How to Reduce Tongue Tension When Singing

When we think of singing well, our minds often go to breath control, pitch accuracy, or vocal strength.

But there’s a quiet disruptor that many singers overlook — tongue tension.

It’s surprisingly common and can limit resonance, strain the voice, and make singing feel harder than it should.

The good news? You can retrain your voice and release this tension — unlocking a freer, more expressive sound.

What Is Tongue Tension — and Why Does It Matter?

Tongue tension occurs when the tongue becomes rigid or overactive while singing.

This can interfere with airflow, restrict space in the vocal tract, and cause fatigue or strain — especially in higher registers.

Although it’s one of the lesser-known obstacles to healthy singing, the tongue plays a central role in shaping vowels, articulating consonants, and influencing resonance.

When it isn’t moving freely, everything else — from tone quality to pitch accuracy — becomes more difficult.

How to Tell if You’re Holding Tension

It’s not always obvious. You may not feel tension directly in the tongue, but you might notice symptoms like:

• A tight or ‘choked’ feeling in the throat
• Muffled or dull tone, even with good breath support
• Difficulty singing through long phrases
• Soreness in the jaw or neck after practise

A quick self-check: try singing a simple scale or phrase with your tongue gently extended outside your mouth. If it feels easier or more open, you’re likely holding tension during regular singing.

What Causes Tongue Tension?

There are several common culprits:

• Over-articulation: Trying too hard to pronounce words can cause the tongue to stiffen.
• Poor posture: When the head or neck is misaligned, the tongue often compensates.
• Stress: Tension in the body frequently finds its way to the tongue and jaw.
• Habitual speech patterns: Everyday speaking habits, including certain regional accents, can carry over into singing.

The key is to gently retrain the tongue to stay relaxed and responsive — not rigid or dominant.

How to Release Tongue Tension: Practical Strategies

1. Build Awareness

Start by simply observing your tongue during practise.

Notice where it sits, how it moves, and whether it’s pushing, pulling, or pressing unnecessarily. Becoming aware is the first and most important step toward releasing tension.

2. Gentle Tongue Stretches

Loosen the muscle with light exercises.

Try sticking your tongue out as far as is comfortable, then slowly moving it side to side, up and down.

Do this with a relaxed jaw and calm breath. This helps release habitual tightness and promotes flexibility.

3. Sing with Your Tongue Out

It may feel silly, but singing scales or short phrases with your tongue extended just past your lips can reveal how much it normally pulls back or tenses up.

This exercise helps retrain the tongue to rest forward and low, encouraging a more open throat and clearer tone.

4. Adopt a Neutral Resting Position

Aim to keep the tip of the tongue gently resting behind the bottom front teeth, with the middle of the tongue low and relaxed in the mouth.

This neutral position supports both clarity and vocal freedom, particularly during sustained notes and legato singing.

5. Release the Jaw and Neck

Tongue tension is often linked to a tight jaw or stiff neck.

Before singing, try massaging the jaw muscles, gently stretching the neck, or even yawning to relax the entire vocal tract.

Working with a Vocal Coach

Self-practise is powerful, but guidance from a skilled vocal coach can make a tremendous difference.

A coach can help you identify subtle areas of tension, offer personalised exercises, and guide you in developing new muscle habits — all within the context of your singing goals and style.

Over time, you’ll build more control, freedom, and endurance — not just in the tongue, but throughout your entire vocal system.

If you’re ready to take your singing to the next level, explore adult singing lessons at The London Singing Institute — where expert guidance meets a supportive, tailored approach.

Why This Matters for Your Voice

Singing should never feel like a battle with your own body.

When the tongue is free, the voice opens up.

Your tone becomes clearer, your breath flows more naturally, and singing becomes less effort and more joy.

Releasing tongue tension isn’t just about sounding better — it’s about feeling better as you sing. You’ll find more confidence in your voice and greater ease in performance.

Final Thoughts

If singing ever feels harder than it should, your tongue may be doing more work than necessary.

With a bit of patience, awareness, and regular practise, you can undo old habits and discover a new sense of vocal freedom.

Remember: the most powerful improvements often come from the most subtle shifts. Let go of the tension, and your voice will thank you.

Free the tongue. Free the sound.