VOCAL EXERCISES

Some singers complain that they find exercises boring and indeed exercises can be boring if the singer does not understand that they are necessary to build up a sound foundation. Without the foundation the song is at risk. It is probably fine on a good day, but with rock-solid technique all days are good days!

No matter how much ‘style’, or how many tricks he has up his sleeve (or in the recording studio); the plain truth is that there are no short cuts! Ultimately singing is all down to technique!

Singing Exercises & Scales  

• Stand with your shoulders relaxed, arms by your side.
• Breathe in slowly.
• Start with the Scales singing Ooh, Eee, Aa, Aah to each scale.
• Sing one note, holding the note for as long as you can without becoming short of breath.
• Do NOT suck in your stomach!
• Repeat the exercise with different notes using Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa
• Use different mouth shapes like "ooh", "ee", "a" and "aah" - Practice to OEAAH.
• Try singing up and down a scale (called Aroha and Avaroha).  Practice to each of the scales listed below.
• Record your efforts, notice the notes that do not sound right and concentrate on those until they do!
• Listen to the difference in your recordings over the next few weeks practice sessions to hear the improvement in your voice.

Some Harmonium Exercises:

1. SaReGa, ReGaMa, GaMaPa, MaPaDha, PaDhaNi, DhaNiSa, SaNiDha, NiDhaPa,  DhaPaMa,  PaMaGa, MaGaRe, GaReSa

2. SaReGaReSa, ReGaMaGaRe, GaMaPaMaGa, MaPaDhaPaMa, PaDhaNiDhaPa, DhaNiSaNiDha, NiSaReSaNi

NiSaReSaNi, DhaNiSaNiDha, PaDhaNiDhaPa, MaPaDhaPaMa, GaMaPaMaGa, ReGaMaGaRe, SaReGaReSa

Similarly, you can make up various combination of notes practise singing them in ascending as well as descending order. This will help to strengthen your ‘Sur’ and improve the voice flow.