What is the Good Singing Technique?

Have you ever wondered about the number of people who give up singing before even starting, before even trying it?

As we know, you love singing, and you probably know the number one reason why so many talented singers and possibly great singers get lost. This probably has crossed your mind, too, at a particular moment in your life.

It is commonly believed that singing is a privilege for some people, that only some people can sing because they were born with an incredible voice. As a result, when people try to sing, they realise it does not sound as they would like; they start to believe that they can not sing, and they simply give up.

However, they do not realise that the problem is not their lack of talent, it is that they do not know how to sing, it is just their lack of knowledge, the real problem is their lack of technique, of a good technique to be precise.

The Word “Technique” in Singing

First, let’s define the golden word “technique,” which, from the Greek, refers to the required “skill for art.”

Thus, this word is understood as the set of procedures, rules, norms, actions and protocols that aim to obtain a determined and effective result, whether in the field of art, science, sports, education or any other activity.

In other words, a “technique” is the most effective way to do something systematically.

Besides, it is transmissible, although it is not always conscious or reflective.

Generally, each individual learns it from others, it is sometimes invented and often modified as the “technique” also adapts to the different needs of people.

When it comes to singing, as it is the controlled emission of sounds from the human Vocal System following a musical composition, a “Vocal Technique” refers to the skills and methods a singer uses to produce sound efficiently and effectively.

Types of Singing Techniques

Logically, the fantastic variety in music makes it difficult to have one standard “Vocal Technique” to teach and learn.

So, to better explain the different types of singing techniques, let’s divide music into two general categories: Classical and Popular.

In the first place, Classical Music refers to music with a fundamentally written transmission reference due to the rigorous nature of its reproduction and interpretation.

It is a term frequently used for academic music, which started in the 6th century and lasted until the 21st century. Along the same line, Classical Singing is a way of singing that has been studied intensely by Vocal Masters through the centuries, creating plenty of Vocal Techniques that focus mainly on the Head Voice, the principal and most used vocal register.

The Italian, Bel Canto, German, North American and English techniques stand out among these Classical Vocal Techniques. What’s more, the principal trait of classical singing is to recite singing in a very powerful way while performing a very complex repertory.

On the contrary, Popular Music comprises a set of music genres that are attractive to the general public, distributed to large audiences through the music industry and typically disseminated orally in contrast to Academic Music and Folk Music. However, Folk Music is often included in the category of Popular Music as it is mainly disseminated orally.

Regarding singing, singers in Popular Music have been trained through practical experience, although nowadays, several music schools and universities worldwide offer specialised programs in Popular Music Genres.

In recent decades, several authors have published books presenting knowledge of Vocal Techniques applied to popular music. They focus on the Chest and Mixed Voice, the principal and most used Vocal register, and on achieving very high notes in a powerful way.

The principal trait of popular singing is achieving a sound similar to that of the spoken voice. Moreover, although Popular Singing has a vast array of vocal techniques, some are not pure ones that stand out like Classical Singing does.

In Popular Singing, Vocal coaches often combine different techniques and develop new vocal procedures based on the student’s needs.

The Importance of a Good Singing Technique

At this point, we know what a Vocal Technique is. Still, it is essential to highlight that singing techniques can be good and bad. It is also possible to achieve results effectively, although they could have adverse effects on your voice in the long term.

Hence, it is crucial to have a good Vocal Technique that allows you to optimally use the muscles and organs responsible for producing the voice and that provides many benefits for your voice in the long term.

Now, you may wonder how to know if your technique is good or bad. Don`t worry, here we provide you with the most notable traits or benefits of a good Singing Technique:

Prevention of vocal lesions, such as nodules, polyps or edema, among many others.

Greater vocal range, flexibility, volume control and ease of being understood.

Greater expressiveness (both when speaking and singing) since you have finer voice control.

Greater ease of vocalisation, making everything more spontaneous. When you sing or speak, you can focus on your message and not on how to use your voice.

Less vocal fatigue (also known as increasing vocal resistance) reduces or eradicates aphonia and dysphonia caused by misuse of the voice.

All in all, a good Singing Technique will never hurt your voice. It will help you know your instrument deeply and get the most out of it.

Despite the fact that it obviously takes time to achieve, with a good Vocal Technique, you will sing freely and fully enjoy the magic of this wonderful art, which is a privilege available for everyone who desires it.