I start with pitch slides of 3 notes. Then I do pitch slides over 2 octaves. Next I start with a hum, optimising space in the throat and forward resonance. Then, I open up and do the humming exercise on an [i] vowel, checking my placement and tongue tension. Finally, I move on to 3 bigger exercises: breathwork on a [shee], octave using ee, ay, aw with a hold at the top, and a quick do, mi, so, do on a [bee].
Optimally, you want to give yourself plenty of time to ease into your voice and give it the proper "revving"...for lack of a better word, but sometimes that's not an option.
I hope this helps!
Disclaimer I can’t guarantee that all of the methods I recommend will suit you. I only use exercises and methods I personally think are good - having tried them on myself and my clients and having a thorough understanding of vocal pedagogy - but everyone's anatomy and voice are different and it's possible these exercises won't help. Wherever possible, test the method out on yourself before applying to yourself or your students.
I only feature methods I like, have tested and had consistent success with, or have seen others succeed with.
I graduated with my Masters from Yale University in Vocal Performance. I am currently serving as the Director of Voice at a university in the United States where I teach vocal pedagogy and private voice lessons; I direct the opera productions and teach vocal diction for American English, French, German, and Italian.
