Why YouTube Warm-Ups Don't Work for Every Singer
- Karen Schnurr
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
If you’ve ever searched “vocal warm-up” on YouTube, you’ve probably noticed… there are a LOT of options.
Some are great.
Some are fine.
And some leave you wondering why your voice actually feels worse afterward.
So if you’ve ever thought:
“Why didn’t that warm-up help me?”
“Why do my high notes still feel tight?”
“Am I doing something wrong?”
You’re not alone—and it’s probably not your fault.
If your voice feels 'hit or miss',
Start with this simple, guided 10-minute warm-up designed to help you feel more in control of your voice.
The Problem with Most Free Warm-Ups
Most YouTube warm-ups are designed for everyone… which means they’re actually designed for no one in particular.
Here’s what that usually looks like:
No adjustment for your individual voice type or need
No explanation of what you should be feeling
No guidance if something feels tight or off
No structure for how to use it day-to-day
So singers end up doing random exercises, hoping something sticks.
A Quick Personal Note
When I was doing a lot of performing in Los Angeles, I actually studied with multiple vocal coaches at the same time.
Each one brought something valuable to the table—different exercises, different approaches, different ways of explaining things that was useful for each different gig I had... Film sessions, Master Chorale, and Voices of Liberty at Disney.
And while that was incredibly helpful, it also taught me something important:
Even with great information, what I needed most was clarity and consistency.
Because when I jumped between different approaches (or different types of warm-ups), my voice didn’t always respond the same way.
Some days things felt easy.
Other days… not so much.
What made the biggest difference wasn’t doing more exercises—it was having a clear, repeatable structure I could come back to. I took from each coach the vocalise that was connecting best and created my unique daily routine.
That’s when my voice started to feel more reliable—and I wasn’t guessing anymore. I had more control, more freedom, and being a singer-for-hire felt a lot less stressful.
What Singers Actually Need
A warm-up should do more than just “get your voice going.”
It should:
✔ prepare your specific voice and range
✔ help you to build a healthy technique by guiding you with cues throughout
✔ help you avoid tension with tips to fit most all voices
✔ give you a repeatable routine for new muscle memory
✔ adjust based on your singing situation
(Because a 5-minute warm-up before rehearsal is very different from preparing for an audition or a heavy singing day!)
Why Structure Matters More Than Variety
A lot of singers think they need more exercises.
In reality, they need more clarity.
When you know:
which warm-up to use
when to use it
what to listen or feel for
…your voice improves much faster.
That’s why I always teach warm-ups as a system or method, not just a collection of exercises.
There's method to the madness!
And here’s something many singers don’t realize:
Warm-ups aren’t just about “getting your voice ready.”
When they’re done correctly and consistently, they actually help:
✔ build technique
✔ improve coordination
✔ extend your range over time
✔ develop more control and consistency
✔ make high notes feel more accessible
So instead of thinking:
“I’m warming up to see if my voice works today…”
It becomes:
“I’m training my voice so it works better over time.”
THAT SHIFT IS HUGE!
Because your warm-up isn’t separate from your technique—it’s one of the main ways you build it!!
A Better Starting Point
If you’ve been jumping between random warm-ups, I’d encourage you to try something simple and consistent first.
I created a 10-Minute Singer Reset Warm-Up that:
gives you clear guidance while you sing
includes technique reminders
is designed to be repeatable daily
If you want a simple place to start, I put together a guided warm-up you can use.:
Start there, and notice how your voice responds when you’re not guessing your way through exercises.
If you’ve been frustrated with warm-ups in the past, it do
esn’t mean they don’t work.
It usually just means you haven’t had the right structure yet.
~ Happy Practicing!
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