Singing in proximity to others is a logistical challenge many singers bump up against when it comes to practice and working on your voice.  

In order to keep building your skills and flexing your vocal muscles, you need to practice and SING often – ideally for a little bit each day.  

And if you live in a house with others or share walls with neighbours or roommates, it’s likely you won’t be able to just belt it out or make noise whenever you want. 

But logistics shouldn’t hold you back from practice! 

Here are my best tips for building your singing journey around whatever living situation you happen to be in: 

1. Scheduling: 

This is a good one – neighbours or none – because it is going to make you more intentional (and hopefully consistent!) about when you practice. 

Start by gathering information about your family, roommates’ or neighbours’ schedules, so you have a good grasp on when they’re home vs. when they’re out. 

And then hold that up against your own schedule and start to look for times that line up. Is there a 15 minute slot when you’re free and no one is home? If so, that’s your practice time. Mark it in your calendar and stick to it like glue! 

Why this matters: 

If you’re sharing space or there are people in close proximity, the key is to make sure you feel free to sing, weeble, wobble, go off-key and play around. 

There’s nothing worse than worrying about what people are hearing. You want to be able to let go and focus on your practice. So set yourself up for success by finding that time slot that lines up perfectly. 

Now, if it’s hard to find that slot, don’t fret! Because it’s also OK to ask people around you if they mind you practicing for 10-15 minutes on X day(s). To keep that feeling of freedom, you could offer them earplugs, or if it’s in the budget, buy them some noise cancelling headphones. 

2. Practice at a Lower Volume: 

If it’s difficult to coordinate schedules or you’re in a situation where you will be heard no matter what, the good news is you can still practice. 

Here are some ways you can modify your singing practice so you still get the benefits, without creating noise for others nearby: 

Hum through your warm ups and your songs 

Humming produces much less sound than singing with your mouth open. Plus, it has the added benefit of being a great vagus nerve stimulator. So if you’re stressed, humming can be very relaxing. Win-win! 

Connect with your lyrics 

If you’re working on a particular song, use this quieter practice time to go through your lyrics and immerse yourself more deeply in the story of your song. This helps you understand the song better and continue to bring it into your body. 

And the next time you can sing it full volume, you’ll have a better sense of the shape of the song and how to put your own spin on it. 

Sing softly 

Singing quietly still counts as singing! You’re using your voice and working on your vocal skills, and you’re being gentle with your voice too. 

To avoid stiffening up while you keep your volume low, try moving your body while you sing. Your movements can be as big or small as you like – just keep everything loose! 

3. Search for Alternate Spaces 

Here in Vancouver, there are many options for studio spaces to rent by the hour. 

If you absolutely can’t freely sing at home, it’s time to brainstorm other options. Studio spaces, friend’s houses, remote nature areas. Put your thinking cap on and start making a list of options to explore. 

Your list could also include “singing opportunities” like choirs and lessons where you can fully sing out and use your voice on a consistent basis. 

Whatever your situation, don’t give up! 

I hope you can find those sweet spot time slots and spaces that work for you. And please  reach out to me with questions or even suggestions. I love sharing resources with our little singing community and encouraging everyone to sing MORE. 

Happy Practicing (quietly if needed!)