The only real difference between singing and humming is that when humming, the movements of the mouth are taken out of the equation.
Humming is amplified to both the hummer and the listener by the movement of sound vibrations through facial bones and cavities. If you’re not much of a singer, you can also try simply pursing your lips and making a “hmmm” noise as if you were thinking.
This is the “basic” form of humming that most people know how to do. Humming through the nose will result in a higher-pitched, more nasal quality.
The pitch you are able to attain should closely match that of your normal singing voice, though you may be able to hit notes that are even higher or lower while you’re humming.
You should be able to “follow” the humming vibrations as they carry through the throat, nose and mouth.
Getting your throat in the right position is not as easy as it sounds. Work on lowering the pitch of the notes as you hum and try to feel when your larynx sinks. With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it.
Keep your lips tightly sealed so that the sound is amplified by your throat and the hollows of your cheeks. Projecting through the mouth lets you hum, and therefore sing, with greater volume and clarity.
Most of your volume should come from the diaphragm, not the voice box. It is only being conducted through the mouth. [4] X Research source This is the “right” way to hum as a trained singer.
It is possible to damage your voice if you produce loud, prolonged sounds without a proper warm-up. [6] X Research source Warming up your vocal cords can even make your normal speaking voice smoother and more pleasant.
The higher the hum, the more you will feel it in your nose and up in the sinuses and forehead. As you lower the note, the vibrations will sink into your throat and resound in your chest.
Humming eliminates the need to focus on lyrics or shape words as you warm up, allowing you to focus purely on hitting the right pitch.
During this exercise, you should not be making an attempt to project or exhale forcefully. Simply let the hum escape as you breathe. Exhale and hold a gentle hum for as long as you can. Humming while breathing is a good way to clear your head, relax your body and alleviate stress.
