So many factors affect your singing voice including your health, well being, environmental factors, good and bad habits and your frame of mind. But your vocal health is one of the first steps towards treating your voice as the treasure it is. Below I’ve collected several tried and true tips and resources to address your singing health.
Breathing Tips
Basic to breathing success is understanding and combining this technique for and better relaxation and enjoyment of the musical instrument.
Breathing is essential to your signing success. What is supposed to be a natural function is often stunted, misdirected or performed inadequately when singing. Try these tips to improve your singing voice and endurance.
- Never hold your breath while singing. Keep the airflow going to create and carry your vocal tone.
- Avoid breathing by throat or belly. Proper breathing technique is called diaphragmatic breathing which fills the lungs all the way to the bottom of your rib cage.
- Remain relaxed. The abdominal muscles control the flow of air in and out. The lungs are just sacks to be filled.
- Note your posture, deep abdominal breathing and spacing of pauses. Abdominal and breathing exercises can have a significant impact on your singing.
Other valuable tips can be found in 101 Singing Tips or in the excellent programs found at Breathing.com.
Voice Care
Your voice can not be fixed with just a cough drop. To keep your voice in tip-top shape, the following vocal tips for basic voice care are extremely helpful:
- Always prepare your voice before singing. Basic vocal warm-ups are the key to stretching the muscles and relax the body, just like athlete do.
- Increase the airflow to your vocal cords (and brain) by doing some cardiovascular activities, like jumping jacks, for a few minutes before getting started.
- Don't sing too high or too low or to the point of vocal fatigue. Never strain or push your voice.
- Never sing if it hurts to swallow.
- Stay hydrated! Never sing without a drink of water nearby. Keep the water at room temperature.
- Get some rest. If you are tired, your voice will show it.
More great vocal tips can be found at on SingingSuccess.com and for a special technique used by one of the coaches at American Idol visit Idoladvantage.com.
Vocal Health Products
A cough drop won’t fix your voice but there are over the counter products that help sooth and protect your precious voice.
For a selection of throat sprays, lozenges and herbal teas, check out SingerCity.com, Vocal-Products.com
and SingingSuccess.com.
Singing is a joy but only if you are in top health and if you treat your instrument with tender, loving care.
