All too often we make the mistake in repetition. We’re told to go home and practise. We put on the vocal CD, or we open up our piano book, and we do what we were told to…or do we?

So often the journey to improvement lies in the subleties. For instance, getting that “cry” to come out in your voice (which has a lot to do with your ability to do vocal fry in your head voice, which has a lot to do with your ability to be able to hold back your breath while making high pitch, quiet noises) takes a lot of repetition of the correct coordination in the vocal cords.

Starting with these simple, less musical exercises are well worth the effort. Repeat, repeat, repeat these sounds often and watch your scales come alive.