💪 Building Vocal Strength: What Every Singer Needs to Know
One of the most common goals I hear from singers is:
“I want more power in my voice.”
But here’s the thing- not all power issues are the same. Some singers struggle to produce any strong sound, while others can belt beautifully in one part of their range but fall apart in another.
So what’s going on? Let’s break down what vocal strength really means and how to build it- depending on your voice.
🎤 What Is Vocal Strength?
Vocal strength is the ability to produce clear, stable, and resonant sound- particularly at higher intensities (aka volume)- without strain.
It comes from:
Efficient vocal fold closure
Balanced airflow and pressure
Good resonance strategies
Freedom from excess tension
But how you build this depends on what your unique voice is doing right now.
🧪 Case Studies: Three Real-Life Vocal Journeys
Here are three example singers (names changed) to illustrate different challenges and solutions.
🎭 Kylie – The Powerful Low Belt, Weak Highs
Kylie could sing with great power up to about a B4 (B above middle C), but above that, things got messy- her voice would weaken, cut out, or feel jammed.
Goal: Sing powerfully in the upper range for Contemporary Musical Theatre.
Solution:
She had to learn to thin out her chest voice and develop a strong mix voice to transition smoothly without tension. Her upper chest was generating too much subglottic pressure, causing her cords to blow apart. We focused on:
Thinning vocal fold depth above B4
Narrowing resonators (like the epilarynx)
Reducing excess air pressure
🎶 Sharon – The Soft Voice from Top to Bottom
Sharon had sung in choirs but was always passed over for solos. Her voice was breathy and lacked projection across the board.
Goal: Build volume and clarity across her range.
Solution:
We started with improving cord closure in chest voice, helping her body create stronger vibrations. She gradually built her vocal strength from the bottom up. We focused on:
Chest voice anchoring
Efficient onset (avoiding breathy starts)
Resonator tuning to increase presence
🎧 Frank – The Controlled But Quiet Singer
Frank had a well-balanced, non-breathy voice, but had sung quietly for years to avoid disturbing his neighbours.
Goal: Increase vocal intensity without tension.
Solution:
We used incremental volume training, gradually increasing loudness in a way that allowed his voice to adjust without extra neck or jaw tension. We focused on:
Airflow and pressure control
Dynamic training (incrementally increasing the volume of his exercises)
Resistance-based vocal drills
🔍 How to Know What YOU Need
You don’t need to guess blindly. Start by asking yourself:
✅ Self-Assessment Checklist:
Is your voice weak:
🟢 All the way through your range?
🔵 Just at the top?
🟠 Just in the low notes?
Does singing more powerfully feel:
😖 Uncomfortable?
😰 Painful?
🤷♂️ Just unfamiliar?
How would you describe your speaking voice?
Loud and clear?
Quiet or breathy?
Are there certain vowel sounds where power feels easier or harder?
🧭 Where to Go from Here
🎧 The fastest way to find your best path?
Work with a coach who understands vocal function.
But if you’re getting started on your own, try:
Recording yourself on different vowels and pitches
Practicing crescendo exercises (gradually going from soft to loud)
Using semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises to safely build pressure
🎓 Want to Build a Stronger, Healthier Voice?
Whether you're just starting or looking to fine-tune your upper belt, I offer custom designed strategies in every lesson catering to your specific needs. If you’d like to know how you can build more strength in your voice why not book a lesson.
The Singing Fundamentals Course also features a class specifically on the topic of building vocal strength so if you’d like to learn more about the topic and gain some ideas on exercises you can try to get started with why not download the class right now and get started straight away! (Coming soon!)