AKARSH SHEKHAR
Preserve Your
Singing Voice
and Sing
Better for
Longer
So you woke up with a scratchy throat and a headache . But you need your voice to be 100 % tonight . Here are some good old fashioned remedies :
» Gargling with saltwater helps loosen up the gunk and soothes your throat . Adding some honey or lemon can help a bit more .
» Inhaling steam can help — find a small bathroom , close the door , and run hot water in the shower . It ’ s a poor man ’ s sauna .
» Sinus rinse — If you have a lot of sinus drainage , a sinus rinse with a neti pot can help alleviate congestion and clear some mucous , if you can tolerate it . But be aware that doing this too much can make things worse by causing additional irritation .
» Long-term Care
» There are no “ miracle mixes ” out there that are better than good clean water . Keep water with you at all times and take a drink whenever you can .
» Consider installing a humidifier in your home , especially if you live in a dry climate . Even a small humidifier in your room or hotel at night can be really helpful . Clean it often .
» Don ’ t underestimate the power of getting enough sleep . Erratic gig schedules , meetings , rehearsals , and the demands of life chip away at time needed for rest . Try to carve out at least 7 – 8 hours for sleep every night . A power nap in the afternoon can make a huge difference — 20 minutes is the sweet spot according to studies . If you go longer , you risk dropping into a deeper sleep and may wake up feeling groggy and tired .
» Take care what you eat ! Garbage in = garbage out . Avoid carb-heavy and processed foods and typical fast-food fare . Pack healthy snacks to grab when you ’ re too busy for a good meal . Avoid large meals after late gigs — going to bed on a full stomach increases weight gain .
» Avoid speaking loudly or shouting / yelling — it stresses your throat and vocal cords . Whispering is likewise unhealthy ; you ’ re better off not talking at all .
» Beware that certain medications can cause dryness . You can find exhaustive lists online , but the most common culprits are decongestants and antihistamines .
» Be aware how travel can affect your voice . Flying in dry airplane cabins , hopping across time zones , changing climates , going in and out of air-conditioning , and following crazy schedules all conspire to throw off your routine and affect how well you are hydrating , sleeping , and eating .
» Never skip on good vocal warm-up . Singers are vocal athletes whose throat musculature requires conditioning . Take it seriously . Work with a vocal coach to develop a warm-up routine tailored to your genre and singing style and to work through bad habits . Once you ’ re warmed up , avoid straining your voice when singing — learn to use the microphone to your advantage , and stay relaxed . Learn to recognize when your voice is fatigued ( limited range , swallowing and / or clearing your throat more often ). Be aware that performing in a poor acoustic environment will cause you to over-sing ; collaborate with your sound engineer and adjust accordingly . Keeping your neck warm with a scarf can help keep your neck muscles loose .
» Minimize tobacco use — smoking affects voice and lung capacity . Find a way to quit . Avoid second-hand smoke as much as possible ; a simple concept but tough to execute , for sure . Minimize caffeine and alcohol before and during your gig . Caffeine can have a drying effect , and alcohol can affect vocal control and increase the risk of vocal strain .
» Avoid clearing your throat often as it stresses your vocal cords . Try taking a sip of water instead of clearing your throat . If you feel you have to do this often , see your doctor .
The Score Magazine
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