This post helps you get started, but it’s only the beginning. What would it feel like to sing your heart out with a transformed voice performing to thousands of people by the end of the year? Come join the hundreds of thousands of singers who have already transformed their voice with my Cole Vocal Method. Set your voice free in only 20 minutes a day with these transformative vocal techniques found only here! Click here to find out more.  

Building a powerful and professional voice is the goal of many aspiring singers. The good news is that it is possible. Wherever your voice is right now can vastly be improved.

While having a voice that sounds trained may be the goal of some, it’s not the goal of everyone. Many singers prefer to have their own style and not sound “too trained”.

Whatever your aim, this technique will get you where you want to go and will actually develop your true potential that you didn’t even know you had.

I’ve been teaching voice in New York City for over 3 decades now, and there has never been a voice that didn’t improve from this technique.

The Cole Vocal Method™ is a professional singing technique that builds the true potential of any singers’ voice. It strips away the compensatory muscles and develops the core foundation of the voice without changing your style or uniqueness. No matter whether you have trained in the past or are just starting out, The Cole Vocal Method™ will build a powerful and professional singing voice and help you reach your vocal dreams.

Introduction to Cari’s Cole Vocal Method™: a holistic Vocal Technique System for building a professional singing voice. The Cole Vocal Method is a holistic singing system that dramatically improves the production and performance of the singing voice. It is a complete method of exercises that address the mechanics of the voice stripping away compensatory tensions and strengthening the core function of the voice. A great technique improves the technical voice, but won’t take away your style or individuality. The right method is key. Experience the path to vocal freedom.

Like an Olympic coach improves the performance of an athlete, this method, through a sophisticated physical system of vocal technique, improves vocal technique and performance of the singing voice. The Cole Vocal Method was built over 3 generations and many decades of teaching professional singers. It comes from a true form of singing and regards the health of the voice as integral to vocal production throughout all of the exercises and approaches.

The Cole Vocal Method™ is HOLISTIC and addresses all aspects of the whole person, body + soul.

1. Physical: The Physical Voice – The Cole Vocal Method™ / The voice, body alignment. Innovative techniques to building a professional singing voice.
2. Emotions: Frees up expression and anything blocking it
3. Mind: Mental strength training, mindset, perspective, mental health
4. Spirit: Higher self, intuitive self, access to “knowing” + wisdom

10 Steps to Building a Powerful and Professional Singing Voice

Phase 1 of The Cole Vocal Method™:

1. Removing strain and tension.

The first step to building a powerful and professional singing voice starts with removing strain and tension. You can’t begin building a solid technique without first clearing the foundation. Most singers sing with extra tensions that end up constricting their voices and causing vocal problems in the long run.

Tension is the enemy of the singing voice. Singing on top of tension in the throat, neck and facial muscles will only result in vocal problems with tone and production.

From a “throaty” or “nasal” sound, incorrect vocal production results in a harsh or raspy sound, creating more tension in the voice than is ideal.

Using techniques to reduce tension we aim to free the voice from these constrictions and restore free vocal production resulting in a voice that produces a beautiful, strong vocal tone and resonance. If you want a quick assessment of your vocal health and tips to reduce tension, click here to get my Free Vocal Health Quiz.

2. Stripping away “compensatory muscles” that interfere and constrict the singing voice.

Without the proper vocal training, singers will overuse and improperly engage the neck, tongue, and jaw muscles to give the voice more strength. However, these muscles, used improperly will constrict and trap the singing voice cutting off it’s natural resonance literally muting the sound and only end up causing vocal problems in singers.

Through a process of identifying where the tension is, we strip away the incorrect use of these muscles that constrict the voice to build a true and strong foundation for the professional singer.

3. Developing the right alignment.

The next step on the journey is developing the correct alignment. The physical alignment of the body, from the spinal column to the position of the head and neck will produce an incorrect or correct path to the breath and vocal production.

From the position starting at the feet to the knees, hips, lower to upper back and the position of the shoulders and head are all positioned correctly to open access to the breathing and freeing the singing voice.

Using methods to locate pressure and tensions in alignment that are constricting the diaphragm, breathing and providing support, we restore the right alignment and path in the body to produce a powerful, free and resonant voice.

4. Diaphragmatic breathing methods. Unlocking and toning the breath.

Now that the right alignment is established we have a more open path to the breath. Unlocking the breath is the first next step. The diaphragm needs to be free to move downward pulling air into the deeper triangle of the lungs providing support for the singing voice.

Each person has their own tensions and constrictions in this area of the voice. Physical and emotional tensions can constrict the breathing.

To open up the breathing we start with exercises to stretch, open and free up the 28 intercostal muscles that wrap around the ribs. Using specific breathing and stretching techniques designed to target these muscles we open the path for the diaphragm to descend.

5. Support in the trunk of the body.

The support for the singing voice is provided by a series of muscles in the trunk of the body. Strengthening the support of the these muscles helps to unlock the power and resonance of the singing voice. Starting with the pectoral muscles, they help to anchor the laryngeal muscles and give it more strength and power against the air pressure from the lungs and breath.

Sternum and chest position (alignment). I want to mention the position of the sternum and chest here because without a high position here, the voice will always fall into the throat. Keeping the chest lifted (in a natural way) provides additional support and frees the diaphragm. We use specific techniques within The Cole Vocal Method™ to establish the use of the chest and sternum in supporting the singing voice.

Next the Intercostal muscles particularly in the back provide more support for the voice. Using these muscles in a “wing” like fashion keep the diaphragm down keeping air in the lungs. This is a more advanced technique once alignment and breathing are restored and the ribcage and diaphragm are more free.

Singing requires using the abdominal muscles quite a bit in vocal production. The overuse of the abdominal muscles before the chain of muscles above is utilized correctly can result in a tense, hoarse and nasal voice. Once the correct support is established the abdominal muscles can engage in a way that strengthens the sound and power of the voice.

6. Strengthening the core muscles of the voice.

Once we have decreased tension, stripped away the compensatory muscles, developed the right alignment, unlocked the breathing, and established support we then start strengthening the core muscles of the voice. Using a system of specific techniques designed to target and strengthen the vocal instrument, we build the foundation of the core muscles of the voice and breathing. Similar to a world class athlete working with an Olympic coach to improve their skill and performance, these exercises build the strength, tone and skill of the singing voice with health at the forefront. This technique and process builds a powerful and professional singing voice.

7. Placement, onset and finishing.

Developing the correct placement of the singing voice is truly the hallmark of a great singing voice. Without it, vocal production can move all of the place making it difficult for the singer to maintain a consistent tone and sound.

Placement of the tone first requires the above steps to be established as you can’t produce sound correctly with so many constrictions and limitations.

Once placement is achieved, we focus on the onset of the phrase or note to establish the correct vocal production allowing the singer a great deal more control over the singing voice.

At the same time we develop “onset”, we develop the “finishing” of the phrase. Finishing has a great deal to do with the correct production of the breathing and a release in the “compensatory” muscles that surround the singing voice.

8. Tone

A voice with a great singing tone is the envy of all singers. Tone is a natural evolution that develops as you establish the above steps. As the voice gets free from constraints and incorrect production of the breathing and singing voice, tone appears.

Once the voice is freer, using very specific methods, approaches and exercises in The Cole Vocal Method™ we establish greater tone, natural resonance and effortless vocal production.

9. Agility and flexibility.

As the tone develops, the next focus is on ability and strength of flexibility. Using techniques and drills designed to target the core of the voice, we establish greater agility and flexibility.

Agility and flexibility are also a pillar of vocal health when produced correctly. An agile and flexible voice will stay healthy and not burn out quickly as a tense or stiff voice will.

Vocal health is at the foundation of all of the methods and approaches in The Cole Vocal Method™.

10. Power and strength.

Vocal power and strength are the sign of a strong and healthy vocal instrument. Once the voice is set free by releasing tensions, establishing the right alignment and breath support, and developing the right placement, we can work on developing true power and strength. Through a series of exercises designed to target true vocal power and strength, we develop these aspects of the professional singing voice so the singer has power, endurance and can sing for hours without strain.

The exercises contained within The Cole Vocal Method™:

1. The Singers Gift Vocal Warmups: Cari developed the Singers Gift Vocal Warmups to open and free the singing voice for performance. She uses holistic innovative methods to open the throat, decrease and eliminate tension improving overall performance and endurance.

2. Vocal Therapy exercises: The Vocal Rescue Kit: The only vocal therapy exercise system of its kind, Cari’s Vocal Rescue Kit is a complete system of vocal therapy exercises to restore the singing and speaking voice. Comes with cool down therapy to reduce inflammation at the vocal folds. Includes a 3 part series of the latest holistic approaches and vocal remedies.

3. Master Voice Building System: This advanced master voice building technique system builds the singing voice from the foundation up or onto an existing technique. The method strips away the compensatory muscles to develop the core vocal muscles and overtone series. Based in Bel Canto but altered to fit the modern vocalist, this holistic method focuses on the health and science of the singing voice. Over 38 exercises on audio + guided daily practice videos.

4. The Fundamentals: Part of Cari’s method, these four fundamental exercises develop a stronger, more dynamic instrument with a wider palette of options. Improve range, strength and vocal agility.

Downloadable digital vocal exercises on audio + video with an instructional guidebook.

Come learn The Cole Vocal Method™ in Cari’s Vocal Freedom Circle.

If you’re looking for a proven method to help you achieve a strong voice that won’t let you down when it matters most, I’d like to invite you to join my Vocal Freedom Circle 8-week online program. This is an online program that teaches you my The Cole Vocal Method that helps you build an award winning professional voice.

Click here to learn more.