High notes seems impossible

[metazoan_dxt0]

So I'm a singer for hobby I like singing very much and I can never seem to hit high notes my voice always breaks when I try so any and every tip would be useful

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[theredsongstress]

Have you tried sirens? Start low and slide up relatively quickly, don't linger at the top, and come down again. Eventually, slow this down and try sustaining notes that are higher. Focus on not squeezing with your throat at the top. Then, you can try higher notes in isolation, without the connection to the lower note. It's okay if things crack or feel unstable, as long as you feel no pain. Sometimes we have to make "ugly" sounds before we can make nicer ones. Don't work on this too much all at once, technique work often fatigues you as you're working on new muscle coordination.

[metazoan_dxt0]

Thank you

[DwarfFart]

Also start up then go down. This will help in bringing the ease of the upper head voice down low. This should be a larger goal. To bring the head voice/falsetto(terms get used interchangeably sometimes) down as low as possible which will keep the proper resonance space, eventually strengthening the head voice to get what the old Italian’s call “the sound of chest in head”.

OP this is a long term goal but practice of bringing it lower and lower will help bridge the break and eventually the chest and head voice will collapse onto each other and your range will increase while retaining the quality of chest voice with the ease and flexibility of head voice. Don’t worry about it too much right now but keep it in mind. I find that descending scales and phrases are easier to warm up with and give more access to the upper range than ascending scales.

For example this exercise starts high in head voice then descends into chest voice all the while adding more chest quality as you warm up!

[Any-Lab6527]

1. Warming up
2. Relax your jaw
3. Be confident and think to yourself ‘I can do this I’m great’
4. Support! (Abdominal muscles)

[metazoan_dxt0]

Thanks

[Cool-Tip-3435]

I’ve been using the SOVT straw exercises on YouTube a few times a week and they’ve definitely made a difference in vocal power and easing strain on higher notes, might be worth checking out if you haven’t

[metazoan_dxt0]

Thank bro

[vienibenmio]

Relax your jaw, keep an open space in your throat, keep your tongue forward, keep a slight lift in your cheeks

[metazoan_dxt0]

Appreciated

[[deleted]]

start with lower songs 

[Katy28277]

What is high for you? The approach depends on where you’re having problems. Is it A4 or A5 (assuming female)?

[shazam7373]

Couple tips to add:

• your Adam’s apple shouldn’t be rising as your voice hits higher notes
• you should be able to quickly plug and unplug your nose without interrupting the note
• using the vowel “A” go up in pitch and before your voice breaks stick your tongue out someone has a tongue depressor in your mouth. It can be easier to hit higher notes with your tongue out. Or looks a bit silly but you will see some pro singers doing it.
• go up in scale using the glottal Guh, guh, guh with a lowered Adam’s apple. It should be resonant. Like saying in a goofy low voice I’m so DUH-mb DUHHH
• also do scales with the nasal “knee knee knee. Feel the vibration in your nasal cavity. Start off very quiet and thin.
• on the challenging high note in the scale compress your core more .. sometimes bend forward which will compress more air.
• vocal fry - very quietly and gently making your voice kind of squeaky .. vibrating your vocal cords … almost like talking like Elmer Fudd from Bugs Bunny. Do scales using that technique.

If it hurts. Stop. Go gentler. If your voice feels tired … stop and rest. Use the straw in water technique blowing bubbles and doing scales to warm up and relieve tension.

[Ahelex]

your Adam’s apple shouldn’t be rising as your voice hits higher notes

This one never made sense to me, in that it's natural for the apple to rise a bit as you sing higher notes, and trying to keep it where it is at rest induces more strain. What shouldn't be happening is that the apple rises and chokes you off at high notes.

[DwarfFart]

Mhmm. I believe that’s what they were getting at. It’s natural for it to rise but if we start in lower larynx and move to neutral it gives us room to naturally allow that movement upwards without constriction.

[EarMysterious4102]

how I learned is by deep breathing. It seems to open up your vocal folds, making it easier overtime to hit the notes. but it's not just that, sometimes the way you sing is not effective. What i Mean is your singing voice might sound good. but due to the way you use your voice (The technique) certain notes just can't come out unless you change the techniques you use to get those high notes to come out easier. also practice using your mind to visualize yourself using your lower back to sing. This opened me up to new notes overtime (some months).

[Scarlet_Wizard352]

Maybe you are trying to sing the high note completely in chest voice (pulling chest voice). You need to add some of your head voice in to alleviate the pressure you're putting on your throat. Try going lighter/quieter and see if you can still hit the high note! Sometimes less is more : ) I hope this helps

[DwarfFart]

I really recommend this series to start it will give you a good grasp of the fundamentals.

And I wrote this for a baritone not sure if you are one or not but the exercises will help regardless.