Working on scales is an important part of learning how to control your voice. Many singers have told me that they do not believe in singing scales as a warm up to a rehearsal session or even before a performance.
Often, it is with a bit of embarrassment that a singer will admit - "I never thought that doing scales was important for me. I just sing and warm up as I go. Vocal warm ups and exercises - that's really more for classical singers, isn't it?"
No, that is not true. Vocal exercises are for everyone.
If you want to keep your voice in good shape, extend your range, learn how to manage your breath better, find more colors in your voice, have easier access to a variety of emotions or center yourself before a rehearsal... find some scales that you like to sing and work on them daily.
What is a Singing Scale?
Scales are a series of notes that go up or down in pitch and have a distinctive, regular pattern to them. If you sing Mary Had A Little Lamb using just those first four words and you repeat them at different pitch levels (going higher and going lower), you will have an elementary type of singing scale. Mind you, most scales are not so melodious.
What scales should You sing?
Perhaps the easiest way to discover scales that work for your particular voice is to take a few lessons with a teacher who likes to work with singers like you. That is, find a respected teacher who knows and enjoys the music you sing and ask her/him to give you some appropriate scales for your voice and your current singing ability.
It is of no value for you to be singing scales that are beyond your means at this point. Having said that, Helene Goldnadel believes that even the simplest of scales can be a benefit to the most advanced singers.
Scales for Everyone - and Scales for Certain Problems
Some scale patterns work for all of my students because they exercise the whole voice in ways that everyone needs, no matter their ability, age or song style. But there are also many scales that can help a singer with specific problems - such as singing high notes or finding a vibrato or learning how to keeping his/her breath steady.
Daily Vocal Exercises Have a Hidden Benefit
Overall, singing scales is an important part of learning about your voice, developing your voice and keeping your voice in good shape. But there is another less obvious benefit to these exercises.
Helene Goldnadel a music teacher believes that when you sing them daily, you are learning how to maintain a precise and somewhat mysterious physical and mental co-ordination that creates an inner balance, that can keep you on stage and performing even when you are not in good health or when other singing conditions are not optimal.
