It goes without saying that developing any skill requires practice. Singing is no exception to this rule, but surprisingly, some people may think that it is. Because singing comes naturally to many folks, and you probably know someone who has been singing practically from birth with very little effort, you may think that having the ability to sing is just something you are born with. Either you have it, or you don’t, and no amount of practice will make a difference. That, however, is just not true. Of course, people are born with a wide range of natural abilities in the area of music, just like the broad spectrum of folks who have more or less athletic talent, or those with greater or lesser abilities to solve algebra equations. But anyone who wishes to sing for fun, profit, or as a service to others, needs to practice to get the most out of his or her singing voice. Knowing a few basic practice tips will help to ensure that your natural singing talents are developed to their highest degree.

When Should I Practice?

The time of day that you choose to practice is not nearly important as the fact that you do some singing almost every day. You will find it easier to get your time in if you have a definite schedule. If you use a day planner or PDA, be sure to pencil in your practice sessions like you would any other appointment.

Choose a time of day to practice when your residence is the most quiet. If you are an early bird, and want to sing in the mornings, be aware that your voice will need some extra warm up time shortly after you wake up. Sleeping normally dries out a singer’s vocal cords, and of course your fluid intake is reduced during the night. So be sure to get fully hydrated before you start to sing, and warm up completely.

How Should I Practice?

First and foremost, it is impossible to overestimate the value of a good warm up before each and every singing session. Like any other group of muscles in your body, your vocal system can be injured if it is exercised without preconditioning. Do some physical movement to relax your jaw, throat, neck and shoulders before you sing and then begin your vocal exercises. Always start singing in the middle of your range at a low volume and increase them little by little.

If you are a new singer, do not sing for too long during any one session. Fifteen or twenty minutes at a stretch is probably enough to start with, and you can increase the amount of time you spend gradually. Even an experienced vocalist will probably not want to sing longer than an hour at a time. Be aware of any tension or tiredness in your throat and voice and stop if you feel strain. If your voice bounces back to normal within an hour or two of ending your session, you can be confident that no long-term damage has been done. It may help to take a break while practicing and spend some time listening to possible new material, or working on memorizing lyrics, and then go back to actual singing.

Try to keep all your music, books, recordings, and other equipment in one place so that you do not have to waste valuable singing time trying to find what you need. Remember that consistency is the key. Set goals for yourself and mark off your practice sessions on a calendar. You may even want to reward yourself after you have spent a certain number of hours in practice or have mastered a difficult song. A regular, focused time to practice will do a lot to make you into the best singer you can be.

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