Vocal warm-up: Vibration exercises

Exercise of the "moto" (lip vibration).

Before any vocal demands, it is imperative to warm up the musculature. One of the most effective and universal exercises is lip vibration, colloquially known as "doing the bike" or "brrr".

It consists of expelling air by making the lips vibrate in a relaxed and continuous manner, producing a sound similar to that of a running engine.

This exercise has a double function: on the one hand, it relaxes excessive tension in the mouth and jaw, areas where we often accumulate stress; on the other hand, it forces to regulate the diaphragmatic air flow, since without a constant air support, the vibration stops.

It can be practiced by performing tonal scales, raising and lowering the pitch (like a siren) while maintaining lip vibration. This lubricates the cords and awakens the vocal range without traumatic impact.

Tongue vibration with "RR" and "P".

To complement lip vibration, lingual vibration is used, pronouncing a sustained, vibrating "R" ("rrrrrrr").

This exercise mobilizes the root of the tongue, a muscle that, when tense, blocks the free exit of sound and "gums up" the voice.

By keeping the tip of the tongue vibrating against the roof of the mouth, the subsequent tension is released.

An advanced and very beneficial variant is the rhythmic combination of occlusive and vibrant consonants, such as the "Prrr" sequence. This helps to coordinate the attack of the sound with immediate relaxation.

The key is to perform these sounds without force in the neck; if marked veins or facial tension appear, you are performing incorrectly.

The goal is an internal sound massage that prepares the vocal folds for phonation, ensuring a clean and agile speech onset.

Summary

Warming up the musculature is imperative prior to any real vocal demand. Lip vibration, or "moto", relaxes the jaw and regulates diaphragmatic airflow.

Tongue vibration using the sustained "R" mobilizes the root of the tongue. This exercise releases posterior tensions that often block the free exit of sound.

Combining occlusive and vibrating sounds prepares the vocal folds for phonation. The goal is an internal massage that ensures an agile speech onset.