Easy Vocal Exercises for Mixed Voice

 

If you’re taking beginner singing lessons, you’ve probably found your chest voice and your head voice.

 

But what about mix?

 

Mixed voice is typically not something we “find”, like our chest or head voice - it’s a balance we develop.

 

In this singing lesson, you’ll learn 3 exercises to begin developing your mix in the easiest way possible.

 

Hooty Exercise

 

Our first exercise is a slide from chest voice with a wide, bright A sound to head voice with a light, hooty OO.

 

We’ll jump first and then slide.

 

We’re using vowels to help guide us from chest voice into head voice.

 

If you just jump, you’re not doing much to develop your mix.

 

But if you slide, and especially if you let those vowels blend into one another gradually, that will help you begin finding a balance or blend in the middle of your range.

 

Any new exercises or technique should be practiced with an easy song first! To try out all of Camille's cool techniques, you can choose something from this article on easy songs to sing.

 

Sustain 'Sing'

 

Let’s keep going with the slide idea, this time on an NG sound like the end of the word sing.

 

In this voice exercise say the word “sing” and sustain the end. Now slide up and down and be very mindful to not jump.

 

Take your time, even if it means you crack somewhere in the middle or feel unstable.

 

Semi-closed sounds like the NG are wonderful for finding balance and developing mix.

 

'MA' Slide

 

For our final exercise, we’ll stick with the same slide pattern, this time on a very bright MA sound, like the word “map”.

 

I said at the beginning of this lesson that mix is something we develop, rather than find, but this exercise is the closest I’ve experienced to “finding” some mix balance for beginners.

 

Just like the last exercise, take your time sliding.

 

I know an 'A' sound can get heavy and shouty, so keep your focus on brightness, even nasality, to help counteract that.

 

Thank you so much for spending this time with me, and I hope these exercises help you start developing your mix for smoother transitions and less cracking!

 

FAQ

 

What is a mixed voice? Mixed voice is like the awesome middle ground in singing where you blend the chest and head voice together. It gives you a powerful, versatile sound without straining your voice.

 

How do I know if I'm using mixed voice? You'll know you're in your mixed voice when singing feels super smooth across a wide range of notes, without any awkward breaks or shifts.

 

Can everyone sing in mixed voice? Yep, pretty much! With the right technique and practice, anyone can learn to sing in mixed voice. It's all about finding that sweet spot between your chest and head voice, and once you do, the sky's the limit.

 

What is voice blending? Voice blending is when singers adjust their pitch, volume, and tone to sound like one harmonious unit.

 

What is a mixed voice to head voice? Going from mixed voice to head voice is like shifting gears in singing. You start in the mixed voice zone, where you're blending the chest and head voices, and then smoothly transition into the pure, lighter sound of your head voice as you go higher.

 

What is a textured voice? A textured voice is all about having that unique flavor or grit to your sound, making it super interesting to listen to. It's like a chef adding a secret spice to a dish – it just makes it more special.

 

What is the rarest voice type? The rarest voice type is often considered the true contralto in females, which is super low and rich. It's unique and not something you hear every day.

 

What is a crusty voice? A crusty voice sounds rough and a bit worn. It's got character and depth, kind of like the voice version of a well-loved leather jacket.

 

What is a husk voice? A husk voice has a slightly raspy, warm quality. It's cozy and a bit rough around the edges but in the best way possible.