Why is vocal health so important? Without your voice, you cannot speak or sing. Not having use of your voice can result in loss of jobs, inability to attend rehearsals, participate in performances, and more. This particularly affects singers, speakers, actors, teachers, ministers, sales and marketing, jobs that require communication by telephone, customer service jobs, as well as other professions.
But because the voice is inside our bodies, not like an instrument we can see and hold, or an arm or a leg, we tend to forget that our voice is our instrument. Singers and speakers, although often able to detect that something is 'wrong' with their voice, may not understand what to do about it, how to prevent it, and the possible amount of damage, if any, has occurred. It is best to seek the help of a medical professional, such as an otolaryngologist, who specialize in the voice.
What is involved in maintaining vocal health?
Disclaimer: with regard to any of the following information, please seek medical advice.
- Zoe Vandermeer
Voice:
1. Avoid screaming, yelling, talking loudly over a crowd
2. Avoid overuse of the voice
3. Avoid sustained use of chest voice in the extemities of the range
4. Abdominal breathing is suggested at all times (as opposed to shallow upper chest breathing)
5. Talk less during the day
Talking Tips:
1. Breathe frequently, keep the airflow moving
2. Pause frequently
3. Speak more slowly
4. The voice needs to be pitched at about 4 - 5 notes above the lowest note in the vocal range
5. Lyrical, non-monotone speech is best
6. Refrain from speaking at the bottom of the range, using the 'frog' voice, known as 'vocal fry'
7. Avoid whispering, as this action causes greater tension in the vocal folds (vocal cords)
8. Avoid using glottal stops, for example, to replace consonants such as 't'.
The Phone:
1. Hold the phone (whatever type you have) up to your ear; never tilt the head towards the phone
2. Do not hold the phone with the shoulder/ear combination
3. Breathe well when speaking on the phone
4. Don't under-speak, in other words, talking too quietly and too low in the range has a negative affect on the voice
Singing Tips:
1. Practice in short time segments
2 Stop immediately if there is any feeling of discomfort, pain, or strain
3. Eefrain from singing when tired or fatigued
4. Listen to what your voice is telling you, be sensitive to your own vocal cords
5. Only sing repertoire that best suits your voice, range, level of vocal technique
6. Sing legato (no bumps!)
7. Learn music by listening to and playing it, not just by singing it
8. Refrain from singing with another singer on the ipod or CD, as the tendency is for the singer to imitate the vocal habits of the recorded voice, as well as frequently sing out of tune, due to the lack of being able to hear one's own voice
Health:
1. Sleep - 6 - 8 hours, depending on your body's needs
2. Water - 64 ounces a day is generally advised
3. Exercise regularly; include both stretching and cardio
4. Avoid spicy foods, coffee, as these can cause gastric reflux
5. Before singing, refrain from eating foods that can get lodged in the throat such as chips, nuts, black pepper, etc.
6. No alcohol; if you do drink, refrain from alcohol before and after any singing engagement, lesson, rehearsal; alcohol is very drying
7. Avoid drafts
8. Dress well for winter
9. Whenever possible, keep your distance from people who are ill, coughing, etc.
10. Food - it is suggested that you eat a balanced diet
11. Allergies and asthma directly affect the singing voice. Seek medical help and be sure to discuss with your doctor the affects of any medicine on the vocal cords.
Sinus:
1. Keep the sinuses drained as much as possible (non-prescription sinus rinse)
2. If taking allergy or sinus medications, remember that they are drying in nature, so drink more water!
3. A humidifier at night can be very effective
4. Steam
5. Lymphatic drainage and acupuncture can help with chronic sinus issues - see your health practitioner for more info
Emotions and the Voice:
Emotions affect the body, one's health and inevitably one's voice.
1. Maintain/develop/nurture emotional stability
2. Release the emotions - holding in anger, tears, grief, gets 'stuck' in the vocal cords; remember what it feels like in the throat when holding back a good cry?
3. Sing for the love of singing!
4. Enjoy: Singing is healing!
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