Written by Maggie Gelin, Vocal Coach
Maggie guides singers to find their true voice using her unique Sing Your (Self) To Freedom Formula, crafted from years of experience. Studying under renowned mentors in both England and the United States, Maggie imparts invaluable techniques learned from instructors who've shaped famous artists like Michael Bublé and Josh Groban.
In this article, based on the latest episode of the Singing Insiders Podcast, we will explore five common mistakes that could be causing you to sing flat or off-pitch. These issues are often overlooked by beginner singers, but awareness and consistent practice can help you correct them. Let’s dive in to see how you can fix these errors and improve your vocal performance.
1. Not training your internal hearing
One of the biggest issues beginner singers face is not training their internal hearing. Singing is not just about producing sound; it’s a two-phase process:
Hearing the pitch internally: Before you can sing a note correctly, you need to hear it in your mind and know where the music is going.
Activating the vocal cords: Once you know what to sing, you can focus on making the vocal cords vibrate to produce the right sound.
Many singers only focus on phase two—producing sound. However, if you don't know the correct pitch, you'll likely sing off-key, no matter how strong your voice is. Developing your internal hearing by actively listening to the music is key to mastering pitch accuracy.
2. Singing without technique
Another common mistake is singing without thinking about technique. We've all sung along to songs on the radio without paying attention to how we’re using our voice. This automatic singing doesn’t help improve vocal skills.
For example, if you sing “Let It Be” by The Beatles but don’t think about breath support, transitions between vocal registers, or phrasing, you might reinforce bad habits. Instead, try paying close attention to how the original artist sings and consciously apply vocal techniques. This mindful practice helps break old habits and leads to real vocal development.
3. Ignoring vocal registers
Not understanding or using your vocal registers is another mistake that can lead to singing off-pitch. Your voice has multiple registers:
Chest voice
Head voice
Mixed voice
Vocal fry
Whistle tone
Singers often stick to just one register, usually chest voice, which can cause tension when reaching for higher notes. Being aware of your different registers and learning how to switch between them is crucial for hitting a wide range of notes comfortably and without strain.
4. Switching registers too late
One of the most damaging mistakes is switching too late between registers. This happens when a singer stays in chest voice for too long, causing strain when trying to hit high notes. You should transition to head voice or mixed voice earlier to avoid tension. The rule of thumb is simple: if you feel tension or hoarseness, you’ve switched too late or not at all.
For example, if you're singing a scale and feel tightness as you go higher, it’s a sign that you need to switch to head voice earlier. The goal is to combine the power of chest voice with the range and flexibility of head voice for smooth, strain-free singing.
5. Confusing pitch with vocal color
A less obvious but common mistake is confusing singing off-pitch with disliking your vocal color. Sometimes, singers think they are off-pitch when they actually dislike the tone of their voice. For example, if your voice sounds too nasally or thin, you might think you're singing off-key, but the pitch could be correct.
In such cases, the issue is vocal color, not pitch. Vocal color refers to the texture and tone of your voice, and adjusting it requires specific techniques. If this resonates with you, focusing on developing your vocal color might be the next step for improvement.
How to avoid these mistakes
These five mistakes—neglecting internal hearing, singing without awareness, ignoring vocal registers, switching too late, and confusing pitch with vocal color—can all contribute to singing flat or off-pitch. However, recognizing these issues is the first step to improvement.
As you can see, training your voice in the right way is the only way to experience vocal freedom. When you’re ready to learn the right vocal techniques and get specific exercises to help you along the way, I invite you to join my free, upcoming training covering exactly that! Click here to join the free training!
Read more from Maggie Gelin
Maggie Gelin, Vocal Coach
Maggie guides singers to find their true voice using her unique Sing Your (Self) To Freedom Formula, crafted from years of experience. Studying under renowned mentors in both England and the United States, Maggie imparts invaluable techniques learned from instructors who've shaped famous artists like Michael Bublé and Josh Groban. With a decade of coaching, she witnesses remarkable transformations in her students, guiding them past insecurities to sing with newfound freedom, proving that singing goes beyond a skill—it's a path to embracing life fully.
