TIPS ON HITTING HIGH NOTES
Sometimes hitting a high note will feel like the most difficult thing to do. When you hear Mariah Carey hit those high notes effortlessly, it’s tempting to assume she was born with a special vocal ability. The truth is, it’s a skill that is developed. With excellent technique, regular practice, and patience, anyone can expand their vocal range without force or yelling.
Never Push or Force Your Voice Higher
The most common mistake a singer will make is trying to hit those high notes with force (pushing more air) or tightening their throat. It might seem like a good idea to use more effort to hit a high note, but your voice does not work that way.
When you force a note, your throat will tense up (constrict), and this tension will cause strain. The tension and strain will quickly tire out your voice. Instead relax the throat, jaw, tongue, and lips. Focus on a steady airflow with an open throat. Tension is the enemy for any singer.
ALWAYS WARM UP
Every athlete always warms up before a workout. It the same thing for a singer, warm up those vocal cords. Jumping into challenging high notes will put a lot of stress on your vocal cords. Use these warm ups to gradually increase your range higher.
Here are some gentle warm up exercises:
- Humming
- Bubble (lip trills)
- R Rolls (tongue trills)
- Gentile sirens
Use A Mixed Voice
Most people can sing in a light head voice, for a male singer it’s called falsetto. But a mixed voice blends the chest and head register. This will help you move through your registers without a break or shift in sound.
Developing this coordination takes time to develop. I’ve had clients figure it out in a month and others it might be a year, everyone is different. Mastering this coordination takes some time. Please see a vocal coach to work on this technique.
Vowel Sounds Make a Difference
Have you every listened to Mariah Carey hit those high notes. Notice how she changes her vowel sounds as she ascends higher.
Some vowel sounds become difficult to maintain as you ascend higher. Rather than continuing with that vowel sound, change the sound (for instance an E to an A sound), you can also change the shape of your mouth. The goal is to make the vowel easier to sing without compromising the enunciation.
In Conclusion
Learning to sing high notes is not about force. It’s about coordinating chest with head voice when singing higher. Pay attention to tension, practice regularly, use vowel flexibility, and developing a mixed voice.
Your highest note isn’t the only measure of a good singer. A controlled, comfortable note is much better than a strained note.