How To Sing Higher Notes Without Strain
I’m going to give you one of the greatest tips that I know about singing higher notes. Now, don’t hear me wrong, though, extending your range takes time and discipline. However, this will move you down that road a little more quickly.
The best way to extend your range is incrementally through vocal scales. You don’t want to push your voice too hard. This will just add strain and set you further back, and, over time, belting can cause permanent damage to your voice.
So, let’s start with a scale, and then I’ll give you that tip, actually two great tips that work together. Take a simple five-tone scale like 1-3-5-3-1 or 1-2-3-2-1. Start this in the middle of your range and incrementally increase the first note. But, instead of singing the scale with a vowel sound, do it with a lip or tongue trill (a lip trill is like mimicking the sound of a motorboat, and a tongue trill is like repeatedly rolling your R’s, with your tongue batting against the roof of your mouth). And under the trill there should be a low, dopey “uh” sound. This will keep your larynx down (I’m giving away all my secrets!).
Okay, here is the biggie, though. Once you get to your higher range, where you feel the tension and are having a difficult time hitting the note, try bending down at the waist on the high note. You will be able to hit higher notes and with less tension, since the trill takes the tension off of the vocal cords.
Thanks for reading!
Aaron
Tags: how to hit high notes without strain, how to hit higher notes, how to sing better, how to sing higher, singing higher notes


Leave A Reply (45 comments so far)
Bob Fisk
506 days ago
Hi Aaron, It seems wierd at first. It does work though. Another step in the right direction. I didn’t decide to sing until I was almost 50. Lets say that my voice isn’t used up yet. thanks Bob
Aaron Anastasi
505 days ago
Bob,
It’s people like you that are an inspiration to many!
Keep up the good work, and thanks for the comment!
Aaron
Pete Tointon
502 days ago
hi, im only 15 and i really want to be in a boy band of some description. but my voice was shockingly bad! anyway, this tip is really good! thanks
Aaron Anastasi
500 days ago
Pete,
Thanks for the comment.
If you want to be in a boy band, I would concentrate on your dancing as well.
But if you want to really improve you singing voice too, my course, Superior Singing Method, can certainly help you get there.
You can find it here: http://www.howtosing.com/superior-singing-method/
Best of luck to you, Pete!
Aaron
Martins
485 days ago
Hi Aaron, i have passion for singing and this your site have really giving me some tips in my blog http://lyrics-and-how-to-sing.blogspot.com
thanks man, for keeping me updated at least to be able to create some free ebooks to give away
Aaron Anastasi
483 days ago
Martins,
Glad to hear it!
Aaron
Cheyenne Leo
466 days ago
hey, I am 20 and Ilove to sing but I have severe asthma. I have never had singing lessons so never knew how to breathe properly or practice! now I am practicing and practicing my breathing and will begin practicing this one tomorrow ^^ thanx for the advice
Aaron Anastasi
463 days ago
Cheyenne,
I’m so glad! Keep up the good work.
While I’m no expert on asthma, I’m sure that the breathing exercises will do wonders to help you sing better, with less breathlessness.
Best of luck to you!
Aaron
Hadrian Dimaano
428 days ago
same problem,,, could you paraphrase it for me,, hehehe
Aaron Anastasi
427 days ago
What specific thing were you having trouble with?
Aaron
Hannah
416 days ago
I do not understand what you mean by bending down at the waist… help!
Aaron Anastasi
415 days ago
Hannah,
Haha! Yeah, it can be confusing when there isn’t a visual, which is why videos are so much more effective than writing sometimes, which is why my entire course that I developed, called Superior Singing Method, is video.
Bending down at the waist literally just means to bend over, as if to tie your shoes but without bending your knees. That falling motion helps your brain be distracted enough not to think about hit the higher notes. And as simple as it is, it really works!
Best of luck to you!
Here is a link to my 8-week video lesson course, if you’re interested in taking that. It’s a full systematic, step-by-step lesson program covering all that you need to know about singing, guaranteeing major improvement in just 8 weeks! Here you go: http://www.howtosing.com/superior-singing-method/
Aaron
Anna
345 days ago
You don’t know how long I’ve been looking for help with higher notes. And I’m only 12! It’s late at night right now but when I get the chance I will try. My only concern is that I’m gonna get confused halfway through and get frustrated. I’ll update this later but yeah. THANK YOU SOO MUCH
Aaron Anastasi
345 days ago
Anna,
You’re welcome!
I’ve also got a bunch more videos up on my YouTube channel (howtosingdotcom), and also have a step by step 8-week, intensive program that you can find out more about here: http://www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
Good luck to you!!
Aaron
Aaron
April
335 days ago
Hi, Aaron I seen some of your videos and it helped me alot. I decided I was going to work on the Diaphram first because that seems most important and then Im going to continue on working from there. Thanks for helping me. I will continue looking at your videos on youtube if I need anymore guidance.
Aaron Anastasi
335 days ago
April McAuliffe
335 days ago
Hi, Aaron I seen some of your videos on youtube and I thought they worked a lot. My problem is I have the low pitch down but not the high pitch. It gets really scratchy and uncomfortable when I sing. Thats pretty much the only reason why I wont sing in front of others, because Im afraid it will be embarrassing for me. Anyway, Im glad I saw your videos. I decided to work on the Diaphram first than work on everything else afterwards. Im 16 and I know beining a singer is sort of a high dream because a lot of people are wanting it but Ive wanted it forever and Im just starting to do something about it. So thanks!
Aaron Anastasi
335 days ago
Welcome!
Have you had a chance to check this out: http://www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
Angelo
321 days ago
hi Aaron, i am 13 years old and i am in the tenor range, i want my voice to be highnotes without straining, i am also a Tenor 2, how can i have higher vocal cords, thanks angelo.
Aaron Anastasi
318 days ago
My systematic, eight-week, step-by-step vocal program focuses on that very thing. If you would like to check it out, you can find it here:www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
Mark
310 days ago
Hey Aaron, I would love to get famous as the singer of a band like paramore or fall out boy or panic at the disco but I’m not a great singer. I want to sound like my favourite singers such as Brendon Urie and Patrick Stump but I sound nothing like them. I don’t have great pitch and my vocal range is not very good I try vocal excercises and sing along to their songs but I am getting no closer to sounding at all like them. I can play 5 instruments and would love to sing aswell could you please reply with some tips or even a good vocal range and pitch excersize or two?? Please reply
Mark
Aaron Anastasi
310 days ago
Check this out: http://www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
This can help you get there.
Faisal
292 days ago
Well I feel I’m pretty good at singing but I can’t go very high like screaming. Like Whitney Houston does in I have nothing in the chorus. I want to go that high please help me.
Aaron Anastasi
290 days ago
I have a step-by-step, systematic program that consistently helps people increase the range and become a better overall singer. If you’d like to check it out, you can find it here:
http://www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
Best of luck to you with your singing!
Han
290 days ago
Hey Aaron,
Can recommend a good to practice with?
Aaron Anastasi
282 days ago
Have you had a chance to check this out?
Jae Kim
290 days ago
How do I actually get my abdomen to relax while singing?? Also, is it okay if the larynx moves ever so slightly?
Aaron Anastasi
282 days ago
Your abdomen will not be totally relaxed while singing, but should not be tense. And yes it’s okay if you larynx moves slightly. It is nearly impossible to keep it completely steady, while keeping it as steady as possible is certainly the goal.
Zea maria
282 days ago
Hey. Hallo.
So your tips are amazing.
And i want to know more abouth that, the first i sing and than with your tips now, its a whole another feeling another voice .
Good luck and post more of those amazing tips
Aaron Anastasi
275 days ago
Thank you! Have you had a chance to check this out yet?
http://www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
Edythe
281 days ago
This is awesome! Thank you so much. I love music, but I can’t (soon to be couldn’t!) sing. Even the few times I could, I’m an alto, so I have issues hitting any high notes, so this really helps me learn to control my voice and extend my range. Slightly off topic, what can I do to improve my voice while my throat’s sore after attempting to hit higher notes?
Aaron Anastasi
275 days ago
You’re probably pushing and forcing your voice too much on the higher notes and raising your larynx. The goal is to keep your larynx neutral. I can definitely help you become a better singer. Have you had a chance to check out my course, superior singing method? If you want to take a look at it, you can find it here.
http://www.howtosing.com/sing-better-fast-ssm/
Ciara
279 days ago
Hi Aaron I know I probably sound a bit dopey but what do u mean by the dopey “uh” other than that this is really helping thanks
Aaron Anastasi
275 days ago
Ha ha! It’s just a low dopey sound to lower your larynx. As if you were mimicking a cliché sounding stupid guy.
Greg Overstreet
273 days ago
I am a vocal performance major at a local college. I am 20 and currently a lyrical baritone, I have been having a terrible time trying to get into my head register. I can sing from F below bass clef to G or G# above middle C. I plan on trying your exercises if you have anything else that might help please email me.
Aaron Anastasi
266 days ago
Hey Greg, I’ve got time stuff over at superiorsingingmethod.com if you wanted check that out. I think I can probably help you.
darlene
260 days ago
Hello Aaron,
whenever I try to sing high my throat starts to feel like its closing up I’ve tried lying down and singing but it still doesn’t work can you please give me a few tips to help I really need it
Aaron Anastasi
260 days ago
Yeah, it sounds like you’re raising up your larynx leasing the higher notes. This is very common. I can help you be able to hit high notes with power without having that happen, if you’re interested in taking a look at my course. Much of my course addresses that very thing. Best of luck to Darlene!
If you’re interested in checking out my course, you can find it here. http://Www.superiorsingingmethod.com
Jann
256 days ago
hi Aron, i watch much of your videos and its really helpful but i have a problem i got a lyrics from someone but i really dont know how to arrange those words and sing it better!!!! suggest me something plzzz
Aaron Anastasi
254 days ago
Hmm… I would say just go for it. You have it in you. It’s just a matter of sitting down working it out. I wish you all the best! Have you had a chance to check this out:http://www.superiorsingingmethod.com
Alyssa
249 days ago
Hi Aaron. I notice that when I sing my voice is already kind of high so it’s difficult singing some notes and it kills my throat. The thing is I don’t know how to do a lip or tongue trill. At least I heard this tip that says to hit high notes you sh
Alyssa
249 days ago
Sorry I accidentally pressed submit. Hi Aaron. I notice that when I sing my voice is already kind of high so it’s difficult singing some notes and it kills my throat. The thing is I don’t know how to do a lip or tongue trill. At least I heard this tip that says to hit high notes you should act like your trying to hit lower notes which helps you lower your larynx and to do the opposite for low notes. At least I think that’s what it was. Also my voice is kind of quiet so I need to learn tI project it if I want tI make it as a singer. A lot of times when I’m singing in front of people my voice will grow softer since I have little confidence in my singing so that doesn’t help. I need to learn lower notes too because if I go too low my voice starts to sound hollow. How do I fix that?
Aaron Anastasi
241 days ago
The best thing that I can do for you for all of those things is direct you toward my course, superior singing method. You can find it here along with some more free video singing tips. http://www.superiorsingingmethod.com
Best of luck to you!
gavriel
242 days ago
i have been suffering from soreness of the throat as well as immeasurable discomfort and I can’t seem to figure out the problem. I am a vocalist and make great effort to protect my vocal chords from any unessesary damage. Is there a way that I could have caused inflammation or irritation without pushing my vocal range?? How should I go about repairing my throat??
Aaron Anastasi
241 days ago
Yeah, my guess is that you have been pushing for forcing your voice too much. You may need some time with vocal rest. Also doing vocal fry exercises can help begin to repair your voice. I would also say to drink a lot of water often and even do warm salt water gargles. These things will begin to help your voice.