Master Your Voice: Proven Techniques for Singing with Encore Choirs 

If you’ve ever dreamed of improving your singing voice, gaining confidence, and connecting  with like-minded people, you’re not alone.  

At Encore Choirs, we believe that everyone has the potential to sing – and with the right  techniques, guidance, and community support, your voice can flourish.  

Whether you’re a complete beginner or returning to singing after years away, our choirs offer  a welcoming, inclusive space where you can develop your skills and have fun while doing it.

Techniques for singing 

Unlock Your Potential with Proven Singing Techniques 

Singing isn’t just about hitting the right notes, it’s about expression, breathing, posture, resonance and confidence.  

At Encore Choirs, we use proven techniques for singing that are designed to support your  vocal development, step by step. 

A few of the key areas we focus on include:  

Breath Control

One of the first things our experienced instructor will work on with you is breath control.  Many people underestimate the importance of efficient breathing when singing. It’s not just  about inhaling and exhaling – it’s about what parts of the body we can use to support breath  balance and where the effort needs to be placed. In addition, it’s about where you can place  the breath in a song to get the best from your voice. Too much air intake and you can over  pressurise the system, not enough air and you risk not getting to the end of your phrase.  

Myth: ‘Sing from your diaphragm’ is often a term used to describe singing properly, but what  does this mean? 

The diaphragm is a muscle that’s function is to draw our air in, not push it out – therefore,  when we sing (which is on an exhale) the diaphragm has no control of our air.  

To help aid an efficient breathing technique, we encourage our abdominal wall to release on  the in-breath and to gently draw in towards our spine on the out-breath. This serves two  main purposes, the first is that it stops us taking a high breath into our chest, which can  cause too much pressure around our voice (known as subglottic pressure), keeping us way  more relaxed with less tension. The second is that we can therefore control the airflow in a  much more efficient way by gently guiding the air out. One way to think of this is when you  are icing a cake with a piping bag: squeeze too hard and too much pressure builds and leaves  a mess, too little and you do not get an even amount of icing – so it’s all about balance.  

Through targeted breathing exercises, you’ll learn how to control your airflow, build your  vocal stamina, and reduce tension and strain. Our sessions focus on gentle, progressive  practice so you can improve at your own pace – and all in a friendly, non-judgemental  environment. 

Posture & Alignment 

How you hold your body directly affects how your voice sounds. A slouched posture can  restrict airflow and limit your vocal range which is why, at Encore Choirs, our sessions start  with warm-ups that include body alignment techniques to help you become more aware of  your posture. 

Self-awareness is paramount. Each of our bodies is different and we all have a different  optimal position for our bodies and singing. Try singing and moving your head into different  positions by gently moving your head forwards and backwards – you’ll hear your sound  change as you do this. You’ll find a ‘sweet spot’ where the voice comes out more effortlessly  and will feel like it rings out.  

Our leader, Josh, will also guide you through stretches and positioning exercises that open  up your chest, align your spine, and support a free, natural vocal sound. This not only  improves your singing but can also have benefits for your overall wellbeing. 

Pitch & Tone Development 

Singing in tune is a skill that can absolutely be developed, and at Encore Choirs we excel in  making this a fun and accessible process. Using simple but effective group listening exercises, you’ll learn to hear and reproduce pitch accurately.

Our leader uses call-and-response techniques, harmony work, and real-time feedback to  help you build your pitch accuracy and tone control. Before long, you’ll find yourself singing  in harmony with others, which is a truly uplifting experience that’s hard to beat. 

Vocal Warm-Ups and Range Building 

Singers are vocal athletes! Like athletic runners, they will stretch before a run, singers need  to warm up their voices before a performance. Each of our sessions, at Encore Choirs,  begins with structured warm-ups that are designed to gently extend your vocal range and  prepare your voice for the session ahead. 

These warm-ups are fun and varied; from tongue twisters to melodic scales; and are suitable  for all levels. You’ll notice a marked improvement in your voice’s flexibility, vocal strength,  and confidence over time. Not only this, it helps you get through each session without feeling  fatigued.  

Articulation and Expression 

Being able to convey emotion through song is one of the most powerful aspects of singing,  and we believe it to be the most important form of self-expression. Therefore, we have  dedicated ourselves to creating a space where singing is not just a technical skill, but a way  for you to bring songs to life through expression, articulation, and interpretation, no matter  your ability. 

Articulation is all about the efficiency of our tongue, where do we place certain words and  how to communicate clearly.  

Our leader Josh offers guidance on dynamics, phrasing, and stylistic delivery, all while  encouraging your own personal expression. You’ll learn how to shape a performance that  truly connects with an audience whether that audience is your fellow choir members or a full  concert crowd. 

Learn and Grow in a Supportive Community 

What makes us truly special is our community spirit. We’re not just about individual progress,  we’re about coming together to sing, support each other, and have a great time while doing  it. Our choirs are fun, friendly, welcoming and inclusive. Each session is informal so there is  no pressure if mistakes are made – this allows our singing to be free and the overall  experience more enjoyable.  

Our choirs are open to everyone. There are no auditions, no need to read music, and no  pressure. It’s all about singing for the joy of it, in an environment where you can be yourself.  We believe that singing should be fun, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in our sessions:  laughter, energy, encouragement, and a genuine sense of belonging. 

As you grow in confidence and ability, you’ll also have opportunities to take part in  performances, social events, and community projects that are all part of the Encore Choirs experience.

Affordable, Flexible, & Fun 

We understand that life is busy, and budgets can be tight. That’s why we are committed to  offering affordable, flexible options so you can enjoy high-quality singing tuition without  breaking the bank. 

Whether you’re joining one of our weekly sessions or exploring our online resources, you’ll  find excellent value and a clear path to improvement. With no need for expensive equipment  or prior experience, it’s never been easier to start your singing journey. 

Ready to Start Singing? 

Whether you want to improve your breathing, increase your vocal range, sing in harmony, or  simply find your voice, at Encore Choirs we are here to help. With proven techniques for  singing, expert tuition, and a supportive community, there’s no better place to start your  musical journey. 

So why wait? Join us at Encore Choirs with a free taster session and discover just how far  your voice can take you; all while having fun in a vibrant, affordable, and welcoming  environment. Let’s sing together!