The Most Common Singing Mistakes (and How the London Singing Institute Fixes Them)

Learning to sing as an adult is an exciting and fulfilling journey, but even the most motivated learners can encounter obstacles along the way.

At the London Singing Institute, we specialise in helping adult singers identify and overcome the most common singing mistakes, leading to faster progress, greater confidence, and a more enjoyable singing experience.

If you are committed to reaching your full vocal potential, understanding the most common singing mistakes — and how to correct them — is essential.

Here’s what you need to watch out for, and how we guide you towards lasting success.

1. Singing Without Proper Breath Support

At the London Singing Institute, we place a strong emphasis on breathing techniques from your very first lesson.

You will learn how to engage your diaphragm correctly, manage your airflow efficiently, and support your sound with strength and stability.

Through carefully designed exercises, you will build the stamina and control needed to sustain long phrases and sing confidently across a range of dynamics.

How we fix it:

We guide you through specific breathing exercises that establish a strong and steady foundation for your voice.

One highly effective exercise we recommend is:

• Lie flat on your back with one hand on your stomach and one on your chest.
• Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing only your stomach to rise while keeping your chest still.
• Exhale steadily through pursed lips, feeling your stomach gently fall.

Practising this exercise daily will help you engage your diaphragm naturally, leading to stronger, more controlled, and more confident singing.

2. Holding Tension in the Throat, Neck, and Jaw

Tension is one of the biggest enemies of free, beautiful singing.

Unfortunately, many adult learners unknowingly tighten their throat, neck, or jaw muscles when trying to hit notes — particularly higher ones.

This results in restricted sound, vocal fatigue, and sometimes even discomfort.

How we fix it:

At the London Singing Institute, our experienced instructors guide you through a series of vocal warm-ups, body awareness exercises, and gentle postural adjustments to help you release unnecessary tension.

We encourage a relaxed, open approach to singing, teaching you to trust your breath and allow your sound to flow naturally rather than forcing it.

We also incorporate specific relaxation techniques into your lessons, such as:

• Gentle self-massage of the jaw, neck, and shoulders before singing.
• Vocal sirens on an “ng” sound (as in “sing”), sliding smoothly up and down in pitch to encourage freedom and flexibility.

By learning to release physical tension, you will experience a freer, richer, and more natural vocal tone.

3. Overthinking Every Note

Many adults bring a perfectionist mindset to singing.

While attention to detail is important, too much mental interference can inhibit vocal freedom and emotional expression.

How we fix it:

At the London Singing Institute, we encourage a balance between technical precision and musical freedom.

We work on exercises that build technical security while also helping you develop a strong emotional connection to the music, allowing your natural musicality to shine without over-analysing every note.

To promote expressive, natural singing, we encourage:

• Singing a favourite song while focusing solely on the emotion rather than technique.
• Recording yourself and listening back with a kind, supportive mindset, noting natural moments rather than criticising every detail.

This approach builds confidence and allows you to enjoy the singing experience without getting trapped in perfectionism.

4. Neglecting Proper Warm-Ups

Skipping warm-ups is like asking your voice to sprint without stretching first.

Yet many adult learners underestimate the importance of a good warm-up routine.

Without it, you risk poor tone production, lack of vocal flexibility, and increased strain.

How we fix it:
Our lessons always begin with structured warm-up exercises tailored to your voice, focusing on breathing, resonance, range extension, and gentle agility.

We also teach you how to develop your own effective warm-up routine to prepare your voice properly before practise sessions, rehearsals, or performances.

A simple warm-up routine might include:

• Gentle humming exercises to ease the voice into action.
• Lip trills (blowing air through relaxed lips while phonating) across comfortable pitches.
• Five-note scales on easy vowels such as “ee” or “oo”, focusing on smooth, controlled transitions.

Even just five to ten minutes of targeted warm-up can dramatically improve vocal ease and tonal quality.

5. Trying to Sound Like Someone Else

It’s natural to admire great singers, but trying to imitate their sound often leads to technical issues and a loss of your own vocal identity.

How we fix it:

At the London Singing Institute, we celebrate the uniqueness of every voice.

We work with you to enhance your natural vocal qualities, helping you build an authentic sound that reflects your true musical personality.

Rather than copying others, you’ll learn to find and strengthen your own voice — singing with sincerity, strength, and style.

To strengthen your vocal identity, we recommend:

• Singing a familiar song once while imitating the original artist.
• Then singing it again using your natural speaking voice, adjusting gently into singing while maintaining authenticity.

This exercise helps you discover your unique sound and encourages genuine, expressive musicality.

6. Poor Posture and Body Alignment

Singing is a full-body experience. Without correct posture, you restrict your breath, inhibit vocal projection, and add unnecessary physical tension.

How we fix it:

We pay close attention to your overall alignment, helping you adopt a singer’s posture that promotes easy breathing and maximum vocal projection.

Our instructors gently guide you through body alignment exercises designed specifically for singers, so good posture becomes second nature — allowing you to sing more freely and powerfully.

An easy posture exercise we use is:

• Standing against a wall with your heels, back, shoulders, and head lightly touching it.
• Breathing deeply and singing simple scales while maintaining this alignment.

This method builds strong body awareness, supporting a free, balanced, and resonant singing voice.

7. Setting Unrealistic Expectations

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to want instant results.

However, mastering the art of singing is a gradual, layered process that requires patience, persistence, and self-kindness.

How we fix it:

At the London Singing Institute, we believe in steady, sustainable progress that leads to lasting results.

We help you set realistic, motivating goals and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, encouraging steady and measurable improvement throughout your journey.

We encourage realistic goal-setting through:

• Defining small daily or weekly objectives (e.g., “Sing this phrase clearly three times” or “Practise breathing control for 5 minutes”).
• Celebrating small wins to maintain positivity and build long-term motivation.

This approach ensures your singing journey remains focused, fulfilling, and full of joy.

Why Choose the London Singing Institute?

At the London Singing Institute, we offer a unique approach that is entirely focused on adult learners.

We understand that adults have different needs, challenges, and motivations compared to younger students — and we design our lessons accordingly.

With us, you’ll benefit from:

• Personalised Singing Lessons: Tailored to your voice, goals, and musical interests.
• Expert Instructors: Specialised in adult vocal training across multiple genres, including classical, jazz, pop, and musical theatre.
• Supportive Environment: A non-judgemental space where you can develop your skills at your own pace.
• Flexible Scheduling: Designed to fit around your professional and personal commitments.
• Performance Opportunities: For those who wish to showcase their progress in a supportive setting.

Final Thoughts

Everyone makes mistakes when learning something new — but with the right guidance, these mistakes become valuable stepping stones towards your success.

At the London Singing Institute, we don’t just correct faults; we inspire you to grow beyond them.

Our expert instructors are passionate about helping you uncover the full beauty and potential of your voice — while making the process enjoyable, motivating, and deeply rewarding.

Are you ready to start your singing journey the right way?

Contact us today to arrange your consultation and take your first step towards confident, joyful singing today!