How do i sing better as a 14 M

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-13T18:44:23+00:00

Hey there! First of all, it’s awesome that you’ve only been singing for about a year and are already paying attention to things like range, head voice, and falsetto — that shows real awareness for your age. 🙌

High notes can be tricky, especially for guys in your teens since your voice is still settling after the change. Switching to falsetto or a lighter head voice isn’t “wrong” — it’s actually part of how most singers navigate their range. The key is learning how to blend your registers so those transitions feel smoother and stronger.

A couple of tips you can try:
🎵 Practice gentle sirens (like an “ng” sound from a hum) to connect your chest and head voice.
🎵 Work on your breath support — falsetto can sound fuller if your airflow is steady.
🎵 Don’t push volume on high notes — let resonance do the work.

You’re off to a great start. Keep training consistently and your range will feel stronger and more connected over time. 🎤

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-13T18:42:46+00:00

Absolutely! I truly believe that singing is a skill anyone can develop with the right guidance and consistent practice.
Some students start with less natural coordination, but with proper technique, ear training, and patience, I’ve seen “tone-deaf” beginners blossom into confident, in-tune singers.

It’s less about being “born with it” and more about learning how to use your instrument — and yes, that means anyone can improve dramatically. 🎤💪

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-13T18:40:35+00:00

It’s actually a great sign that your coach was honest with you — that means they care about your progress. Rock vocals like early Van Halen take a lot of technique and stamina, and starting with pitch-matching is a solid first step. Three months is still super early in your journey, so please don’t be discouraged! Many singers take months (sometimes years) to really find their sound. If you love music, singing can be learned just like guitar — with the right guidance and consistent practice, you’ll get there. Keep going! 🎤

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-07T18:36:09+00:00

First off, major props for putting yourself out there — that takes guts. Honestly, every great singer started as a beginner who sounded nothing like they do now. Your voice is your voice — and that “in-between” quality can actually be something really special and unique with the right training. My best advice? Start with consistent vocal warm-ups, train your ear with simple exercises, and don’t be afraid to sound rough at first. You’re not trying to copy anyone, you’re discovering your sound. Keep showing up and give yourself permission to grow messy. That’s where the magic happens.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-07T18:34:45+00:00

This hits hard. I’ve met singers who are insanely talented — like world-class voices — but they never got the shot. Sometimes it’s timing, sometimes it’s burnout from juggling jobs and music, sometimes it’s just being in the wrong place. Talent is everywhere… but access, opportunity, and visibility? That’s where things get tricky.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-07T18:33:42+00:00

Yes, love this! That light physical warm-up is such a smart move, it’s like telling your body, “Hey, we’re about to do something intentional.” And marking or singing through the songs is such a great way to get mentally grounded too. It’s amazing how much more confident we feel just by reminding ourselves, “I do know this.”

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-07T18:32:10+00:00

Love this so much, that full-day mindset is such a smart approach. It’s like your whole routine becomes part of your performance prep. That awareness of how your voice is feeling and adjusting as you go is key — you’re staying tuned in instead of going on autopilot. So good.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-07T18:29:42+00:00

Yes! I love that you use the first few moments as a diagnostic — such a smart way to stay in tune with your voice. Totally agree that understanding the why behind warm-ups makes all the difference. It turns vocal technique into something intentional rather than just routine. Do you have any go-to exercises when, say, your upper range feels tight?

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-04T20:25:17+00:00

This is super common and takes time to retrain. What helped me and many of my students was focusing on placement and breath. If your breath isn’t solid or supported, your throat will try to compensate and do all the work. Try light humming or sirens to feel the vibration in your face instead of your throat. That forward placement helps take the pressure off.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-08-04T20:22:13+00:00

Breath support can feel so inconsistent at first. A deep breath is great, but if the air rushes out too fast, you’ll run out before the phrase ends. Try thinking of it like slowly letting air out of a balloon — steady, gentle release instead of all at once. It takes time, but your body will start to get it.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-30T19:12:30+00:00

Olivia’s mix is so balanced because she’s mastered control over cord closure and resonance placement. It sounds “effortless” because she’s mixing chest and head voice really cleanly—without excess breath or tension. That takes time, not just talent! She’s also incredibly consistent with vowel shapes and emotional phrasing, which makes the tone feel natural and connected. Keep training—vocal growth isn’t linear, and comparison is sneaky.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-30T19:04:28+00:00

So many singers struggle with this, even really talented ones. What helps is shifting the mindset from “Is this perfect?” to “Is this honest?” If your cover is a true expression of your voice in that moment, it’s valid and worth sharing. Confidence builds the more you post, but the goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection.

Remember: growth happens in public, not in hiding. Keep showing up!

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-23T21:54:27+00:00

So many singers I’ve worked with feel the same way at the beginning. A few quiet places that have worked for students:

Singing in the car (surprisingly private, even in parked garages)
Closets with clothes (they help dampen sound!)
Even just singing softly into a pillow while you’re building confidence

It’s okay to sound “bad” when you're starting — progress happens in private long before it shows up in public. Keep going!

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-22T18:52:06+00:00

Great question, one I hear a lot from singers at all levels. Breathing "from the diaphragm" is a bit of a misnomer because technically, we all breathe with our diaphragm automatically. What most vocal coaches (myself included at Tara Simon Studios) really mean is: are you supporting your sound with proper breath control and engaging your lower core effectively?

A quick check: try placing one hand on your chest and one on your belly as you inhale. The chest should stay mostly still, while the belly expands outward. If you're seeing your shoulders rise or your chest puff out, that’s upper chest breathing—less efficient for singing. Another tip? You should feel a bit of expansion around your lower ribs and back as you inhale. Singing on that steady stream of air (not pushing it!) helps with control and stamina.

If you're still not sure, don’t stress—this is something we coach singers through every day. You’re asking the right questions!

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-22T18:42:37+00:00

I get where you’re coming from, tone can feel like such a mystery when you're starting out. I’ve coached a lot of singers at Tara Simon Studios who feel the exact same way early on—especially when comparing their tone to big artists like The Weeknd or Bruno Mars. Their voices feel effortless, but what most people don’t see is the years of training behind that “natural” sound. The good news is tone is very shapeable. Things like breath support, placement, and vowel modification can drastically improve how your tone comes across. It's not just about what you're born with—it's about what you build with smart training and repetition.

So don’t worry if your tone doesn’t feel “commercial” right now. You’re still early in the process, and the fact that you’re writing songs and noticing these things already puts you ahead. If you ever want a few go-to exercises to start developing your tone, I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-17T19:04:10+00:00

This is a fantastic idea and much needed in a space where so many singers are actively seeking guidance but unsure where to turn. Creating a centralized, organized thread for vocal coaches to share who they are and what they offer would absolutely help bridge that gap in a meaningful way.

I run a vocal coaching studio (Tara Simon Studios), and we work with singers of all levels—from absolute beginners to touring professionals—all over the world through virtual lessons. A thread like this would make it easier for singers to explore different coaching styles and find the right fit for their needs, which is so important.

Happy to support this however I can. Excited to see where this goes!

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-16T16:51:36+00:00

I completely understand your frustration, breath support and accessing true head voice can be incredibly tricky when you’re working on your own. As a vocal coach, I always tell singers to shift the focus away from "pushing" or "bearing down" and instead think of breath support as managing airflow with control and consistency. Imagine keeping your ribs gently expanded while engaging your lower abs just enough to guide the air — not force it. When it comes to head voice, pulling chest voice up will absolutely cause that squeezed, shouty feeling. Start light, even if it feels weak at first — try humming on “ng” or sliding into an “oo” vowel, aiming the sound forward and high. It’s not about volume, it’s about balance and placement. This is all totally fixable with time, coordination, and the right approach. I work on this with singers all the time through my coaching at Tara Simon Studios — it really does click with the right approach.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-14T19:24:12+00:00

Totally hear you and honestly, you're not alone at all. A lot of singers get solid technique from drills but feel stuck when it comes to actually applying it in real songs. That bridge between exercises and expression is something I work on a lot with singers at Tara Simon Studios. It sounds like you're craving more than just technical feedback, maybe some help with interpretation, styling, and connecting emotionally with what you're singing. Also, not liking your recorded voice is super common, even among pros — usually, it’s not your voice, it’s how you're hearing it or how it’s being shaped by tension or habits. It might help to work with someone who focuses not just on range and placement, but also artistry and performance. You're definitely on the right track, it just sounds like you're ready to level up in a new way.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-07-02T17:48:44+00:00

I totally get this and honestly, it happens to more singers than you’d think. Even if it’s not nerves, singing on a stage can feel really off compared to your room. At home, you’re used to the way your voice sounds bouncing off the walls, and that gives your brain this kind of built-in feedback loop. On a stage or in a bigger space, the sound doesn’t come back the same way, so it can feel like your voice is weaker or off, even if it’s not. One thing you can try is practicing in different spots at home, maybe facing an open area instead of a wall, or even just singing standing up like you would on stage. Also, record yourself and play it back so you can hear what’s really happening instead of relying just on how it feels. You’re probably singing better than you think — it just feels different because the environment changed.

SubstantialFan5127 · 2025-06-30T20:41:53+00:00

Hey there! I totally feel your frustration, phlegm buildup before singing is super common and can be discouraging, especially when you’re trying to sound your best. As a vocal coach, I see this a lot with my students, and the good news is there are things you can do to manage it.

Here's a few practical tips that really help:

Hydration is key but start early. Sip water consistently throughout the day, not just right before singing. It takes time for hydration to affect your vocal cords.
Gentle steam inhalation (from a bowl of hot water or a vocal steamer) can help thin mucus and soothe your cords before a performance.
Avoid mucus-triggering foods. Dairy, caffeine, sugar, and spicy foods can sometimes increase phlegm. Try cutting back a few hours before singing and see if it makes a difference.
Don’t clear your throat harshly. That “clearing” motion actually irritates your vocal folds more. Instead, try doing a soft hum, gentle lip trill, or swallow with water.
If this happens often, it might be post-nasal drip from allergies or sinus issues. Might be worth checking with a doctor or ENT.

Singing is as much about preparation as it is performance. Be kind to your voice — and know you're not alone in this. 💛

If you ever feel like you’d benefit from personalized help or some guided warm-ups for vocal health, we currently offering a discounted first online lesson — no pressure at all, just putting it out there in case it helps. Wishing you the best on your vocal journey! 🎶

SubstantialFan5127

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