Learn to Sing in Less Than 10 Minutes a Day
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 30
- 4 min read
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, you’ll discover how to improve your singing with just 10 minutes of daily practice!
If you love to sing but struggle to find time for long practice sessions, this is for you. By incorporating a few strategic exercises, you can significantly boost your vocal technique, even with a limited schedule.
P.S.: Since this topic includes specific audio examples, I invite you to check out the video on which this article is based.
Common mistakes beginner singers tend to make
Before we jump into the exercises, it’s important to highlight some common mistakes beginner singers often make:
Singing along without intention: Many singers simply turn on their favorite songs and sing along without thinking about technique.
Inconsistent practice: Practicing sporadically doesn’t help develop muscle memory as effectively as consistent short sessions.
The good news is, if you're here, you now have the awareness to change this and become a
trained and confident singer!
Why consistency is key
Trained singers know that consistency is key. It’s much better to practice every day for just 10 minutes than to spend hours practicing sporadically. By repeating certain exercises daily, you’re building muscle memory, which is crucial for singing improvement.
Let’s dive into what you can do in less than 10 minutes a day to fast-track your vocal growth.
The four pillars of singing
Before we break down the exercises, it’s important to note that in the Singing Insiders
community, we work with a framework that’s divided into four pillars:
Mindset: Building confidence and inner freedom.
Vocal technique: Gaining vocal freedom and versatility.
Creativity: Finding your authentic sound and expression.
Connection: Engaging with your audience, whether through performance or sharing your voice.
Today’s exercises focus on the vocal technique pillar, which will help you build a strong foundation for your voice.
Phase 1: Build breath support
One of the most important elements of singing is breath support. If you want to improve your singing, you need to activate your diaphragmatic breathing. Here’s a quick exercise to do this:
Exercise: “He-he-ha-ha”
As you say “he” or “ha,” your abdominal muscles should actively engage.
You’ll feel your belly move in and out as you speak or sing the syllables.
Want to practice and sing along with me? Then click here.
By doing this exercise every day, you’ll start to notice stronger breath control, which is the
foundation of great singing.
Phase 2: Master vocal registers
Next, it’s time to work on your vocal registers. Beginner singers often struggle with transitioning smoothly between chest voice and head voice. A good exercise to address this is alternating between “Ah” and “Oo” sounds.
Exercise: “Ah-oo” register transitions
Start with “Ah” in your chest voice.
Switch to “Oo” in your head voice.
Move back to “Ah” in chest voice.
The key is to ensure you’re switching between registers smoothly and coming back to your chest voice, especially as you move up in pitch.
Want to practice and sing along with me? Then click here.
Phase 3: Shape your vocal color
One of the most exciting aspects of singing is shaping the color of your sound. Did you know you can change the brightness or warmth of your voice? Here’s an exercise to help you adjust the color:
Exercise 1: Creating warmth
Imagine biting into a big apple, which opens up space in your vocal tract.
Sing with this open position to add depth and warmth to your voice.
Exercise 2: Adding sharpness
To create a brighter, sharper sound, use a creepy smile (a wide mouth) and sing on the vowel “Ee.”
This will make your voice sound more focused and brighter.
Want to practice and sing along with me? Then click here.
Phase 4: Flexibility and vocal effects
Now for the fun part: vocal flexibility! This phase is all about adding extra elements to your voice, like vibrato. While vibrato can be challenging, it adds a beautiful dimension to your sound.
Exercise: Vibrato activation
Start by alternating between two notes, gradually speeding up the transitions.
As you increase speed, you should start to feel a natural vibrato emerge.
This exercise can be tricky, so don’t worry if it takes some time to master.
Want to practice and sing along with me? Then click here.
Let’s sing together
As you can see, training your voice in the RIGHT way is the only way to experience vocal freedom and avoid hoarseness.
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!
This blog post is based on insights shared in the Singing Insiders Podcast.
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.
