How to Get Rid of Voice Cracks: 3 Simple Exercises

Did you know that most voice cracks aren’t a “talent problem” at all, but simply a result of muscle habits?
If you’ve been struggling with voice cracks in your favorite songs, the good news is—they can be fixed with the right approach.

In this post, I’ll show you three simple exercises you can start using today to smooth out those breaks and sing with more confidence.

Why Do Voice Cracks Happen?

Voice cracks usually happen during transitions between registers—like when you move from chest voice to head voice.
Every time your voice shifts into a new register, your muscles have to reorganize to adjust the airflow and vocal fold closure.

When the air pressure isn’t evenly managed, your voice can suddenly “flip” or “break.” To fix this, we need to train your body to balance that pressure more smoothly.

Exercise 1: The Magic Straw

You’ve probably heard of straw singing, and for good reason—it works wonders for balancing air pressure.

How to do it:

1. Start with a thick straw (thin ones are harder in the beginning).

2. Make an “oo” shape with your lips and sing through the straw.

   • The sound should be clean and not airy.

   • If you place a finger over the straw, the sound should stop completely (otherwise, you’re nasalizing).

3. Practice sliding up and down (glissandos) instead of hitting notes directly. This helps smooth out pressure shifts.

4. Notice how your teeth naturally open as you go higher. Don’t force it—just allow the space to open while keeping your lips engaged.

Once that feels easy, take the part of a song where you usually crack (for example, “Hands in my hands” from The Greatest Showman soundtrack). Sing it through the straw with slides, then gradually add vowels, and finally the full lyrics.

Exercise 2: Humming with Space

Humming can be a powerful way to regulate pressure—but only when done correctly.

Avoid:

• Humming with clenched teeth.

Instead:

• Keep the corners of your lips engaged.

• Allow your teeth to open slightly as you move higher.

Try glissandos on a hum. A good test: if you open your mouth mid-hum, you should smoothly shift into an “ah” sound without losing resonance.

Once you’ve got the technique, apply it to the part of the song where your voice usually cracks. First with slides, then with vowels, then with full lyrics.

Exercise 3: The “Oo” Vowel

“Oo” is the best vowel for connecting registers smoothly.

How to do it:

1. Project the corners of your lips forward (not the center).

2. Keep the top lip soft—don’t squeeze.

3. Allow space between your teeth (about a finger’s width).

4. Sing glissandos on “oo,” noticing how the teeth gently open as you rise.

Then apply it to your song:

• First on “oo,”

• Then with vowels,

• Then with full lyrics.

If your high note is preceded by an “m” (like in “my hands”), use that hum resonance as a springboard into the vowel—it helps stabilize the transition.

Final Thoughts

Voice cracks aren’t something to be ashamed of. They’re simply a signal that your voice needs a little coordination training. By practicing these three exercises—the Magic Straw, Humming with Space, and the Functional “Oo”—you’ll build smooth register transitions and feel more confident in your singing.

If you’d like a structured path, I also offer a 10-week one-on-one coaching program that goes far beyond quick tips. It gives you the solid fundamentals you need to sing contemporary music freely and healthily, saving you months of trial and error, and focused on YOUR specific voice goals.