Weekly Insight #15: Choosing Exercises with Purpose

Vocal exercises aren’t just warm-ups or technical drills—they’re tools to help you connect with your voice, refine your skills, and even enhance your confidence. But their impact depends on how you approach them. Without clear intention, exercises can feel routine or unproductive. Worse, they might reinforce habits that don’t serve your goals.

By practicing with purpose, however, you transform these exercises into opportunities for growth, clarity, and self-expression.

A Class in Progress: Crafting Intentional Practice

“Alright, class,” the teacher began, “let’s talk about exercises that enhance both performance and well-being.”

Emily, a young teacher, raised her hand. “How can vocal exercises help with well-being? Isn’t it just about singing or speaking better?”

“Great question,” the teacher replied. “It’s more than that. When we use exercises intentionally, we create opportunities to ground ourselves, focus, and even release stress. It all starts with one simple element: breath.”

Daniel, a business major, chimed in. “So how do we use breathing exercises intentionally?”

“We tend to think of breath as automatic, something we don’t need to focus on. But when we pause to engage with it—whether lying on the floor or standing with knees slightly bent—we become more aware of how our body reacts. This awareness helps us prepare, whether for a big presentation or just calming ourselves before a stressful moment.”

Jasmine, an aspiring TED Talk speaker, leaned forward. “So these exercises aren’t just for singers?”

“Exactly,” the teacher said with a smile. “Exercises like sirens, vocal fry, or intentional breathing can benefit anyone who uses their voice. And here’s the key: the most effective practice isn’t long or complicated. It’s short, intentional, and focused on a specific goal.”

From Habit to Intention

We all have unconscious habits—breathing automatically, clearing our throats without thought, or even fidgeting with our voices. These actions might feel useful in the moment, but they lack the depth and impact of intentional practice.

For instance:

• Breath Awareness: Turning automatic breathing into an intentional practice can improve focus and reduce stress.

• Throat Clearing: Useful for addressing phlegm, but done unconsciously, it may create tension or strain.

The goal is to make unconscious habits more deliberate, turning them into opportunities for growth. Ask yourself: What am I trying to achieve with this action?

Choosing Exercises with Purpose

When selecting vocal exercises, consider what your voice needs in the moment. Here are two examples that emphasize intentionality:

• Vocal Fry

  • Purpose: Relaxes the vocal cords, reduces excess air, and improves breath efficiency.

  • Best For: Resetting the voice after strain or refining clarity and tone.

• Sirens

  • Purpose: Builds breath pressure awareness, smooths transitions across vocal registers, and strengthens diaphragmatic support.

  • Best For: Focused practice to improve vocal control.

The key is to choose exercises thoughtfully, aligning them with your goals. Intentional practice transforms these actions from routine to purposeful.

Integrating Exercises Into Your Day

Some practices can be integrated into your daily routine without requiring significant time or preparation. Here are a few general ideas:

1. Start Your Morning with Breath Awareness:
   Lie on the floor or stand with knees slightly bent. Focus on how your body responds to breath.

2. Take a Breath Reset:
   Find a quiet space during the day and spend 1–2 minutes reconnecting with your breathing apparatus. Use this to center yourself before meetings or rehearsals.

These practices are about creating brief moments of connection with your breath and voice, rather than intensive vocal work.

Concentration Over Time

The most impactful practice doesn’t require hours—it requires focus. A few minutes of concentrated work is far more effective than a longer session without purpose. To make the most of your practice:

• Set a Goal: Decide what you want to achieve before starting.

• Pay Attention: Observe what’s different after each repetition.

• Adjust as Needed: Refine your approach based on what you notice.

A Key Takeaway

When you approach exercises with intention, they become more than drills—they become opportunities to connect with your breath, your body, and your goals.

So the next time you practice, pause and ask: What do I need right now? What am I working toward? These questions will guide you toward purposeful, effective practice.

✨ The Happy Outcome of Persistent Practice 🎶 
This photo captures the joy that comes from intentional, purposeful practice—a reminder of why we commit to honing our craft. Whether it’s singing, speaking, or any form of communication, the key isn’t perfection but persistence with purpose. 

Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #14: Your Voice as Your Calling Card

In last week’s Weekly Insight #13, we explored visual learning and its connection to mastering voice production, with a focus on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). While I’m eager to continue this journey into kinesthetic and auditory learning styles (which we’ll revisit in Weekly Insight #15), I wanted to pause for a moment to reflect on a different but equally important topic: the role of your voice as your calling card. 

This topic bridges the gap between theory and real-world application, emphasizing how the way we use our voice—whether speaking, presenting, or performing—impacts how we connect with others. Understanding the tools and techniques for vocal production is vital, but so is recognizing the way your voice represents who you are in everyday interactions. 

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The Voice as a Calling Card

This recent photo from Traviata in Biarritz reminds me of the importance of the voice, not only on stage but in every context where we want to make a strong impression. Whether we’re engaging with colleagues, presenting ideas, or building relationships, the clarity and resonance of our voice shape how our message is received. 

Our voice is often the first thing people notice about us when we speak. It carries the weight of our intentions, our emotions, and our authenticity. In many ways, it is our calling card—a representation of who we are and what we stand for. 

Think about how we remember someone’s voice. Is it calm and confident? Rushed and hesitant? The impression we leave behind isn’t just about the words we say, but how we say them. This is why refining our vocal clarity and resonance is so important—it helps ensure our message truly lands as intended. 

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Practical Tip: The Five Core Vowels

One simple yet powerful way to connect with your voice is through the practice of vocalizing the five core vowels—/i/, /e/, /a/, /o/, and /u/. 

1. Choose a comfortable pitch in the middle of your speaking or singing range. 

2. Slowly and intentionally articulate each vowel, paying attention to the subtle movements of your articulators (tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw). 

3. Notice the differences between each sound and how your body feels as you transition from one vowel to the next. 

This exercise engages multiple learning styles: 

• Visual: Use IPA symbols as a guide to help visualize each vowel sound. 

• Auditory: Listen to your own voice and observe how each sound resonates. 

• Kinesthetic: Feel the physical sensations of articulation as you produce each vowel. 

For more detailed tips on using IPA and understanding how visual tools can guide vocal clarity, you can revisit Weekly Insight #13 here. 

This practice not only helps refine your vocal clarity but also enhances your awareness of how your voice feels and sounds, giving you greater control and confidence. 

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A Pause Before Continuing the Journey

This week’s insight is a practical reflection, a brief pause in our ongoing series on learning styles. As we continue in Weekly Insight #15, we’ll dive into kinesthetic and auditory learning, expanding on the foundation built in Insights #13 and #14. For now, take a moment to consider how your voice serves as a bridge between who you are and how you connect with others. 

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Engage with Me

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried using IPA symbols or specific vocal exercises in your practice? How do you approach improving your vocal clarity? Share your experiences, ask questions, or let me know what topics you’d like to see explored in future posts. 

And if you’d like to dive deeper into these techniques, I explore more practical exercises and insights throughout my book. It’s all about making the process of voice production practical, accessible, and tailored to your unique needs. 

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #13: Understanding How We Learn—Part 1: Visual Learning and the Power of Seeing Sound

In our journey of voice training and development, I’ve often emphasized the importance of understanding the foundations of breath and mindful practice. But another key aspect of refining our vocal technique lies in recognizing how we each learn best. We all process information uniquely, typically through three main learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

Note:
In subsequent posts, you’ll notice sections written as dialogues between a teacher and student. I’ve found that using this format helps illustrate the learning process and bring these concepts to life, much like the way I work with my own students—and myself. In fact, many of these questions are ones I’ve asked myself over the years as I’ve continued to learn and grow. Imagine yourself in this scenario as you read through, and see if the student’s questions reflect some of your own. Let’s explore these ideas together with the curiosity of an internal student, always seeking to deepen our understanding.

This week, we’ll focus on visual learning, introducing the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and how it can serve as a roadmap for your voice.

IPA not just a tasty beer:)

Visual Learning: Seeing to Understand

Visual learners thrive when information is presented in a visual format—through diagrams, symbols, or written text. In voice training, visual aids like the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) provide a map of vowel and consonant sounds, making it easier to understand how each sound is produced. The IPA helps singers and speakers see the exact positioning of their tongue, lips, and teeth, acting as a visual guide for shaping sound.

Dialogue: Understanding the Nuance of Vowels

Student: “I've heard you say that each of us has a unique vibration. How does that relate to creating my own sound?”
Teacher: “Your voice's unique vibration is like a personal signature, formed by how your vocal folds interact with the breath. This interaction is especially important in how we articulate vowels. Vowels carry the 'color' and 'texture' of our voice. Think of it as painting with sound.”
Student: “So, you’re saying that the way I shape my vowels can really make my voice my own?”
Teacher: “Exactly. Each vowel engages different parts of your vocal apparatus, and even slight adjustments can change the resonance and tone. For instance, when pronouncing the /i/ vowel, like in 'see,' people often spread the lips too wide—what I jokingly call a ‘Stewie face’ moment. Instead, aim for a rounder, more vertical embouchure. This helps keep the vowel resonant and prevents it from sounding too thin.”
Student: “I get it! The rounder shape gives a fuller sound without that thin, nasal quality.”
Teacher: “Yes, exactly. It’s a small adjustment, but it makes a big difference in clarity and resonance.”

Example Exercise: Practicing the Five Core Vowels

• Try vocalizing all five of the pure vowels in the sequence: /i/ (as in "see"), /e/ (as in "chaos"), /a/ (as in "father"), /o/ (as in "oh"), and /u/ (as in "food"). Choose a comfortable pitch in the middle of your register—not too high or too low, but somewhere in your natural speaking or singing voice. Slowly articulate each vowel, paying close attention to the subtle movements of your lips, tongue, and jaw as you transition from one to the next.

• Use the visual image of the IPA symbols alongside the English words representing these sounds. This helps reinforce the exercise’s objective: to notice how each vowel feels and where it resonates in your vocal tract. Seeing the symbols provides a visual anchor, helping connect what you feel with what you see.

• You might also try recording yourself on your smartphone. By listening back immediately, you engage the auditory learning style as well, giving you the opportunity to compare what you felt during the exercise with what you hear in the recording.

Coming Up Next: Integrating Kinesthetic and Auditory Learning

In ta future Weekly Insight, we’ll explore the kinesthetic and auditory learning styles, focusing on how physical sensations and sound feedback play a crucial role in mastering vocal technique. Stay tuned as we continue to distill and demystify these essential elements of voice production.

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.

Weekly Insight #12: Distilling and Demystifying Voice Production

In the world of voice, concepts like “support,” “resonance,” and “projection” can sometimes feel elusive—complex terms that seem almost mystical in nature. Yet, at its core, voice production can be distilled and demystified into a set of practical, accessible principles that anyone can apply. This week, I want to make voice production clear and approachable, exploring the essential elements that allow us to communicate with ease and confidence.

Back to Basics: Why Distilling Matters

Much of my work centers around making the voice accessible—breaking it down into clear, understandable parts that anyone can practice. Margaret Harshaw, a mentor who profoundly shaped my understanding of the voice, often emphasized that any vocal challenge could be traced back to two simple questions: How are you taking in air? and What are you doing with the air once you have it? This week’s insight builds on that foundation, exploring not just how we produce sound, but how we can begin to simplify and understand it.

In the process of studying and refining my own voice, I would often hear the phrase “less is more.” I understood it conceptually, but translating it into something concrete—something that worked with my own voice—wasn’t easy at first. Over time, though, I discovered how true this statement is when it comes to vocal production. Effortful pushing or “over-doing” can create tension, whereas “effortless action becomes effortless excellence.” This idea has become a guiding principle for me: that through mindful practice, we can achieve a voice that is both powerful and unstrained, allowing it to come forward naturally when needed.

The Role of Breath: Building Blocks for the Voice

At the heart of all voice work is breath. How we breathe—how we take in and release air—shapes the very foundation of our sound. I’ve talked about this before in relation to techniques like the Farinelli breathing exercise, where we learn to manage breath with intention rather than force. The goal here isn’t about pushing the breath; it’s about reconnecting with it, letting it become a natural part of how we speak or sing.

Breath is more than just air—it’s the foundation of a supported, resonant voice. By understanding and practicing how we take in and release air, we create a basis from which the voice can grow, adapt, and respond in real-time. It’s this foundation that allows for a sense of calm and openness in vocal production.

Articulators and Vowels: Simple Adjustments, Big Impact

Next, I like to break down voice production into the simple physical adjustments we make with our articulators—tongue, teeth, lips, and jaw. These are the primary tools that shape our vowels, which are the main carriers of our sound. Understanding how small shifts in these articulators can influence tone, resonance, and clarity is key to creating a voice that feels both authentic and versatile.

Each vowel has a unique quality, shaped by how we position our mouth and engage different muscles. The physical act of creating vowels, though subtle, plays a huge role in what the voice sounds like. It’s through mindful awareness of these slight adjustments that we can begin to “color” our sound, creating more control and variety in expression.

Effortless Action in Practice

One of the most powerful realizations I’ve had—and something I try to impart to my students—is the idea of “effortless action.” This isn’t about inaction, but rather a calm, intentional approach to using the voice. Through regular, mindful practice, we reach a point where we no longer have to consciously think about each breath or adjustment. Instead, these actions become ingrained, coming forward naturally when we need them.

“Effortless action becomes effortless excellence.” When we practice with awareness and consistency, we set ourselves up for success in moments of real-world communication. The voice responds without strain, allowing for authenticity and strength without overthinking.

Looking Ahead: Continuing to Demystify the Voice

This is just the beginning of a journey into voice production. In the coming weeks, I’ll dive deeper into specific areas—breath management, articulation, and the kinesthetic, visual, and auditory aspects of mastering vowels. Each element will add another layer to our understanding of how to shape a voice that’s both natural and effective.

Your Voice Matters: Share Your Questions and Insights!

I’d love to hear from you as we go deeper into these topics. Are there aspects of voice production that you’re curious about? Maybe you have a specific question on breath control, resonance, or how to develop a more authentic voice? Or perhaps you’ve tried incorporating some of these techniques and want to share how they’re helping you connect with your own voice. 

Please feel free to leave a comment, send a message, or share any thoughts and questions you might have—I’m here to help and would love to know what resonates most with you!

Photo Caption: This live shot from Traviata captures the essence of “effortless action becomes effortless excellence.” Every detail—breath, articulation, presence—comes together naturally on stage, allowing the performance to resonate with the audience.

Note: if you’re viewing this on a mobile device and don’t see the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ option, try switching to the web version of the blog. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking ‘View web version.’ This will allow you to easily subscribe and stay updated with more insights like this.