A singer’s body is their instrument. This does make the voice conveniently portable, but it also presents a lot of unique challenges. How can you care for your voice and prepare it for practice and/or performance?
- Speak gently. Most people tend to speak in an unhealthy way in our daily lives—usually too low and too far back in the throat. Try instead to make your speaking voice just a little lighter, higher, and more forward than feels easy. Michael Jackson took this to the extreme by speaking in a cartoonishly soft falsetto/head voice at all times. You certainly don’t need to go that far; small changes in your vocal posture will make a big difference. Avoid shouting, whispering, and throat clearing, as these will strain the vocal folds.
- Vocalize. Practicing your scales, slides, arpeggios, and other exercises is critical not only for warming up your voice before singing, but for solidifying your technique. If singing is an athletic endeavor, then these are your stretches and drills. Practice them every day, and take special care before a practice session, rehearsal, or performance.
- Warm up. Singing is athletic, and athletes warm up their muscles before exercising. Before you even start vocalizing, you can literally warm up your voice with a gentle throat massage and/or a warm drink (save the ice water for after your singing session).
- Hydrate. Everyone needs water, and singers need it more than anyone. Sipping throughout the day is preferable to chugging, as it gives the body time to absorb it. Avoid cold water before singing (it cools down your muscles when you need them to be warm, and it also passes through your digestive system faster; you don’t want to be running to the toilet mid-performance!). Be wary of caffeine and alcohol (which are drying) and milk (which thickens mucus). Instead, go for herbal teas like Throat Coat, lemon ginger, and Breathe Deep.
- Humidify. Dry air can dry out the vocal folds quickly. If your throat feels particularly dry, breathe steam or use a nebulizer. I like to make myself a cup of herbal tea and breathe the steam as I drink it.
- Eat wisely. Your body is your instrument, so feed it well. Your esophagus and your trachea are two different “pipes,” but what you eat will affect your vocal mechanism, both directly and indirectly. Before a performance, I always avoid eating for a few hours. I find that eating affects my breath support, my nerves, and my throat. If I have to eat, I stick to light fare like fruits, vegetables, and crackers.
- Beware of overuse. The larynx has no pain receptors, so you have to watch for other signs of overuse or potential damage. If you have been using your voice a lot (either speaking or singing), and it starts to feel thin or worn out, it’s time to rest.
- Sleep well. Speaking of rest—sleep is critical for maintaining good health, including vocal health. Sleep deprivation will make you wear you out many times faster, so make sleep a priority.