5 Vocal Warm Up Exercises Before Meetings, Speeches and Presentations

Summary

Vanessa Van Edwards explains that vocal warm-ups can help anyone who speaks in meetings, presentations, or speeches—not just singers. After once starting a major presentation with a shaky, breathy voice, she began warming up before speaking to sound clearer and more confident.

Her five-step routine takes about five minutes:

1. Loosen up and “shush”: Relax your shoulders, neck, and jaw. Take deep breaths into your belly while keeping your shoulders down, then push the air out with a steady “shhh” sound. This helps release tension and prepare your breathing.
2. Do tongue trills: Roll your tongue, then move the sound up and down in pitch about five times.
3. Hum: Hum comfortably with a loose jaw, lips, and cheeks. Hold the sound, then move it up and down in pitch about five times.
4. Chant: After humming, repeat the M-based syllables demonstrated in the video, such as “me, my, mo, mum.” Vary the pitch until the sound feels smooth and resonant.
5. Practice pronunciation: Clearly articulate the M, P, and T sounds with your mouth open wide, repeating the exercise five to ten times.

The routine can be shortened when time is limited, and the exercises can be done while driving or getting ready.

Presenter/source: Vanessa Van Edwards, Science of People