- Lots of water (at least 8-9 glasses a day–more if you drink caffeine and/or alcohol)
- Don’t Smoke
- Elevate head for sleeping if you eat late at night
- Listen to your body – avoid “numbing” sprays
- Consider carefully before the use of Beta Blockers
- Use medications wisely
- Both singers and speakers benefit from starting their day with vocal warm-up’s
- Use the same support for speaking as you would for singing
- Whispering is not a beneficial vocal practice
- Give yourself time to working up to singing extended periods at the extremes of your range
- Expand your range in BOTH directions
- Avoid coughing and clearing your throat (try swallowing)
- The ideal weight for singing is the ideal weight for any vital activity
- A high-protine diet is always advisable for heightened physical activity
- A full stomach inhibits proper diaphragmatic descent
- Mental Attitude can make or break a singer
- The longer the session or the more tired the voice, go back to basics
- Fatigue is usually caused by improper techniques
- Volume disturbances are often hormonal or cyclic
- Travel is a challenge for singers–5% humidity in airplanes–need to drink more water — ditto with hotels
- Consider the use of a portable vaporizer
- Breathing steam is helpful
- When in doubt check your posture and your breathing space
- Have a mirror handy at all times for immediate feedback on your facial posturing
- Keep the body fluid at all times – remember the Jello commercial and give yourself some wiggle room
- Find and use your optimal pitch
- Exercises to reduce tension in the voice
- yawning
- relaxation of the head
- stand, bend at the waist and count to ten
- breathe through the vocal folds gently and deeply
- release the jaw
- count to ten with the tongue in a forward, relaxed position
- chewing
Recipe for gargle:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white Karo or Honey
- 8 oz warm water
