If you’re often dissatisfied with the quality of your singing, then you probably have some terrible habits. Use this list to evaluate where you may be going wrong. Remember, a problem well defined is a problem half-solved. You can be a great singer!
Terrible Habits
Bad Musicality
To sing is to use the voice as a musical instrument. That means all the factors that apply to making other instruments sound good also apply to you.
1. Not knowing all your notes.
2. Singing in the wrong key for your voice.
3. No dynamic variety. In other words singing with only one volume through a whole song.
4. No tone-quality variety. In other words, never changing the color of your voice, like from breathy to clear, or nasally to balanced resonance.
5. Singing excessively staccato. In other words, not sustaining your notes well and instead chopping or cutting words short.
Bad Preparation
Preparation is everything when it comes to singing well. Take the time to learn your music so you could focus on what matters most: expressing the emotion of the song!
6. Not memorizing your lyrics.
7. Not practicing your songs thoroughly.
8. Not planning your breaths.
9. Not warming up.
10. Winging it on stage.
Bad Technique
Bad technique limits vocal range, creates unpleasant sensations and compromises your vocal tone. Fortunately, a little strategic practice goes a long way in eliminating technical issues!
11. Singing with a raised larynx.
12. Tense jaw.
13. Rigid/retracted tongue.
14. Strained facial expression.
15. Singing in an underdeveloped range.
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Bad Style
Even if you nail technique perfectly, bad style will still ruin your singing. If you don’t get the next five points right, then listeners will find the emotional quality of your music lacking.
16. Not understanding the message of your lyrics. This matters BIG time!
17. Highlighting your weaknesses. You’d be surprised how often singers insist on performing songs that don’t play to any of their strengths and only showcase their weaknesses.
18. Singing the wrong genre for your voice/personality.
19. Overtly sounding like one influence.
20. Playing it safe. This is often the cause of #3 and #4 and other issues as well. You’re afraid of using various colors and different vocal sounds because you think you’ll sound bad. But playing it “safe” (misnomer because there isn’t anything safe about it) makes you sound shy, dull, and boring!
Level Your Voice Up
Don’t let terrible singing habits define you. Chip away at this list one by one until you’ve eliminated all of them. You’ll be amazed at the results!
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Benny Meza is a Master Associate at Brett Manning Studios in Nashville, TN. He’s taught over 12,000 vocal lessons and has worked with clients from Warner Music, RCA, Universal Music Group, and many others.
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1 thought on “20 Terrible Singing Habits”
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