Singing Vocal Health

To sing at your best, it’s important to look after your vocal health. There are a number of factors that can affect your vocal performance. It is a good idea to learn how to recognize potential problems so you can limit the chance for trouble when it comes time for you to sing. Here are some common everyday factors to bear in mind:

The effect of alcoholic beverages

Alcohol causes the blood vessels in your body to dilate and that is not good for your vocal cords when you will be singing. When the vessels in your vocal cords dilate, the blood comes closer to the surface and this makes them more susceptible to hemorrhaging while you are singing. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages on the days when you will be singing or practicing and when you do drink alcohol, be sure to drink a lot of water to keep from becoming dehydrated.

How cigarette smoke affects your vocal health

Cigarette smoke causes the tissue in your throat to become irritated and inflamed and this makes it more difficult for you to sing well. If you want to sing well, don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke as well. You should at least avoid smoke for several days prior to a singing lesson or performance.

Clearing your throat

If you are a habitual throat clearer, now is the time to break the habit and find the root of the problem. Excessive throat clearing can be caused by mucus buildup from postnasal drip or acid reflux. See if you can get in the habit of swallowing instead of clearing your throat and go see your doctor to determine the reason behind the mucus build up. Many times, singers develop a habit of throat clearing because of frequently clearing the cords for singing. Singing with a little mucus on your vocal cords shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Food and your vocal health

Some types of foods will irritate your voice Dairy foods in particular are noted for causing mucus to buildup and that makes you clear your throat more often. Some people may be affected by spicy foods while others are not. Since everyone is different, you will have to listen to your own body and discover the foods you should avoid for a few days before you are scheduled to sing.

Pollen, dust and your vocal health

Sensitivities to allergens, such as pollen or dust, may cause the vocal folds and throat to swell. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help you overcome your allergy problems. There are some basic precautions you can take at home for allergy relief. Clean your house on a regular basis to prevent dust from collecting and bothering you and choose non-allergenic materials for your bed linen. Be sure to listen to your local weather reports for current pollen counts. Usually, pollen counts are the highest in the early evening or early morning hours. Restrict your outdoor activities to the middle of the day when you are less likely to run into problems with pollen.

Medications and your vocal health

Many times, the drugs you take for other conditions will cause your throat to become dried out. If you can’t avoid taking the medications, be sure to drink a lot of water so your throat won’t get dry when you sing. If possible, you may want to forego the medicine on the days when you have to sing.

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