How long, exactly, should you warm up before singing?

I'm a musical theatre performer, so I do a lot more of the mezzo/belter stuff than opera. I really want to keep my voice healthy. Is there a certain period of time I should warm up before singing? Are there specific exercises I should do?
How long, exactly, should you warm up before singing?
The amount of time you spend warming up is individual to your voice. You have to learn how much is too little and how much is too much basically through trial and error. For me, I can run fine on about three minutes of warm up, while one of my friends warms up for usually around twelve minutes before a performance. One thing to remember is that before an audition or a performance, you should never warm up with your song. Again, good vocal exersises are specific to you, but here are some you can try (they're pretty generic, but you may be able to vary them so they work for you):


- Scales.. self explanatory. Go up the scale and then back down the scale. If you are more belty, don't warm your head voice up as much because using the head voice stretches the vocal chords. Vocal chords are supposed to be tight when you belt, so stretching them too much beforehand isn't the best idea. also try scales on a lip buzz to get your breathing going


- Sirens.. go from the very lowest part of your range and slide smoothly up over your break to your highest range. Don't scream so you hurt your voice, just try to hit your top legit note


-Jumping exersises.. you basically start at a note and then jump up five steps, and then come back down (for example.. middle c to g back to middle c) and then move up a half step each time





so yeah those are all basic warm ups that you can expand on and vary when you find which works best for you. good luck!
Reply:28 min and EXACTLY 57.78 seconds :) Report Abuse

Reply:I guess, any amount of time is good as long as you do great during the performance.





[ i-e: You may warm up to whenever but that does not guarantee you from/to a best-!!! ] Report Abuse

Reply:I say it depends on your experience. If you are a beginner with lack of skills maybe 30 mins to build up. But if you practice each day and have skills I say 10 mins since your voice is already trained. Report Abuse

Reply:as long as you need to Report Abuse

Reply:You really have to get to know your voice. Find out what exercises work best for you and how long you need. I am Mezzo and I usually warm up for about 10 mintues before a show.
Reply:WArming up your voice is good, but don't do it too much that you restrain it. I suggest about 5 mins. tops