There aren’t too many hard and fast rules when it comes to singing. Most
singers can feel and hear their problem spots. “If your voice feels good and
sounds good it probably is good. If it feels bad and sounds good, something is
wrong,” says Jeannette LoVetri, director of The Voice Workshop in New York
City.
As a voice instructor for more than 35 years, LoVetri knows a thing or
two about getting the most out of your voice. Similar to musicians play an
instrument, singers must make sure their technique is correct to avoid injury.
“If you can’t make yourself sound good and feel good, go get help from a
skilled singer or teacher,” says LoVetri. “If that doesn’t help, seek out an
otolaryngologist or throat specialist and get examined right away. Vocal
problems that are ignored can lead to serious issues down the road, both vocal
and in general health.”
If you’re confident your voice is where you want it to be, there are
still plenty of exercises you can do on your own to get optimum sound. LoVetri
shares 12 tips to become a better singer by ensuring vocal health and
improving pitch and range:
1) Breathe Easy. In order to breathe efficiently for singing, a vocalist has to have
excellent postural alignment. The rib cage needs to be open, lifted, and
strong, and the inhalation needs to go deep into the torso, as the lungs
inflate downward and outward. The abdominal muscles should work to keep the
chest lifted and open but not be locked and hard and should release
