Ah, the mixed voice. It’s a term that gets thrown around singing circles like confetti at a celebrity wedding. But for many singers, achieving a smooth mixed voice feels about as likely as winning the lottery or being struck by lightning.

The Three Registers: Your Vocal House

Imagine your vocal range as a quirky two-story house (because let’s be honest, most singers’ houses are quirky). 

On the ground floor, there’s chest voice. This is your booming karaoke champion voice, the one that rattles the windows and makes the neighbors call the cops (not that you’ve ever done that…)

Upstairs, nestled in the cozy attic, lives the head voice. It’s light and airy, perfect for those delicate melodies that sound like you’re summoning woodland creatures.

Both of these registers are beautiful, and useful for different songs or ranges.

Here’s where the problem comes in – going back and forth between the two.

This is where many singers experience a terrifying “break” in their voice, like their vocal cords decided to take a coffee break right in the middle of a high note. Other singers just stay safely downstairs or upstairs so they never have to deal with it. 

And then some immortal beings can just float seamlessly up and down and seem to have neverending power and precision when it comes to transitioning their voice from one place to the next.

HOOOOOW?

They use a little-known third register that acts like a staircase in between chest and head. It’s called the “pharynx” and it literally looks like a vertical hallway inside of your head that connects the chest voice cavity with the head voice cavity. 

The very best singers in the world have mastered the art of blending (or “mixing”) their vocal registers into the staircase while still singing in chest or head voice, so the transition is more gradual and less distinct. 

Mixing Chest Voice & Head Voice: 🚫WRONG

The mixed voice is often defined as a blending of chest voice and head voice. I completely disagree with this definition. Think about it, your chest and head voices were designed to be separate… much like the bottom and top floor of your two-story house we were imagining. Nobody wants their upstairs and downstairs to “blend” together. That means seriously structural damage to your floor and ceiling. 

But keeping them separate while simply opening up an easy pathway to travel back and forth keeps you in control, and your bed safely out of your kitchen.

The Simplest Way To Tell You’re Singing in Mix Voice:

Just as the chest and head voices have their unique qualities, your pharynx (staircase) also has a distinct “ring” to it. Find it by putting your finger under your nose as if to block a sneeze. Then whine or cry like a baby would. “Waaaaaaaaaa.” The uglier the better. Like when Bug Bunny says “I’m hunting wabbits.”

When it’s not being blended with either chest or head voice, the pharyngeal voice isn’t super “pretty.” That annoying, whiny tone feels unattractive, but somehow when people like Whitney Houston or Michael Jackson “blend” or “mix” it in with either the upstairs or downstairs of their voice – they are called the most talented singers of their day.

The best way to tell if you’re using the mix is this: if you have even a little bit of that “whiny” baby cry sound blended in, it’s safe to say that you are “mixing” on some level.

The goal is to have full control over the ratio so you get the exact tone you want exactly when you want it.

Benefits of Having a Rocking Mixed Voice:

• Effortless High Notes, Finally!: Those notes that used to leave you gasping for air become your playground. You can hit them with power and control, like a well-trained ninja doing martial arts. (For more about expanding range, read this.)
• Goodbye, Limited Range: Buckle up, Buttercup! The mixed voice unlocks a whole new world of melodies that were previously out of reach. You’ll be singing like a pro in no time.
• Become a Vocal Chameleon: The mix voice gives you incredible control over your vocal dynamics. Want to go from a powerful roar to a gentle whisper in the same song? No problem! It’s like having a built-in volume knob for your voice.
• Sing Longer, Sing Stronger: Proper mixed voice technique means less strain on your vocal cords. You’ll be able to belt out those long, demanding songs without feeling like your voice is about to quit on you.

How to Get Your Mixed Voice Out of the Rental Phase and Into Ownership

While mastering the mixed voice requires dedication and practice (think less instant gratification, more like learning how to fold a fitted sheet – it takes time!), here are some tips to get you started:

• Warm Up Like a Boss: Always warm up your voice before singing, even if it’s just a quick shower serenade. Think of it like stretching before a workout – your vocal cords will thank you. (If you need help, this singing app is super helpful.)
• Chill Your Tongue Out, Dude: Excess tongue tension can be the enemy of good singing. Try relaxing your tongue by gently placing it on the floor of your mouth as you sing.
• Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect: There are tons of vocal exercises specifically designed to help you develop the coordination needed for mix voice. Find exercises that fit your voice type and range. (More inside this cool singing app.)
• Get a Vocal Coach (They’re Like Vocal Therapists): A good vocal coach can assess your individual voice and give you personalized feedback and exercises to help you achieve a killer mixed voice.

Developing a strong mix voice takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t sound like Beyoncé overnight (but if you do, please share your secrets!). 

Celebrate every small improvement, have fun with the process, and before you know it, you’ll be singing like a champion – no yodeling required.