Neighbours proof singing exercises

Hi!

I had a question about my daily exercises. I live in a appartment where my neighbours can hear the slightest sounds. Luckily I have really nice neighbours, but I don't feel comfortable that they can hear me practice every single day. This really impacts me in my singing, beacause I can't practice my exercises without feeling straint. Unfortunatly I don't have an other place where I can practice, and I'm too shy and uncomfortable singing outside my house (also don't have a car).  :(

I saw on google that you can cover your mounth with your hands or a pillow, so it doesn't sound as loud. Does this make your exercises less effective?

Do you have any other tips? E.g. exercises without sound/ something that makes the sound less loud.

Or is it also okay doing the exercises in a whispering voice?

I am really motivated to do all the exercises and this is the only thing that is holding me back. Tips would be really helpfull and appreciated!

Hi, Nazli!

Good (and quiet) singing exercises include anything in which the vocal tract is partially closed. We call these semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, and they include singing through a straw, lip trills, MM, NN, NG, and more. Here's a great explainer: https://www.voicescienceworks.org/sovt-exercises.html. 

I've seen this product advertised - cannot vouch for it because I haven't tried it, and if you do, I'd recommend you take the mask away from your face every time you breathe (so you don't have to breathe through your nose exclusively): https://www.amazon.com/BELTBOX-Dampener-Singers-Performers-Portable/dp/B01FRK4MLA.

I'd also recommend you sing along with a karaoke track, or even with the original song! That way, your voice will blend into the music and be less noticeable to your neighbors. 

Please do NOT use a whispering voice for your vocal exercises! Airy singing trains your vocal folds to not come together properly; it's extremely limiting and is also known to cause vocal nodules (nodes) over time. 

Best of luck!

Hi Camille,

Thank you for your response! Also for the clear information, this also helpes me understand it a lot more :). 

I will of course intend to do more singing exercises. But will the sovt-exercises alone improve my voice if I do these daily, along with singing along or karaoke?