How to Improve Your Pitch
A Guide for Singers
What is pitch in music?
Pitch refers to how high or low a note is. For example, women have higher pitched voices and men generally have lower pitched voices.
As as a singer, when we refer to pitch we’re generally talking about how accurately you’re hitting each of your notes. If you sing slightly above a note, that is called being ‘sharp’. If you sing slightly below a note, that is called being ‘flat’. Singers should aim for good pitch accuracy by hitting each note right in the middle because that sounds the best.
‘She’s a little pitchy’ – means she’s singing a little flat or sharp (or both).
‘Hit the note right on pitch’ – means you want to sing the note perfectly in the middle of the tone and get a really nice pitch accuracy.
How do you get good pitch?
Pitch is largely controlled by two factors: Breath support and hearing ability.
Most singers have problems singing ‘flat’ because of poor breath support, but what has pitch got to do with your ears?
Well my friend, music is a hearing art form and singers need to develop their musical ears to be able to identify whether they are hitting the correct pitch or not.
Its crazy how many singers can’t hear whether they are singing in tune or not. The best way to tell is to record yourself and listen back, but for now, let’s take a look at how to work on our breath support and musical hearing to make sure our pitch is, well… right on pitch!
1. Work on your breathing for singing
Its the most important part of singing and your diaphragm is like the engine room for your whole instrument. Your ability to breathe effectively affects so many elements of singing, including pitch, so if there was one thing to focus on above all else in your quest for amazing pitch accuracy, it’s breathing.
2. Improve your musical hearing
This is called ‘Ear Training’ and there are many, many different exercises that you can do to help you develop your ‘ears’ as we musos say. In the video below is a fun one I created for singing vocal harmony but it is a great exercise to start with that will help you develop your pitch.
(Learn the difference between Relative and Perfect Pitch)
So in a nutshell, to improve your pitch you need to work on your hearing and your breathing and then the pitch issues should correct themselves automatically. Both take a little time to master because:
Breathing – you are dealing with an internal muscle (your diaphragm) and need to build its strength and muscle memory in order to sing without thinking about your breathing. If you’re practicing 3 x a week for example, you’ll need to do breathing exercises for 5 minutes at the start of your practice session every time you sing for about 1 month in order for it to become second nature.
Ear Training – you are building up a sense that has been taken for granted for so long! That means your ears have become lazy and need a jump start. Consistent practice with your ear training is the key to developing this sense properly.
I hope you enjoyed this post
Thanks for reading and I hope this post was helpful. Let me know if you enjoyed it in the comments below.
Nicola xx
Try these tutorials next!
Tongue Twisters For Singers
Warm up your mouth for singing and improve your articulation with these four effective tongue twisters for singers.
How to Sing in Tune
Want to know how to sing in tune? Try these three simple steps to help fix your pitch and sing in tune with the music every time.
How to sing a minor blues scale
Learn to sing a minor blues scale with this fun sing-along tutorial. I’ll break down the scale for you and we’ll practice with a fun improvisation exercise.
Beginner Scales For Singers
Four beginner scales for singers that you need to know. Commonly found in music, these scales will help your intonation, improvisation and musical knowledge.
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I really like the harmony piece!
Thanks your tips are wonderful,and appreciated and it is in plans to become a student as soon as I am able.
Thanks Edward! 🙂
hey Nicky…i depend on these lessons hey, they help me a lot and i am growing in music and i have recently decided to launch myself as a singer in Zimbabwe and internationally with time…so keep these emails coming more frequent…..planning to become a student ASAP
So glad I could help Asher! 🙂
this is going to be awsome
Thank you for you wonderful tips. I really believe this will improve how I breath and cordinate my hearing with voice.
Appreciate it much.
Thankyou So very much
I’m so glad that I’ve come across this site. You really understand the struggles we as singers face from time to time and with proper training, we will master those things. I’m definitely considering of becoming a student in your academy.
Thanks Shantal! Glad I could help 🙂
Great tip!
What about with hearing difficulties eg hearing loss or less rather than complete loss deficiency
Excuse me….
I have a question…..
I want to become a fanous singer and i am very well at it too…..
People really appreciate my voice.
But the problem is that i am an indian. And i am just 15 yrs old. I want to become a hollywood singer but there are problems which denying to me to become one. What should I do?
Keep going
The problem is not that you are Indian-unless you want to make it one or that you are 15 years old.Its the other problems which deny you that you mention?List them and see how many you can tackle by using the resources of the internet( a low cost option).Ultimately you may need a voice coach but by then you will know what you are looking for.Hope this Helps.
Thankyou!!! Very rewarding as always. Greatly appreciated xxx
I am a professional singer and a vocalist teacher as well and your tips have help me as a singer, and as a teacher as well. Thank you for your tips I’m so great full to you Nicola your teaching are so knowledgeable.
Thanks! 🙂
U’ve really helped me a lot am so excited.
But the problem i have is that i am in Nigeria. I would have loved to become ur student