When you decide to get serious about singing, you will most likely come across three vocal registers, including chest voice, mixed voice, and head voice.
In the course of your research, you may never get a full explanation of these terms. Today, we will talk about the chest voice.
So, let’s find out how to sing with chest voice!
What Is Chest Voice?
Many singers like Taylor Swift are known for their enormous vocal ranges. To achieve that, one of their secrets is to use this voice.
So when you hear singers with perfect high ranges sounding like they have a lot of those “chest” qualities in it, this is what they are doing.
This term generally refers to a thicker, lower, and warmer sound. It is the lowest of your three vocal ranges. We often use it to speak or sing. That means when you have a conversation with a friend, you can use it to talk to them.
It is usually an easy part of the vocal range to sing, although sometimes it is difficult for women.
When you sing using the chest sound, put your hand on your chest, and you will feel the vibration. If you have good airflow, try developing a warm tone without wavering or cracking.
It is most advantageous when you’re singing lower-pitched tunes. Besides, if you want to sing a rock song with an edge to it, the chest voice is the way to go!
One of the common reasons you have trouble using this skill is a lack of energy.
To gain the needed depth with the chest voice, you must use significant power, airflow, and effort.
Yet, many amateurs try to “push” their voice too much to achieve this technique.
It is a big mistake! It will lose your voice and leave your throat tight and sore. Furthermore, if you try to push your chest voice the wrong way, your voice will sound “pinched” and “forced.”
In short, here are some basic signs to help you understand when you’re using this vocal range to sing:
- It has a “deeper” timbre than the mixed voice and head voice.
- It is easier to sing with this technique in the lower parts of your range
- When you use this technique, you will feel a vibration in your chest.
You can watch the following video to understand it better.
How To Sing With Chest Voice? Step by Step Guides
If you want to sing high notes from your chest, a step-by-step guide is for you.
Step 1: Releasing Tension The Your Body.
In other words, you need to start with warming up your body by stretching your neck, back, and legs.
All you need to do is bend forward slowly until your body is bent 90 degrees at the waist. Then, relax your head and neck so that you feel the back of your leg stretch while keeping your upper body relaxed. Hold this pose for ten seconds and slowly stand up.
Nest message the face, jaw, chest muscles underneath the collar bone and muscles on either side of the neck.
If you have to work at the computer all day, the best thing is to open up the chest and stretch out the shoulders. To do this, you need to bring your hands behind you and intertwine them to straighten your shoulders.
In addition, do not forget to massage body parts like the upper thighs, buttocks, and lower back to activate nerve endings in the sit muscles.
Last but not least, you need to complete ten jumps and ten lunges on each leg. This exercise allows your blood to circulate more easily.
Step 2: Locate Where Your Resonance Comes From
To do this, all you need to do is place both hands on the upper part of your front chest, also known as the sternum, and say “Hey” confidently and powerfully.
In most cases, your chest will vibrate. Try saying “Hello there” in a lower register if it doesn’t work.
Step 3: Take A Deep Breath & Relax
We recommend using a mirror for this step. Next, you need to place both hands on the middle of the upper belly and then take a deep breath.
When that happens, your stomach will expand slightly, and this state is known as diaphragmatic breathing.
You cannot control the diaphragm directly because it is an involuntary muscle. Instead, you can only affect it through the adjustment of other muscles.
If your shoulders are rising, you’re doing it the wrong way. Try imagining that you are inhaling into your feet and expanding them to improve this.
Step 4: Start in Position
Make sure your feet are hip-width apart to maintain integrity with your lower back. Do not forget to use a mirror to make sure you are standing straight, your shoulders are relaxed, and your hands are at hip level.
Step 5: Warm Up The Voice
If you own a keyboard or piano, try singing some scales. Alternatively, download one of the virtual piano apps available on Google Play or the Apple Store.
Pick the pitch that’s right for you, sing the syllable “Guh” about ten times, and then go up in scale, then down again. The reason is that this syllable can keep the larynx low, making it easier for you to approach a chest voice.
In addition, the letter “g” allows the vocal cords to join together.
As you sing, pay attention to any tense areas of your body. If you are tensing them, it is essential to move them.
Typical areas of tension from this process include the tongue, jaw, neck, and shoulders. So, it is wise to move them one by one. For example, move the jaw to the side or move the neck in a figure 8 shape.
Step 6: Pick A Song
As mentioned above, you can use your chest voice to sing and talk. Hence, pick a favorite song and talk while focusing a little on its actual pitch. The fact is that many people have been able to reach high notes in their normal voice.
Imagine you see a girl walking down the street while a truck is coming. You do not have time to breathe; just scream, “WAIT!” Focus on the suddenness of your yell, the pitch, and the loudness.
Next up, try screaming “Wait, Wait, Wait!” in quick succession. Simultaneously, increase the pitch until no higher can reach. That way, you’ll know your range and how far you can go!
Step 7: Let’s Sing A Song
Start with the verse of your song. Unlike the chorus, the verse usually has a lower pitch because it’s usually not the emotional center of the song.
Place one hand on your stomach and breathe deeply, again, thinking of breathing into your feet. Meanwhile, place your other hand on your chest and then sing the song’s first verse. You should feel the resonance there.
While singing, pay attention to the tension of each of the following parts: jaw, tongue, larynx, shoulders.
As you sing through the first verse, you need to control your abs to release the air, making the vocals even and consistent throughout the verse.
Next time, repeat the process by starting to breathe deeply into your feet.
You must not make your voice louder than when you are speaking. Otherwise, you will get nothing but hurt your voice. That is the reason why you should use a microphone.
Step 8: Practise, Patience, and Persistence
Developing a robust upper range is probably one of the top goals for a beginner singer. But, honestly, patience is the key to gaining it.
For professional singers, achieving it is as easy as pie because they have undergone a long period of practice. Remember, there is no shorter cut than hard practice!
So, if you’ve just decided to get serious about singing, it is going to take a long time to reach your goal. That’s why you should keep practicing. For example, keep thinking about the idea of breathing deeply into your feet.
Imagine how proud you would be as you sing in front of a crowd and observe the surprised faces.
In our opinion, it is worth the effort!
Frequently Asked Questions
Men have more comprehensive chest voices than women, right?
In terms of untrained and post-puberty, the answer is yes. Testosterone (male hormone) makes men’s larynx more significant, making it easier to achieve a chest voice.
When should I sing with my chest voice?
It is almost the same as the normal speaking voice. If you’re interested in this vocal range, lower-pitched songs are the way to go. Most rock singers also use chest vocals for their performances.
Which is easier to sing with, chest or head voice?
In general, the chest voice is more like a normal voice, making it a good choice for beginners. On the contrary, using your head voice can be tricky. It will not initially be as natural or powerful to you.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have grasped how to sing in chest voice by now. It is a vocal register commonly used while speaking or singing. However, you may have sung this way without even realizing it!
In general, it allows you to find more power, range, and control with your vocals. What’s more, it will make singing easier on your throat.
There is no denying that singing from the chest is an excellent way to develop vocal stamina. It requires less effort to produce significant and powerful sounds for long periods without fatigue.
