How to do a Vocal Warm up? (The Right Way!)
- Dorothy Thorpe
- May 30, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Ever Feel Like Your Voice Just Won't Cooperate?
You know you should warm up before singing, right? But if you've ever done your usual warm-up only to find your voice still feeling stiff or strained, you're not alone. Many singers make subtle mistakes that hold them back—and they don't even realize it!
One of my popular warm-ups, "My mother makes me mash my mini M&Ms on a Monday morning, Oo Ah," is a fun and efficient way to prepare your voice. But to get the full benefit, you need to do it with intention and awareness.
In this blog, I'll break down exactly how to use this exercise effectively, the most common pitfalls to avoid, and some simple adjustments that will make a massive difference in your singing.
Why Bother?
Because practiced skills transfer to performance. In other words, the way you practice is usually a reflection of your performance. Practicing with awareness, thought, and intention contributes to the development of a long-lasting and healthy vocal technique and habits.
The Exercise
This exercise involves singing a single note that ascends by a semitone on the vowels "Oo Ah." It's an excellent warm-up for the articulators, vocal folds, and resonators, making it an ideal starting exercise.
Watch and sing along with the video to get the most out of the blog. (Male Version)
Popular among singers, singing teachers, and choir directors, there are several versions on YouTube, but I believe this is the most effective and is my favourite.
COMMON MISTAKES
✘ Rolling the lips inward on the M
✘ Mumbling through the exercise without much thought
✘ Singing through a clenched jaw and nasality
✘ Taking noisy and inappropriate breaths
✘ Rushing to get through the exercise in one breath
✘ Changing pitch in anticipation of a melody
✘ Singing with incorrect rhythms, especially on "M&M's"
Did you or your students make any of these mistakes?
SOLUTIONS & TIPS
1. Rolling the lips inward
This is an easy fix. Most students correct this instantly, simply by looking in the mirror.
Look in the mirror to increase your awareness.
Make sure your lips are touching gently and not rolling inwards.
Rolling inwards makes it take longer to get to the vowel.
Move from M to the vowel as quickly as possible.
2. The mumbler, clenched jaw & nasality
Slow down the exercise if necessary.
Have space between the molars.
Articulate the words clearly and slowly.
Say the words with an energetic and exaggerated British accent.
Then sing the words with the same energy and accent.
FYI: Google "Queen's English" or "Received Pronunciation" for reference
Why does the exaggerated British accent work? (for most people)
exaggeration opens the mouth creating space and reducing nasality
Exaggeration warms up the facial muscles
The accent reduces diphthongs (i.e., the secondary vowel sounds)
It produces pure, clear vowels, therefore increased resonance
The tip of the tongue is forward, producing clear consonants
Clear consonants improve overall quality and clarity
Clear consonants ensure intelligibility and meaning
3. Diphthongs: The Secret Clarity Killer
Ever wonder why some singers sound crystal clear while others sound muddy? The culprit might be diphthongs - those sneaky double-vowel sounds hiding in plain sight!
What's Actually Happening: When you sing words like "night" (ah-ee) or "now" (ah-oo), your mouth moves between two distinct positions. This movement can disrupt your vocal flow and create an unclear sound if not managed properly.
For Example: Think about a choir singing "Amazing Grace." The word "Amazing" contains the diphthong "ah-ee" in "maz-ing." If singers emphasize both vowels equally or rush between them, the word becomes muddy and difficult to understand. But when they hold the "ah" longer and only briefly touch the "ee," the word becomes clear and resonant.
Quick Fix:
Hold the first vowel longer (like "ah" in "my") before briefly touching the second vowel ("ee")
Ensure the first vowel is resonant and clear before quickly transitioning
In "Oo Ah," keep Oo pure and round before shifting to Ah
Try This Now: Say the word "night" very slowly. Feel how your mouth changes from the "ah" to the "ee"? Now sing it, staying on the "ah" for 80% of the note, then just touching the "ee" at the end. Hear the difference?
4. Breathing
As per the instructions in the YouTube video sing at a medium volume. Inhale silently with feet hip-width apart, keeping your shoulders down and your sternum slightly elevated at all times.
This exercise involves singing a sustained note using a single breath, it:
requires focus on maintaining a steady flow of air.
encourages deep breathing.
can be challenging depending on tempo.
can strengthen the voice by holding and maintaining a single note.
Pro Tip: Don't rush or speed up to get through the exercise on one breath—this sacrifices the benefits. Instead, pause after "Oo Ah," keep the mouth open, and re-breathe through the mouth in the same space of the Ah vowel.
In other words don't close your mouth after you sing "Oo Ah", you only have to open it again to take a breath. (Practice without the video or a piano)
Many of my students try to sneak in a quick breath before the "Oo Ah." Instead, I recommend shortening the exercise to "My mother makes me mash my mini m&m's, Oo Ah," until you develop the breath control skills for the full version.
5. Pitch
Singing on one note can be surprisingly difficult. The natural tendency is to move off the note in anticipation of the next note in a melody. Additionally, each vowel has its own perceived pitch, adding to the challenge. Therefore, I've added a repeated beat of the note in this updated version.
The Semitone Interval - Oo Ah:
The semitone (or half-step or minor 2nd) interval is the trickiest to sing.
It is the distance in pitch between a note and its nearest neighbor on a piano keyboard
Below is a visual representation of a semitone interval:
Singer's Secret: Want to know something funny? Most singers practice giant leaps and runs, but stumble on these tiny intervals. It's like training for a marathon but forgetting how to walk! These small intervals are the building blocks of nearly every melody you'll ever sing.
Here's a quick way to master it: Think of the beginning of "Jaws" (dun-dun...) - that's a semitone! Now try singing "Oo Ah" with that same feeling.
With repetition, you'll be able to sing the minor 2nd interval more accurately, without the use of a keyboard or the video.
Solfege syllables - do re mi fa so la ti do
If you're familiar with solfege, here's another strategy:
Think "mi fa" or "ti do" while singing "Oo Ah" ascending
Think "do ti" or "fa mi" while singing "Oo Ah" descending
6. Rhythm
As you can seen in the image below, this exercise has a variety of rhythms.
A number of singers may struggle with the timing, especially while trying to articulate "M and M's." This is unrealistic—instead, sing "MNM's" (ehmenems).
As you say (not sing) the words, you'll notice the rhythms follow the speech pattern and each syllable represents a note.
Try these rhythm-building exercises:
Tap out the rhythm without the words
Tap out the rhythm as you say the words
Tap the beat as you say the words
If you're familiar with rhythm syllables, say them as you practice (e.g., "Ti, ti-ka, ti-ti," etc.):
To master this, beginners need to focus on one aspect at a time before adding too much complexity. This takes time and patience—but it's worth it!
RESONANCE & THE M SOUND
Imagine your voice is like a violin - your vocal folds are the strings, but that beautiful sound needs a resonating chamber to really sing. That's what proper resonance gives you!
In other words, resonance amplifies sound. Resonance in singing is when the sound produced by a person's voice is amplified and enhanced by the shape and size of the vocal tract. It's like a singer's own personal sound enhancement system.
What It Feels Like: When you get the "M" sound right in this exercise, it should feel like there's a gentle buzzing or tickling sensation in your lips, nose, and cheeks.
Quick Test: Place your fingers lightly on the sides of your nose while humming "Mmm." Feel that vibration? That's resonance in action! Now try to maintain that same buzzy feeling as you open into the vowels of "mother makes me mash..."
As you do the exercise:
Notice how the "M" sound in the words feels like humming
If you're not sure, watch my video on humming: Humming.
The "M" makes it easier for you to hear yourself (internal resonance)
Pitch accuracy is improved by internal resonance
"M" also places the sound forward in the mask or face area
HOW I USE THIS EXERCISE
I use this exercise within a comfortable conversational range with my students. For females and children, I usually start at middle C and only go up a fifth, stopping at G4. For males, starting at C3 or D3 is within a comfortable range for most men.
Initially, I'll spend some time making sure they're applying the techniques mentioned above. After that, it's simply a quick and efficient way to warm up the voice.
SUMMARY
To get the most benefits from vocal exercises, practice with focus and intention. A vocal exercise becomes a warm-up when done correctly. Beginners should focus on one thing at a time and be patient, as it might take a while to get it right.
Since writing this blog, I've noticed children pick up this exercise quickly, while adults often find it more challenging. As a result, I now use it more selectively in my teaching.
The principles remain the same: clear articulation, proper breathing, and pitch control are essential for all good vocal warm-ups. If this exercise proves difficult, don't hesitate to adapt it or try alternatives that focus on these same skills.
I'd love to hear your experiences with this warm-up in the comments below!
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