Hit That Note: Tips On How To Hit High Notes Without Straining

All of us have been there. You’re about to sing that money note when suddenly you feel like the bottom has dropped out of your voice, and you start to crack like a boy who is just in the puberty stage. Try again, but this time, push the note a little harder, feeling a little humiliated. But doing so just exacerbates the crack.

However, I can assure you that voice breaks like this are very typical, particularly on high notes. And regrettably, they can occur at any time, whether in your home studio after too many vocal takes or on stage in front of a large audience.

But guess what? It only requires some practice and the appropriate singing methods. You’ll be surprised at how your vocal range can grow if you can learn to reach those high notes without strain.

So now I wanted to share ten of the greatest tips on how not to strain your chest voice while effortlessly hitting high notes. But first, let us know about the vocal registers. Shall we?

INDEX

Three Types of Vocal Register

What Is Vocal Strain?

Why Does Vocal Strain Occur?

7 Tips to Hit High Notes Without Straining Vocal Cords

Three Types of Vocal Register

Chest Voice

When you firmly exclaim “AH” while placing your palm on your chest, your chest region probably vibrates. The chest voice is a common name for this. Its pitch and quality are identical to those of your speaking voice. The chest voice is the cornerstone of a developed singing voice since a weak chest voice will cause breathiness and a lack of vocal presence in your singing.

Head Voice

The head voice is a term used within vocal music, referring to the higher register of the human voice, which employs a higher pitch and often lighter timbre than the “chest voice.” This is produced when the vocal folds (or cords) are in a position where they vibrate more posteriorly (further back), causing less superficial contact.

Mixed voice

Mixed voice is a term used in vocal music. It occurs when a singer uses both chest voice and head voice simultaneously. This results in a richer and fuller sound than what can be achieved with either chest voice or head voice alone.

What Is Vocal Strain?

The overuse of the vocal cords causes vocal strain, also known as muscular tension dysphonia (MTD), which manifests as various uncomfortable or painful symptoms. This issue can significantly alter your voice, it prevents you from singing high notes, so it needs to be properly cared for and treated to avoid lasting harm.

Why Does Vocal Strain Occur?

Increased muscle tension in the parapharyngeal and laryngeal muscles surrounding the voice box causes vocal strain. The vocal folds, which are folds of mucous membranes that span the larynx, vibrate differently depending on the tension. Overusing the voice, respiratory infections, acid reflux, cold weather, or smoking are possible reasons for vocal strain.

7 Tips to Hit High Notes Without Straining Vocal Cords

Most singers want to know how to sing higher notes. After all, what’s the point of being able to sing if you can’t show off your vocal range? Unfortunately, many singers never learn how to properly sing higher notes, so they never get to show off their true vocal potential.

Fortunately, singing a high note is not as difficult as it may seem initially. You’ll be in good shape to hit those high notes easily if you stick to these seven easy suggestions. Let’s start now.

1. Relax Your Body

When you’re tense, it’s harder to sing higher notes. So before you begin singing, take a deep breath and relax your body. This will help you open up your vocal cords and make it easier to reach those higher pitches.

2. Open Up Your Mouth

It will be simpler to strike those high notes the wider you expand your mouth. So, open up wide and take a deep breath before you start singing. This will help you fill your lungs with air and give you the power you need to reach those higher pitches.

3. Use Your Diaphragm

Your diaphragm is a muscle that aids with breathing regulation. Using this vocal technique correctly can help you breathe from your stomach instead of your chest. By doing this, you’ll have more control over your breathing and be able to easily sing higher notes.

4. Place Your Tongue Correctly.

The position of your tongue can influence the pitch of your voice. So, ensure your tongue is positioned correctly before you start singing. This will help ensure that you’re hitting the right notes.

5. Breathe Through Your Nose

You have more control over the pitch of your voice when you breathe through your nose, which also helps to open up your nasal cavity. So when you’re singing those high notes, remember to breathe through your nose.

6. Warm-Up Properly

Warming up properly is essential for hitting those high notes without strain or damage to your vocal cords. So, take some time to do a vocal exercise before you start singing. This will help ensure that your vocal cords are ready for those higher pitches.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Practice can improve your ability to strike those high notes. So make sure you warm up properly and sing those high notes as much as possible. Additionally, it aids in maintaining vocal control. Your ability to strike those high notes will improve as you practice more.

Final Thoughts

It’s time to start practicing now that you have a basic understanding of reaching your high notes without straining. You have the option of practicing alone or with a vocal instructor. Visit johnhenny.com if you want to start immediately but don’t have time for a session.

John is a skilled voice coach who can quickly get you hitting those high notes like a pro. Many thanks for reading along! We hope this blog post has taught you something new about singing high notes, and we eagerly await hearing your lovely voice sing at the top of its range.