Vocal Warmups With Kathleen - all of them!I published my first vocal warmups and technique video in March of 2020 when big changes were happening in the world and folks were at home. I wanted to keep my singers singing and learning, and now I'm heading into my third year of sharing vocal warmups and vocal pedagogy with singers all over the world. The best place to find my videos is on my YouTube Channel where you can find vocal warmups, vocal exercises, and vocal pedagogy. Warmups and Exercises PlaylistThis is a self-updating playlist that has all of the vocal warmups and exercise videos that I have published. The newest videos are at the top! Searchable DocumentI've also made a spreadsheet with links and titles of all of my videos - there are handful of off topic videos at the bottom, but if you'd like to search for something like "high voice", "overtones" or "12 minute warmup" without scrolling through my channel videos, you can find those here. This spreadsheet will be updated periodically. 
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Mixed Voice? Mix Voice? Navigating the passaggio?If you've been watching my videos, you may know that I'm not a huge fan of the term "mixed voice" - while I think the concept can be helpful for some, it implies that there is a way to mix the two registers or modes that are commonly referred to as head voice and chest voice. That said, some singers don't notice a big shift as they transition through their passaggio or break between head voice and chest voice, while some really can feel the difference. Often, singers want to disguise their "break", and therefore was the acoustic sensation of a "mixed voice". I think it's important to understand AND to feel what is happening. Check out the videos below for great exercises to navigate the vocal passaggio (vocal break) and work on a smooth transition that some people refer to as "mixed voice".
 How To Practice Music EfficientlyI have an undergraduate degree in Music Education, a Masters in Music (Conducting), and I'm working on my Doctorate in Music Education. One thing that has been blatantly missing from my education is the idea of how to practice! My major instrument was trumpet, and I was in MANY ensembles every year (not to mention preparing for lessons and juries). While I was given musical assignments, I really didn't have instructors explain to me how to practice music. Whether you are wondering how to practice an instrument or how to practice singing, I hope some of the information here will be helpful to you! If I were to distill my main advice into just a few bullet points, I'd recommend: • Create specific practice goals that work on smaller segments. Track your goals! • Learn to "play" (gamify!) and enjoy the process of practicing. • Practice self-love: look for the positive and acknowledge your success! • Learn to be your own best vocal coach - work with experts and learn to apply the techniques to your own practice.
 Vocal Warmups and Exercises for Low voicesWhether you have a naturally low voice or are looking to expand your low range and sing lower with ease and confidence, these exercises are for you! Make sure to subscribe to my youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@vocalwarmupswithkathleen
 Vocal Warmups and Exercises for High VoicesWhether you have a naturally high voice or are looking to expand your high range and sing higher with ease, these exercises are for you! Make sure to subscribe to my youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@vocalwarmupswithkathleen
 Agility Exercises for Singers |
| Follow-along vocal warmups and exercises to help with vocal agility, flexibility and accuracy! Focusing on this vocal skill will add invaluable tools to your vocal toolbox! |  |
| | Exercises for vocal agility and coordination! If you want to work on singing passages with ease, it's important to work on exercises that will allow you to build those skills. Enjoy! |
| One of my early videos that has stood the test of time! Check out these vocal exercises and warmups to build and strengthen your vocals! | |
| | More VOCAL AGILITY exercises! Want to sing accurate runs, riffs? Maybe just be able to navigate harmony parts with ease? Try these vocal agility exercises for singers! |
| Work on your smoothing out your vocal line with these vocal warmups and exercises for smooth and accurate intervals! | |
FUN AND SILLY VOCAL WARMUPS
for all ages
 | Want to add a bit of fun to your vocal warmups? Here are three sing along warmup videos sure to put a smile on your face AND prepare your voice for singing! These fun and challenging warmups include a range of vocal warmups like warmups with fun orchestration, tongue twisters, and silly animal themed warmups. |
Orchestrated Warmups
| This set of very effective and efficient vocal warmups has unique and fun accompaniment. The orchestrations present different styles like polka, march, jazz, and classical orchestrations. They are a fun and challenging set of sing along vocal warmups. | |
Fun and Silly Vocal Warmups
| | These fun and silly vocal warmups are great for kids as well as adults who love to be playful. Lots of tongue twisters and challenges in this one! And, as you can see by the thumbnail, excellent cameos by the OG Studio Cat, Celeste the Cat |
Ridiculously Fun Vocal Warmups
| Silliness upon silliness! These ANIMAL THEMED warmups will have you laughing and singing along with animated animals: a cow, giraffe, cat, and even a dragon. Not only are these vocal warmups fun, they are very effective! | |
Fun Vocal Warmups for ALL AGES
| | Lastly, and a bit easier on the cheese, these fun vocal warmups allow you to explore the lighthearted side of your voice while making excellent progress as a singer! |
Got "Morning Voice"?
 | Your alarm goes off, you feet hit the floor, and you open your mouth to sing or speak. The low voice of your morning alter-ego comes out in a low, croaky-smoky drone. Why does your voice sound deeper in the morning? Is it normal? What should we do about it? First of all, this is very normal: you've been asleep for hours, there is often a bit of fluid accumulation in the tissues. Sometimes the dry air makes tissues less pliable and responsive. Ideally, we should be breathing through our noses while we sleep. If you have hoarseness in the morning, consider seeing a doctor to look into the possibility of acid reflux, which can be quite damaging! |
Morning Vocal Warm Ups
Please enjoy some of these warmups and exercises that I recommend for getting your voice warmed up first thing in the morning, whether you are getting ready for singing or speaking.
Full Length Morning Vocal Warm Up & Stretch
| Ok, folks - this was in the early part of distancing in 2020. It's silly BUT it will bring you through some great wakeup stretches AND some gentle progressive vocalizations. Stay in your favorite PJs and join me! | |
Gentle Morning Vocal Warm Ups
| | This gentle set of vocal warmups is great for getting your voice going in the morning. Easy does it! Move slowly, and feel free to repeat any exercises more than once if you feel like you should spend a bit longer on it before moving on. |
SOVT Exercises: Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises
SOVTs are a great way to start the day. Here are two videos of guided SOVT vocal warm ups and exercises.
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Gentle Vocal Warmups
| These gentle vocal warmups are great for any time of day, but starting off your day with gentle warmups (and easing in to speaking and singing) is key! | |
Stemple Vocal Function Exercises
| | Often used in Speech Language Pathology work, the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises allow you to get right to work on efficient and effective phonation. |
Happy Halloween! Let's Sing!
 | While we can ABSOLUTELY sing minor vocal warm ups any time of the year, I've compiled this collection of Halloween Vocal Warm Ups that are all in minor. Want spooky vocal warm ups? Minor Vocal Warm Ups? Even some rounds. Check out my Halloween Warm Up videos from 2022, 2021, and 2020. Enjoy! Check out my youtube channel at www.youtube.com/@vocalwarmupswithkathleen |
Minor Warm Ups and Rounds
My first Halloween Vocal Warm Up video from 2020 - it also features two rounds: The Ghost of Tom (aka The Ghost of John) and The Birch Tree.
Vocal Exercises and Warm Ups in Minor Keys
If you're lucky, you just might see my former studio cat, Celeste the Cat. Minor Key Vocal Warmups and Exercises, 2021.
Spooky Halloween Vocal Warm Up
Grab your costume and join in! More minor warm ups and exercises from 2022.
Strengthening Aging VoicesI recently started working on my Doctorate of Musical Arts degree with Boston University. This semester, I focused on the impact and benefits of community music ensembles as well as the reasons that people join or leave those ensembles. |  |
In the process, I reviewed over 60 scholarly articles and came across quite a few that I think are valuable, and I imagine I'll be sharing many of these studies with you over the next few years. Today, I’d like to share a study I found entitled, “The Effect of Vocal Function Exercises on the Voices of Aging Community Choral Singers” (linked – full citation below)
In short, community singers with aging voices either did 5 weeks of Stemple Vocal Function Exercises or were part of the control group. The results summary reads:
Results
After VFE training, significant improvements in perceived roughness, maximum phonation time, jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were found for participants in the VFE group. However, evaluations of perceived breathiness and strain and phonational frequency range did not reveal significant changes. The VFE program was also generally perceived by the participants to have a positive effect on their voices.
What are the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises?
These exercises, often used by speech language pathologists, are designed to strengthen and balance speaking and singing muscles, improve vocal fold efficiency (adduction), and coordinate systems used in speaking and singing.
In short, community singers with aging voices either did 5 weeks of Stemple Vocal Function Exercises or were part of the control group. The results summary reads:
Results
After VFE training, significant improvements in perceived roughness, maximum phonation time, jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were found for participants in the VFE group. However, evaluations of perceived breathiness and strain and phonational frequency range did not reveal significant changes. The VFE program was also generally perceived by the participants to have a positive effect on their voices.
What are the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises?
These exercises, often used by speech language pathologists, are designed to strengthen and balance speaking and singing muscles, improve vocal fold efficiency (adduction), and coordinate systems used in speaking and singing.
Stemple Vocal Function Exercises Video
How else can I strengthen my voice as I age?
Use it! And use it wisely. Full body health is important, as is speaking and singing with the right tension/relaxation balance. While the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises are great, it is important to note that we crave variety and are more likely to stick with a program we like and can have fun with. I encourage you to use the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises, but also mix things up with some other vocal exercises and warmups! Here are some additional videos I would recommend.
Use it! And use it wisely. Full body health is important, as is speaking and singing with the right tension/relaxation balance. While the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises are great, it is important to note that we crave variety and are more likely to stick with a program we like and can have fun with. I encourage you to use the Stemple Vocal Function Exercises, but also mix things up with some other vocal exercises and warmups! Here are some additional videos I would recommend.
Gentle and Rehabilitative Warmups
Strengthening the Aging Voice Through Menopause*
*note: these exercises are great for singers of all genders!
Vocal Warmup for Efficient Singing
“Mixed Voice” Exercises and Warmups for Singers
Daily practice will help keep your vocal mechanism
healthy and strong!
Article Citation:
Ya Lian Tay, E., Phyland, D. J., Oates, J. (2012). The effect of vocal function exercises on the voices of aging community
choral singers. Journal of Voice, 26(5), 672.e19-672.e27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2011.12.014
Ya Lian Tay, E., Phyland, D. J., Oates, J. (2012). The effect of vocal function exercises on the voices of aging community
choral singers. Journal of Voice, 26(5), 672.e19-672.e27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2011.12.014
Kathleen Hansen
Kathleen is a conductor and vocal coach based out of San Diego, CA
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