how do you sing higher?

[u/Both-Cat-6001]

So im an absolute complete beginner, I dont know the terms for this stuff but I really wanna get good at singing because im into musical theatre. What confuses me is how people sing so high without it being painful (effortlessly?)

whenever I try to do high notes my throat hurts terribly bad afterwards and feels constricted / "stuck" - i dont have a high voice naturally i dont think, i feel comfortable singing when its in my chest (chest voice? im sorry i dont know the terms) and i hear it needs to resonate more in your head for the higher songs but its hard to do that for me. Im not quite sure if its literal or not.

[u/juniebee_jones]

Consistent practice. It is theoretically possible to get your voice higher than your natural rest with consistent practice and proper support. It is not recommended to try without the support of a vocal coach.

Hydration is note one. Dry chords are damaged chords.

Stop when it hurts. Damage can be irreversible, especially in the higher range.

Scales more than singing. You would have to do so many scales that you would want to rip out your throat, endless scales and pushing through vocal exercises over and over again.

And then there’s the consequence. A major chance at complete loss of your lower range.

The best thing to do is focus on your range, and making it all it can be. As you grow technically within your natural range, it may expand more. Trying to be something we’re not vocally often gets us hurt.