Weekend Vocal Prep for Worship Leaders and Worship Singers
- Sara Scott McDowell
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Weekend Vocal Prep for Worship Leaders and Worship Singers
Worship Leaders and Worship Singers - I heard you loud and clear 📣
You need some vocal warmups and vocal health resources you can use for the weekend.
I hope the tips here are helpful and aid you in putting your best voice forward this weekend.
This is your go-to guide for prepping your voice for Sunday - practical, doable, and gentle.
Whether you’re pressed for time or just starting out, these tips will help you put your best voice forward and lead with more freedom and confidence. 💪🏻
Use it well, and pass it on. 💜
💧 VOCAL HEALTH
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Water is your best friend when it comes to vocal health. Aim for around 80 oz of water and other hydrating options daily, or about half your body weight in ounces if you’re on the petite side. Being and staying hydrated helps reduce strain, improve tone, and keep your vocal cords flexible.
Prioritize Sleep and Rest
Your voice needs recovery time just like your body does. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep whenever possible, and supplement with a nap if your night time sleep has been rough.
Even 10 minutes of rest can make a noticeable difference in your vocal energy and control.
Steam Is Your Secret Weapon
Your shower is an underrated tool in your vocal care, vocal recovery, and vocal prep routine! That steam adds moisture to your vocal cords and can help clear out sinuses - which helps your voice feel freer and more full.
Spend 5-15 minutes intentionally breathing in that steam. It’s the perfect place to start gentle breathing exercises or even start your vocal warmups, too. 😉
Avoid Noisy or Smoky Environments
Loud talking (especially over noise) and secondhand smoke can wreak havoc on your voice, and cause swelling, dryness, and fatigue in your vocal cords. Keep your voice protected so you have it for when it matters. 🙏
🎶 VOCAL WARMUPS
Vocal Warmup Routine
Here’s a simple and effective vocal warmup flow you can use before you lead worship:
1️⃣ Start your warmups in the shower while you’re steaming.
2️⃣ Pick any song from your worship set.
3️⃣ Hum the song all the way through.
4️⃣ Next, lip trill the song all the way through.
5️⃣ Then, do raspberries through the song.
6️⃣ Finish by gently singing the song all the way through.
💜 Bonus Tip:If you’re feeling congested or have extra phlegm, try a few vocal slides or sirens - they'll help loosen mucus and gunk, and smooth transitions between registers and parts of your vocal range.
🙏 PRAYER & MINDSET
Talk to the Lord About Your Voice
God made your voice - and He's entrusted you with the gift of using it and stewarding it.
Take a moment to talk to Him about your voice, and pray over it. Ask the Lord to:
Keep you and your voice strong and healthy
Give you wisdom as you grow
Remind you that you are more than your voice
If you’re struggling vocally today, be gentle with yourself. Try Box Breathing or other deep-breathing exercises to calm your body and reduce anxiety. Remember - your worth and worship are not defined by how perfect your voice sounds.
You’ve got this, friend. 💜
About the Author
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Sara Scott McDowell, a Worship Vocal Coach for Worship Leaders and Worship Singers. I’ve led worship for more than 20 years, recovered fully from a partially paralyzed vocal cord, and now help worship vocalists sing with strength, freedom, and confidence - with vocal health and vocal longevity in mind.
If you’re ready to care for your voice and steward it well, you’re in the right place. 🙌
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