Voice Training Melbourne: 10 Proven Techniques To Improve Your Voice

Voice training is more than just hitting the right notes. It’s about mastering the mechanics of your voice, enhancing your vocal range, and developing a sound that resonates with confidence and clarity. 

Whether you’re new to singing or an experienced performer, improving your voice is a lifelong journey. Here in Melbourne, we are fortunate to have a range of expert coaches and voice training institutes that can guide you through this process.

Whether you’re aiming to speak with more clarity, sing with better pitch, or simply strengthen your vocal cords, the following techniques will lay the foundation for your vocal success.

1. Establish A “Tall Posture”

One of the first lessons I learned in my voice training journey was the importance of posture. You’ve probably heard it before: “Stand up straight,” but trust me, this simple change made all the difference to my voice. 

A tall posture, often referred to as “Tall Posture”, isn’t just about looking poised—it’s about optimising your body’s ability to support your voice.

To get into the Tall Posture:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Imagine you’re in the middle of a strong breeze, feet firmly planted to the ground.
2. Align your shoulders with your hips and feet. This might take a little practice, but trust me—it’s worth it.
3. Lift your chest comfortably. You don’t need to puff it out like a peacock, but lift it naturally.
4. Relax your knees and avoid locking them. This will allow you to breathe freely.

When your body is aligned, it acts like a natural resonator. A tall posture gives your diaphragm the space it needs to expand and contract properly, allowing you to better control your breath and voice. Your vocal cords will work more efficiently, giving you a clearer, more resonant sound.

2. Master Diaphragmatic Breathing

Breathing might seem like the most basic part of singing, yet many people overlook its importance. For me, this was a game-changer. I used to breathe shallowly, only using the top of my lungs. Little did I know that this was limiting my vocal power. When I learned the correct way to breathe, everything changed.

Instead of shallow chest breathing, diaphragmatic breathing focuses on expanding your diaphragm rather than your chest. This deeper breathing technique is crucial for vocalists, as it gives you better control over your voice and helps avoid unnecessary strain.

Here’s how to practice it:

1. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Take a deep breath in through your nose.
2. Notice your stomach expanding. Your chest should stay still. If your chest moves, you’re not engaging your diaphragm properly.
3. Exhale slowly, feeling your stomach contract. This controlled exhale will allow you to hold long phrases and project your voice with more power.
4. Practice with a count: Try the Farinelli Breathing Exercise. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, then exhale for 4. Repeat for 10 minutes to build strength.

As you develop diaphragmatic breathing, you’ll notice that your voice becomes more stable and resilient, even when performing challenging pieces. I’ve found this technique particularly helpful when I need to sustain high notes or sing for long periods without straining my voice.

3. Use Lip Trills For Warm-Ups

Warm-ups are often seen as something you do just before hitting the stage, but they’re actually essential to maintaining vocal health. I once skipped warm-ups, thinking I could “just sing” without them. Big mistake. 

My voice always felt tight, and I could hear the strain in my tone. When I started incorporating lip trills into my routine, everything changed.

Here’s how to do them:

1. Relax your lips and gently blow air through them, making them vibrate. Think of the sound a car makes when it honks.
2. Start on a comfortable note and slide up and down your vocal range. This gentle vibration helps loosen up the vocal folds and gets your breath moving properly.
3. Try different pitches and scales. Experiment with singing arpeggios or a simple major scale while doing lip trills.

Why are lip trills so effective? They create back pressure that encourages efficient vocal fold vibration without unnecessary tension. Plus, because you’re not using full vocal power yet, it’s a low-impact exercise that helps prevent strain.

4. Relax The Larynx And Tongue

Tension is the enemy of a smooth, powerful voice. Over the years, I’ve learned that the source of much vocal strain often lies in the larynx (the voice box) and tongue. A tense larynx can lead to a “throaty” sound, while a tight tongue can block the natural flow of air, restricting your range.

Here’s how to relax your larynx and tongue:

1. Monitor your larynx position: Gently place your fingers on your throat while singing. If you feel your larynx rising too high, consciously drop it back to a neutral position.
2. Check for tongue tension: Place a thumb under your chin. If the tongue muscles press hard against it while singing, relax and consciously let go of that tension. A relaxed tongue is vital for clear, open tones.
3. Use a “yawn” sensation: Yawning naturally relaxes both the larynx and tongue. Try a soft yawn before you sing to feel the muscles releasing tension.

This is especially important for high notes. When I first started training, my high notes were weak and strained. But when I focused on relaxing my tongue and larynx, my higher range opened up, and I could hit notes without feeling any discomfort.

5. Develop Your Mixed Voice

The mixed voice is often considered the holy grail of vocal technique. It’s the balance between your chest voice and head voice, allowing you to hit higher notes with strength without strain. I’ve struggled with this for years, but once I got the hang of it, my vocal range exploded.

Here’s how you can develop your mixed voice:

1. Start with “bratty” sounds: Make a sound like “Nay” or “Gee”. These types of sounds engage the middle part of your vocal range and help you blend chest and head voice smoothly.
2. Gradually raise your pitch: Start in a comfortable chest voice and move up through your range, aiming for a smooth transition into your higher notes. Use these bratty sounds to reinforce that smooth transition.
3. Apply the mixed voice to scales: Once you feel comfortable with those bratty sounds, sing scales using the same technique to improve your flexibility.

The mixed voice is particularly useful when singing powerful high notes. It’s the difference between straining and singing freely in your upper range. As I started to focus on this, I found myself hitting notes I thought were impossible. 

If you’re in Melbourne, Allas Music Studio offers fantastic training for this—they learn to master both chest and head voice, seamlessly connecting them into one powerful, mixed sound.

6. Practice Forward Resonance (The “Mask”)

One of the most eye-opening moments in my vocal journey came when I learned to engage my voice’s forward resonance. Instead of pushing sound from the throat, I was taught to direct it to the facial mask, which includes the area around your eyes, nose, and sinuses. This technique instantly improved my vocal clarity and richness.

Here’s how to develop forward resonance:

1. Find your “mask”: Smile slightly and feel the vibrations around your nose and eyes when you speak or sing. This is your “mask” area.
2. Practice projecting into the mask: Try singing numbers, such as “1, 2, 3, 4, 5”, with a strong focus on the front of your face. The goal is to feel the sound vibrate in this area.
3. Visualise a buzz in your face: As you sing, imagine the sound coming from behind your eyes and out through your nose.

Practising this will not only make your voice brighter but also allow you to achieve greater vocal power with less strain. Melbourne’s voice coaches often emphasise forward resonance as a foundational technique, and once you get it right, your singing will have a fuller, more resonant quality.

7. Control The Soft Palate

Have you ever noticed that when you sing in the high range, your voice can sound a bit nasal or unclear? This happens when your soft palate (the roof of your mouth) isn’t lifted enough. Learning to control the soft palate was another key breakthrough for me. By lifting it, I created more space in my throat, resulting in a clearer, more vibrant tone.

Here’s how to control the soft palate:

1. Mimic a yawn: When you yawn, the soft palate naturally lifts. Try inhaling as if you’re about to yawn and keep this lift as you sing.
2. Check your sound: As you sing, ensure that you aren’t sounding overly nasal. The goal is to create an open, spacious sound.
3. Do a soft-palate check: Place your fingers gently on the roof of your mouth while singing. If the soft palate feels “flat,” try to lift it as if you were about to yawn.

The soft palate plays a significant role in the overall quality of your voice. By controlling this area, you allow your voice to resonate freely, preventing nasal sounds and achieving a more balanced tone. 

Melbourne’s voice training classes, such as those at Ingram Studios, incorporate soft palate exercises that target this exact issue, and I’ve personally found them extremely helpful in getting a fuller, cleaner sound.

8. Utilise SOVT Exercises (Straw Phonation)

SOVT exercises, such as singing through a straw, might seem odd at first, but they are a game-changer for your voice. These exercises balance air pressure across the vocal folds, reducing effort and tension, while allowing for a smooth sound.

To do this:

1. Get a straw: Use a regular drinking straw, and place it in your mouth.
2. Sing through the straw: Begin with a comfortable pitch and slide up and down your range.
3. Add water: For extra resistance, blow through the straw while it’s submerged.

By creating a semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT), you’ll notice less vocal strain and improved vocal fold alignment. This technique is great for both warming up and recovering your voice after long performances or lessons.

9. Improve Pitch With Ear Training

Pitch accuracy is essential for any singer, and developing a keen ear can make all the difference in your vocal performance. One of the best tips I received was to train your ear just as much as your voice.

Here’s a simple strategy:

1. Use a piano or pitch tracker: Play a note on the piano, and try to match it with your voice.
2. Record and review: Record yourself singing and listen back. This helps you identify pitch issues you might not hear while singing.
3. Practice scales: Use scales and arpeggios, making sure each note is in tune.

The key here is consistent practice. Melbourne’s singing schools often offer ear training sessions, where you can fine-tune your ability to sing in tune and improve overall pitch.

10. Prioritise Holistic Vocal Health

Vocal health isn’t just about singing techniques—it’s about taking care of your entire body. I’ve found that the more I look after my overall health, the stronger and more resilient my voice becomes. From staying hydrated to managing stress, these small steps can make a world of difference.

Here are some key habits that support long-term vocal health:

Vocal Health Habit	Benefit	Practical Tip
Hydration	Keeps vocal folds lubricated and reduces strain	Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
Resting the Voice	Prevents vocal fatigue and damage	Take breaks during extended singing or speaking sessions
Using a Humidifier	Helps moisturise the vocal folds	Use a mesh nebuliser with saline mist if the air is dry
Mindful Diet	Avoids throat irritation and dryness	Steer clear of spicy foods and caffeine before singing
Stress Management	Reduces tension in the vocal muscles	Practice yoga or deep breathing exercises to relax

Improving your voice isn’t just about singing techniques; it’s about posture, breathing, and maintaining overall vocal health. By mastering the techniques outlined above, you’ll notice improvements in vocal control, pitch accuracy, and tone quality. 

Allas Music Studio in Melbourne offers expert coaching to guide you through these techniques and ensure you achieve lasting vocal success.