STRENGTHENING YOUR HEAD REGISTER (PART 2)

If you’ve ever felt like your voice “cracks” or flips when moving from chest to head voice, you’re not alone. That’s where mixed voice comes in, a balanced blend between your chest and head registers that allows for seamless, powerful singing across your range. Strengthening your mixed voice can transform your vocal ability, giving you the flexibility to sing high notes without strain and low notes with ease.

What is Mixed Voice?

Mixed voice is the middle ground between chest voice (your speaking or lower singing register) and head voice (your upper, lighter register). Think of it as a gear in your vocal engine that makes transitions smooth and efficient. Instead of switching abruptly from one to the other, mixed voice allows you to blend them, resulting in:

• A connected sound across your range
• More power and control in higher notes
• Reduced vocal strain or fatigue

Continued Tips to Strengthen Your Head Voice

Engage Proper Breath Support

A strong head voice doesn’t come from throat tension, it comes from breath control and support from your diaphragm. Focus on:

• Low, steady inhalation (no shoulder movement)
• Controlled exhalation while singing
• Maintaining posture and relaxed jaw/tongue

Practice Mixed Voice

Mixing chest and head voice allows for smoother transitions and more dynamic singing. Exercises using sounds like “no” or “nay” on a scale can help you explore this blend without forcing either register.

Record and Monitor Your Progress

Use your phone or a simple mic setup to record practice sessions. Listen back to:

• Check for tone quality
• Notice any breathiness, strain, or pitch issues
• Track improvement over time.

Sing Lightly, Then Add Power (Dynamics)

Don’t try to blast high notes right away. Build strength by singing light but connected head tones first. Over time, add more breath support and resonance to bring in power without strain. Try singing simple melodies or scales at a softer volume, then increase intensity gradually.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Pushing chest voice too high (can lead to strain)
• Confusing falsetto with head voice (falsetto is airy; head voice is fuller)
• Skipping warm-ups
• Lack of patience – building head voice takes consistent effort

Final Thoughts

A strong head voice/mixed voice is the hallmark of many great singers, from Beyonce and Freddie Mercury to Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars. By investing time into blending your registers, you’ll unlock vocal freedom, power, and control that sets your singing apart. So warm up, stay consistent and enjoy the progress.