How to Sing High Notes

Hitting high notes can be a nerve racking prospect for a singer developing range. While some voices just aren't meant to hit those high notes, you can expand your range through hard work and proper technique. With a little practice and by applying some tried and true methods, most singers will do just fine.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Warm up your vocal cords for at least 10 minutes with scales and other vocal exercises. Each time you practice, expand your range by one note if you can.

2. Let out a loud shout, like you would use if you were stopping a child from running across a busy street. Now shout again, but this time hold the tone, extending it into a note.

3. Start singing by taking deep breaths using your whole chest. Don't push from the throat, which can damage your vocal cords and doesn't sound very pretty. High notes require more breath pressure to achieve and sustain the desirable sound. If a vibrato comes into play, consider that a bonus that will help you sustain the note.

4. Hear the high note played on the piano or on a recording, then try to replicate it.

5. Understand a little about the mechanics of singing. As you go up the scale, you will use your chest, head and pharynx to adjust the sound. You will raise the soft palate in the back of your throat to reach the high notes, but it's not something singers generally think about.

6. Use psychology to combat fear of the high note. Visualize yourself standing on a ladder and looking down at the note, or picture yourself riding up an elevator and each note is a "floor." For high notes, you might have to shoot that elevator through the roof.

7. Spend time with a vocal teacher who can help you expand your range to the upper register. She can help you reach your potential with exercises and songs that you can master and improve your range.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice at different times of the day. The morning may actually be the worst time to practice your vocal music. Instead, try practicing in the evening, after you've warmed up your voice simply by talking all day.
• Distract yourself by doing something else while singing, like driving, reading or playing a sport.
• Lay down on the floor and sing, even if you feel silly. The purpose of this exercise is to help you feel the abdominal support you need for singing. You can also practice this exercise by standing with your back to a wall.
• Pay attention to what you drink before voice lessons or a performance. Cold beverages can tighten up your vocal cords, causing cracking of the voice. Drink only room-temperature beverages no more than half an hour before a performance.
• Don't attempt any high notes until you're warmed up or you may hurt your vocal cords.
• If you have a performance to give and you just haven't mastered a high note in a song, it's better to ask the accompanist to change the key for you or choose some alternate than to screech your way through the bad spots.

Resources

• The Home Recording website includes discussion of high notes.
• This Expert Village video gives singing tips from a pro.
• Learn about vocal mechanics at the Vocalist website.