We’ve all been there – scrambling to make it to a gig, trying to get a quick warm-up in by singing in the car. It’s hard to focus, there’s no piano to guide you, and time is always slipping away.

As singers, we don’t always get the luxury of a quiet green room to properly warm up. In fact, I’ve found myself doing vocal exercises in my car more often than not on the way to a show!

Over the years, I’ve honed in on a quick 10-minute warm-up routine that’s perfect for these less-than-ideal situations. Today, I want to share some of my favorite exercises with you.

A Quick Note Before We Start…

This 10-minute routine isn’t a “magic fix” for all warm-ups. A full warm-up should ideally include hydrating hours in advance and some physical stretches/movement to loosen up your body. But when time is tight, this sequence can be your lifesaver!

Why Warm-Ups Matter

Warming up your voice is essential to keep it flexible, prevent strain, and deliver your best performance. So, when you're short on time, having a quick yet effective warm-up in your back pocket can make all the difference.

Pro Tip From Your Coach
One thing I’ve noticed is that if I’m well-hydrated, I don’t need as much time to warm up. I always make sure to hydrate in advance so that when I’m in a rush, a 10-minute warm-up focusing on breath, stretching, and resonance is still super effective. As long as you’re hydrated and healthy, this short routine can get your voice in gear, even if your car has to double as your green room!

The 10-Minute Warm-Up Breakdown

This guide will walk you through a simple warm-up routine you can complete in under 10 minutes, helping you get performance-ready, no matter where you are. Note: I haven’t assigned specific time limits to each exercise, because it’s important to listen to your body and adapt the routine based on how you feel. Some days, certain warm-ups might need a little more attention, and that’s totally fine. The key is tuning into what your voice and body need.

STEP 1

BREATHING EXERCISES

Nasal and Mouth Breathing

Our lifestyles tend to keep us seated throughout the day. It’s important to connect with your body and get that air flowing! A combination of nasal and mouth breathing exercises can be very useful.

1) Alternating Nasal and Mouth Breathing, with Pulsing Air

Focus on releasing your lower abdominal muscles (important for guitarists or for dancers who are often told to tighten their core for stabilization. Good for anyone who plays on benches or stools, as well)
Expand the ribcage, visualizing a 360° range of expansion ( I like to picture a water balloon being filled from the bottom up!)
Release air slowly on an “s” or “sh”
Advanced: pulse in and out quickly on “oo”

STEP 2

STRETCHING EXERCISES

Massaging and Stretching

This is always a crucial step for me as I tend to find boat loads of tension hidden in different parts of my face and neck. I like to spend at least a few minutes massaging and stretching so that I can identify where I’m holding back and “guarding” my voice.

1) Orbital Bone (Bone above your eye)

Massage the Supraorbital Foramen with thumbs. The SF is found about a half of an inch outward from the bridge of your nose, underneath your eyebrows. This area gives you access to numerous nerves in the face. By massaging the SF, you can very quickly release facial tension.

2) Mandible (jaw)

Massage the Mental Foramen in your jaw. The MF is found roughly an inch to the left and right of the tip of your chin along the sides of your jaw. This is similar to the SF^, which means by massaging gently you can very quickly achieve a muscular release.

3) Cheeks

I like to run my thumbs down the side of my cheeks and along the space between my teeth. Play close attention to the chewing muscles in your face. While this can be very uncomfortable at times, it’s extremely effective at releasing tension in your jaw, cheeks, and mouth.

STEP 3

RESONANCE EXERCISES

Vocalizing

This is a part of the warm up where you begin vocalizing but not yet fully singing. Our goal is to produce clear, easy tones that stretch our range and iron out any of the “wrinkles” between vocal registers.

1) Lip Buzz

Purse your lips slightly, letting them vibrate while you make sound. (I tend to start in small increments by ascending or descending by a 3rd or 5th). Start in a comfortable, middle range first and then work your way outward.

2) Hum

Begin humming somewhere in your middle voice. The goal here is to stretch out the space you will need to resonate properly. Release the tongue and jaw, elongate the pharyngeal (throat) space, and get your voice “ringing”
I typically follow a pattern of a 5th, up or down. You can add in a chewing motion to help keep things moving freely.

3) Sing “Over the Rainbow”

My vocal coach and mentor, Judy Rodman introduced me to the idea of singing “Over the Rainbow” in numerous keys and styles as a sort of litmus test for your warm-up. If you can sing the intervals clearly and with proper resonance, you have effectively warmed up!
I tend to vocalize through the melody with an /i/ vowel ( “ee” as in “heat”), followed by a hum, and then eventually I sing the words.

Final Thoughts

The goal for your 10-minute car warmup:

Personalization: Tailor the warm-up routine to your voice's specific needs. If you have trouble with certain vocal areas, spend more time on exercises that target those areas.
Gradual Intensity: Start with gentle exercises and gradually move to more challenging ones. Avoid pushing your voice too hard in the initial minutes of warming up.

Being short on time, or stuck in your car does not mean you need to sacrifice the quality of your vocal warm-ups. By focusing on mindful breathing, stretching, and vocalizing, you can effectively awaken your vocal cords and sing like a pro!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this blog post! If you would like to keep in touch and continue to learn more about all things music related, please consider signing up for my newsletter and sharing your contact info below.

Cheers!

Warmly,

Mark

The Car Warm-Up: Perfecting Your Voice When Time is Tight (<10 minutes!)