Don’t Just Sing It—Zen It!: 9 Unforgettable Tips for Beginning Singers (That Go Beyond Just Hitting the Right Notes)

So, you’ve decided to become a singer. Whether your goal is to light up a stage, impress your cat, or simply stop sounding like a strangled goose during karaoke, the path to great singing isn’t just about vocal cords—it’s about mind, breath, and body.

Here are 9 powerful tips for beginning singers that go beyond the basics, blending essential vocal techniques with calming Eastern practices like pranayama breathing and relaxation. Plus, a sprinkle of humor—because why not?

1. Breathe Like a Yogi, Sing Like a Star

Breath is the foundation of great singing. And not just the shallow kind you do while frantically looking for lyrics mid-performance.

Enter pranayama, the ancient yogic art of breathing.

Try this:
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

• Sit comfortably. Use your thumb and ring finger to block one nostril at a time.

• Inhale through the left, exhale through the right. Then reverse.

• Do this for 2–3 minutes to calm nerves and build control.

This technique balances your nervous system and teaches you to use your breath like a vocal wizard.

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2. Engage Your Diaphragm—Not Your Drama

If your shoulders rise when you inhale, you’re doing it wrong. Diaphragmatic breathing is the key to sustained, powerful notes.

Try this exercise:
Lie on your back, place a book on your belly, and breathe deeply so the book rises and falls. That’s diaphragmatic breathing—and your vocal power source.

3. Tension Is the Enemy of Tone

If your neck is stiff and your jaw is locked, your voice is basically trapped in a prison of your own making.

Fix it with:
A 5-minute body scan meditation. Close your eyes and slowly focus on relaxing each part of your body from head to toe. Release jaw tension, soften your shoulders, and unclench whatever you're clenching. (Probably your glutes.)

Bonus: Try humming with a loose jaw and relaxed throat. You’ll hear and feel the difference instantly.

4. Warm Up, Don’t Just Wing It

Jumping into a song without warming up is like running a marathon in flip-flops. Painful. Probably embarrassing.

Quick warmup routine:

• Lip trills (that silly motorboat sound)

• Humming up and down a scale

• Vocal sirens (slide from low to high notes—yes, like a ghost)

Warmups wake up your voice and reduce strain. Never skip them.

5. Posture: Stand Like a Tree, Not a T-Rex

Slouching crushes your breath and ruins vocal tone. Good posture is free vocal support.

Try this:
Practice Tadasana (Mountain Pose) from yoga. Stand tall, feet grounded, shoulders relaxed. Breathe deeply and feel the energy rise up your spine. That’s posture with purpose.

6. Ear Training = Pitch Perfecting

Even the most gifted singers need to train their ears. Hearing the right pitch is just as important as hitting it.

Use apps like Toned Ear, SingTrue, or just play notes on a piano and try to match them vocally. Record and play back. Adjust. Repeat. (Cry a little. Then continue.)

7. Chant “Om” for Tone and Chill

Chanting “Om” slowly helps develop resonance, tone clarity, and vocal strength—and it's wonderfully calming.

Feel the vibration move from your chest to your head. You’re literally tuning your body as an instrument. Plus, it's a stress-buster.

Eastern vocal practices have long used chanting to warm up, heal, and energize the voice. It’s ancient. It’s vibey. It works.

8. Record Yourself

Recording yourself is one of the best tools for improvement. You’ll catch things your brain conveniently filters in real time—like weird nasality or random pitch wobbles.

Tip: Don’t judge—analyze. Then improve.

9. Talent is Cool, But Consistency is King

Singing isn’t about overnight genius. It’s about showing up, practicing smart, and staying hydrated.

• Practice 15–30 minutes daily

• Drink water like it’s your job

• Rest your voice when needed

• Avoid yelling at sports games (unless you're secretly training for metal vocals)

Your voice is a muscle. Train it with love and patience.

Bonus Zen Routine (For Extra Vocal Mojo):

Before every singing session, do the following:

1. 3 minutes of pranayama (alternate nostril or box breathing)

2. 5 minutes of vocal warmups

3. 1 “Om” chant to end

4. Smile (seriously, it affects tone)

Do this daily and you'll not only improve faster—you’ll feel more grounded and confident every time you sing.

Final Note: Find Your Voice, Find Your Peace

Singing isn’t just technique—it’s energy. It’s soul. It’s you. By combining time-tested vocal tips with Eastern breathing and mindfulness practices, you’re building a voice that’s powerful, grounded, and unforgettable.

Keep singing, keep breathing, and remember—your voice is already magic. You’re just learning how to use it.

Learn more about singing:

Find out how to maintain a healthy singing voice here.

Learn about the surprising power of meditative chanting here.

Discover all the health benefits of choir singing here.

Check out this video for more amazing singing tips.

Click here to get a free singing or piano lesson!