01 - 05:05 PM (#478691)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: GUEST,Gern

Alice, you're out of control! Thanks for sharing your knowledge/research. I DO avoid fizzy drinks and cold drinks in general, and popcorn, for that matter. And once I did sing nightly with no warm-up and no regard for the strains I was inflicting. As I explained in another thread, that led to nodes on my chords and a voice that is, a decade later, damaged: weaker and more limited in range and tone. This may be a rare case where I actually learned my lesson, so to speak.

07 Jun 01 - 06:43 PM (#478778)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: Mrs.Duck

Stand by the fire??

07 Jun 01 - 06:55 PM (#478785)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: John Routledge

A little gentle singing beforehand is better than nothing. If you have not sung recently it will show in your voice.

An opera singer said that if he did not sing for a week it took a week of full time practice to get back to the standard before the break. GB

08 Jun 01 - 12:28 PM (#479279)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: GUEST,JohnB

When I first started choral singing, I guess I was a little nervous, so I used to gargle with Southern Comfort. I generally don't bother myself, though with our group stuff we generally run through a few songs in the car on the way there. JohnB

08 Jun 01 - 02:14 PM (#479332)
Subject: RE: How do Singers Warm Up?
From: lady penelope

Cuddling Parker tends to work well!

I find breathing exercises and having a quick go ( however you manage it ) with the rooms acoustics, generally suffice. I also find that if I have been doing my practice regularly, doing too much warm up before I perform just knackers me voice.

TTFN M'Lady P.