The “Do’s and Don’ts” of Vocal Health
Every instrument needs to be cared for properly to sound its absolute finest. Trumpets should be cleaned and polished. Piano’s need to fine tuned from time to time. Your voice should be no exception. However unlike a piano or a trumpet, you use your voice constantly. It is a part of your body, and it cannot be safely put away. And sometimes without thinking about it, we use our voice in a way that can be negative or damaging to our instrument. To ensure that we keep our instrument sounding as beautiful as possible, we need to learn what to do and what not do to take great care of that gift. Here are some examples:
Do:
| • Drink plenty of water every day. |
| • Get plenty of sleep every night. |
| • Stay active. Exercise is more important for your vocal talent than you may think. |
| • Eat a healthy and nutritious diet. |
| • Like exercise, warm up your voice before singing. |
Don’t:
• Smoke. Anything. This includes cigarettes, cloves, cigars, or even tobacco
pipes. Nothing could be more damaging than smoking. |
| • Drink excessive amounts alcohol or caffeine. |
| • Talk or even whisper during a cold or laryngitis. Let your throat rest. |
| • Cough or clear your throat excessively. |
| • Scream or yell, even if you are in a crowded or loud room. |
Your body is just as important to take care of as your voice itself, as it is the vessel of that instrument. To care for that vessel, consider an exercise routine or relaxation technique. Yoga is a wonderful exercise that not only gently stretches and warms up your instrument, but typically trains the same lower abdominal breathing used in singing. The Alexander Technique is a great relaxation practice that helps you to learn how to better control and relax your body, reducing or preventing harmful habits that may damage your body and voice.
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