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How do I get energy to sing?

How to Sing With Energy: 10 Power Tips Learn how to sing with energy using our power tips, and you can take on any song with gusto. ... Power tip #1 – Visualise. Power tip #2 – Exercise. Power tip #3 – Open your throat and mouth. Power tip #4 – Engage the diaphragm. Power tip #5 – Practice in front of a mirror. More items... •

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Would you like to belt out the ballads like Beyoncé, or perform up-tempo hits like Ariana? If so, you need to train your voice for it. Learn how to sing with energy using our power tips, and you can take on any song with gusto. This will help to get you noticed and you’ll be capable of taking the stage at any venue. It’ll also enable you to sing and dance for longer, without getting tired.

How to sing with more energy

If you don’t sing with energy, your performance may not be very inspiring. The audience may not always realise why they’re not connecting, but it could be because you lack any kind of oomph. Some singers have a very laid back, relaxed style. But usually, they’ll still be putting effort into it and singing in an energetic way, even if you can’t see it. It’s often more about the hidden technique. However, if you want to sing lively pop numbers like Justin Bieber or Katy Perry, you’ll need bags of energy both in your vocals and in your physical performance too.

A vocal energy definition – what is vocal energy?

When identifying vocal energy, there are a few factors we may hear and look out for.

A bright tone

A loud sound (but not one that is forced)

The ability to move between notes rapidly and easily

Powering from the breath/diaphragm

The opposite of vocal energy is a sluggish, lazy effect. It’s not about whether you sing fast or slow, but rather how you sing. Your capacity to sing with energy and power may be partly down to your physiological make-up – notably the cavities in your face and chest. But like range and tuning, it can all be worked upon and improved.

How can I get energy for my voice?

Microphones are a great way to bring you volume and amplification. Artists couldn’t possibly fill stadiums and sing with a live band without them. So if you have a softer sound you’re not going to miss out by not being blessed with a ‘big’ voice. But if you’ve ever been told you need to put more into it or lack effort when you sing, then you need to get more energy into that voice. And exactly how do you do it?

Power tip #1 – Visualise

For those who struggle to get themselves moving and getting going with a new regime, this is a great starter for ten. It can really help get you on your path to a more powerful voice. With many things in life – including singing – if you want to achieve something, it can help to visualise it first. Picture yourself singing your song, full of vigour, with a powerful gutsy sound. Imagine how that would feel and then believe it’s possible in reality. Try singing your song again with that feeling in mind. This technique will also help you to see what the end result could be. This will help to incentivise you when it comes to those next tips and steps that take a little more time and practice.

Vocal power tips for singers

The journey to power may start with the mind, but it certainly doesn’t stop there. It’s not enough just to think about it. You must also teach your body to sing in a new way, and that includes learning how to engage muscles you’ve never used before or better work out the ones you already have.

Power tip #2 – Exercise

The body, mind and voice are all closely connected, especially when it comes to your core muscles. A strong core will help power your singing. So while we will get onto some vocal exercises, another step toward energetic performance is with a physical workout. There are many options from which to choose. Power yoga, pilates and swimming all help you get better lung strength, while cardio activities will bring stamina. Combined with vocal exercises, strong lungs are the route to strong vocals. And if you plan to dance and sing as part of your act, you must incorporate some cardio training too – activities like dance classes, Zumba and running all contribute to a stronger heart. You need oodles of stamina and energy to sing and dance simultaneously.

How do you sing with power when hitting notes?

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Learning how to sing and hit high notes is a big topic in itself. By developing your range, you can bring more dynamism to your performance. And power is often most impressive when produced at very low or high frequencies. If you specifically learn to sing high notes with power, you can astound and enrapture audiences like so many famous artists. It’s generally easier to sing loud in your upper register, but the question is – how well you can do it. It’s no good having volume and power if it sounds unpleasant and screamy.

Power tip #3 – Open your throat and mouth

So the next tip for getting power into your vocals may be an obvious sounding one, but you’d be amazed how many singers forget or neglect it. Open your throat as you sing and open your mouth to let the sound out. Particularly when nervous, we can have a tendency to close up. This clips the flow of the notes and inhibits their release.

How to sing without strain

Strain arises when you sing from the place – namely your throat. Not only will tip number 3 help to release the sound, but it’ll help prevent strain also. But if you’re not using your throat to sing, which part of the body should you use?

Power tip #4 – Engage the diaphragm

This is the most important tool in your arsenal. Your diaphragm is your vocal powerhouse. Do you want volume, a steady tone and the ability to sing for hours? Get the diaphragm in shape. This also helps with fast energetic songs. Pulsing the diaphragm while singing a fast ‘ha’ ‘ha’ will get you trained for high octane pop and rap numbers. Long deep breaths followed by a sustained release of it across a note will undoubtedly produce a more powerful long note. But if you need to sing a fast song or rap, you’ll need to learn the art of snatching quick breaths too. Without enough breath, your voice will de-energise. So work out where you can grab some air in your song.

Power tip #5 – Practice in front of a mirror

This leads on from tips 3 and 4. By checking what you’re doing, you can monitor if you’re forgetting to open your mouth, or see your chest rising, rather than your diaphragm expanding. When you stand in front of the mirror have your feet planted hip-distance apart, with a tall spine, your shoulders down and your body relaxed. This neutral position is the best place from which to produce vocal power. While at ease, your whole body should be engaged.

How to sing with power

If you long to fill a huge venue with your vocals like Adele or Lady Gaga, it could well be possible. Opera singers are known for their huge sound and ability to perform without a mic. They achieve this through years of training. Which brings us onto…

Power tip #6 – Do regular vocal warm-ups and voice exercises

Ultimately, there’s no quick fix. You need to work at it. Your voice will get stronger the more you sing. But you must do it properly. Our advice pages have lots of articles listing singing techniques and exercises you can do at home. Having a vocal coach to work with you will really help, but you can also follow online tutorials.

YouTube: How to sing with power

YouTube is a great place to find top vocal coaches who’ll take you through the exercises and warm-ups needed to improve your voice. Pick coaches with lots of views so you know they’re good enough to have amassed a following. Or ask other singers you know for local recommendations. Here is another mind technique that is often used by actors to project the voice without a microphone.

Power tip #7 – Project to the back of the room

Stand straight (as in tip 5), at one end of the room. The bigger the room you can use the better. As you sing, imagine your voice hitting the opposite wall. The theory is, if you do this, you’ll project to the size of the room. So if you’re in a huge space, still imagine your voice flowing to the very end of the room or auditorium. This way you’ll produce enough power to fit the venue.

Energy vocal tips for singers

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Chances are you have some favourite singers who are always full of energy. You may wonder how they sound so vibrant, especially after a poor night’s sleep, or a long day in the studio.

Power tip #8 – Stay on the note

Singing flat is a telltale sign of a lack of energy. When we’re tired and our voices are dulled, it can be hard to reach for – and hit – the right notes. This results in a lazy sound that isn’t on form. So make sure your tuning is top-notch. You can use a piano, app or tuning device to help you hear if you’re off. You can find out some more tips on this specific issue in this article.

Power tip #9 – Diction

If you need to spit out your lyrics with energy, you’d better be on top of your diction. Sloppy enunciation will de-energise your song. Whereas crisp consonants will make it sound impressive and snappy. Understanding what you’re singing or rapping also helps your audience to engage. Even in slower songs where vowels may take centre stage, hitting your consonants will give it an edge. Work on your diction by doing daily tongue twisters at speed.

And finally…

Power tip #10 – Find an energy song

Have a song or energy boost playlist that really gets you going. It should be something that gets you pumped and ready to go – the kind of song you’d listen to before – or during – a party. Numbers with a strong beat are best. Dance around, get your heart rate up and sing along. Harness that energy and take it on stage with you. Although singing needs energy, it also produces it. When you perform you often feel buzzier and energised. This is down to the adrenaline pumping around your body. But also down to the feelgood endorphins that come from the increased oxygen you’re taking in as you breathe deeply and release. Now you know how to sing with energy, how will it change and improve your act? Which songs do you think you could sing better with these tips? Remember, that energy is infectious. So if you’re feeling it, chances are your audience will be too. Whether you’re singing on a video, at a live gig, or streaming, energy and power and valuable tools. This will help in creating an unforgettable performance that gets you noticed.

Related Questions

How do you sing consistently?

It’s all about breath control. By releasing the ‘out’ breath in a steady, sustained way, you avoid inconsistency in tone and strength. Warming up and down also helps you maintain your vocal levels and keep a good standard that doesn’t waver from one day to the next.

How can I sing better in a studio?

Understanding how to use the equipment and how to use the right technique with your mic will help. Again, warming up and practice is vital. You can also hire backup singers to help you sound even better.

Does straining your voice make it stronger?

Definitely not. If you strain the voice it does not make it stronger and so it is to be avoided at all costs. Straining risks long term vocal damage if continued. Instead, learn the correct technique for singing and support the voice from the diaphragm. This is the route to strength. Do you have any power tips or advice on how to sing with energy? Which singers do you think are really good at it? Let us know your thoughts and advice in the comments below.

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