[JonDavies]

Anyone know of any good vocal warm ups?

My voice is not making the bloody noises I want it to

[CaliaMoko]

I use Vaccai exercises to warm up. May not be the best option, but it works for me. I know an internet search will reveal a lot of examples of various vocal exercises/warmups.

[Buc McMaster]

I attended the Columbia School of Broadcasting for a short time back in the late 70s, thinking I might want to be a DJ on the radio........ha!  Well that didn't pan out, but I did learn how to improve and strengthen the voice with an exercise they taught us.......

From the diaphragm, bray like a donkey "Ahhhhhh", "Ooooohhh" and "Uuuuhh" for long, deep breaths, increasing power and focus as the voice warms.  Vary the pitch and concentrate on keeping the tone steady and smooth.  Works for me, and easy to do while driving to the gig!

[shadowfax]

I just keep singing the song until I can sing it properly..wrong way I'm sure
there will be lots of stuff on youtube..

[CaliaMoko]

I attended the Columbia School of Broadcasting for a short time back in the late 70s, thinking I might want to be a DJ on the radio........ha!  Well that didn't pan out, but I did learn how to improve and strengthen the voice with an exercise they taught us.......

From the diaphragm, bray like a donkey "Ahhhhhh", "Ooooohhh" and "Uuuuhh" for long, deep breaths, increasing power and focus as the voice warms.  Vary the pitch and concentrate on keeping the tone steady and smooth.  Works for me, and easy to do while driving to the gig!

Buc, would you post an example of this please???  I'm intrigued by the idea of trying to sound like a donkey. I feel like I would have to breathe IN to make it work. ??

[Mike67]

I've never even thought about vocal warmups, or any other vocal techniques for that matter, and I think it shows. I'm straining all over the place. Going to search out some online video lessons when I get home.

Mike

[The S]

Here's a great example of what you should not do but it works for me.

If I've got a song to record and it happens to be in my upper range and will be hard to pull off, what I need to do is to just sing at the top of my lungs the night before, like really push it, I have to Axl-Rose-scream, to the point that my voice gets hoarse and keep that up for a good half an hour, then stop for the night. The next day I'll be in mint condition to put some vocals down, with a relaxed voice and upper range at my best. Weird, but it has always worked for me.

Not saying you should try this at home folks, just...saying, that's all!  

Other than that no, just like Shadow I don't do any warm ups other than sing the song.

Peter

[pompeyjazz]

Salt water gargle. Hide the Marlboros

[Ramshackles]

Crisps and water 

Salt helps dry up phlegm and oil helps you loosen up. Water to wash down the crisps.

Shouting at the top of your voice before a gig helps loosen up, (re)familiarise yourself with your range and gain some confidence. (after everyone in the green room thinks you are loon cause you are scoffing crisps while yelling nonsense, getting up on stage and singing doesnt seem so nerve wracking ).

After you are loose and comfortable, running through a few arpeggios and a couple of songs...

[Mike67]

Came across this on t'tinternet. Tried it and it seemed to work for me. Lots of free advice and vids

http://www.become-a-singing-master.com/vocal-warm-up-exercise.html

Mike

[hardtwistmusic]

My voice is not making the bloody noises I want it to

Heh, heh, heh.   

None of our voices "make the noises we want them to." 

We ALL wish we had someone else's voice.  Some of us might deny it. . . but I suspect it's true.  I've listened to you sing, and occasionally wished I had YOUR voice. 

Take it all with a grain of salt. 

Being totally untrained, I'm totally useless for advice on warm up exercises btw. 

[adamfarr]

I like this one. I think it's from the Aussie Vocal Coach. important to get one that is in the right range for your voice though. It does help with control and I try to do some in the week before recording.