Imagine a scenario where you have this really big concert the next day. You’ve worked really hard and prepared wholeheartedly for it but then out of the blue, your voice suddenly cracks during the last minute rehearsals. This is every musician’s nightmare! All that hard work and effort go down the drain as now you’ve got a sore throat that sounds horribly raspy.
Keeping Your Voice Healthy and in Control is YOUR Responsibility
As a singer giving live performances and constantly being under the pressure of meeting the expectations of your fans is quite a normal thing. So much so that sometimes that takes a toll on your voice! Don’t worry, though, with these amazing tips you can give maintain your tonal quality and give a power packed performance!
Get Proper Rest – Keep Your Voice’s Magic Intact
It might be difficult to get a proper eight hours of sleep per day, but not impossible. Take some time off your jam-packed schedule and take short naps whenever possible. Not getting enough sleep can cause some serious damage to your voice.
You’re human after all and you need time to rejuvenate yourself. If you don’t get enough rest then there will come a time when your body will refuse to cooperate, unable to handle all the stress and strain. You won’t be able to focus properly and there’ll be no clarity or energy in your performance. This might lead to a sore throat or worse permanent damage of the vocal chords.
Follow Proper Diet – Keep Your Vocal Chords Healthy
A healthy and nutritious diet is also equally important. For you will be able to give those power packed performances only if you have enough energy in your body. Also to become a successful singer you have to make some sacrifices.
No pain no gain! Anything too hot or too cold is a big no that means you have to exclude ice creams and cold drinks from your diet. Avoid spicy food and dairy products as they can cause swelling in the vocal chords. Also keep yourself hydrated by drinking a minimum of 5-6 litres water daily.
Maintain Proper Lifestyle – It Helps in the Long Run
Try maintaining a healthy lifestyle as that can really affect your singing. Avoid getting addicted and consuming too much alcohol, coffee etc. as it is not only harmful to the body but can do some serious damage to your throat as well. Caffeine dries up the throat and makes it all scratchy and hoarse. Also, an excess of coffee prevents you from getting proper sleep. Quit smoking as well as tobacco; the habit is harmful to your lungs and can really disturb your natural range and voice quality.
Exercise Regularly – For the Upkeep of Your Voice
Regular exercise is important for your physical and mental well-being. It even helps you cope up with the stress and chaos that are common for every singer. Follow a proper workout routine and stick to it. Consistent exercise increases your stamina and you can now work harder without tiring yourself. You can even try yoga and meditation for mental peace and stability.
Also, regular singing practice is also necessary as that boosts your singing quality. Don’t strain your voice too much start with simple and easy warm-ups and gradually move on to the tougher scales.
Don’t Clear Your Throat too Often
This is one common mistake that most singers fail to steer clear of. Contrary to the popular belief, clearing the throat doesn’t help you sing with better clarity. Instead, the friction caused between the vocal chords can cause you much damage!
So the next time you feel some irritation in your throat avoid clearing it with an “ahem” and instead gargle with lukewarm water. You can even drink some lemon tea or a healthy concoction of warm water and honey to relieve yourself of the discomfort in your throat. Such remedies are natural and have no side effects whatsoever.
The Bottom Line
Other than following all these tips mentioned above, also remember to not fret or be too nervous before a performance as well. Don’t stress it, cut some slack! Go onstage, have fun, and rock the show! Adopt the secrets of sustaining your vocal quality over years, and spread some memorable melodies all around.
Featured Image: Image Credit
“but momma said that she cant have any relationship with treblemakers or she’ll got her vocal chord ripped” https://t.co/BbUyNrwuaS
— ziq (@haziqhilme_) September 15, 2016
Had a great voice lesson this morning. It’s been too long. Thankful for a teacher who makes vocal health a priority.
— Megan Nicole (@megannicole) September 15, 2016
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Larynx and Vocal Cords: The Key to Good and Healthy Singing
As a singer, one of the biggest struggles is to not only sing our best, but also to sing in a way that is healthy to our body. One way to achieve both those aspects is focusing on larynx position and vocal cord control. These two elements of singing are often overlooked, but are necessary in creating a resonating tone while practicing healthy vocal techniques. Ignoring either area of your singing is a recipe for bad sound and an aching, tense throat. So how can you make sure you’re using proper technique? Via Savvy
As a singer, one of the biggest struggles is to not only sing our best, but also to sing in a way that is healthy to our body. One way to achieve both those aspects is focusing on larynx position and vocal cord control. These two elements of singing are often overlooked, but are necessary in creating a resonating tone while practicing healthy vocal techniques. Ignoring either area of your singing is a recipe for bad sound and an aching, tense throat. So how can you make sure you’re using proper technique?
Singing And Vocal Health Specialist Fran Montignani Rees’s Top 6 Tips For Safeguarding Your Vocal Chords.
My Top 6 Tips For Safeguarding Your Vocal Chords Are…
1. Warm up, but don’t wear out. If your voice is healthy and you know how to warm up properly, it shouldn’t take you longer than 10 minutes.
2. Mix up your set. You are a vocal athlete – if you use your voice in the same way for long periods it will wear out quickly. Vary the intensity of your songs and incorporate as many different voice qualities as possible. This will also prevent your audience from getting bored. Via Academy of Music
My Top 6 Tips For Safeguarding Your Vocal Chords Are…
Wearing high heels damages your vocal chords, apparently
We’ve been given another reason to ditch the heels – wearing them damages your vocal chords.
Leading voice and communication coach Helen Sewell told Parliament yesterday that wearing high heels could result in faster, shallow breathing which negatively impacts the vocal chords. She also said such shoes could be detrimental to a woman’s success, arguing that those who wear heels are less able to project an “executive presence” because their brains are subconsciously forced to maintain their balance in an unnatural posture. Via Glamour Magazine
We’ve been given another reason to ditch the heels – wearing them damages your vocal chords.
