The Singer’s Warmup

PRO SINGERS KNOW

The best singers in the world have a warmup routine that always works. It’s not just a routine… it’s a ritual that ensures their instrument is finely tuned and ready to deliver a stellar performance. This pre-show ritual helps loosen vocal cords, improve flexibility, and establish vocal control. It’s a practice that allows them to hit those high notes effortlessly and convey the deepest emotions in their songs. A well-executed warm-up is the secret behind stars like Celine Dion, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, and David Kushner.

If you have goals that you’re pursuing, follow the lead of someone who has reached a level you aspire to. When you warmup your voice properly, it just handles differently. It’s better. Smoother. More comfortable.

But THE RIGHT TYPE of warmup is the key.  Traditional methods say: 

❌ “Use your diaphragm” 

❌ “Breathe better” 

❌ “Blend chest and head voice together to sing in mix”

But THOUSANDS of singers follow this advice and still struggle to nail high notes comfortably and let loose when they sing. There are bad warmups that will wear your voice down, and there are fortifying warmups that will help you nail every note and steal the show. 

The proper warmup protects your voice from damage, and should sound like your REAL VOICE, not an opera singer. It should last for at least 15-25 minutes, but you could also go longer if you need more time to feel the effects. It should use your entire vocal range – and actually help expand it.

Your warmup should create the perfect level of squeeze between your vocal cords instead of being TOO TIGHT or TOO BREATHY, and it should guide you through all 3 of your vocal registers: chest, the staircase, and head, so you can mix all of them intuitively instead of breaking or cracking in between low and high notes.