The Octave and a Half “Mum” is the big daddy of vocal exercises.

Until now, we’ve been working with exercises that give you a lot of support mixing your vocal registers.

But the “Mum” exercise can screw you up.

I’m not doing this to be mean.

The “Mum” exercise is the closest technique to singing a real song.

In this case the “M” consonant gives you less support than the “N” in the previous exercises.

Also, the “Uh” vowel relaxes the vocal articulators (tongue, lips, palate).

Why is that a big deal?

Usually the articulators help you find a mix more easily.

But in the “Mum” exercise, we’re taking them away.

So if you’re doing pretty well on the previous exercises, make sure to practice the “Mum” exercise before you start singing songs.

Here’s how you do it:

1.     Begin saying the word “Mum” (as in “Mummy”) aloud at a comfortable volume.

2.     Find a comfortable starting pitch (try C3 for guys and G3 for girls)

3.     Sing the following scale.

As always, if you have any trouble with the exercise, check out this video. It includes male and female keys so you can sing along.

A Few Things to Note

·      The Mum is the hardest exercise listed in this article. If you’re having a hard time with it, return to an exercise that worked well for you and then try the “Mum”.

·      Keep your mouth spread to the same width as when you say the word “Mum”. Watch yourself say this word in the mirror and make sure it doesn’t spread as you ascend in the scale. Because of its open nature, it’s too easy to widen the “Uh” vowel and yell your way to the top.

·      If you find yourself crack on notes as you sing to the top of the scale, focus your attention on the “M” consonant. It will help you blend your registers in a mix.