Warm-ups · alto · for high notes
Vocal warm-up for altos (G3–D5): high notes without straining
This routine climbs into the top of a typical alto range one semitone at a time, and stays a step below your limit until those notes feel easy. Total: 9 min. Press Play to hear each exercise in this key, then sing it back.
Press Play on any exercise below.
| Exercise | Keys | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lip-trill siren on “brr” · warm-up | 5 keys, A3 to F♯4 | 1 min | |
| Hum and slide on “mm” · warm-up | 5 keys, A3 to D♯4 | 1 min | |
| Major arpeggio on “ee” · main | 13 keys, A3 to C♯5 | 3 min | |
| Broken thirds on “ma” · main | 10 keys, A3 to A4 | 3 min | |
| Cool-down slide on “oo” · cool-down | 5 keys, C♯4 to G♯4 | 1 min |
Why these, in this order
- Lip-trill siren. Loosens the voice before anything is scored.
- Hum and slide. Gentle onset, no pushing.
- Major arpeggio. Touches the top of the pattern lightly, then leaves.
- Broken thirds. Thirds are where pitch slips first.
- Cool-down slide. Ends low and easy.
Is this my range?
This page uses the comfortable middle of a typical alto range, G3 to D5. Your own range might be a few notes wider or narrower. The free voice check measures it in about three minutes and keys every exercise to you, then scores each note you sing in cents.
Other voices: basses, baritones, tenors, mezzo-sopranos, sopranos. Stop if anything hurts; this is practice, not medical advice.