Mixed voice: Why is it so important, and how can I develop it?

Updated on 8/27/2024

By Camille van Niekerk

Why do people talk about mixed voice as if it’s the holy grail?

What is it in the first place?

How can I tell if I’ve found my mix?

All great questions - and believe me, I understand how confusing this topic can be.

In this article, I’ll do my best to demystify the mixed voice for you and give you some practical tips on how to sing with mixed voice and to find and strengthen your 'mixed coordination.'

First of all: what is the mixed voice?

Mixed voice is a balance or a “blend” of both chest voice function and head voice function.

It is NOT a completely distinct vocal register - and that’s where I think most of the confusion lies.

Chest voice (AKA “chest register” or “chest function”) is what you use when you speak and when you sing pitches that are low in your range.

In chest voice, the TA (thyroarytenoid) muscle pair is primarily responsible for phonation (the vocal folds vibrating to produce sound).

The TA muscles draw the vocal folds together, an action we sometimes call “compression” or “cord closure.”

The vocal folds are shorter and thicker, resulting in a characteristically full, vibrant, heavy sound. 

To produce higher pitches, your vocal folds stretch and thin out.

At a certain point in your range (called your “passaggio”), the TA muscles abruptly “hand over” to the CT muscles.

You may experience this as a “crack”, “break”, “yodel”, or “flip” from strong, heavy chest voice to light, airier head voice.

The CT (cricothyroid) muscles stretch your vocal folds longer and are primarily responsible for phonation in head voice.

For many beginning singers, head voice is often “weak”, overly breathy, and underdeveloped.

This is because most of us don’t use head voice in daily life!

Those muscles and coordinations have simply not received the exercise that your chest voice muscles have. 

Mixed voice - or mixed coordination - occurs when you sing with a balance of both chest and head voice function.

Rather than abruptly “switching” from TA to CT muscle dominance, you are able to more smoothly “hand over” from one register to the next. 

How do I find my mix voice?

Developing mixed coordination is so important because:

(1) It helps to “bridge” the otherwise abrupt transition between head voice vs chest voice.

(2) It allows you to maintain a good amount of chest voice strength on higher pitches than you could safely and easily sing in “full” chest voice. 

Your passaggio or “vocal break” never goes away.

But mixed coordination allows singers to “disguise” it, creating the illusion of a seamless voice from their lowest to highest pitches.

The nice part is, you’ve probably already accessed mixed coordination at some point in your singing.

Additionally, some singers (even untrained beginners) are natural “mixers."

But let’s break it down with two approaches, or two “pathways” into mixing.

1) Chest/Mix Approach - Bottom Up

Access mixed coordination from chest voice by singing on a nasalized consonant with a tall, narrow mouth position.

Don't worry, we'll break this down.

An example exercise to try: sing a 1-3-5-3-1 (major triad) pattern on the syllable NO or MUM.

Start in a comfortable chest voice range (ie: D3-F#3-A3-F#3-D3 for male singers and A3-C#4-E4-C#4-A3 for female singers).

Walk the pattern up one half-step at a time.

The goal here is to stay “mostly” in chest voice, but to let your sound lighten without “breaking” into full head voice.

Make sure that your jaw is relaxing down, and that your mouth stays narrow.

If you let your mouth spread wide (for example, singing “NOW” instead of “NO”), you run the risk of getting into shouty.

This is called “pulled” chest voice territory - which is where vocal damage can more easily occur.

Check out 30 Day Singer for some additional beginner singing lessons.

Many singers like to visualize their “mix” as resonating (vibrating) in the front of their face.

You may hear teachers talk about “forward placement” or singing “in the mask.”

They may even instruct you to feel vibration in your nose or upper lip as “proof” that you’re mixing properly.

(If that confuses you, forget it! But if it helps, great.)

The tricky thing about a chest/mix is that it’ll still feel a lot like chest voice.

So how can you tell if you’re mixing or not?

Listen for a tone quality that is slightly thinner, brighter, lighter, or more nasal than your “full” chest voice.

It should sound more like a “call” and less like a shout or yell.

It will still require a good amount of effort, and you’ll need to support those chest/mix notes with a low breath, and gentle “down and out” engagement in your lower abdomen.

But listen for that “lightening” of the sound as your most reliable clue.

Additionally, you should be able to sing higher in chest/mix than full chest voice. 

2) Head/Mix Approach - Top Down

Access mixed coordination from head voice by singing on nasalized consonants OR plosive consonants (like G/B) with a neutral vowel or an energized, “twang”-y vowel (like A as in CAT or AY as in HAY). 

Syllables to try in your upper register include NAY, NAH (with A is an CAT), GUHG, BUHB, and any similar combination.

The goal in finding a head/mix is to start in head voice, then increase cord compression and add some low body engagement.

Find any comfortable head voice pitch, singing on an AH (as in father).

Try these free singing lessons for more tips and tricks!

See if you can increase volume by engaging your low abdomen with slight outward pressure, rather than “pushing” from the throat.

Add an initial G or B sound (GUH/BUH) to encourage firmer cord closure, and feel the natural subglottic pressure those consonants produce.

You can also increase the strength of your sound by using naturally energetic, bright vowels like EE, AY (as in HAY) and A as in CAT.

Many singers like to use the syllable NAY or NYAH in this range.

Aim for a clean, focused tone that is supported and strong - that feels like head voice with more “weight”.

The Magic Of Mixing

Many singers (and even teachers) present mixed voice as a secret weapon.

A magical register that will completely eliminate your vocal break and allow you to belt any pitch you want.

And in my experience, that’s just not the case.

Rather, mixed coordination is a balance of your chest function and head function.

For that reason, there isn’t just one way to mix, or one mix sound.

It depends on the singer’s voice and the balance of chest voice function to head voice function they’re using.

Once you learn to mix, you can increase compression for a more “chesty” sound and decrease for more “head voice” sound.

That’s the true beauty and “magic” of mixing: the ability to sing with different tone quality on a wide variety of pitches.

Rather than being “locked in” to either full chest voice or full head voice for set pitches.

More exercises to build your mix

1. Sing any wide-range exercise on a lip trill, then on a MUM. The lip trill lines up your vocal folds, and the MUM helps you get into your mix with minimal effort.

2. Slide over your passaggio on a nasalized “NOHN”, letting the sound become brighter and lighter as you ascend in pitch, but not allowing it to “flip” into head voice.

3. Extend your head voice function by singing lower than you normally would in head voice. Give your vocal folds the opportunity to sing lower pitches in a lighter coordination to lay the groundwork for mixing. 

4. Listen to your favorite artists and identify when they’re mixing. Listen for a “not quite chest voice but not quite head voice” sound. The easier you identify mixed coordination, the easier it will be to know when you’re mixing. Ariana Grande and Sam Smith, for example, are two singers who mix very often.

Best of luck, and happy mixing!

FAQ

What is a mixed voice?

A mixed voice is a vocal technique that blends chest voice (your lower, stronger register) and head voice (your higher, lighter register) to create a smooth, balanced sound across your vocal range.

How do you tell if you are in mixed voice?

You’re in mixed voice if your singing feels easy and smooth between your chest and head registers without any noticeable break or strain.

What is a blended voice?

A blended voice is similar to a mixed voice, where you combine elements of both chest and head voice to create a unified sound that doesn’t distinctly feel like one or the other.

How do you get into your mix voice?

To get into your mix voice, practice scales that move smoothly between your chest and head voice, gradually blending them together while maintaining a relaxed and open throat.

Is mix voice difficult?

Mix voice can be challenging at first because it requires control and balance, but with practice, it becomes more natural.

Can everyone sing in mixed voice?

Yes, everyone can learn to sing in mixed voice with the right techniques and practice, though it may take time to develop.

What is the rarest type of singing voice?

The rarest type of singing voice is the countertenor for men and the contralto for women, both of which are unique due to their range and timbre.

How long does it take to develop mixed voice?

Developing a mixed voice can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on your natural ability, consistency of practice, and technique.

Does Ariana Grande sing in mixed voice?

Yes, Ariana Grande often uses mixed voice in her singing, allowing her to hit high notes with power and control without straining.

How do I unlock my mixed voice?

To unlock your mixed voice, practice vocal exercises that smoothly transition between your chest and head voice while keeping your throat relaxed.

How long does it take to learn mixed voice?

Learning mixed voice varies for everyone; some may grasp it in a few weeks, while others might take several months to a year, depending on practice and technique.

How do you unlock your singing voice?

To unlock your singing voice, practice regularly, focus on breathing techniques, and ensure you’re using proper vocal exercises to strengthen your voice.

How can I mix my own voice?

You can mix your own voice by gradually blending your chest and head registers during practice, paying attention to how your voice feels and sounds.

What is the difference between mixed voice and belting?

Mixed voice blends chest and head registers for a balanced sound, while belting pushes the chest voice higher with more power and often more strain.

How do you stay in a mixed voice?

Stay in mixed voice by practicing regularly, keeping your throat relaxed, and monitoring how you transition between your chest and head voice.

Can two people have the same voice?

No, two people can’t have the exact same voice due to unique vocal cord structures, resonances, and articulatory habits.

What determines your voice?

Your voice is determined by the size and shape of your vocal cords, the shape of your vocal tract, and how you use your vocal muscles.

What makes your voice unique?

Your voice is unique because of the specific anatomy of your vocal cords, the resonance in your vocal tract, and your individual speaking and singing habits.

How do I change my voice?

To change your voice, you can work with a vocal coach to adjust your pitch, tone, and resonance through specific exercises and techniques.

Mix voice meaning

Mix voice means combining the qualities of your chest and head voice to create a smooth, balanced sound across your range.

Mixed voice example

An example of mixed voice is when a singer smoothly transitions from a low, strong note to a higher, lighter note without any noticeable shift in quality or power.

Mix voices AI

"Mix voices AI" could refer to software or algorithms that help analyze or enhance singing voices by combining different vocal elements, though it’s not a common term.

Mix voice female

"Mix voice female" refers to women using the mixed voice technique, blending their chest and head voices to navigate their vocal range smoothly.

Mix voice singers

Mix voice singers are those who use a combination of chest and head voice, like Beyoncé or Freddie Mercury, to maintain a powerful yet flexible singing style.

Why is mixed voice so hard?

Mixed voice is challenging because it requires precise control of vocal muscles to blend two different registers without tension or breaks.

Mix voice app

A mix voice app would be a tool designed to help singers practice and develop their mixed voice through guided exercises and feedback.

How to know if you're singing in mixed voice

You know you're singing in mixed voice when your transitions between chest and head voice feel smooth and connected, without strain or sudden changes in tone.