A vocal warm-up is a series of exercises that prepare the voice for singing, acting, or other use.
Purpose Changing pitch undoubtedly stretches the muscles, and vocal warm-ups help the singer feel more prepared.
Physical whole-body warm-ups also help prepare a singer. Muscles all over the body are used when singing (the diaphragm being one of the most obvious). Stretches of the abdomen, back, neck, and shoulders are important to avoid stress, which influences the sound of the voice.
Some warm-ups also provide voice training. Sometimes called vocalises, these activities teach breath control, diction, blending, and balance.
Famous quotes containing the words vocal and/or warm:
“With sweet May dews my wings were wet,
And Phoebus fir’d my vocal rage;
He caught me in his silken net,
And shut me in his golden cage.
He loves to sit and hear me sing,
Then, laughing, sports and plays with me;
Then stretches out my golden wing,
And mocks my loss of liberty.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)
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—Charlotte Davis Kasl (20th century)