Why Do I Struggle With Singing High Notes?
I’ve been working with a number of students this week who have struggled with hitting those tricky high notes, and it got me thinking—it’s a common challenge for many singers. Whether you’re learning how to sing higher or aiming to sing loud and high, the struggle can be real. But it’s not impossible to overcome!
If you’ve ever found yourself missing the mark when attempting those soaring high notes, don’t worry—you’re not alone. There are a few common reasons singers struggle with singing high, and I’m going to break them down here. Take a look and see if one of these applies to you:
1. It’s Just Out of Your Range (For Now!)
Your vocal cords—or vocal folds—are muscles that move incredibly fast to produce sound. Just like how you need to stretch and build flexibility to touch your toes or do the splits, the same principle applies to your voice. Your vocal cords need time and practice to stretch, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t sing high notes right away. With regular vocal exercises designed to extend your range, you’ll eventually learn how to sing higher with ease.
Pro tip: Make sure to include proper vocal warm-ups in your practice, focusing on exercises that gradually stretch your range. Give it time and keep practicing consistently, and those high notes will come!
2. Your Brain Says “No!”
A big part of singing—especially when trying to sing higher—is mental. If you think you won’t be able to hit a note, chances are, you won’t. When we put pressure on ourselves, we tense up, making it even harder to reach those high notes.
One trick I use with my students is to make the process more fun and less stressful. I get them to jump around, skip, or even swing their arms while making silly sounds. The goal is to relax and remove the pressure. More often than not, they hit the note we were aiming for without even realizing it!
Pro tip: Next time you try to sing high, try moving around the room or doing something playful to loosen up both physically and mentally. You’ll be amazed at the results.
3. The Note Feels Too Heavy
When we sing high and loud, we often bring too much weight into the sound, which can make the notes feel heavy and harder to reach. To sing higher, the vocal folds need to thin out to hit the pitch, but if we carry too much vocal weight, it becomes a struggle.
Imagine singing like a pyramid—your sound should get lighter as you go up the scale. This doesn’t mean you lose power; it just means you adjust the weight of the sound while keeping your vocal quality consistent.
Pro tip: Try singing a little quieter as you go higher, focusing on maintaining vocal quality. This technique allows you to sing high notes without straining or sounding too heavy.
4. Too Much Tightness
It’s common to feel tightness in the throat when singing higher notes. While some tightness is normal—after all, your vocal folds are thinning to hit those pitches—it can become a problem if it feels too restrictive.
If you find yourself tensing up when singing high, try walking around the room while singing. Movement helps release some of that tension, allowing you to sing without straining.
Pro tip: If tightness is holding you back, keep practicing in a way that encourages movement and relaxation. This will help you achieve a more open sound when singing high and loud.
5. Confidence Is Key
One of the things I love most about teaching singers to hit higher and louder notes is seeing the confidence it gives them. When you can sing high with ease, it transforms not only your voice but your mindset as well. Remember, learning how to sing higher and louder isn’t just about technique—it’s also about believing in yourself and trusting your voice.
Learning to sing high and loud without strain takes time, patience, and practice, but with the right mindset and exercises, anyone can improve their range. Whether you’re looking to sing high notes with confidence or just learn how to sing without strain, keep these tips in mind and apply them to your daily practice.
If you’ve tried these tips or have questions, leave a comment below or get in touch—I’d love to hear how you’re progressing on your singing journey! Happy singing!