Tips for a Healthy Voice

For vocalists, colder weather and dry air can strain vocal cords, making singing, and sometimes even just speaking, difficult. If you want to protect your pipes, follow these tips for a healthy voice.

Stay Hydrated: We know you hear this all the time, but it’s seriously important. Being well hydrated allows your vocal cords to stay lubricated and vibrate properly without friction. Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water a day to maintain a healthy voice. Pro Tip: Avoid caffeinated drinks like soda,and coffee, as these dehydrate you.

Tame the Throat Clearing: While it’s tempting to constantly clear your throat if you’re feeling hoarse, you’re basically slamming your vocal cords together. This can cause even more hoarseness or other vocal injuries. Try taking small sips of water or swallowing a few times to clear the build up you feel in your throat instead.

Don’t Abuse Your Voice: If you don’t need to be pushing your voice to hit high notes, don’t. Avoid shouting in situations with loud background noise, such as concerts or parties. Raising the volume of your voice occurs naturally, so watch your surroundings, and stop speaking if you notice your voice feeling dry or scratchy.

Moderate Your Vocal Use When You’re Sick: If you find yourself suffering from hoarseness or an upper respiratory infection, reduce your vocal use as much as possible. Limit speaking to saying only what you really have to, and definitely do not sing when sick, as this can cause further damage.

Know When to See a Doctor: As frustrating as it may be, if you’ve had a scratchy voice or a sore throat for an extended period of time, see your doctor for the real cause of the problem. Prolonged hoarseness is usually a sign of a bigger issue than a common cold or laryngitis. The sooner you see your doctor, the sooner you can begin treating whatever vocal condition you may have.

A big asset to have in maintaining a healthy voice is a vocal coach. He or she will be able to teach you how to safely use your voice and detect any issues early on, should you develop them. At Grace Music School, our vocal coaches teach repertoire and proper technique with fun and innovative methods so you can belt your way to Broadway with ease.

Grace Music School offers the best comprehensive music educations in Suffolk County with exceptional teachers and a proven track record of excellence. Call us today for more information at 631-239-6169 (Fort Salonga) or at 631-470-9705 (Melville).