Music essentials for singers Table of contents 1.Vocals and vocal warmups 2.Vocal range,vocal register and vocal fach 3. Melody, Harmony and Rhythm 4. Harmonization 5. Singers Ethics 6. Singers Diet …………………… …………………… CHAPTER 1: Vocals and vocal warmups One of the characteristics of a great or professional singer is good vocals. Vocal warmup is very essential for singers. Although, a lot of persons do not see the need to warmup their voices before singing while some interested ones do it wrongly. Why you need to warmup when you warmup your voice it prepares the vocal cord and it also awakens the vocal muscles in your throat. Vocal warmup is one of the factor that prepares you for singing. It helps one avoid cracked and rusty voice and also it helps to balance and even increase one's vocal range. Elements of warmup .Physical exercise This may just involve jugging and other workout processes. You must understand that fitness also enhances good vocals. This physical exercise maybe for 7-8minutes daily. .Breathing This plays a vital role when it comes to modulation and sustaining while singing. In some singing competitions, most singers qualify just because they were able to sustain their voice for a period of time and this is possible when breathing techniques are practiced rightly. This breathing techniques brings us to the core of warmup. This is the IHE formula. INHALE-HOLD-EXHALE. Note, when inhaling, keep the top of your body at rest position and make sure as you inhale your stomach/ diaphragm rises not you chest or any other part of your body. After inhaling you hold it for about 6-10 seconds and then you exhale with you stomach/ diaphragm relaxing inward. When this breathing technique is practiced rightly it enables singers achieve singing for a long period of time. .Vocalizing:Lip trills/ Tongue trills Lip trill is a good way to relax your facial muscles to avoid pains on the muscles when singing. It is essential for singers who sing for a long period of time. The lip trill is very easy. All you need to do is vibrate your lips as if you were blowing bubbles under water. Note that your lips should be producing the sound and not your voice. .Vocalizing vowels and consonants Neglecting the vowel and consonants practice might lead to a vain warmup. Every singer must work on this to improve their diction while singing. Also, apart from Vocalizing just the vowels and consonants singers should also learn how some words are pronounced. Vocal skills In a singing competition, singers are rated according to the quality of their vocal skills. This skills include diction, breathe, voice, pitch and rhythm. Vocal techniques . Perfect your singing posture (stand tall or sit upright while singing) .Find your volume (range) . Always warmup before you sing .Sing from your diaphragm .Be mindful of your jaw and lips .Learn how to speak-sing . Stretch your vocal folds by tilting the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple). This is the thyroid tilt technique .Cool down your voice regularly .Maintain your vibrato and passagio NOTE: Warmup daily for at least 20-30minutes before singing.