Vocal Care For Singers

Vocal care for singers can sometimes be an overlooked topic–especially for singers who learn on their own or never receive quality instruction.  It comes down to this: take care of your voice.  We know from experience that not properly caring for our voice will actually hurt our progress (and potentially cause long-term damage).

Here are a few tips to remember in taking care of your voice:

• Do not sing if your voice hurts.  In our opinion, this is the number one rule for taking care of your voice.  Singing when your voice hurts will not make it stronger.  When your voice hurts, it usually means that the vocal folds are irritated.  If you don’t back off, you can potentially develop blisters on your vocal cords.  If left unchecked, these blisters can turn into callouses that lead to long-term, serious problems.  Also, if your voice hurts or is sore after every time you sing, then you need to adjust your technique.  Consider exploring techniques like the speech level singing technique, taking voice lessons, or home-based courses like Singing Success or its online version. There is no substitute for good technique.
• Always, always, warm up. This would be our number two rule when it comes to vocal care. Warming up for singing is no different than an athlete warming up or stretching for a practice or performance.  A proper warm-up gradually increases the amount of air flowing through the vocal cords so that everything is loose, relaxed, and there is minimal chance of causing irritation.  Plus, it mentally gets you ready you for the upcoming practice or performance session.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.  If you are dehydrated, then the vocal folds will not be hydrated very well either.  Note that it takes time for the water you drink to hydrate the vocal folds.  Gulping down a glass of water and then singing five minutes later won’t be very effective.  Consistency is the key.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol since they dehydrate the body (and subsequently the voice).
• Take frequent breaks while rehearsing or practicing.  Consider that it takes time to develop the coordination required to sing without strain for an extended period.  Taking frequent breaks will help you to stay focused on technique and correct any bad habits that come up.
• Get plenty of consistent rest/sleep.  Like everything in life, the body and mind function the best when it has periods of proper rest.

Remember that vocal care is important and should be ongoing.  We hope these tips help keep your voice healthy for a long time to come.  Let us know if they’re helpful or if you have any other vocal care tips to share.

Related posts on better singing:

• How To Sing Better News – April 16, 2009
• Vocal Warmups and Why They’re So Important
• The Different Vocal Ranges
• Breathing Techniques For Singing
• Tips On How To Sing #3 – Breathe In Through Your Nose