Your instrument is…your entire body!
A singer’s instrument is the entire body. Even how your toes point can ultimately affect what you sound like! It’s important to know how it all works together, and how to keep the body humming along, so you can keep…well…humming along!
Fran Coleman (D.M.A., Board Member, Capitol Opera Richmond, Deputy Director, Classical Revolution RVA, Adjunct Professor, John Tyler Community College, Longwood University, Owner/Teacher, Songbird’s Studio–so she KNOWS what she’s talking about) recently presented on Vocal Health and Hygiene at our SongTalks program in September.
Here are Fran’s top ways to keep your voice (and body) healthy:
Voice Health Tip #1. HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE
Dehydration (not enough water in your body) occurs externally and internally.
External dehydration may come from breathing dry air, breathing with an open mouth, smoking, and certain drying oral medications like antihistamines. To help allergies without dehydrating, try nasal steroid sprays (prescription and over-the-counter versions now available!)
Your vocal folds can be re-hydrated by inhaling steam (i.e. hot shower, facial steamer, hot-water vaporizer).
Internal dehydration comes from too much caffeine, alcohol, drying drugs, or sweating without
fluid replacement. Internal re-hydration is probably best achieved by drinking lots of water.
How much water should you drink per day? Divide your body weight in hal
f! This is the MINIMUM number of ounces you should be drinking per day.
Voice Health Tip #2. AVOID EXCESSIVE VOCAL STRAIN
Throat Clearing/Coughing When a person clears his throat or coughs, the vocal folds violently crash together, which can cause inflammation, which causes loss of singing and speaking range or a husky-sounding voice. Untreated inflammation can cause serious long-term vocal damage.
Clearing your throat or coughing is usually due to excessive mucous. (The stuff just got real, folks.) Mucous will drain from sinuses down the back of the throat, irritating the vocal folds and causing a cough.
-To reduce mucous and therefore coughing, treat allergies or infection promptly by following advice from your doctor.
-To prevent mucous and therefore coughing, use a nasal irrigation system regularly, especially during dry weather, cold weather, flu season, allergy season. One such system is NeilMed sinus irrigator, available at drug stores everywhere.
Shouting in excess causes severe vocal strain. Avoid shouting, and absolutely avoid screaming.
Vocal Health Tip #3. STAY RESTED
If your body is tired, your vocal cords are tired, too! Get a good night’s sleep, regularly.
Vocal Health Tip #4. EAT WELL & EXERCISE!
As singers we are vocal athletes. We must train our bodies the same way.
Avoid:
● Sugar
● Fatty foods
● Preservatives
● Dairy (2 hours before performance)
Eat:
● Fruits
● Vegetables
● Whole grains
Build:
● Cardiovascular strength, which creates pulmonary and muscular stamina
Vocal Health Tip #6. DO NOT SING SICK!!!
Refrain from singing if you have:
● an infection, virus, or fever
● Laryngitis
○ When we are hoarse, our cords are swollen. Singing on swollen cords is like
running on a sprained ankle – IT’S NO GOOD!
Posted: November 27, 2015 by admin
Your instrument is your body!
Your instrument is…your entire body!
A singer’s instrument is the entire body. Even how your toes point can ultimately affect what you sound like! It’s important to know how it all works together, and how to keep the body humming along, so you can keep…well…humming along!
Fran Coleman (D.M.A., Board Member, Capitol Opera Richmond, Deputy Director, Classical Revolution RVA, Adjunct Professor, John Tyler Community College, Longwood University, Owner/Teacher, Songbird’s Studio–so she KNOWS what she’s talking about) recently presented on Vocal Health and Hygiene at our SongTalks program in September.
Here are Fran’s top ways to keep your voice (and body) healthy:
Voice Health Tip #1. HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE
Dehydration (not enough water in your body) occurs externally and internally.
External dehydration may come from breathing dry air, breathing with an open mouth, smoking, and certain drying oral medications like antihistamines. To help allergies without dehydrating, try nasal steroid sprays (prescription and over-the-counter versions now available!)
Your vocal folds can be re-hydrated by inhaling steam (i.e. hot shower, facial steamer, hot-water vaporizer).
Internal dehydration comes from too much caffeine, alcohol, drying drugs, or sweating without
fluid replacement. Internal re-hydration is probably best achieved by drinking lots of water.
How much water should you drink per day? Divide your body weight in hal
f! This is the MINIMUM number of ounces you should be drinking per day.
Voice Health Tip #2. AVOID EXCESSIVE VOCAL STRAIN
Throat Clearing/Coughing When a person clears his throat or coughs, the vocal folds violently crash together, which can cause inflammation, which causes loss of singing and speaking range or a husky-sounding voice. Untreated inflammation can cause serious long-term vocal damage.
Clearing your throat or coughing is usually due to excessive mucous. (The stuff just got real, folks.) Mucous will drain from sinuses down the back of the throat, irritating the vocal folds and causing a cough.
-To reduce mucous and therefore coughing, treat allergies or infection promptly by following advice from your doctor.
-To prevent mucous and therefore coughing, use a nasal irrigation system regularly, especially during dry weather, cold weather, flu season, allergy season. One such system is NeilMed sinus irrigator, available at drug stores everywhere.
Shouting in excess causes severe vocal strain. Avoid shouting, and absolutely avoid screaming.
Vocal Health Tip #3. STAY RESTED
If your body is tired, your vocal cords are tired, too! Get a good night’s sleep, regularly.
Vocal Health Tip #4. EAT WELL & EXERCISE!
As singers we are vocal athletes. We must train our bodies the same way.
Avoid:
● Sugar
● Fatty foods
● Preservatives
● Dairy (2 hours before performance)
Eat:
● Fruits
● Vegetables
● Whole grains
Build:
● Cardiovascular strength, which creates pulmonary and muscular stamina
Vocal Health Tip #6. DO NOT SING SICK!!!
Refrain from singing if you have:
● an infection, virus, or fever
● Laryngitis
○ When we are hoarse, our cords are swollen. Singing on swollen cords is like
running on a sprained ankle – IT’S NO GOOD!
Category: blog