Singing
Singing costs nothing to begin and you carry the instrument with you everywhere. It lifts your mood, deepens your breathing, and feels wonderful whether you do it alone or with others.
What you need to start
- Your own voice, ready whenever you are
- A quiet, comfortable spot to practice
- A few favorite songs you already love
- A glass of water to stay hydrated
At a glance
Your learning path
Three stages, taken at your own pace. Start at the top, get comfortable, then move down as you grow. There is no rush, and no wrong place to begin.
Start right here. These first four lessons show you how to stand, breathe, warm up, and carry a tune, all at a gentle, friendly pace.
Learn how to sing no matter your age!
30 Day SingerSing From Your Diaphragm - What does this mean? | Easy Singing Lesson
30 Day SingerThe BEST Vocal Warm-Up For Singers - Better Singing in 10 Minutes
SingeoHow to sing ON PITCH - it's easy to stop singing sharp or flat
30 Day SingerNow that you are comfortable, these five build your ear, your range, and your feeling, so your singing grows stronger and more your own.
How to Sing on Pitch - Ear Training for Singers
Madeleine Harvey4 Exercises for a Stronger Singing Voice
Healthy Vocal TechniqueEXPAND your vocal range - vocal range exercises for beginner singers
30 Day SingerThis head voice MISTAKE could cost you - chest voice tips
30 Day SingerPerformance breakdown - sing songs in your unique vocal style
30 Day SingerReady to go deeper? These five reach into technique, harmony, vibrato, performing, and keeping your voice healthy for many years to come.
Do this vocal WORKOUT if you want to get GOOD at singing
30 Day SingerHow To Harmonize for Beginners - Singing Lesson
30 Day SingerUse vibrato while you sing to sound PRO - beginner singing lesson
30 Day SingerPre-show vocal warmup routine EASY level
30 Day SingerI'm 70... and My Singing Voice Still Sounds Great
Healthy Vocal TechniqueWhy singing is wonderful after 50
Singing is one of the most joyful things you can take up after 50, and it asks for nothing but your own voice. It is wonderful for your breathing and your lungs, because every phrase gives them a gentle, natural workout. It lifts your mood, too; many people feel brighter and calmer after just a few songs. Best of all, singing is social. Joining a community or church choir brings new friends, a shared purpose, and a standing reason to gather each week. There is no equipment to buy and no wrong place to begin, so you can start today, right where you are.
Your first month, week by week
Get comfortable making sound. Hum your favorite tune, breathe low and easy, and sing softly along to a song you love.
Add a short warm-up before you sing. Try gentle slides and lip trills, and notice your posture and breathing.
Work on staying on pitch. Match single notes, then sing a simple verse slowly, listening closely as you go.
Put it together on one whole song, and look into a local choir or singing group to share the fun.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Straining or pushing the voice instead of letting it stay relaxed and easy
- Skipping a warm-up and jumping straight into hard songs
- Singing with poor posture, slouched or with the chin jutting forward
- Reaching for high notes by force rather than easing up to them
- Forgetting to breathe from the diaphragm, so the breath runs out too soon
- Singing too loudly for too long and tiring the voice out
Make it easier on your body
Simple ways to keep singing comfortable and safe with arthritis, low vision, or limited mobility.
- Singing is fully seated-friendly and needs no equipment, so you can do it comfortably from any chair
- It gently exercises the lungs and breathing, which helps your overall health and stamina
- Stay hydrated and warm up softly to protect an aging voice and keep it feeling fresh
- Use a music stand with large-print lyrics if your vision is low, so you never have to squint or strain
- Join a choir for support and good company, where you can lean on the voices around you
- Sing along to backing tracks at a comfortable volume, taking breaks whenever you need them
Words you'll hear
- Pitch
- How high or low a note sounds. Singing in tune means matching the pitch you mean to sing.
- Range
- The span of notes you can sing comfortably, from your lowest to your highest.
- Breath support
- Using your breath steadily from low in the belly so your sound stays strong and even.
- Head voice
- The lighter, higher part of your voice that feels like it rings up near your head.
- Chest voice
- The fuller, lower part of your voice you use for everyday speaking and lower notes.
- Vibrato
- The gentle, natural wave in a held note that gives singing its warm, living quality.
- Warm-up
- Easy exercises done before singing to wake up the voice and keep it safe.
Where to find your people
- Community and church choirs that welcome singers of every level
- Singing groups and sing-alongs at your local senior center
- Local voice teachers who offer friendly one-on-one lessons
- Online singing communities where you can learn and share at home
- Karaoke nights at neighborhood spots for a relaxed, fun way to sing
Start learning Singing
Sign up for our free, friendly lessons and we will help you take the first step. Tell us where you are starting from and we will meet you there.
