Understanding our voice and how we use it matters. For music therapists especially, we are lost without good vocal technique.

We know our voice is a muscle and like all muscles we need to use it or lose it. If you don’t work out consistently you lose muscle strength, tone, duration and control. This is the same for the voice: building vocal stamina, volume, projection, diaphragm control, range, vocal agility, correct placement of the vocal chamber (such as the tongue, diaphragm, soft pallet) all need to be practiced regularly (regardless of how often you use it) to keep it well maintained and to minimise vocal.

Music therapists are expected to sing in a variety of styles and each style can put different pressure/strain on different parts of the voice. For example, singing twinkle little star to a small child is very different to singing I dreamed a dream in an aged care setting. Both require different ways to use one’s voice and both require equal baseline vocal health and fitness.

How well do you know your voice? Ask yourself these questions:
How do you know when it is getting tired- how does it tell you?
How do your emotions affect your voice?
How does the weather affect it?
How do you tackle learning a lot of new songs such as taking on a new role in a new field Why is posture important?
Do you check in with yourself vocally or charge through the day without noticing?
How does projection and resonates help protect your voice and help it last longer?


This workshop will cover:
- A range of vocal exercises and their purpose such as breathwork, placement, warm up/cool downs, long-term strategies for vocal care
- Reflecting on your own voice and completing an individual vocal self-assessment
- Group discussion and ideas sharing
- Fun voice activities you can use in your practice