Understanding Mixed Voice: How to Eliminate Vocal Breaks

The Misconception About Mixed Voice

Many singers think of mixed voice as a sudden switch—as if they’re singing in chest voice, hitting a wall, and then needing to transition into something completely different. This mindset creates a major problem: they anticipate a vocal break, and that very expectation makes their voice crack.

But mixed voice isn’t about leaving chest voice. Instead, it’s about growing it, so it doesn’t hit a wall, crack, or break—it just keeps going.

Developing a Stronger Mixed Voice

So how do you extend your chest voice higher without straining? The key is learning to belt or yell in a controlled way without hurting your voice.

A simple way to practice this is by calling out loudly—almost like shouting—but doing it with proper breath support and without unnecessary tension. Try something like:

"Yeah! Look, I'm coming!"

It’s loud, powerful, and free—but it doesn’t strain. That’s the foundation of a st...

How to Expand Your Vocal Range and Sing with Freedom

Many singers feel stuck in their progress, unsure of how to develop the vocal range and freedom they need to sing confidently. If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t born with natural talent, you’re not alone. The good news? Vocal freedom isn’t just something you either have or don’t have—it’s something you can develop.

 The Struggle: Feeling Limited in Your Singing

For years, I struggled with the same frustrations. No matter how hard I tried, my voice felt restricted, and I couldn’t hit the notes I wanted with ease. It was discouraging to feel like I wasn’t making progress, and I didn’t know what I was doing wrong.

But over time, I discovered the right techniques—the ones that actually make a difference. Now, I can sing with much more range and control, and I’ve helped countless singers do the same.

The Key to Unlocking Your Voice

So how do you go from feeling stuck to having the vocal freedom you want? It comes down to using...

How Running Out of Air Teaches Vocal Control

Sustaining a note for an extended period isn’t just about having a big lung capacity—it’s also a great way to feel how your body naturally adjusts when air supply runs low. If you’ve never tried holding a note until you run out of breath, you might be surprised at what happens.

 The Experiment: Holding a Note Until Empty

Try this: pick a comfortable note and hold it as long as you can. As you get closer to running out of air, you’ll likely feel an instinctive shift—your body starts to work harder to keep the sound going.

At first, everything feels easy. But as your air dwindles, you might notice an urge to push more from your lower body to maintain the note. It’s a natural response, almost like your body is saying, "I don’t want this sound to stop!"

What This Teaches You About Support

That extra push you feel as you approach the end of your breath is a perfect example of vocal support in action. When air supply is low, your body has...

Breaking Out of Vocal Habits: A New Approach to Warm-Ups

When you start singing, what’s the very first sound you make? Do you dive straight into powerful, loud notes? Or do you prefer to ease in with something softer to warm up your voice? Many singers have a routine they stick to, but what if that routine is actually holding you back?

Why We Avoid Certain Sounds First

If your voice feels rough or unsteady, you might instinctively avoid certain sounds at the beginning of your session. Maybe soft singing feels impossible right away, so you start with something louder. Or perhaps you struggle to find a certain coordination, so you “save it for later” when your voice is more warmed up.

The issue is that this avoidance can turn into a crutch. Over time, you reinforce the belief that you have to warm up a certain way, and you never test whether you could actually access those tricky sounds earlier.

The Challenge: Start With What Feels Hardest

Here’s a simple challenge: whatever ...

Losing Your Voice: An Opportunity to Discover and Own Your Sound

It can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening when you used to be able to sing effortlessly, but for some reason, your voice seems to have disappeared. It's easy to fall into a negative mindset and feel as though you've been cursed, asking yourself, "Why did this have to happen to me?" The truth is, while losing your voice can feel like a setback, it may actually be an opportunity in disguise. Instead of seeing it as a loss, consider it a chance to rediscover your voice and develop a deeper understanding of your instrument.

 From Gifted to Gained: The Shift in Perspective

Before, your singing voice might have felt like a gift—a natural talent that you didn’t need to think about or work for. You simply opened your mouth, and the music flowed. However, what if this loss of voice is actually an opportunity to gain something even more valuable? Instead of relying on the raw talent that was simply handed to you, you...

Singing with Ease: Letting Your Voice Work for You

One of the ultimate goals for singers is to sing without constantly thinking about technique. It can be frustrating to feel like you’re always monitoring your breath, posture, and vocal control, which can take away from the freedom of expression. The good news is, singing without having to consciously think about technique is possible—and it comes down to training your voice to stay stable and firm without force.

The Importance of Stability and Control

The key to effortless singing is creating a stable and secure foundation for your voice. When your vocal muscles and breath support you in a natural, relaxed way, your voice doesn’t feel like something you have to constantly manage. Instead, it feels like it “wants” to stay together, helping you sing with ease.

This stability is not about forcing control or locking everything in place. It’s about developing the vocal strength and coordination to the point where your voice knows wh...

Don't Sabotage Your Singing Progress: Embrace Balance and Truth

As a singer, one of the most important aspects of improving is learning how to listen to yourself and interpret feedback in a balanced and truthful way. Many singers unknowingly sabotage their progress by allowing negative thought patterns, self-doubt, or imbalance to interfere with their growth. To truly excel and improve, it's essential to focus on cultivating inner balance, which will not only enhance your ability to listen but also help you interpret and apply information more effectively.

 Balance Internally to Improve Your Singing

The journey to becoming a better singer isn’t just about mastering techniques and vocal exercises; it’s also about improving your internal state. When you are balanced internally, both mentally and physically, your ability to focus and connect with your voice becomes much stronger. This balance allows you to truly listen to yourself, which is one of the most crucial aspects of singing...

Standing Out as an Artist: Developing Your Own Uniqueness

As an artist, one of the most important goals is to develop a unique voice that sets you apart from the crowd. In a world full of artists, it can be challenging to stand out and carve your own niche. However, embracing your individuality and creating art that is authentic to you can lead to success and recognition. Here are some key strategies to help you develop your own uniqueness and leave a lasting impact.

Draw Influence from a Wide Variety of Genres and Styles

One of the best ways to develop your own artistic identity is to draw inspiration from a wide variety of genres and styles, not just one. By exploring music, art, or any other form of creativity from different cultures, time periods, and genres, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. This eclectic approach allows you to blend different elements and create something entirely new, reflecting your diverse influences and personal taste.

When you limit yo...

Finding the Balance Between Technique and Expression in Singing

There’s a common struggle many singers face: when they try to let their voice loose and sing with feeling, it feels like all their technique goes out the window. But on the flip side, if they focus too much on their technique, they lose the raw, free-flowing expression that makes singing so powerful and personal. This creates a constant battle between letting go and staying in control. The question is, how can you find harmony between the two?

The Struggle: Technique vs. Expression

When you’re just starting out as a singer, it’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of your voice. You focus on breath control, pitch, tone, and proper technique, trying to hit every note perfectly. But this often leads to a disconnect with the emotional side of singing. Singing feels stiff, mechanical, and devoid of true expression. You’re thinking too much about hitting the right notes, and it becomes more of a technical exerc...

The Challenge of Overcoming Perfectionism in Singing

Singing often feels like a different world, where the pressure to be perfect is overwhelming. For many singers, especially beginners, trying new vocal techniques, like growling or adding grit to the voice, can feel uncomfortable or foreign. However, this discomfort is just part of the learning process. It's essential to push past these initial feelings in order to grow as a vocalist.

 The Fear of Judgment

Unlike other art forms, singing comes with a unique vulnerability. There’s an unspoken expectation to be perfect, and the fear of judgment can prevent singers from experimenting or trying new things. Whether it’s singing in front of others or even alone, the pressure to sound flawless can hold singers back from truly exploring their vocal potential.

Finding Confidence in the Process

The key to overcoming fear and perfectionism is shifting the focus from perfection to progress. Singing is a deeply personal journey, and it’s o...