219 | The Best Vocal Exercise is…
In this episode of the FULL VOICE Podcast, Nikki Loney breaks down one of the most common questions voice teachers ask, “What’s the best vocal exercise for…?” and explains why that question misses the bigger picture. This episode digs into what vocal exercises actually are, what they aren’t, and how they fit into effective vocal pedagogy for young singers.
Perfect for voice teachers, music educators, and private studio owners, this episode reminds us that the exercise itself is only half the story. The way we cue an exercise, our instructional language, matters just as much, and can be the difference between a student who tunes out and one who builds a real connection with their voice and their teacher. Nikki also walks through one straightforward vocal exercise with ten variations, giving teachers a practical warm-up toolkit to help students explore their voice, build musicianship, and grow their musical literacy, all in a single lesson.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Sign up for FULL VOICE Teaching Young Voices Newsletter here: https://fullvoicemusic.com/newsletter/
Register for Live Teacher workshops here: https://fullvoicemusic.com/shop/teacher-training/workshops/
About our Host:
Nikki Loney is the “Boss-of-it-all” at FULL VOICE Music. With 36 years of experience in private voice teaching, she understands the hard truth about vocal exercises. Inspired by the youngest students in her private voice studio, Nikki challenges teachers to redefine what singing lessons look like for young voices. She works with music education specialists, children’s composers, and voice experts to create music education resources for professional voice teachers. She lives in a forest in Nova Scotia.
