VOCALS
DOES CLIMATE AFFECT YOUR VOICE ? | Sheri Gould
Climate and weather changes , might they affect your voice ? Can you be prepared for the changes or take preventative measures ? Where you live , are you aware of some of the things that might affect your voice ? These are some questions that I often ask clients who are struggling with vocal issues . Although most vocal damage occurs through some type of misuse , abuse or overuse , there are often environmental factors that could be causing problems for singers . Let ’ s look at a few …
FOLIAGE If you have lived in your area for a long time , you are likely aware of the local things that might cause you to have an allergic reaction of some kind ; dust , mold , tree and other types of pollen , grass , etc . However , if you have recently moved or are planning to sing in an area where you never have been before , you might want to take some precautions . Allergic reaction to these things can be quite a nuisance for a singer . Watery eyes and an itchy throat can be a serious impediment to being able to deliver your song smoothly . Postnasal drip can wreak havoc on the vocal cords causing swelling and phlegm not to mention overall soreness as well . If you have had regular seasonal allergies in your past , it might bode well for you to have on hand a decongestant and antihistamine so that any issues you might run into won ’ t catch you by surprise . Bear in mind that any decongestant will dry you out so be prepared to pay extra special attention to your hydration level . Keep some throat lozenges on hand , pectin-based ( not menthol ) so that you can quickly soothe an irritated throat . ( Hall ’ s Breezers is a wonderful pectin-based throat drop that is easy to find in most pharmacies ).
HUMIDITY LEVEL I can ’ t emphasize enough how dryness can affect the vocal cords . If you are going to sing in an area of the country known for its dryness , you will have to take special care to not only hydrate through drinking adequate amounts of water but also by making sure you always breathe through your nose . Add extra moisture to your daily living environment through the use of a vaporizer or other type of humidifier . To the degree that you are able , bring the humidity level up to 40 or 50 % in the place where you will be singing . I travel with a small humidifier nine months out of the year ( skipping the hot humid summer months ) or if I know I will be going somewhere notably dry . There are even handheld and battery-operated ones you can carry with you .
HOT OR COLD AIR ? When you are traveling somewhere that is arid you will know ahead of time that you need to be prepared for hot and dry . But often we are caught off guard with weather changes that might surprise us . You could end up traveling to a place that is typically warm and damp but might get hit with a dry hot spell while you ’ re there . Conversely . You might get hit with a cold spell that causes the heat to go on and dry out your environment . Be sure to look at not only what the weather will be like where you are traveling or moving to , but also the humidity level and how often it fluctuates . You may or may not be able to recognize drier air on the surface of things , but your body does ! This is especially important if you ’ ll be singing outside . For serious , professional singers I don ’ t ever recommend outdoor singing in the freezing cold . If you must sing outside in the cold , take care to wrap a scarf around your throat and try to carry a thermos of steaming hot Throat Coat tea with you so you can breathe the steam and sip the soothing warm drink . ( Leave the tea bag in to soak - the longer the better . If you like add a little honey - no lemon ! Lemon is very drying for the vocal cords .)
HIGHER ELEVATIONS Singing at a high elevation without an adjustment period can produce devastating results ! Give yourself a couple of days to adjust to the lower oxygen levels you will encounter . Your body will adjust but it could take up to three days for a healthy person to acclimate . You may find that you need even more water than you ’ re used to and some electrolytes as well . Practice in the new environment so that you can be prepared for how it affects you - you will find yourself much more easily out of breath !
In conclusion , being prepared for how your environment affects you is nothing new . When we know its going to be sunny , we apply sunscreen . When we know it will be chilly , we bring a jacket . Likewise , we can think ahead to prepare for the changes that might affect our voice in a specific climate whether it will be permanent or just a temporary situation . Preparedness can help to ensure a smooth transition and better performance !
God bless you as you sing for Him !
Sheri Gould Sheri is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach . She ’ s been helping artists and worshipers find their voice for over 40 years . For help and resources visit her site . www . SheriGould . com