Look, a lot of people, of all the different backgrounds, would love to get into the wonderful world of music. But no matter how attractive it is, you need to bear in mind that it’s a lot of work. Sure, it’s all fun and very expressive, but if you think it’s all fun and games, you’re in for a real disappointment. It requires a lot of practice before you reach some higher levels where it all feels comfortable. And that’s especially the case with singing. Today’s topic is the best vocal warm-ups for kids.
Things, however, can get a bit complicated if we’re talking about young beginners. Singing is fun and anyone can do it, but if you’re looking for a way to become good at it, there’s got to be a proper way for warming up. And, again, young beginners need special treatment in every aspect of it, including warming up. This is exactly why we decided to go over this topic and share a few important warmup vocal exercises for kids. Of course, there’s no definitive and “universal” way for this, but we’ll still do our best to keep the explanations simple and to the point.
Yawning and Big Sighs
Although it may seem a bit unusual, adding some big sighs and yawn-like exercises can be a great way for anyone to warm up, no matter the age. It just happens that the exercise is so simple and easy to do that it comes as a great choice for kids who are just starting out on their path of becoming active singers.
And the thing is almost self-explanatory. All you need to do is add some big sighs before starting out on any exercise. This can also be accompanied by long and big yawns. Both of these exercises are really easy and fun to do and should be done prior to every vocal lesson, practice session, or performance. The main goal here is to stretch the vocal cords and relax your voice box before getting into the performance. Yeah, it seems pretty simple and basic, but it’s a crucial way to get one into the performance.
You can also let out your voice while in a relaxed state and find your most comfortable pitch where you can sing. This makes the exercise really useful for determining the overall pitch and voice range of a young student. Let’s move on with those vocal warm-ups for kids, shall we?
Stretching
Another thing that a young vocal performer who’s just starting out should think about is stretching. It’s the regular stretching that you’re doing for pretty much any physical activity. And as weird as it may sound, it’s a good way to get one prepared for vocal performances. Believe it or not, singers use most of their bodies while performing. The entire process is actually way more physically demanding than you might think. Therefore, a proper stretching routine is a must.
The introductory stretching is pretty easy to do and requires some basic movements. Stretch your neck by slowly moving your head back and forth, as well as left and right. Then go one muscle group at a time and stretch your shoulders, chest, abs, and do some slow squatting. Additionally, you can also add some other exercises, like marching in place. This way, you’ll get your body accustomed to the rhythm. But the whole point here is to get your body in a proper posture, with your back straight, your shoulders slightly pulling back, and your head standing straight, as well as keeping you safe from any potential cramps. After all, you’ll be standing in one position for prolonged periods.
Vocal warm-ups for kids continue below…
“Siren” Sounds
Okay, it may sound a bit funny, but using wailing or siren kind of sounds can actually be really helpful for proper warmups. And since these are pretty easy, they come as a great way for young beginners as a part of their routine. Plus, they will be really fun to do. Although they’ll have to make sure not to get carried away and keep doing it instead of exercising.
But all the jokes aside, a young singer can go slower from the lowest note that they can hit and up to the highest one. Going back and forth can also help; ultimately loosening up their vocal cords and preparing them for the practice session or the performance. Additionally, a student should always think of their posture and even find a way to implement some movements as they’re going up and down.
Sing the Alphabet
Another very fun way to warm up is to sing the alphabet. This particular method is also useful for young students because they’ll also have to memorize the alphabet at their age. But what’s really great singing-wise is that a student will be able to cover all the basic voices and practice diction while singing. Of course, for this purpose, the classic alphabet song, also popularly known as the “ABC Song,” will do. It’s the same melody as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. It’s simple yet really useful to do before any kind of performance.
However, if you want to make it interesting, there’s an exciting twist to this principle. Let your child improvise a little while singing the alphabet song. Encourage them to do their own melodies, which can also be a practice on its own. Also, a great way for them to explore their creativity in an imaginative way.
Lip Thrills
Lastly, doing lip thrills can also be a good way to warm up before singing. Aside from being really fun to do for some inexplicable reason, lip thrills, or the so-called “raspberries,” can prepare a student to breathe properly while singing. Additionally, it loosens up their lips. The proper way to practice them also includes making actual melodies in the whole process. For instance, you can sing a simple melody while doing lip thrills or “raspberries”. Either way, it’s an easy exercise and something that young beginners should do before performing.
We hope you’ve learned something new about the vocal warm-ups for kids today. If you feel ready to take your singing to the next level, check out the Rock Out Loud singing lessons right here!
