Why is it important to learn vocal technique for singers?

Are you a singer and you wonder why is it important to learn vocal technique? I get it, it is not the most exciting part of becoming a singer. But it can make a huge difference in all areas of your singing performance!

Whenever people start learning an instrument, they know they have to dedicate some practice time to their technical exercises and not only to play songs on their instrument.

But with singing, it seems like there is a lot more resistance to practice the vocal technique exercises that they need to develop their instrument.

I have been asked many times things like “what does vocal technique have to do with singing, anyway”?

For so many people, vocal technique and singing songs are two separate, disconnected activities.

It is not only about singing scales. Developing your instrument not only allows you to sing those beautiful songs you want to sing. It also allows you to do it safely so you can keep your voice healthy and strong, and it also allows you to actually express yourself rather than reacting or repressing your emotions.

Why is it important to learn vocal technique? Breaking bad habits

One of the many differences between singing and other instruments is that you can’t just buy a nice and healthy voice. You have to develop and build your instrument, and this requires you to break old habits.

What do I mean by this?

Throughout our life, we build some habits that shape our posture and our breathing patterns. This happens a lot for the emotions that we experience and that we don’t let go safely, but also for other circumstances such as the activities we practice, the amount of time we stay sitting down, the particular chairs we use, etc.

Not only that but also the way we carry ourselves to fit what society wants from us, this has a big impact too. I have had so many students that are constantly pulling their abs in to appear more skinny! That becomes a habit and suddenly you just don’t even notice you are doing it.

Not to mention all the times we are told to “shut up” when we are kids!! What do you think happens to our voice system when we instruct our voice to not be there?

All these habits that you build have a great impact on your voice. Generally not a good one.

That is when vocal technique kicks in

If you sing from this instrument that you built unconsciously, do you think you will sing beautifully, flawlessly, and safely? No way! If you are lucky you might have a voice tone that society perceives as beautiful, and you might sing in tune too, but that’s it.

You need to learn to play your instrument safely if you want to truly develop your voice and express it. Are you still wondering why is it important to learn vocal technique?

If you sing from an unprepared instrument, all you can do is to make your bad habits even stronger. That is not a good thing. That is why you get sore after one or two songs, and that is why you feel that your “high notes” are hard to reach.

When you study vocal technique with a teacher that knows what they are doing, you are in good hands. They will teach you to build new good habits that will allow your natural voice to re appear confidently.

I get it though! A lot of singers just feel that they are wasting time practicing exercises. But let me assure you that it is exactly the opposite.

Training your vocal technique will save you lots of time in the long run. You will not only achieve your goals more quickly, but you will also avoid voice injuries that can delay your process for not only months but years. Also vocal technique allows you to keep your voice healthy and strong, but if you use a poor technique you will notice that you start losing your vocal range sooner than later.

Vocal technique is BEING KIND to your voice. It is taking care of your instrument. Have you ever seen a guitar player leaving their beloved guitar in the rain with no cover? You want to take care of your voice. You have only one!

Another super important reason why vocal technique is important for singers

Vocal technique has another awesomely important reason to be, apart from keeping your voice healthy and allowing you to develop it safely.

And it is that vocal technique that allows you to actually EXPRESS it. Just because you are shouting doesn’t mean that you are expressing anything yourself freely. 

With emotions you can either block them, expressing or reacting to them. If you sing without technique, many chances are that you are blocking or reacting to emotions rather than actually feeling them. Which causes further damage to your expression center (the throat)! 

Feeling your emotions takes courage. Let alone expressing them! But we are meant to do it. We have the right to do it for our own health and happiness!  

Learning to express your emotions gives you freedom. It allows you to let go of what no longer serves you. It allows you to sing from your heart, to be vulnerable, to be yourself. To understand and to be emphatic. To truly connect. But also to grow as a person and as an artist.