Hey team,
Just checking in with you at the middle of the week . . . around here we like to call it “hump-day”. Anyway, I was thinking today about some important things we can be doing as band members especially vocalists to keep our voices in tip-top shape. Here is some helpful advice from the Texas Voice Center.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a balanced diet, including vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
• Maintain body hydration; drink two quarts of water daily.
• Avoid dry, artificial interior climates and breathing smoggy, polluted air.
• Limit the use of your voice in high-ceilinged restaurants, noisy parties, cars and planes.
• Avoid throat clearing and voiced coughing.
• Stop yelling – avoid calling from room to room.
• Avoid hard vocal attacks on initial vowel words.
• Use the pitch level in the same range where you say, “Umm-hmm?”
• Speak in phrases rather than in paragraphs, and breath slightly before each phrase.
• Reduce demands on your voice – don’t do all the talking!
• Learn to breathe silently to activate your breath support muscles and reduce neck tension.
• Take full advantage of the two free elements of vocal fold healing: water and air.
• Vocal athletes must treat their musculoskeletal system as do other types of athletes; therefore, vocal warm-ups should always be used prior to singing. Vocal cool-downs are also essential to keep the singing voice healthy.
And if that doesn’t work then by all means try this . . .
Always willing to help yo be the best you can be!
- KC
