One of the most common struggles singers face is the desire to sing louder with confidence and power—but without that breathy or shaky sound. Maybe you’ve been listening to your favorite artists and wondering how they achieve that thick, solid tone, and you want to do the same. If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place!
Let's break it down and explore how you can increase your volume without overextending your voice.
The Real Issue Behind Vocal Volume
If your voice feels weak, breathy, or lacks projection, you might think you need more breath support. And while breath is necessary for singing (we can’t produce sound without airflow over the vocal folds), the key to powerful singing isn’t just about taking in more air.
When we talk about volume and power, especially in contemporary styles like pop, Broadway, rock, and jazz, we’re often referring to techniques like mixing and belting. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Mixing: When you can sing across your range without a noticeable break, creating one seamless, tension-free sound.
Belting: An amplification of your mix voice, often described as the strength of chest voice combined with the range of head voice.
Both of these require control, not force. The mistake most singers make? They take a huge breath and push, which actually leads to strain, tension, and instability in the sound.
Why More Air Isn’t the Answer
A simple way to understand this is through a vocal science experiment using a straw and water. If you blow bubbles into water and then slide your voice up and down in pitch, you’ll notice the bubbles get more intense as you go higher. But the real goal? Keeping the bubbles steady at all times, meaning you’re using just enough air—not too much.
Your vocal folds naturally adjust for different pitches and volumes. When we introduce too much air, they struggle to stay together, leading to breathiness and instability. The key to a strong, amplified sound is actually less airflow with more efficient vocal cord closure.
Practical Tips to Increase Your Vocal Volume
Here are some things you can start doing right away to sing louder with ease:
Inhale Through Your NoseInstead of taking a big gulp of air through your mouth, try inhaling through your nose before singing. This helps warm the air and prevents unnecessary tension.
Ditch the ‘Push’ MentalityMany singers think they need to push to get more sound, but this leads to tension in the neck, shoulders, and abdomen. Instead, aim for a feeling of ease when singing louder.
Use Natural, Primal SoundsThink about how you naturally call out to someone across the room. “Hey! Come here!” That’s a strong, resonant sound without overthinking breath control. Try sustaining that tone:
“Hey!” (Broadway style)
“Hey!” (Pop/R&B style with less vibrato)
Using natural calling sounds can help you access volume without tension.
Feel the ResonancePlace a hand on your chest while making a strong, projected “Hey!” You might feel vibrations in your chest. Smiling while singing can also shift resonance into your face and nasal passages, helping you amplify sound efficiently.
Train with Straw PhonationUsing a straw and water, practice maintaining consistent bubbles while sliding through different pitches. This helps you regulate airflow and build vocal efficiency.
Long-term Benefits of Vocal Awareness
Singing louder isn’t just about volume—it’s about longevity. Developing strong vocal habits ensures a long, vibrant career without strain or damage. When you focus on what singing feels like rather than just how it sounds, you build confidence in your technique, even when faced with unpredictable performance conditions.
Ready To Take Action?
Try these exercises and notice how your voice responds. Remember, powerful singing comes from efficiency, not effort. Give yourself patience as you explore these techniques, and most importantly—have fun with your voice!
Let me know how it goes in the comments or reach out if you have any questions. Happy singing!
🎶 If you want to REALLY want to see & hear results, check out our resonance and mixing modules inside the Passionate Performer Program membership. Join us HERE! 👉 Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and tell me what’s on your mind! You can always reach out on Instagram or comment below with your challenges that you want us to solve on the show.
See you in the next episode! ¡Hasta la proxima! Available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube
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