Warming up is not optional for vocal health. This clock-driven routine uses the Metronome for steady timing and optionally the Tone Generator for one reference pitch on your scale. Do not rush—stay in your comfortable range until the last few minutes.
SingMeter tools for this lesson
Step-by-step practice
- 1
Breath and posture (metronome off)
2 minStand or sit tall. Inhale for 4 counts, exhale on “ssss” for 8 counts—repeat 4 times. Roll shoulders back. Release jaw tension by massaging lightly at the corners of the mouth.
- 2
Lip trills at 72 BPM
4 minSet Metronome to 72 BPM, 4/4. Lip trill one pitch per beat for 16 beats in your middle range. Slide up 2 beats, down 2 beats—repeat for 4 cycles. Stop if you feel dizzy.
Open Metronome → - 3
Humming fifths
4 minSame tempo. Hum a comfortable note for 4 beats, jump to a fifth above for 4 beats, return for 4 beats, rest 4 beats. Repeat on “mm” with closed lips—keep volume moderate. If the fifth is hard, use a fourth instead.
Open Metronome → - 4
Five-note scale (optional tone on Do)
4 minChoose Do in your comfortable range (e.g. C4). Play it once on Tone Generator (sine, low volume). Sing Do–Re–Mi–Fa–Sol–Fa–Mi–Re–Do on “La” or “Mi,” one syllable per beat at 72 BPM. Only the first note uses the generator; the rest is from memory.
Open Tone Generator → - 5
Optional pitch check
1 minHold Do for 4 beats on Pitch Detector. Green zone for 3 seconds means you are ready for harder work. If not, repeat lip trills 1 minute—never force high notes cold.
Open Pitch Detector →
Self-check before you finish
- ✓My voice feels warmer and more flexible than at the start—not tired or hoarse.
- ✓I stayed mostly in my comfortable middle range before any high notes.
- ✓I can repeat this routine tomorrow using the same BPM settings.
Why this routine works
Gradual warm-ups increase blood flow and coordination before harder singing. The metronome keeps tempo honest so you do not rush slides or scales.
Common mistakes
- !Starting with loud high notes before gentle humming.
- !Rushing the metronome tempo to “finish faster.”
- !Treating warm-up as optional on days you only sing one song.
When to stop
End early if hoarseness appears during sirens or if you are recovering from illness—switch to the vocal health recovery tutorial.
Go deeper (blog)
These articles explain the "why" behind today's exercises—they are optional reading, not a repeat of this lesson.
Next tutorial