My day job is a singing teacher. I've been teaching for about ten years now and have done so through university, through illness and through confusion about what I wanted to do when I grew up. Now I know that who I am is far more important, more defining and more relevant to my life and my health than anything that I do. But through all the ups and downs I've learnt how to be a good singing teacher in the process. And along the way, I've learnt a thing or two about vocal health. So, whether you are a singer or just like to talk (a lot!) read on for some tips and tricks about how to look after one of your most precious gifts - your voice.
Your voice is a part of your body. Our voices are a reflection of what is happening with our bodies. The voice is an unique instrument in this way and you can't trade it in for a new one. Knowing how to look after your voice, whether you use it for singing or speaking, is imperative if you want longevity in whatever career path you have chosen. No one wants to be a one-hit wonder because their voice didn't hold up. Too often I've seen vocal abuse and damage, and many times at the hands of singing teachers! The road to recovery and retraining the singer or speaker is long and difficult, so I suggest learning how to practice healthy singing and speaking habits early on.
You are what you eat. And the vocal timbre of your voice is affected by what you eat. Basically, if you eat rubbish, you'll sound rubbish! All dairy products are mucus forming, which can interfere with the production of the vocal tone. For a more beautiful sound, avoid dairy. Caffeine is dehydrating, so avoid caffeine that your body and your voice may be hydrated. As always, drink loads of water! And if you have a sore throat, drink a ginger tea or juice with lemon and raw honey. Drink fresh pineapple or grapefruit juice to help reduce vocal cord inflammation as these foods contain bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme. Many foods in their raw, unprocessed state will also help to heal the voice and enhance vocal beauty, such as mint, eucalyptus honey, red clover buds, blackberries and radishes.
More tips for vocal health and beauty:
- Engage your whole body in the process of singing or speaking and physically warm up with a short walk or stretching. Include stretches for your face, jaw, tongue, mouth and soft palate. Do them in the mirror and have a good belly laugh at yourself!
- Before you use your voice focus on your breathing and learn how to breathe in and out in a way that supports and sustains voice production.
- Always do a vocal warm-up before you sing, for practice or performance, and before a speaking engagement. A singing teacher or speech therapist can teach you specific exercises you can use to warm-up your voice correctly.
- Try to avoid coughing and clearing your throat to shift mucus on your vocal cords. Instead, try to "sing it off" or use swallowing to shift it. Make sure that your speaking voice is not too croaky or breathy, and speak or sing within a comfortable range and volume for your voice.
- Do not sing if you are sick; the best thing you can do for your voice and for your body is to rest. Be quiet as much as you can and seek out natural remedies to aid your recovery as all synthetic medications will have side effects and some can damage your voice, such as aspirin, which thins the blood and can weaken your vocal membranes.
- Don't underestimate the value of a good night's sleep for a healthy voice!
May these vocal health tips lead you further down the path to vocal beauty. May you find your voice... and sing!
For more information on the art of singing and vocal health I highly recommend The Handbook for Working Singers by Roma Waterman.
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