Voice Warm-Up Exercises Before a Speech: A Speaker’s Guide to Sounding Your Best
When you’re preparing for a speech or presentation, chances are you’ve spent a good amount of time crafting your message, perfecting your visuals, and rehearsing your delivery. But there’s one critical step many speakers overlook: warming up your voice.
Your voice is a muscle—and just like a runner wouldn’t sprint without warming up their legs, you shouldn’t deliver a speech without preparing your vocal cords. Whether you’re a professional speaker, teacher, coach, or business presenter, vocal warm-ups help you speak clearly, confidently, and without strain.
Why Voice Warm-Ups Matter?
Think of vocal warm-ups as a performance enhancer and injury prevention tool rolled into one. When you speak, your vocal folds (located in your larynx or voice box) vibrate to create sound. These folds, along with your lips, tongue, and lungs, need flexibility and stamina—especially during long or high-stakes speeches.
Benefits of vocal warm-ups:
- Reduce strain, fatigue, and hoarseness
- Improve vocal clarity and projection
- Expand your pitch range and expressive ability
- Help you speak with confidence and ease
- Prevent vocal damage from overuse
Just 10–15 minutes of preparation can make a dramatic difference in how you sound and feel during your presentation.
How to Warm Up Your Voice Before Speaking
Here are 9 effective vocal warm-up exercises to add to your pre-speech ritual. Choose 4–6 exercises and perform them mindfully in a quiet space. Stay hydrated and maintain good posture throughout.
1. Jaw Release: Relieve Tension and Improve Articulation
Purpose:
Releases tension in your jaw and mouth muscles, promoting clearer speech and easing articulation.
How to Do It:
- Place the heels of your palms gently on each side of your face near the jaw hinge.
- Massage in small circular motions, gradually moving down toward the corners of your jaw.
- Slowly open and close your jaw while continuing to massage. Avoid forcing the jaw open—keep it relaxed.
- Now add sound:
- Say “mamamama” gently, letting the lips just lightly touch on the “m”.
- Switch to “wawawawa”, exaggerating a loose and round “w” to relax the lips and cheeks.
Tip:
Keep your tongue relaxed and resting behind your bottom front teeth as you perform this.
2. Lip Trills (or Lip Bubbles): Free Up Breath and Voice Connection
Purpose:
Releases lip tension, connects breath with voice, and engages breath control.
How to Do It:
- Lightly press your lips together without tightening them.
- Exhale to create a “brrr” or raspberry sound with consistent air pressure.
- Start with just air, then add voiced sounds like:
- “b-b-b-b”
- Scale up and down vocally while keeping the lips fluttering.
- Glide your pitch from low to high and back, as if mimicking a siren.
Tip:
If the trill stops, you might be holding too much tension in your lips or jaw. Relax and try again.
3. Tongue Trills: Loosen Up the Tongue and Engage Breath
Purpose:
Loosens the tongue and strengthens breath coordination with your speaking voice.
How to Do It:
- Lightly place your tongue tip behind your top front teeth.
- Push air through to create a rolling “r-r-r” sound.
- Start on a comfortable pitch and sustain the trill for several seconds.
- Glide up and down your vocal range like a siren to gently stretch your vocal folds.
Tip:
If the tongue won’t vibrate, start with more breath pressure or try the rolled “r” in words like “arriba.”
4. Two-Octave Scales: Stretch and Smooth Vocal Range
Purpose:
Warms and stretches your vocal folds to access a wider pitch range with ease.
How to Do It:
- Start on a low comfortable note and sing “ah” or “ee” slowly ascending two octaves.
- Don’t force your voice at the top or bottom—stay within a safe, natural range.
- Repeat the scale several times, ascending and then descending.
- Switch vowel sounds (e.g., “ee, ah, oh”) for variety and flexibility.
Tip:
Maintain steady airflow and posture. Let your voice glide naturally without pushing.
5. Lip Buzzing: Activate Resonance and Vocal Focus
Purpose:
Improves vocal fold stretch and focus resonance in your face, not your throat.
How to Do It:
- Lightly press your lips together and exhale, buzzing your lips (like a relaxed “motorboat” sound).
- Add sound to the buzz—hum through your lips while sliding up and down in pitch.
- Repeat a few times, increasing pitch range gradually but comfortably.
- You should feel a buzzing or tickling sensation around your lips and nose.
Tip:
If buzzing stops, check your lips are loose enough, and avoid pushing too much air.
6. Humming: Gentle Vibration to Wake Up the Voice
Purpose:
Encourages forward resonance and easy phonation without strain.
How to Do It:
- Gently close your lips, keep your jaw relaxed.
- Take a deep breath and hum “mmm” softly.
- Focus on vibrations in your lips, nose, and facial bones.
- Midway through the hum, open into an “ah” sound without changing breath pressure.
- E.g., “hmmmm…ahhhh”
Tip:
Keep shoulders relaxed and breath steady. Don’t push; this is a calming warm-up.
7. Breath Support System: Strengthen Vocal Power Without Strain
Purpose:
Improves control of airflow using the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
How to Do It:
- Stand or sit with a tall posture and relaxed shoulders.
- Take a deep diaphragmatic breath.
- Exhale sharply with a loud “HUH”, engaging your lower belly muscles.
- Repeat 5–10 times, increasing speed while maintaining control.
- Keep your throat relaxed even as your core contracts.
Tip:
This takes practice! Focus on keeping the throat open and only activating the abs during exhale.
8. Low-Flow “Hello” Breath Control: Control and Release Airflow
Purpose:
Regulates breath pressure and vocal onset for a calm and smooth delivery.
How to Do It:
- Stand with good posture and relaxed shoulders.
- Inhale deeply and slowly through your nose.
- On exhale, say “hello” softly and slowly, using minimal air.
- Place your palm in front of your lips—feel a gentle warm air but not a forceful gust.
- Repeat several times. Try varying your pitch and pace on each repetition.
Tip:
Stay aware of breath quantity. The goal is light, consistent airflow, not volume.
9. Vocal Cool Down: Restore and Relax Post-Speech
Purpose:
Prevents vocal fatigue and resets the voice after extended speaking.
How to Do It:
- Close your lips gently and hum a soft “mmm” sound.
- Focus on light, buzzy vibrations on your lips and face.
- Hum gently for 1–2 minutes, sliding between low and mid-range pitches.
- Add gentle lip or tongue trills if desired to fully relax the folds.
Tip:
Cool downs help reduce inflammation and preserve your voice for the long term. Don’t skip them!
Bonus Tools for Better Articulation
Tongue Twisters for Clarity
Tongue twisters help improve your articulation and vocal agility. Say them slowly and clearly at first, then increase your speed as your accuracy improves.
Try these:
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers…
- Denise sees the fleece, Denise sees the fleas…
- One-one was a racehorse, Two-two was one too…
Focus on one element at a time (tongue, lips, jaw) to isolate and warm up specific areas.
Breath Control Exercises for Public Speaking
Good breath control prevents you from sounding rushed or breathy, especially when nervous.
Try this step-by-step breathing technique:
- Breathe from your diaphragm: Imagine a belt around your waist expanding as you inhale.
- Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth.
- On the exhale, hold a soft “ssss” sound to lengthen your breath.
- Count aloud from 1 to 5 as you exhale, varying pitch and keeping shoulders relaxed.
For extra practice, lie on your back with hands on your stomach to feel the rise and fall of your breath.
Final Thoughts
Your voice is your most powerful communication tool—take care of it like any pro would. Warming up helps you sound more dynamic, avoid strain, and leave a stronger impression. Whether you’re speaking on stage, in a meeting, or online, these simple warm-ups will help you own the room with confidence.
Make vocal warm-ups a part of your pre-speech routine and let your voice speak volumes.