The Complete Guide to Improving Vocal Control

You can sing songs well and with more confidence. However, at some point in time, aspiring singers may feel that they aren't improving as quickly even though they are still practicing. You sense that something is missing, but you are unable to identify what it might be. 

Let me help you. It is your vocal control. 

Vocal control is the most fundamental aspect of singing and mastering vocal control is not an easy task. However, to take your music career to the next level, you need to improve your vocal control. This article is a complete guide that will tell you about what vocal control means and how you can improve it.

Let's move...

What is vocal control?

As a singer, you must be aware of the term vocal control and how fundamental it is for singing. However, this concept is not universally the same for all artists. It differs slightly from artist to artist.

Unlike the flute, guitar, or trumpet, the voice is one instrument that you can't touch or see. In addition, you hear your voice differently than others.

Vocal control does not refer to a single aspect of singing but rather to a collection of them. Many techniques complement each other in singing, and vocal control is no exception. Instead of just practicing breathing for singing, singing in tune, or singing in a mixed voice, vocal control encompasses everything.

So how do you improve it? To gain vocal control, you need to work with singing techniques that help you use every part of your voice.

How to improve vocal control?

The most important aspect of improving vocal control is learning to listen to yourself while singing and adjusting yourself if you know you can make a better sound.

After some time, you will find that this becomes natural to you. It's easier to do if you know the music well, so make sure you understand the song you're singing. Memorize the music first so that your brain does not get distracted by trying to figure out what you have to sing.

Control your breath: You can gain vocal control first by breathing and adjusting the speed and concentration with which it is released through the mouth and nose. Higher voices use a combination of chest, nose, and head depending on range, whereas lower voices use the chest much more. Get a good understanding of your range and parts of your body used to produce sound.

Breathe deeply and slowly: Even if the song doesn't require it, breathe deeply and slowly so you have enough oxygen for each phrase of the song. The more air your lungs can hold, the stronger the foundation for a good sound. With time and practice, you will understand and learn how to breathe more deeply and more quickly without causing any harm.

Open up voice box and throat: The voice box and throat should also be opened up to allow more air to pass through the trachea at a slower rate. Keep your neck and shoulders relaxed and your head in a natural in-lined position. This allows you to open your throat easily. In addition, you can fake yawning by pulling your tongue back as you breathe in. You should feel a cold sensation on the back of your throat, similar to how you feel before you yawn!

Allow air passage at a consistent rate: For voice control, allow air to pass through your throat at a slower and more consistent rate. Observe when you sneeze, you tend to breathe slowly at first, but the nose and mouth cause the air to come out extremely quickly. Because your lungs/diaphragm and nose/mouth work differently, avoid forcing the sound out through your nose and mouth too quickly. This can happen even if you breathe in slowly and deliberately.

Learn to sing wordless notes: Sing wordless notes, starting loud and moving to soft. Try to increase the sound as gradually and steadily as you can. Then repeat, switching from loud to soft this time. Make an effort to become as silent as you can without losing sound. Use various vocal ranges because some will be more powerful and comfortable than others.

Try to work on other techniques, such as articulation or vocal placement, as your vocal control gets better. Applying your newly acquired vocal control to whole songs will help it develop in a situation other than isolation.

Monitoring your progress is an essential aspect

While you are working on your vocal control, it is imperative that you monitor your progress from time to time. You can do this in many ways. However, we recommend you the two easiest and most accessible ways.

1. Listen to yourself

While you record, you are not able to hear exactly how you sound. So, recording and then hearing yourself is a better way. At first, you may find your sound quite brutal as your microphone picks up every nuance of the voice. But once you get used to it, you'll discover it's a helpful tool.

2. Get feedback   

Ask for opinions from others, including friends, family, and your singing instructor if you have one. But be ready to get different kinds of feedback depending upon whom you ask.

Once you have gained voice control, it builds up the confidence that helps you to give better performance. Performing can often be uncomfortable, but having better vocal control will help you be more enduring. How your vocal cords feel as you produce individual or strings of notes, as well as how at ease they feel at the end of a performance, are things to consider.

Conclusion

Vocal control is something that all aspiring singers should learn because it can help you grow as a singer. Several exercises can help you to have more control over the sound, stamina, and versatility of your voice. After that, you can assist in keeping track of your progress by providing feedback, hearing your voice in recordings, and enhancing your performances.

ZOOM Recording Studio, a professional recording studio with its state-of-the-art facility and experienced and talented sound engineers, provides various music-related services. We also give tips to help you as an artist. To know more about music and its nuances, stay tuned with us.