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, you’ll discover the power of the “cry” vocal technique and how it can help you sing high notes with ease and power. Plus, it will give your voice a nice, warm sound. Let’s jump right in!
P.S. Because this topic includes some specific audio examples, I invite you to check out this video on which this article is based.
What is cry?
The cry vocal technique allows singers to produce high notes with less strain and more power. It can also add warmth to your voice, especially if you have sharpness or breathiness in your tone. By using cry, you can strengthen your voice and bring more richness to your sound.
Mistakes to avoid
Before we get into applying cry, let’s talk about two mistakes beginner singers often make:
Not exaggerating enough: When first learning to cry, many singers hold back because they fear sounding too dramatic or classical. But exaggerating crying is important; it helps you understand where the technique is placed in your voice. Once you feel it, you can tone it down and make it sound more natural.
Avoiding cry in songs: Some singers are afraid of using cry in songs because they associate it with a classical sound. However, cry is a contemporary vocal technique that works great in modern music. Don’t shy away from using it in your favorite songs!
What trained singers do
Trained singers practice differently. First, they exaggerate the cry technique to feel its placement and hear its effect. Then, they refine it to create a beautiful, controlled sound. Trained singers also use cries in various songs to add vocal variety. Just like painting with different colors, using different vocal techniques makes your performance more interesting.
You already know cry
Here’s the good news: you already know how to do cry. As a baby, you cried for hours without getting hoarse, which means your body knows how to perform this technique. The challenge now is connecting what your body knows with singing.
Benefits of the cry technique
Cry offers several benefits for your singing:
Neutral larynx position: It helps release tension and promotes a neutral larynx, making singing more comfortable.
Better vocal cord closure: Cry encourages proper vocal cord closure, reducing breathiness and hoarseness.
Smooth register transitions: It helps smooth out transitions between vocal registers, like chest voice, head voice and MIx Voice, preventing voice cracks.
Practice cry with a song
To practice cry, let’s use “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman. Follow along as we sing the chorus and apply an exaggerated cry to feel the technique in action:
“’Cause every night I lie in bed, the brightest colors fill my head. A million dreams are keeping me awake.”
Don’t worry about sounding dramatic. That’s the goal for now. Once you’ve exaggerated it enough to feel the cry, you can start dialing it down to around 60% and make it sound more natural.
To sing along with me, check out this video.
Let’s get started
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, then 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.
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