Do More Vocal Warm Ups Lead to Better Singing?
- Dorothy Thorpe
- Apr 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Why Smart Routines Beat Endless Warmups
1. The “More Is Better” Myth
Many singers tell me their warm-ups are a mix of YouTube drills and a few go-to exercises.
They string them together with no real plan.
Not laziness. Overwhelm.
Here’s the truth:
Doing more does not mean you will sing better.
Piling on exercises can tire your voice, confuse your brain, and stall progress.
2. Why Random Vocal Warmup Routines Don’t Work
If your routine has no purpose, you end up asking:
Am I warming up or just wearing my voice out?
Am I targeting what I actually need today?
Why do I still feel stuck when I am doing the work?
Many singers, and some teachers, never get shown how to build a functional routine.
Instead, we collect warmups like Pokémon cards, hoping one of them will work.
But a great vocal warm up routine is not about how much you do.
It is about why you do it.
3. The Missing Piece: Vocal Function
Smart vocal warm up routines are built around how the voice actually works.
Chest voice: depth and clarity
Head voice: stretch and upper register access
Mix: blending without strain
Transitions: smoothing breaks
Slack vs stretch: vocal fold behaviour
You do not need to be a voice scientist.
You just need to know what each exercise targets and pick the right ones for your goal.
4. Common Traps Singers Fall Into
Even with the best intentions, singers often get stuck in:
Overwhelm: too many options, no clarity
Randomness: jumping around with no plan
Copycatting: using someone else’s warmup without knowing why
Overtraining: hammering the same part of the voice every day
Teachers face these too. You are not only teaching songs. You are managing stamina, range, style, and confidence. Without a clear system, it is a lot to juggle.
5. The Solution I Built
This is why I created the Vocal Routine Finder.
After years of watching singers waste time guessing, I wanted a system that makes practice simple and purposeful.
The Finder takes my YouTube warmups and organises them into clear, ready-to-go routines and playlists.
So instead of asking “What should I do today?”, you open the Finder and get straight to singing.
6. What Makes a Great Vocal Routine?
Here is the formula I use with students:
Start easy: gentle activation first
Target the need: 2 to 3 exercises for today’s focus
Build progression: step from simple to slightly harder
Stay balanced: rotate focus so you do not overtrain
And above all: listen to your voice.
No vocal warm-up routine works if it does not respond to how you feel today.
7. Ready to Simplify Your Warm-Ups?
The Vocal Routine Finder gives you:
✅ 26 ready-made routines with clear focus
✅ 30 playlists organised by vocal need
✅ Quick-reference guides with QR codes and links
✅ Instant access. No more scrolling. No more guessing.
If your warmups feel scattered, this tool will give you structure, clarity, and more progress in less time.
Check out the Vocal Routine Finder here:
Spend less time searching. Spend more time singing.
Take Control of Your Vocal Routine? 🎤
Get your FREE CHEAT SHEET to start building a customised practice plan that’s right for you. This guide gives you easy access to exercises from Dots Singing, organized by category and clickable for quick reference.
👉 Grab it now and take the guesswork out of your practice time!
More Resources For Vocal Success
📘 Vocal Exercise Routine Guide
Ready to structure your practice like a pro? This guide shows you how to build a balanced vocal routine with 20 exercises, essential terminology, and examples for male and female voices. View the Guide ➔
🗂️ Vocal Routine Finder
Quickly locate the right vocal routine with this organized, clickable guide. Tailored for singers and teachers, it provides instant access to curated routines from Dots Singing’s YouTube playlists. Explore the Finder ➔
🎶 5 Album Bundle
Get over 130 essential vocal exercises in one bundle. Perfect for all levels, this collection builds strength, flexibility, and confidence in your voice.
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