Tongue tension is an incredibly common cause of vocal issues in singing

(strain, cracking, vocal break challenges, breathiness, sounding swallowed or thin).

But how do you GET RID of this tension?

How do you train your voice to be able to hit high notes and add power without tensing, retracting, pushing or flailing around?

You teach your tongue to behave differently.

So here are 4 of the best vocal exercises/techniques I know for relaxing and releasing your tongue

(to be used on repeat in your singing practice):

1. Raspberry (2:26)

2. Tongue resting on bottom lip (3:21)

3. Tongue slightly folded over bottom teeth (6:10)

4. Tongue behind bottom lip in EE vowel (7:11)

Watch the demonstrations below on Donna Summer’s hit Hot Stuff.

PS: the video I mention about onsets for singers lives here.

I’d love for you to share your reflections below.

Which was your favourite vocal exercise and what changes did you notice?