Why Loud Warm Ups Can Harm Your Voice
Warm ups are a fundamental part of singing — we know this already. But are you doing them wrong? Did you know there is a right and wrong way?
And thanks to the title, you know the big mistake already: singing too loudly at the start. Warming up loudly is like going to the gym and picking up the heaviest weights straight away — dangerous for your muscles.
A Better Way to Warm Up (and Protect Your Voice)
When we’re working in the Studio, I always start gently (unless you’ve already warmed up). I don’t want to damage your vocal folds.
In your own practice, here’s the simplest way to warm up safely:
- Start with a very soft hum
- Try a few sirens (like ambulance slides from low to high)
- Gently revisit simple exercises you remember from your lessons
- Finish by humming through your song
- Only then should you sing normally
And yes — all of this should be done quietly.
Please don’t think I’m holding you back. I follow these same rules myself; my own voice takes a long time to warm up. Because much of my repertoire is high, I often practise passages low before taking them up.
If you want more guidance on technique and warm ups, you can read more about my approach on the About page or book a lesson via the Singing Lessons page.
