The Top 3 Morning Vocal Practices for Singers and Speakers
Your voice is like a finely tuned instrument, and just as you wouldn’t push a cold car engine to full throttle, you shouldn’t start your day using your voice without preparation. Morning vocal warmups are essential for setting your voice up for a successful day of singing or speaking. Here are the top three things every vocalist should do to start their day:
1. Hydrate and Humidify
Hydration is key to healthy vocal cords. Start your morning with a glass of room-temperature water to rehydrate after a night’s sleep. If the air in your environment is dry, consider using a humidifier to keep your vocal folds moist. Steam inhalation is also excellent for opening up your airways and soothing your voice; just 5–10 minutes of steaming can make a noticeable difference.
2. Gentle Physical and Breath Warmups
Tension in your body translates to tension in your voice. Begin with some light stretches to release tension in your neck, shoulders, and jaw. Follow this with simple breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your belly, then exhale on a soft “s” sound or lip trill. This engages your breath support system and warms up the connection between your body and voice.
3. Vocalize Gently
Now that your body and breath are ready, ease into vocal warmups. Start with gentle humming or lip trills to wake up your vocal cords without strain. Gradually transition to sirens or glides on an “ng” sound, moving smoothly through your range. Avoid pushing your voice to high or low extremes in the morning—it’s about gentle activation, not peak performance.
Final Thought
Morning vocal warmups are about starting slow and steady. Think of them as your vocal warm-up routine, not a workout. With these three steps—hydration, physical and breath preparation, and gentle vocalizing—you’ll set your voice up for success, whether you’re hitting the stage, recording a podcast, or leading a meeting.
Make these habits part of your morning routine, and your voice will thank you!