Vocal Health Tips For Singers
by Lisa Hawkins
Vocal health is crucial for singers, just like physical health is for athletes. Taking care of your voice
helps it perform at its best. While not everyone will take their vocal health as seriously as the likes
of Adele, Celine Dion and Beyoncé, it’s still important to understand and practice good habits.
Whether you're a casual singer or pursuing a career in music, it's important to consider maintaining
good vocal health.
The Basics:
Your body is your instrument, doing your best to keep it in top condition is crucial.
Prioritise exercise for stamina on stage, eat nutritious foods that support vocal health, and avoid
foods that dry out your throat or produce excess mucus, something you may consider more
intentionally in the lead up to a performance. Being aware of how your body responds to certain
things is a great place to start!
Warm-Up Routine
Stretching:
Since your whole body contributes to singing, warming up before you sing is important to mentally
connect to your instrument as a whole. Try some light stretches of your neck and face along with a
jaw massage to loosen up the muscles you'll be using. Connecting with your body ensures you're
not relying solely on your vocal cords to do all the hard work.
Vocal Warm-Up:
Having a consistent vocal warm-up routine is essential. Just like you wouldn't sprint without
warming up, your vocal cords need preparation too. This step is vital to avoid straining your voice
and to keep it in top shape.
Vocal Exercises:
Set aside focused time to perfect different techniques such as vocal agility, breathing, range, belting,
falsetto, and pitching. This will significantly enhance your vocal skills.
Vocal Workouts:
Once you're warmed up and confident in your basic techniques, challenge yourself to try new things
and experiment with your voice. This will help build vocal strength and flexibility.
How to prevent vocal fatigue
Importance of Vocal Rest:
Your voice needs rest, especially if you have a heavy vocal load, you've been talking a lot or have an upcoming performance.
Make a conscious decision to go on vocal rest when needed to avoid overuse
Speaking in a Healthy Tone:
Some people develop a habit of speaking in a low, lazy tone or with vocal fry, which can strain the vocal cords.
Be aware of how you speak and aim to use a brighter, healthier tone. This could be something you can discuss with your vocal coach or a speech language therapist should you need some extra support in this area.
Avoid Whispering to Protect Your Voice:
Whispering may seem like a good option when on vocal rest, but it can actually be harder on your vocal cords than speaking normally.
Vocal rest is the best approach, but if you must speak, use a brighter tone to minimise strain when you can.
Competing with Music:
In rehearsals or performances, it can be challenging when you don't have control over the sound.
Gain confidence in sound checks and don't hesitate to ask for adjustments, such as asking for more of your vocal in your foldback or asking for less of other instruments in your foldback.
Avoid straining your voice by trying to compete with loud environments. If you can't hear yourself clearly, be mindful of compensating by pushing your voice, as this can have an impact on your vocal health.
Talking in Public Places or Over Loud Music
This can be tricky to avoid but don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself by suggesting moving to a quieter area when having conversations in noisy environments.
Avoid Clearing Your Throat:
Clearing your throat or making aggressive sounds is harsh on your vocal cords.
Breaking this habit can be tough, but consider alternatives like swallowing or gentle humming instead.
Managing Coughing:
Coughing, especially when persistent, can be really hard on your voice, but unfortunately, it's sometimes unavoidable when you're hit with a bad one.
Increase rest, hydration, and steaming. Consider using a cough suppressant or vitamins to aid in recovery.
Recognise that your voice may need extra care and rest during this time.
Taking care of your voice early in your journey can make a significant difference should challenges
arise later down the track. While your voice might recover quickly when you're young, as you age
and your vocal demands grow, these tips will become increasingly valuable. If you're aiming for a
professional singing career, caring for your voice will be an essential part of your job. Begin
incorporating these practices into your routine now, as you continue to learn about your voice and
how to care of it effectively.
Life is to be lived, and it's not always easy to stay on top of your vocal health. However, I hope
these tips empower you and spark ideas on small ways to care for your voice so you can continue to
enjoy singing as you grow and evolve.
-Lisa