How To Improve Vocal Range

Whether you’re an aspiring singer or someone who just enjoys belting out tunes in the shower, improving your vocal range can make singing a more enjoyable and rewarding experience. A wider vocal range enables you to tackle a broader repertoire of songs and styles. This article covers various aspects, from vocal range exercises and ways to strengthen your upper range, to specific tips for both male and female vocalists. So, let’s dive in!

What is Vocal Range?

Before jumping into exercises and techniques, it’s essential to understand what vocal range means. Simply put, it is the range of notes that you can sing comfortably—from the lowest to the highest. Vocal ranges are usually categorized into different types like soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Knowing your vocal range helps you choose songs that suit your voice, reducing the risk of vocal strain.

Types of Vocal Ranges

Soprano: The highest female vocal range
Alto: A lower female vocal range
Tenor: The highest male vocal range
Bass: The lowest male vocal range

Vocal Range Exercises

Lip Trills

One of the most basic exercises to start with is lip trills. This technique warms up your vocal cords and helps in increasing your range over time.

Take a deep breath and blow out air, causing your lips to vibrate.
Try to maintain the vibration while going up and down your current vocal range.

Sirens

This exercise helps you explore your vocal range.

Start from your lowest note and slide all the way to your highest note, like a siren.
Then slide back down.

Humming

Humming is another excellent exercise that allows you to focus on your vocal cords without the interference of words.

Start by humming your lowest comfortable note and gradually ascend to your highest.
Return back to the lower note.

Exercises to Increase Vocal Range

Expanding your vocal range requires consistent practice and targeted exercises.

Scale Practice

Practicing scales is an effective way to increase your vocal range.

Choose a scale that suits your voice.
Start from the lowest note and ascend, then descend.
Each day, try to push your limits by adding one or two notes on each end.

The “Nay, Nay, Nay” Exercise

This is more targeted for extending your higher range.

Sing “Nay, Nay, Nay” in an exaggerated, somewhat nasal tone.
Start from your middle range and ascend as high as you can go.
Keep it light and try to avoid straining.

How to Strengthen Your Upper Vocal Range

Expanding your vocal range is one thing, but strengthening it is another.

Practice Belting

Belting is a technique often used in genres like rock and musical theatre.

Choose a song you’re comfortable with.
Try to belt out the high notes instead of using your head voice.

Remember to always warm up before attempting this to avoid damaging your voice.

Use Your Mix Voice

Your mix voice is the blend of your chest and head voices. Mastering this can strengthen your upper vocal range.

Find the notes that lie between your chest and head voice.
Try to sing them in a ‘mixed’ voice, blending the characteristics of both.

This video tutorial offers a great explanation on how to find and use your mix voice.

How to Increase Vocal Range for Different Genders

For Females

Breathing Techniques: Women generally have higher vocal ranges and can benefit from diaphragmatic breathing exercises to reach even higher notes.
Head Voice: Strengthening your head voice can help in achieving those high-pitched notes without straining.

For Males

Chest Voice: Men usually have a strong chest voice, so focus on exercises that strengthen your head voice to have a balanced vocal range.
Falsetto: Practicing falsetto can also help in reaching higher notes.