If you’re reading this, you’re probably either someone who has never been able to sing high notes, or you’re someone who has never been able to sing high notes well.
I am here to tell you that you CAN sing high notes, and it’s actually something you can do right now.
The first thing to realize is that your range isn’t something you need to “grow”. It’s not as if practicing long enough or hard enough will give you more notes; singing is all about putting your voice in the right places so that you can find those notes, and then it’s about getting used to singing there so that it comes out easier and more clearly.
First things first, I’d like to prove to you that you already have those high notes, and then I’ll give you really simple exercises to help you find those high notes quickly and get you really used to singing them!
Proof that You Already Have the Ability to Sing High Notes
The special thing about singing is that it’s not this brand new skill that we’re brand new to. High notes are a technique we use in daily life, and I bet you’ve used them already today.
Have you ever:
Hummed a high note?
Felt your voice jump up a few octaves (aka, into high notes) when you were excited by something? (ex. Someone surprises you with a gift, and you go, “Oh my god!” in a higher voice)
Or, have you been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to by a parent or a teacher, and your voice raises in a lie? “What…? No…”
Mocked someone, like a little kid or a cartoon character?
Imitated a baby crying?
Screamed when startled?
These are just a few examples of when you utilize your high notes on a daily basis.
Pick one of these (or an instance like this), and really focus on your voice. (This is really easy with humming, but you can use any of these - though I suggest not using screaming, since it can often lead to straining and really fatiguing your voice if you are not a trained singer who has learned how to scream properly!)
Pick one, such as humming, and try to feel where your voice is. Where is it going?
You should feel it move toward the back of your mouth, and then up.
Most people have trouble singing high notes because they believe their voice starts as if on their tongue, and then goes straight up through the roof of their mouth. But your voice doesn’t move that way!
Hum (softly) from your lowest note to as high as you can go. Try this a few times, and if you get tripped up, you’re trying to be too loud or forceful. Keep it soft and quiet!
Feel that your voice starts to move backward as it goes up.
That is the secret!
Your high notes move backwards.
Notice that your voice and your body already knows how to sing higher.
If you can hum it, you can sing it.
The only difference is that you are opening your mouth.
Why Can I Hum High Notes, but I Can’t Sing Them?
Because - humming is a very specific mouth shape.
Hum again and focus on this - when you hum, your mouth is pretty closed (aka, your teeth are nearly together and your tongue is close to the roof of your mouth.) You barely have any space in your mouth for the air to circulate.
So, your air finds the only place it can circulate.
Which… is under your soft palate (which is what raises when you yawn, in the upper back of your mouth).
This is where you high notes live!
High notes do not exist outside of this area of your mouth.
Most people try to sing high notes where we sing low notes (which is under the roof of your mouth, close to your teeth). If you try to sing high notes here, they’ll never come out; they don’t work here.
That’s why we’re able to sing high notes when we hum; humming closes off that low note (chest voice) place of your mouth, so that your voice only goes under your soft palate, and allows you to sing high notes.
But since we’re so used to trying to sing where our low notes are (aka, where we speak in talking voice), it’s a hard habit to break. But absolutely not impossible!
Remember: all those times your voice raises, such as when you’re excited, or even when you’re angry, your voice naturally knows how to sing here.
To show yourself that, try doing that and then holding a note there as if singing.
Look at you! Singing high notes!
See?
You have high notes already.
It’s just a matter of using that placement while you’re singing.
And since that can be hard due to how much you are used to it, I have exercises that can help!
High Notes Exercises
If you haven’t already learned about the 3 vocal registers/placements, Head Voice, Mixed Voice and Chest Voice, I suggest checking out that post here!
I also made a video comparing the different voices, if you were interested in hearing what they sound like separately!
But to be really brief, Head Voice is your softest and highest notes.
The best Head Voice exercises are in this video:
We have the Lullaby Trick: pretend you’re singing a very soft lullaby. It’s also really similar to how humming feels!
For Head Voice, we also have the “Cute Puppy” Voice: pretend you’re talking to a cute puppy or baby or something, and then sing like that.
If you are new to high notes, I strongly suggest learning to sing high notes in a very soft, quiet Head Voice before you try Mixed Voice or Belting/High Chest Voice.
Next, we have Mixed Voice!
Mixed Voice is your mid-range, and a lot of your high notes, too. It’s also a bit more powerful than Head Voice, but it’s not as powerful as belting. Mixed Voice is really essential for smoothing out your vocal range and preventing any breaks.
Both the Mixed Voice and the Belting exercises are special because they have you shape your mouth in a way that prevents your voice from going into the wrong placements while you use them. It will get your muscle habits changing in no time!
The best Mixed Voice exercise is the “Nay” exercise, and I have a video on that here!
Once you’ve got Head Voice and Mixed Voice down, now you’re ready to learn how to BELT!
Belting is also known as High Chest Voice, which is the most powerful singing your voice is capable of. Though please remember: all singing is relaxed, EVEN belting! If you are pushing or straining at all, please stop! When your voice is in the right placement, it will have all the volume and power you need.
The Chest Voice/Belting exercise that taught me how to belt is the “Nyah” exercise! Here is a video on that!
Conclusion
You already know how to sing high notes, and I hope that you are even more encouraged now that you see that you already have them within you!
This article was on how to sing in placements for high notes, but please remember that there are still two other factors for singing high notes:
Please take a look at those as well if you haven’t already, because for singing high notes, you will also need good breath support, and also a good mouth shape.
Feel free to learn these three things (Singing Vowels, Breathing and Vocal Placement) in any order, but just make sure to learn all 3!)
For an overview on the everything you need to know about singing and vocal placement, here’s a video!
Believe in yourself, make sure you relax, and have fun singing those high notes!
Let me know if you have any questions at all, and if you need any help I’d be honored to help you through online lessons!
Happy Singing!
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