6 Habits You Need to Establish Now to Protect Your Voice
Imagine being at the height of your career. Selling out venues. Having millions of fans streaming your music daily. And then you can’t sing anymore. Because your voice is over it. Look at the way Mariah Carey's voice changed. Yes, she had the voice of an angel for a long time. With technology she can always have that sound. But she had vocal nodules that she “sang through” and her voice will never be the same because of that.
I've been a teacher for over 10 years. I've been a student. I've been a performer. I've recorded songs. My voice has done a lot already and I plan to do more with it. If I didn't have the vocal techniques and daily habits that I do, I couldn't say that.
Our vocal cords are very delicate. We use them all the time, and not just to make music. I don’t want you to have to experience vocal cord injuries in the first place. Good habits will help you protect your voice for the future.
January is almost over but there is still time to start a resolution (or six) for 2020. I am grateful that I had good teachers that helped me create vocal habits that have made my voice last. I want to pass that on to you!
1. Keep it Hydrated
Use a Humidifier. Here in California, it’s super dry. It’s also really dry where I grew up in Arizona. Because of that, I’ve gotten into the habit of using a humidifier when I’m sleeping. If you don’t have a humidifier, or have access to one, a steamy shower can also help. When Ben was on tour, he took all the steamy showers he could.
We all need to make sure that we’re drinking water. But as singers, this is especially important. A common rule of thumb for how much water to drink is to take your weight and divide it in half. The number you get is how many ounces to drink a day. Since we’re in a dry region, add ten ounces to that number! But it’s not only about quantity. Room temperature water is best for singers because it doesn’t freeze our vocal cords. Drinking water with melon in it adds to hydration.
2. Think About What you consume
I rarely drink, and when I do, I drink in moderation. Ben goes completely cold turkey whenever he has major vocal demands (like tour). I’m not telling you not to drink ever. But it’s important to understand the impacts of alcohol on your voice. Drinking alcohol will not only dehydrate you, but it will make you tired. It also changes the quality and strength of your voice.
Caffeine is another substance that I have to limit. I love a morning cup of coffee. But I switch to a tea with a lower caffeine level when I don't actually need the pick me up.
On days when you don’t need caffeine, try drinking hot lemon water or a caffeine-free tea for extra hydration. Drinking water with lemon will help to reduce mucus build-up. Pineapple or pineapple juice will do the same and has anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s been said a million times, but I’ll say it again. Smoking (and vaping) are going to have a negative impact on your voice. It will dry out and damage your vocal cords. If you’re serious about your voice, don’t do it!
3. Warm Up
Sometimes you can “sound good” without warming up, but it’s not healthy in the long term. Just like athletes warm-up before performing or practicing, you should too.
You can find vocal warm-up strategies online. Or better yet, get a voice teacher to show you the right warm-ups for your voice, your goals, and the songs you want to sing.
You should warm-up, but remember not to go too far. Your warm-up shouldn’t be a full-blown rehearsal. When you warm up in the shower, your voice might feel great. But avoid going “too far” and hitting all the high notes that you can. It could lead to strain.
4. Rest
Some celebrities go on complete vocal rest in the days leading up to their performances. While this is extreme, being aware of how much you talk or strain your voice is a good habit to get into.
Sleep is important for everyone, but it definitely has an impact on your voice. Make sure that you’re trying to get as much sleep as you can. Performing can often mean that you’re up late, but make up for it by getting rest leading up to a show. It will make all the difference. Partying and staying up late will have a negative impact on your voice. FOMO is worth it in the long run.
5. Reduce Anxiety
Sleep will also help you feel less anxious if you suffer from anxiety. It is important to prioritize mental health no matter what. But again, it has implications for singers on top of the regular ones from being human.
Ben is actually more on top of this than I am. But practicing mindfulness or meditation can really help with anxiety. When we perform, or audition, we can feel incredibly anxious. Sometimes it’s even nerve-wracking to sing in a lesson. I notice a huge difference in a student’s voice when they feel relaxed.
Don’t be too hard on yourself (or your kids). Performing well is the culmination of a bunch of factors. Proper training, consistent practice, all the factors in this post, plus your brain. Being overly hard on yourself for small "failures" will not make your voice better.
Make sure that you’re extra gentle with yourself (or your kid) leading up to a major performance or event. It’s not the time to “reflect” on the lack of practice, or start doubting yourself. It’s the time to pump yourself up, give yourself some affirmations, and show that performance who’s boss!
6. Get Coaching
You should have a professional teacher if you are taking singing seriously. This way you can learn proper vocal techniques (breathing, support, resonance, etc), and have a professional guide. Coaching can also help you prepare for auditions or an intense performance schedule.
I consider myself your voice teacher whether it's just over the Internet or you are an actual Amber Light student. I want you to succeed. I want you to have access to your entire vocal range. I want you to do all the amazing things that you want to do with your voice.
Pineapple might be out of season, you might not have time for a full warm-up, or you might be dealing with insomnia (I can relate). You won’t be perfect all the time. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about keeping these habits in mind and practicing them until you don’t have to try anymore.
Remember that our introductory class is free. So if you’re in Los Angeles, give us a call and book your free lesson now! 323.391.6093