Vocal Health

Healthy Vocal Tips for Singing with a healthy voice

VOCAL DANGER SIGNS
1.  The speaking voice is lower in pitch or has a hoarse quality.
2.  Pitch or phonation breaks in the speaking range or singing voice.
3.  Loss of notes or a "hole" in your range.
4.  Inability to sing pianissimo on your highest notes.
5.  Continued hoarseness or difficulty singing in a clear voice after forty-eight hours of vocal rest.
6.  Sudden change in voice quality while singing.
7.  Pain while vocalizing.
8.  Tickle or chocking sensation while speaking/singing.

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​HEALTHY VOCAL HABITS
1.  Warm-up and cool-down before/after singing.
2.  Vocal conditioning and innate vocal capacity will dictate the amount one can safely sing/speak each day.  Avoid
comparing your vocal stamina with others.
3.  Avoid singing in a tessitura that is continually in the extremes of your range.
4.  Loud, long, and high range singing is the most strenuous on the vocal folds.
5.  On a performance day, save your voice for the performance.  Avoid long prolonged loud speaking/singing.
6.  Cough as gently as possible.
7. Avoid throat clearing.  Swallow hard or sip water instead.
8.  Avoid taking aspirin and NSAID medications (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs).
9.  Avoid talking in crowds.  Speak into the noise rather than trying to talk over the noise.

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VOCAL HEALTH
VOCAL DANGER SIGNS
1.  The speaking voice is lower in pitch or has a hoarse quality.
2.  Pitch or phonation breaks in the speaking range or singing voice.
3.  Loss of notes or a "hole" in your range.
4.  Inability to sing pianissimo on your highest notes.
5.  Continued hoarseness or difficulty singing in a clear voice after forty-eight hours of vocal rest.
6.  Sudden change in voice quality while singing.
7.  Pain while vocalizing.
8.  Tickle or chocking sensation while speaking/singing.
HEALTHY VOCAL HABITS
1.  Warm-up and cool-down before/after singing.
2.  Vocal conditioning and innate vocal capacity will dictate the amount one can safely sing/speak each day.  Avoid comparing your vocal stamina with others.
3.  Avoid singing in a tessitura that is continually in the extremes of your range.
4.  Loud, long, and high range singing is the most strenuous on the vocal folds.
5.  On a performance day, save your voice for the performance.  Avoid long prolonged loud speaking/singing.
6.  Cough as gently as possible.
7. Avoid throat clearing.  Swallow hard or sip water instead.
8.  Avoid taking aspirin and NSAID medications (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs).
9.  Avoid talking in crowds.  Speak into the noise rather than trying to talk over the noise.

VOCAL HEALTH FOR SINGERS

DO.......

Maintain good general health with adequate sleep and a balanced diet.
Stay well hydrated with adequate water intake.
Enjoy regular exercise.
Recognize and manage stress.
Use a room humidifiers in the winter.  Add a bacteria control solution to the water.
Speak in your natural pitch.
Monitor for muscle tension and posture.
Support your speaking voice just as you support your singing voice.
Avoid breathing polluted air (smoky bars, car exhausts, etc.)
Avoid taking drying medications.

DON'T.......

Smoke cigarettes, cigars, or take marijuana.
Drink caffeine or alcohol the day before or the day of a performance.
Scream or shout at sporting events, noisy clubs/bars, or in large gatherings.
Stay up late before a performance.
Use local anesthetics while singing (Chloroseptic, Parke-Davis throat Discs, etc.)
Whisper loudly for long periods of time.
Sing or speak if it hurts to swallow.
Sing or speak if you have laryngitis.
Speak higher or lower than what is a comfortable pitch for you.
Lift heavy weights.  Be careful with leg lifts, sit-up/crunches, as these can cause gastric reflux.
Talk a great deal on the day of a performance.