5 Essential Tips Every Singer Should Learn from a Vocal Teacher

You've undoubtedly thought about taking a vocal lesson if you're serious about singing. And in case you haven’t, well, here’s your sign! Learning from a seasoned professional like Sam Savage, a vocal specialist, can make a world of difference in your vocal journey. There's always room to grow, no matter how many performances you've given.

Singing isn’t just about talent. It is more than a gift. It is about technique, consistency, and training. So, let’s look at the five essential tips that every singer should take away from their local teacher. 

1.  Breath Control is Everything

That moment when your breath gives out during a note? It's definitely not a pleasant experience. Breath control is the foundation of great singing, and without it, your voice will struggle with power, sustain, and tone quality. You can improve your breath control! It's trainable, just like your voice.

Sam Savage, an experienced vocal teacher, often focuses on diaphragmatic breathing. By that, it means fully engaging your diaphragm to support your notes. Shallow chest breathing is simply not enough. You can always try an exercise like placing a hand on your belly, taking a deep breath, and feeling your stomach expand rather than your chest. This makes sure that you have the right amount of air to sustain your notes and sing fluently.

Do you need another trick? Slow, controlled exhales. Inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for eight. Your ability to sing long, even notes will improve as a result. The stronger your breath support, the better your vocal performance.

2.  Improve Your Warm-Ups for Vocals

Imagine an athlete sprinting without stretching first. Your voice works exactly the same way. A proper warm-up not only prevents strain but also helps you sing with more ease and flexibility. 

A good vocal teacher, like Sam Savage, will help you with important warm-up exercises that get your voice ready to sing. Here are a few to add to your routine:

• Lip Trills help relax your vocal cords and control your airflow.
• Sirens slide through your entire vocal range to increase flexibility.
• Humming exercises warm up your resonance and vocal placement.
• Vowel modifications help you practice the "ah," "ee," and "oh" sounds and can help with tone clarity.

Don't treat warm-ups as an afterthought. They're vital for a healthy voice. The more consistently you do it, the easier singing becomes. 

3.  Develop a Strong Mixed Voice

Have you ever felt like your voice “flips” when hitting the notes? That’s because you’re moving between your chest voice (strong, lower notes) and head voice (lighter, higher notes) without a smooth transition. This is where the strength of your mixed voice takes center stage, blending registers for a flawless tone. 

Sam Savage, a master of vocal technique, teaches singers how to blend registers effectively. He swears by the 'ng' sound slide for vocal training. Start at your lowest comfortable note and glide up smoothly to your highest note. This connects your chest, head, and voice, helping you find the perfect in-between tone.

Working on your mixed voice is a huge benefit if you want to belt high notes without straining. It gives you more control, making high notes effortless rather than like a vocal obstacle course. 

4.  Articulation and Diction Matter

For your song to have an impact, your audience must be able to understand the message conveyed by your lyrics. Clear articulation isn’t just about pronunciation. It is about making sure every word carries emotion and meaning. 

A great vocal teacher will help you refine your diction with exercises like the following:

• Tongue twisters like “Red leather, yellow leather” at increasing speeds train your tongue and mouth muscles.

• Over-enunciation helps your audience understand your lyrics, while singing ensures clarity in performance.

• Shaping vowels by modifying vowel sounds slightly can help avoid strain and create a richer tone

If you’re one of those who struggle with mumbling or slurring words, recording yourself singing can reveal where you need more improvement. Crystal-clear lyrics make your performance feel more polished and give off a professional impression. 

5.  Train Your Ear Alongside Your Voice

Has there ever been a time when you were singing along and thought to yourself, “Wait, that doesn’t sound right”? That’s where you’ll benefit from ear-training. Singing isn’t just about hitting notes. It’s about hearing them correctly in the first place. 

Sam Savage’s masterclass methods often involve ear training exercises, such as:

• Pitch accuracy through intervals, making students learn to recognize and sing different intervals, refines your ability to stay in tune.
• Practicing scales helps to improve your ability to sing in tune.
• The masterclass also includes repeating melodies after hearing them, which trains your ear to perceive pitch differences. 

By honing your listening skills, you’ll be able to harmonize spontaneously, create on-the-spot melodies, and make quick changes to your vocal delivery. The better your ear, the more confident you’ll feel while singing. 

Don’t Forget: Confidence is Key! 

Even the best technique won’t shine if you’re not confident enough in your voice. A vocal teacher doesn’t just teach you how to sing. They help you believe that you can sing! 

If you’re struggling with stage fright or self-doubt, Sam Savage’s masterclasses focus on building a confident singing voice. Sam teaches you to practice performing in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or singing to your friends. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it gets. 

Lastly, Work with a Pro! 

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a talented vocal teacher can create a huge impact on your singing skills. The right training doesn’t just make you a better singer. It just makes singing easier and more enjoyable. If you're ready to tap into your full vocal potential, Sam Savage, a master vocal specialist, has helped many singers achieve their dreams. 

Are you ready to give your gift a chance to experience the spotlight that it deserves? Realize Your Voice and make it happen! 

Treat your voice well, train it, and watch it fly.