Tools and resources to help you learn to sing
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
As singers, we’re lucky that our instrument is both portable and free. With the exception of all the things we should be doing to take care of ourselves as a whole (eating well, sleeping well, staying hydrated, managing stress levels) it doesn’t require quarterly services or expensive upkeep. However, once we start thinking about voice training, it can benefit from a little investment.
Here’s my list of some add-ons that I’ve found useful. Although none of these are essential to a healthy and efficient voice, they can all play a useful role when training it:
Straws
This is a big one for me. SOVT exercises have been scientifically proven to improve vocal function. I use the SOVT straw from Rayvox, because it can vary in length and aperture which varies the resistance it provides. Other SOVT straws are OOVO and SingingStraw - but really any straw is ok if investing in one of these isn’t an option. Sometimes I use a bog-standard metal one from the cutlery drawer while making dinner. And I have a pack of silicone straws like these that fit nicely into my water bottle when I’m out of the house, and a box of biodegradable single-use Wheat Straws to use in the studio for students.
Water bottle
An obvious one, but I find if I fill up my bottle first thing I’m more likely to drink it than if I have to keep going to fill up a glass from the tap! And I rarely leave the house without it. Plus, if you’re a bit clumsy like me it has the added bonus of not spilling everywhere and killing your laptop if you knock it over. This is a big bonus. And if you’re detecting the voice of painful experience here you’d be right.
Music stand
If you’re learning from sheet music or even lyric sheets, an adjustable music stand at eye level enables you to keep your body optimally aligned, without needing to look down at the paper or tablet in your hands.
Mirror
Another important tool for monitoring yourself during voice training. You can assess your alignment, and your expression, or even occasionally take a closer look at some of your vocal anatomy, like your tongue, or soft palate, when getting into the nitty gritty. A full-length mirror is a great tool when you're learning to sing. Use it to look out for:
Alignment - is your weight evenly balanced on both feet? Are you looking tense and rigid? Is your head stuck to one side? Any habitual movements?
Face - are you expressing what you think you're expressing with your face? Are your brows permanently raised or furrowed? Do you have a fixed expression?
Close-ups - check in with your tongue, jaw and your soft palate from time to time. Are your habitual patterns serving you?
Gym ball
These come in different sizes. For most adults, a large one is a great tool for working on breathing, alignment, and keeping everything flowing and dynamic.
Resistance bands
These can be used in so many different ways in voice training, but are particularly useful for breath work, and in training the body to support the voice.
Nebuliser or steamer
Our vocal folds love to be hydrated, and drinking enough water throughout the day is the best way to do this. But if your environment is quite dry (air con and central heating I’m looking at you), then they can benefit from a bit of topical hydration too. The cheapest option is putting your face over a bowl of steamy hot water with a towel over your head, although you need to make sure you don’t scald yourself, and it can be extra risky if you have children, pets or are just clumsy (see water bottle, above). You can buy swankier steamers and nebulisers online for reasonable prices too. Just remember to keep them clean to keep the mould at bay and to only use water.
Keyboard / piano
If you have access to a piano or keyboard alongside some basic piano skills, this is going to be really helpful for you to find starting notes for songs or exercises, pick your way through melodies and have an awareness of your range. If you don’t, then there are several virtual keyboard sites online like this one.
Sheet music
It’s important to build your library of the songs you work on so that the composers and lyricists keep getting paid for providing us with the material we love to work with. There are great anthologies for sale in your local music shop or online if you are into a particular genre, vocal selections from your favourite shows, or ‘best of’ anthologies by your favourite artists. Sites like musicnotes.com and sheetmusicdirect.com have an absolutely fantastic range of music to download and print for reasonable prices.
If you think of anything else that’s been useful to you I’d love to know!
Laura x
