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Pro. tips: starting with the right note

If any part of a song had to be chosen, then the beginning of a song would be voted as the trickiest part to get right. Just like professional athletes, singers must have the perfect start for a race. Indeed, it's the first obstacle to a good performance, and a wrong start can lead to awkward situations.

Like an unprepared muscle, when the larynx is tight the first note can sound weaker, and you'll usually reach your full tone on the second or third note.

If you can't warm-up before singing, then here are some helpful tips to be prepared.

First of all, a song starts with an instrumental intro most of the time, which will help you prepare for your first line. Sing the first note in your head, imagining the note coming our of your mouth, and "feel" the shape it will form and how you'll need to open your mouth.

Bear in mind it would be a mistake to anticipate too much. You would probably end up holding your breath while waiting for the song to start, and this would cause a higher level of stress (which leads to a tight larynx). First, stabilize your breathing, and empty / fill your lungs completely one last time before singing the first note. Anticipate it a little bit, and start with a strong and full tone directly (don't hold it, begin with confidence). Your tone should come out sharp and clear.

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35 comments
  • 7 years ago
      I have so much trouble with a dry mouth from my medications. Even sing just one song can dry me out sometimes--what would be good to keep my mouth smooth and not dry? Please help, thanks!
    • 8 years ago
        that is so true lots of times I miss the first not
      • 8 years ago
          VERY TRUE!
        • 8 years ago
            Continuation: I get the best effect while I play guitar (unconnected) and move my body and sing. The voice is so natural then, because I focus not only on singing. Many other things influence your voice, so just be yourself and think you record this (if you have in mind recording) for your son, daughter, mom or dad. No pressure. Good luck.
          • 8 years ago
              First: you must know every single note you want to give out. Next: all notes are in your voice range. Three: warm up your larynx: sing your favorite songs like on the stage for several minutes. Four: don't think it is recorded - it's hard to do, but you can do it with the little help of your friends. Memorize lyrics and sing from memory with your eyes closed. To be continued...
            • 9 years ago
                Works great for a song with an instrumental intro. It's those few songs that start with just a "click" or no note at all that are the problem!
              • 9 years ago
                  Bwbirdman54- I have never had a problem starting a song I know or hear, I was born with perfect pitch and total recall, approaching 70 I remember every song I have ever heard, even back in the fifties or earlier, sang with my Mom and older Sister when I was 8 or 9! Just think of the song in your head, sing a couple of notes, then see how it sounds!
                • 9 years ago
                    Even with a good warm up routine, a lot of time can pass before you actually have to perform. Since most songs start with an instrumental measure or two, I like to sing along with those instrumentals (away from the mic) just to refresh my warm up. Even once I'm warmed up, I find myself doing with other songs too as it helps me hone in on the key and that ever important first note!
                  • 9 years ago
                      What about the first song for a DJ? Maybe how to mashup two songs? LA
                    • 9 years ago
                        nothing is better than a goob warm-up, and it can be as easy as humming the jeopardy theme, starting mid-range, hum the tune, making sure the hum reaches the lips with a slight vibration there. Then, just take the whole thing down by half-stepsto your bottom range and back up to your falsetto(1/2 syeps at a time) for 5 minutes. your voice will have gone through ALL the intervals a singer sings ! quickie, but effective in a pinch!!
                      • 9 years ago
                          PART 2 If you have to start your set with say a Buble song such as Cry me a river then your going to have to warm up either in the car on the way to the gig or back stage even in the clubs bathroom protect your voice it's your instrument and therefore your most important asset. Remember KNOW YOUR SONG !!! KNOW YOUR ABILITIES AND LIMITS Then go have fun remember we all mess up at one time or another so don't be to hard on your selves
                        • 9 years ago
                            Hi Guys I've been a singer for more years than I dare mention. I think the following may help if for some reason you can't warm up pick a song that has a gentle start sing in hushed tones as if singing to a sleeping child your audience is more than likely in a bar or club and talking any way, This soft approach will catch their ears and draw them in as the song builds. From there on build your set towards the more difficult numbers warming up your voice as you go. PART 1
                          • 9 years ago
                              Awesome !
                            • 9 years ago
                                Good advice but starting with the right note for me has 2 parts. First. KNOW THE SONG!!! inside and out. Second warm up. It takes me about 30 minutes of singing to extend my range, and by that time, I can easily hit any note in key within that range. No one wants to step off the bus, walk to the stage and start singing. The hardest part of singing for me is singing a song that has NO intro. There are a few that I have encountered and then I try to get a start note somehow to get me in tune.
                              • 9 years ago
                                  I agree with Manuel54, we tend to forget these little things and also take them for granted, eventually we stop preparing and wonder why things are not working like they used to. Thank you, these tips help beginners and professionals alike by keeping us on track.
                                • 9 years ago
                                    Great advice....thank you!
                                  • 9 years ago
                                      Good Tips everyone. Thank you. I usually never have trouble starting, but at the weekend I started off on too high a pitch on a song I know well. Couldn't believe it. Upset me for days after. I guess I was thinking too much about the various gestures I will make during the song and not about the first note
                                    • 9 years ago
                                        Thank You for the advice
                                      • 9 years ago
                                          GOOD ADVISE. I ALSO RECOMMEND FINDING THE RIGHT KEY FOR THE SONG YOU PICK. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE PROS GET PAID TO SING. WHAT THEY DO WITH A SONG TAKES A LOT OF PRACTICE. TRY COPYING THE SONGS TO DISC AND SINGING IN THE CAR. THE INTRO IS USUALLY EASIER THAN THE BRIDGE, BUT IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE HITTING THE NOTES YOU CAN ASK THE KJ TO ADJUST THE KEY WHEN YOU REQUEST A SONG. IF YOU JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN THE KEY DOESNT MATTER, BUT TRUST ME YOU WILL SOUND BETTER AND TAKE SOME FRIENDS UP TO HELP.
                                        • 9 years ago
                                            thank you. i think this will help me.
                                          • 9 years ago
                                              This is the first time I've seen any singing advice from you guys. This is GREAT!!! keep it coming!!! Thank you so much!!! Rick
                                            • 9 years ago
                                                I cant sing ,but i see vocalist struggle, just after musical intro
                                              • 9 years ago
                                                  Thank you for these tips.very useful.sometimes we forget these simple things.Keep it comming.Always!Always welcome.Anything to improve my singing. Thanks Once again.
                                                • 9 years ago
                                                    thank you so much for your advice....I will keep this in mind...
                                                  • 9 years ago
                                                      Good advise....always do this myself
                                                    • 9 years ago
                                                        Don't worry about starting again if the beginning is trashed Just STOP and start again, be confident - say something like "take two" to the audience they'll love you more
                                                      • 9 years ago
                                                          In my opinion, one, prior to singing the first word, should expand their chest,fill their lungs by expanding their stomach and set their diaphragm at least a half measure ahead of time, then mentally tune to the note to be sung, and get their mouth in position to properly pronounce the first word. One can learn to do this an a relaxed and confident way and they will find that they hit that first word in tune, be well understood and will be able sustain their vocal throughout the 1st phrase.
                                                        • 9 years ago
                                                            Really ? Singers don't have time to warm up ? You can warm up in the shower, warm up while driving, warm up while deciding what to wear - in short make time to do vocal warm ups people. You make time to get ready to go to your singing place, make time to do a vocal warm up. With that said I really like what this article says for those who don't do vocal warm ups. This is the second great advice I have gotten from karaoke-version and thank you so much.
                                                          • 9 years ago
                                                              Good advice,but for them that like a drink NO BEER
                                                            • 9 years ago
                                                                You nailed it - don't hold your breath before intonating the first note!