If you’re just starting your singing journey, welcome! I know how exciting (and sometimes confusing) it can be when you want to improve your voice but don’t know where to start. The good news is, vocal exercises don’t need to be complicated or scary. You just need to show up every day and do a few simple things, and you’ll slowly but surely start to feel more confident and in control of your voice.

Here are a few basic vocal exercises that helped me (and many others) in the beginning. You can easily do them at home—no fancy equipment needed.

1. Breathe Like a Singer

It sounds basic, but most of us don’t breathe properly when we sing. Learning to breathe from your diaphragm (and not your chest) gives your voice power and control.

Try this: Sit or stand up straight. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take a deep breath in through your nose and let your belly rise (not your chest). Then slowly exhale through your mouth. Do this for 5 minutes daily and notice the difference in your singing.

2. Lip Trills (a.k.a. The Horse Sound)

I know this one sounds funny, but trust me—it works. Lip trills are amazing for warming up your voice without straining it.

How to do it: Blow air through your lips while keeping them relaxed, like you're going “brrrrrr.” Once you're comfortable with the sound, try sliding your voice up and down in pitch while doing it. You’ll feel your voice loosening up in no time.

3. Humming

Humming is super chill and great for warming up gently. It also helps with tone and resonance.

Do this: Pick a simple tune or a scale and hum it with your lips closed. You should feel a slight buzz in your nose or face, that’s a good sign you’re resonating well.

4. Sirens

Yep, just like a police siren! This exercise helps you stretch your vocal range without pushing.

Here’s how: Make an “oo” or “ee” sound and gently slide from your lowest note to your highest and back down. Try to keep the sound smooth, with no breaks. It's like giving your voice a nice stretch.

5. Scales with Vowels

Once you're a bit warmed up, try singing 5-note scales using vowel sounds like “ah,” “ee,” or “oo.”

Start in a comfortable range and don’t force your voice. This helps improve clarity and pitch control over time. Go slow, be patient!

A Few More Tips

  • Always warm up before singing—your vocal cords will thank you.
  • Stay hydrated. Sip water often.
  • If something feels painful or uncomfortable, stop.
  • Short, regular practice is better than long tiring sessions.

Wrapping Up

These exercises might feel small, but they make a big difference if you do them consistently. Think of them as daily workouts for your voice. Keep it light, have fun with it, and don’t stress about being perfect, everyone starts somewhere.

Happy singing!

Vishal Agarwal
Western Vocal Trainer