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Essentials in
Singing Skills
Staying healthy is so important!
Tips to help your singing voice stay healthy.
Updated: 12/16/2004 4:21:00 PM
As a singer, we must do everything we can to stay healthy.
We can start by getting plenty of rest. If you are tired and overworked, the muscles in your throat will not work at the highest efficiency. You should also maintain proper diet and exercise. Singing, believe it or not, is an athletic event. We should always be in good physical shape when we sing.
Try to keep your body free from excess stress and tension. Do some stretching exercises; take warm showers; and get a massage once in a while, it will make a difference.
Another thing to remember, as the winter in now upon us, is to stay warm. Keep your chest, throat, and mouth well covered when you are outside in the cold air. The wind chill alone can make it difficult to keep our vocal instrument from being able to function at its’ optimal level of quality.
Another thing to remember is to humidify your environment. Keep your home well humidified especially in the winter.
Margaretta Taylor, MA, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist states; “we should avoid screaming, yelling or talking over background noises. These behaviors result in increased stress on the vocal muscles and may cause swelling, polyps or loss of voice.”
Another habit some of us have is clearing our throat too many times. This can lead to some serious problems, so avoid this issue by swallowing and drinking plenty of water. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day is very important to your vocal health. Decreased hydration may promote thick mucus to collect in your throat and cause you to clear your throat more often.
And finally, make certain you take some “voice breaks” throughout your day. As singers, try not to use your voice if you don’t have to. This is especially important after a long week of preparing for a show or doing a weekend school or workshop.
If you do have a vocal problem that persists over a week or two, contact your doctor for an examination.
Doing the smart things to stay healthy will make a big difference in your satisfaction as a singer.
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