Vocal & Physical Warm Ups: The Bit Too Many Still Skip

Let’s not faff about. If you’re a voice actor, a performer, or anyone who relies on your voice to pay the bills, vocal warm-ups shouldn't be optional. They’re not “nice if I remember.” or "This doesnt apply to me, I've been in the business too long." They’re the difference between showing up ready for anything or possibly falling flat.

Think of warm-ups like flossing. Easy to ignore, deeply unsexy, but neglect them and things can unravel—fast. You'll get away with skipping them for a while. Then suddenly, it’s day three of an audiobook read and your voice sounds like you've had a night on the town.

Vocal Exercises

Why Warm-Ups Actually Matter (Seriously)

Warm-ups are about preparing your voice for what it’s about to do. That means getting your breath aligned, loosening up tension in the jaw and neck (where it loves to hide), and tuning in to how your voice feels today—not how it felt last week.

I looked at what two friends of Wonderland VO recommend. Nicola Redman, a no-nonsense VO & voice coach with a gift for untying vocal knots, puts it beautifully: warm-ups are embodied. They’re not just about the voice. They start in your spine, your shoulders, your breath. Her work invites you to drop into your body first—because the voice is part of you, not some disembodied thing you summon like Alexa.

Then there’s Karen Esposito, who brings a bit of vocal science and a ton of experience into the room. Karen reminds us that no two warm-ups should be the same. Are you heading into high-energy character work? A soft, intimate narration? A commercial with crisp diction and sparkle? Your warm-up should be as specific as your performance. Karen’s magic lies in helping you tailor the ritual to suit the gig—and your physiology.

Karen Esposito & Nic Redman

Vocal & Physical Warm-ups: The Usual Suspects (And Why They Work)

Now, you’ll hear a lot of the same exercises crop up again and again—and with good reason. Here’s a quick hit-list of classics that belong in any vocal artist’s arsenal:

• Lip Trills: The “brrrr” that makes you feel ridiculous but works wonders for airflow and vocal tension. Try sirening up and down your range when you do them.

  
  

• Humming: Gentle, resonant, and brilliant for connecting breath to sound without forcing.

  
  

• Sirens: Slide up and down the range like a melodious emergency vehicle. Great for smoothing out breaks and easing tension.

  
  

• Vowel Work: A-E-I-O-U across your range helps with tone, control, and tuning the resonance.

  
  

• Tongue Twisters: “Red leather, yellow leather” is your new best mate for articulation and clarity. Try saying it sultry. Now try it angry. Now fast. See?

  
  

• SOVT (Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract): Think blowing bubbles through a straw in water—I know, you're not 5 but it’s science! SOVT exercises reduce vocal load while boosting efficiency, like tuning your vocal folds with a velvet touch. Once you've tried it, try it out of the water too.

  
  

• Physical Warm-Up: Your voice lives in your body—so if your neck’s tighter than traffic warden's smile, it’s going to show. Gentle stretches, shoulder rolls, neck and spine stretches help release tension and get the whole instrument humming.

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But before any of that—breathe. And I don’t mean shallow chest breathing. I mean the good stuff. Diaphragmatic. Calm. Deep. As both Nicola and Karen would remind you, voice starts with breath. Get that bit right and you’re halfway home.

Physically warm up as well as vocally

How Long? How Often? When?

Daily, is great but prior to a big session is most important. Even five to ten minutes can make a tangible difference. The trick is to build it into your rhythm. Before a session, before a rehearsal, before a long day of being a human! Your voice is a muscle—and muscles like routine.

Some tips to keep you on track:

• Set a time: Same way you set meetings. Put it in your calendar. “Brad Voice Warm Up : 9:15.”

  
  

• Have a go-to playlist: Karen’s vocal drills (there's one on the Wonderland VO front page) or Nicola’s guided sessions? Pop them in a playlist. Saves thinking time.

  
  

• Stay curious: Really notice how your voice feels. Tweak things. Play. It’s not a checklist—it’s a conversation with your instrument.

  
  

Integrating these vocal warm-up techniques into your routine can greatly enhance your vocal abilities and performance quality. Just 10-20 minutes of warm-ups before a performance or practice session can yield significant benefits.

And When You Can’t Be Bothered?

That’s when you really need it. On the lazy days, aim for just one exercise. A hum. A stretch. A slow siren. It’s like brushing your teeth before bed—bare minimum, but it saves a world of pain later.

And listen, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about respect. For your body, your craft, and your career. So the next time you’re tempted to roll straight into a session cold, ask yourself this:

Would you start a marathon without stretching & warming up? Would you go on stage with no rehearsal? Would you drive a vintage car on a frosty morning without letting it warm up (ask Bruce!)?

Warm-ups aren’t a prelude. They’re part of the performance.

Treat them like foreplay: you might technically be able to skip them, but it’s going to feel a hell of a lot better if you don’t.