Tracy Pham

Growing up, I always knew I loved to sing, but I didn’t know what my true singing voice actually sounded like. I constantly felt like I was holding back. Even when I spoke, my voice sat in a higher pitch that didn’t feel natural to me.

This showed up in my singing too. I sang with a lot of breathiness and very little volume, felt tired after only a few minutes, and always felt that something was missing from my voice.

Everything changed when I started exploring different genres and artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse. Through singing their songs, I felt much more relaxed when I used my fuller, deeper tone. 

At first, I struggled to like my voice because it didn’t sound like the artists I loved. But over time, I learned to appreciate my voice for what it is and embrace its uniqueness.

This is the voice I still sing with today, and it’s the same process I now help my students go through to find their voice and learn to love it.

Finding Your Singing Voice Starts With a Hum

Everyone has a unique singing voice waiting to be heard, but discovering it begins with what feels the most comfortable.

One of the easiest ways to start is by humming. Hum a note that feels completely natural, like the sound you’d make when thinking or relaxing.

Next, find that note on an instrument or a music app. This is what I call your baseline voice — one that is easy, resonant, and comfortable. This baseline is the foundation for developing your unique singing voice.

The “One Note” Exercise to Explore Your Voice

Once you’ve found your baseline voice, it’s time to experiment.

Sing your comfortable note on the vowel “DAW”, and explore as many voices as possible:

• Your normal relaxed voice
• A powerful full voice (imagine you're singing the the back of the room)
• A soft breathy voice (similar to a whisper)
• A yawny open voice (like you're in an opera)
• A nasal voice (like Squidward from SpongeBob!)

This exercise helps you understand that your voice can you sound however you like. You’re not stuck with one sound. You have control over it. 

Apply the One Note Exercise to a Song

Now, take your favourite song and sing it multiple times, each time in a different way:

• Relaxed version: Sing at an easy speaking volume, like you would in the shower or washing dishes.
• Quiet version: Sing at about 10% volume.
• Full-volume version: Sing with confidence and passion.
• Blended version: Mix your soft, full, and relaxed voice throughout the song.
• Emotional version: Focus only on the feeling and message of the song.

Afterward, reflect on how each version felt to sing and how it sounded when you listened back. This reflection helps you identify which version of your voice feels most like you.

Tips for Learning to Love Your Singing Voice

1. Singing Is Mostly Psychological

I always tell my students that singing is 90% mental. Mistakes are part of the learning process, and kindness toward yourself leads to faster growth.

2. Record Yourself Singing

Recording your voice is one of the most powerful tools for developing your voice. Listening back helps you pinpoint areas to improve and makes you more comfortable with hearing your recorded voice over time. Remember to speak kindly to yourself as you listen back to your recordings. 

3. Keep Exploring

Your voice is capable of sounding many different ways. Your uniqueness is what makes your voice special, so embrace it and don't be afraid to play. 

Stay Curious with Your Voice

Finding your unique singing voice takes time, patience, and self-acceptance. Keep experimenting, stay curious, and trust that your voice is already enough. No one else sounds like you, and that's what makes it special.