"If you actually relax your vocal cords they actually work better." -Alfonso Ribeiro

To sing or not to sing, that is the question! Unfortunately, most individuals are terrified to sing in public because they feel as if they sound terrible and that no one will withstand their vocals. While that may be true for most of us, it's worth stating that there are solutions to improve vocals and sound better. How's that?

By taking professional singing lessons, it's possible to improve singing techniques such as breath control, holding notes, and learning to identify your singing voice type. But what about the vocal range? How can that be controlled and improved?

Without further delay, in today's article, we shall define a vocal range, determine how long it takes to increase vocal range for most persons, and a step-by-step to improve your vocal range. So, let's get singing!

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What is a Vocal Range?

singing voices
Some singers have a more powerful vocal range than others. However, it's possible to improve a person's vocal abilities. (Source: Unsplash)

Before starting to analyse and learn how to enhance your vocal range, it's important to state that amateur singers must first become familiar with the definition of a vocal range.

So, what is a vocal range? In the most standard of definitions, a vocal range is the range of a person's voice and how it can phonate effortlessly. Though we can discuss vocal range across various disciplines such as linguistics, phonetics, and the study of tonal languages, the most common use or explanation of vocal range is used within the context of singing.

When it comes to singing, the vocal range is a chart that ranges from high to low and classifies singing voices into types that each person may have. The following are the voice types that men and women singers have:

  • Soprano,
  • Mezzo-soprano,
  • Contralto,
  • Tenor,
  • Baritone,
  • Bass.

The first three singing voices on the list are the classifications for women, and the last three are for men.

By knowing the voice classifications, singing coaches can place amateur singers into a particular group of singers whose talents will be most appreciated.

It's worth stating that a children's vocal range or type, both male and female, are described as trebles or boy sopranos.

Male adolescent voices tend to change or evolve when they are going through puberty.

Also, before concluding this part, it's worth mentioning that incorporated in the categories of voice types and vocal ranges, different forms of voice production are known as voice registers. The list below says four registers of voice in the field of singing:

  • Whistle register,
  • Falsetto register,
  • Modal register,
  • Vocal fry register.

By having an idea of the "definition "f "vocal range" in the subject of singing and knowing the voice types that are typically familiar in singing, it's possible to increase the vocal range. But, how? Keep on reading to find out the answer in the following subheadings!

How Long Does it Take to Increase Your Vocal Range?

The vocal cords are muscles, and as most of us know, it takes time to expand or grow our muscles to a noticeable level.

Therefore, increasing your vocal range may take time. But, how long? The following factors dictate how much time it might take to have a stronger voice:

  • Whether you're learning alone or with a singing coach,
  • The number of times you practice,
  • Your singing level,
  • The singing techniques you are implementing.

Those learning to sing with a vocal coach and who practice daily tend to expand their vocal cords more quickly.

However, it's worth stating that with a routine and the tendency to practice frequently, beginner singers can increase their vocal range by a few octaves and be able to sing a more comprehensive range of songs within a few months or years.

Find out where you can get singing lessons Edinburgh here.

What are the Necessary Steps to Increase Vocal Range?

the singing stance
To improve vocal range, singers need to stand up straight and correct posture. The vocal cords don't reach their potential when you're slouched. (Source: Unsplash)

Though each singing coach or expert is different in their approach to understanding music and teaching it to others, some specific steps or stages are followed by most music enthusiasts to improve vocal range. Nonetheless, it's necessary to mention that before you can expand on your vocal range, you must first know what it is. That can be easily found by consulting with a music teacher or doing self-tests with the help of YouTube tutorials.

Anyway, back to improving your vocals, let's review some of the necessary exercises or steps to improving vocal range.

Stand Tall

It's impossible to improve vocal range without establishing a correct posture that allows your vocal cords to relax and air to make its way through.

Take Your Breathes from the Diaphragm

One of the easiest and most fundamental ways to improve your vocal range is by singing from the diaphragm; this can quickly expand your voice.

To breathe from your diaphragm, you'll need to apply the following steps:

  • First, inhale through your mouth quietly and slowly let the air expand your stomach.
  • Try to ensure no movement in your shoulders or chest; stand straight. Your stomach should be expanding on the inhale.
  • When you exhale, you'll feel that your stomach contracts and this is the way to know that you're doing the correct breathDon'technique.

Don't Tighten Your Jaw

To sing high and keep holding your notes longer is by rYou'llour jaw. You'll see a significant difference from when your jaw was too tight.

Try Doing Vocal Exercises

After you've implemented the three previously mentioned steps, the next stage to expanding your vocal range and seeing an actual difference is doing vocal exercises. Like?

Read the following list to learn about some essential exercises to increase your vocal power:

  • Vocal Sirens: one of the simplest ways to expand your vocal range is by completing some vocal sirens. Try singing"g "ooh" or "ee" from a shallow note up to a very high note and back down again; this is known as a siren since it sounds like an emergency vehicle. The purpose of vocal sirens is to permit your voice to reach the high notes without getting tired or too tight.
  • The Lip Trill: another safe yet effective way to expand your vocal range is by doing the lip trill. The lip trill reduces the force necessary to do work, allowing the vocal cords to resist the air coming from the lungs. Also, most vocal coaches will tell you that lip trills encourage resistance and allow you to reach the top of your range.

The previously mentioned exercises are only two of the many that are highly recommended for expanding your vocal range. Consult with a private coach or look at informative resources to learn more about vocal exercises.

Take a look at vocal exercises such as the “Gee” and the “Mum.”

The previously mentioned steps should be followed in chronological order since it's imperative to have the correct posture and body position before starting to do exercises.

If you're interested in trying these exercises you can get vocal training with one of our coaches on Superprof.

Is a Singing Coach Helpful for Improving Vocal Range?

breathing methods
Breathing techniques are part of the necessary steps to becoming a better singer. (Source: Unsplash)

While you might be attempting to learn how to sing and expand your vocal range by yourself through self-taught and self-paced lessons, there are many advantages to hiring a vocal coach or singing instructor. Such as?

The following are some of the brilliant reasons why hiring a vocal coach is the best decision you'll take in 2022:

  • Establish a Training Programme: sometimes, without the help of a private singing instructor, it's hard to know how and where to begin as an amateur singer. After a lesson or two, vocal coaches observe the way you sing and can provide some homework and a structured routine to find different notes and improve your pitch.
  • Maximise Lung Usage: if you love singing, in the beginning, you may be tempted to get carried away and sing too loud. However, this affects your breath and stamina while singing. Private coach coaches know how to provide advice to control your breath.
  • Finding and Improving Your Vocal Range: singing instructors can quickly identify your vocal range and help you find songs that will be comfortable for you to sing correctly. Also, as this article has brought out, improving your vocal range by a few more octaves isn't impossible by yourself; yet it's made easier with a singing coach.

So, is hiring a vocal coach worth it while learning to sing? We think that the previously mentioned reasons answer that question brilliantly! But, where does an aspiring singer in the UK find singing coaches ready to conduct both in-person and online courses? The answer is simple, Superprof!

With more than 17 million instructors from all over the world, Superprof instructors are specialised in teaching 1000+ academic disciplines that you might find attractive, and, naturally, singing is one of them.

The following are a few fantastic motives why you should learn to sing with a Superprof today:

  • Affordable in-person or online private singing tuition that suits the budgets of all persons,
  • A variety of talented and experienced vocal coaches to choose from,
  • An easy-to-use lesson booking software,
  • A brilliant student/tutor support staff.

Truthfully, there are plenty of more reasons to learn to sing with a Superprof; however, the previously mentioned ones should be enough to convince you. Also, most singing tutors offer the first lesson with new students for free!

In conclusion, learning to expand your vocal range can be a process that is completed alone or with a vocal coach. Nevertheless, we're sure that you'll be impressed with how far your voice can go!

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Brentyn Herda

Avid movie-goer, reader, skier and language learner. Passionate about life, food and travelling.