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.
Learning how to sing is a journey that combines technique, practice, and passion. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, finding the best method depends on understanding your vocal range, receiving proper guidance, and consistent training. In this article, we explore effective strategies to help you unlock your true singing potential.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what you need to do and the steps to take to achieve true vocal freedom when singing.
What is vocal freedom?
Vocal freedom means being able to sing any note you want, high, low, and everything in between, without any tension or strain. It’s the ability to sing freely and effortlessly with lots of confidence, which is the goal for many singers (am I right?!).
Mistakes to avoid when you sing
Many beginner singers make common mistakes that hinder their vocal freedom:
Pushing the voice: Often, beginner singers push harder as they sing higher, which leads to tension. This is something to avoid so that you keep your vocal cords healthy!
Ignoring vocal registers: Another mistake is staying in one register, either chest or head voice, and not activating the mixed voice.
Neglecting breath support: Singers sometimes sing along to songs for fun but aren’t mindful of the vocal techniques that support healthy singing, especially proper breathing.
When you overcome these mistakes, you step into the world of the “trained singer.” A trained singer is aware of what happens when they sing, can switch between registers effortlessly, and experiences no tension or hoarseness. This is where true vocal freedom exists.
The 4 phases to vocal freedom
1. Foundations
The first phase of achieving vocal freedom is mastering the foundations of vocal technique. This includes diaphragmatic breathing and breath support. These are essential building blocks—just like the foundation of a skyscraper. Without proper breath support, tension and hoarseness are inevitable.
2. Vocal registers
Phase two involves being aware of and switching between your vocal registers, such as chest voice, head voice, and mixed voice. You need to know when and how to apply each register and transition smoothly between them without the listener hearing the shift.
3. Vocal color
Many singers dislike the sound of their voice, but in phase three, you’ll learn to play with the color of your voice. Just like professional singers such as Ariana Grande, who can imitate others, you can learn to adjust your vocal color using techniques like bite, cry, and twang.
4. Vocal effects
The final phase, phase four, is where you can start having fun with extreme vocal techniques. This includes adding vocal effects like belting, growling, or vibrato to enhance your performance. These effects are like the "cherry on top" of your vocal abilities.
Let’s get started
Wherever you are in your singing journey, it’s important to know which phase you’re in and what steps to take next.
As you can see, training your voice in the RIGHT way is the only way to experience vocal freedom. If 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.
