5 Tips to A Healthy Voice
It can be so disappointing when you leave an audition feeling like you didn’t do your best because you are having issues with your voice or, even worse, losing your voice right before a show! As performers, we are usually social, loud, and unapologetically enthusiastic, especially when it comes to talking, telling stories, singing and screaming, so we often don’t think about protecting our voices until it is too late. Here are a few tips to help young artists (and their parents) plan for those big vocal moments without having to compromise being our boisterous selves at events, school, or when we decide to put on one-man productions of Hamilton in the car!
Schedule Vocal Rest
A good schedule will help ensure your voice has enough rest periods between performances and auditions on the one hand, and yet still allow you to enjoy parties and social events on the other. If you have the option to book events where you know you want to be able to yell, scream and sing (family reunions, sleepovers or karaoke nights), plan them around your vocal performances and shows. The same goes for booking your auditions: If you have the flexibility, try and schedule your audition at a time when you know you will have enough vocal rest. For example, avoid book something the day after Prom, the morning of a big show, or when you are in the middle of exams--this will be a lot not only for your voice, but also your stress level!
Avoid Vocal Strain
If you do have events back-to-back, there is no need to panic and go on extreme vocal rest, carrying around a chalkboard to write your responses or trying to communicate via sign language. Instead, just be aware of your vocal use and avoid shouting or screaming. If you find yourself at an event that requires yelling (like a big game at your school), try to approach it as if you were singing your enthusiasm and avoid making any unsupported sounds. If you find that you are trying to talk over loud music, move closer to your friends and speak into their ears so you don’t have to scream. Carefully controlling the use of your voice in these situations will ensure you do not wake up the next day with a frog voice and panic because you have an audition that afternoon!
Stay Hydrated and Reduce Caffeine
Staying hydrated will also help protect your voice as will limiting (or avoiding altogether) caffeine and sugary drinks. Making healthy lifestyle choices in general--like eating right and getting a good night’s sleep--will go a long way in ensuring you maintain vocal health.
Be Kind to Your Voice
If you are feeling sick or feeling like your voice is already a bit shaky, tend to it. Also, be aware of the season: If everyone is getting a cough or a cold, just be cautious before sipping from someone’s water, going without a scarf, not washing your hands and other situations that might make you susceptible to sickness.
Lost Your Voice? Quick Tips to Heal
If you’ve lost your voice and it feels like you’re turning into Kermit the Frog, here are some helpful tips to ensure you get your voice back for your big show, performance or audition and prevent longterm damage.
If you have a steamer, get it out and use it! If not, you can boil water, put it in a bowl and use a towel to make a private little steam room.
Increase hydration and drink honey, lemon and ginger tea.
Consider products like Nim Jom, Throat Coat and Cough Drops. However, be aware that if you are expected to sing, you will not want a numbing agent as this will allow you to continue doing damage to your voice without feeling the pain and knowing when to stop, which can cause long term damage.
Go on vocal rest. This doesn’t mean stop talking (because that is not sustainable); this just means being very aware of how you use your voice. Avoid yelling, screaming or singing unless you have to. If you have rehearsal, ask if you can mark your vocals, sing at 50% or lip-sync your songs. Talk to your teachers before rehearsal so they are aware not to push you and can better guide you through the vocal work.
Don’t stress! If you are worried about your voice, then stressing and worrying will only make you tense up more. Relax and trust your technique. If singing hurts, don’t do it! One show or audition is not worth doing long-term damage to your vocal cords.
Hopefully, these tips will help you maintain proper vocal health and prevent you from singing like Darth Vader on your closing night! We want you to feel successful, confident and proud each moment you get to take the stage, and protecting your voice will do exactly that. Remember, your voice is an instrument, so treat it with kindness and keep it in excellent condition!
