Since your vocal cords are made up of some thin and fairly delicate folds of membrane with very little blood supply, it is definitely possible to do damage to this organ that can be devastating for a singer. All singers are aware of the problems caused by common infections like colds and other viruses. They are annoying, for sure, but usually do not pose a threat that could harm a singer’s career. There are some diseases and conditions of the throat and larynx that can do great damage to a person’s vocal system, however, and the more precautions you can take as a singer, the better your chances of maintaining a healthy voice.

1)      Learn to use your voice properly from a choir teacher, a private instructor, or a video lesson if necessary. It is important to learn to relax your jaw, throat and neck, and sing with proper posture to allow your voice to produce sounds freely and without restriction. A healthy high school or college student should be able to sing for about 3 or 4 hours a day without causing undue strain of the voice. If you find that you cannot sing for that long, you should get some expert help to see what relaxation techniques could be used to relieve the strain on your voice.

2)      You should be aware that different people can tolerate different amounts of vocal use, just like people differ in their stamina and strength while exercising.  You know the limits of your voice better than anyone else, and if you find that your voice is becoming strained after a few hours of use, cut back on the amount of time you are speaking or singing to avoid the damage caused by fatigue

3)      Use the proper breath support when talking or singing. As you sing, you should feel your navel pushing toward your backbone. If this isn’t happening you are probably breathing from your chest more than you are expanding your whole diaphragm and rib cage to allow room for your lungs to fill with air. Good air support from your diaphragm will ensure that your vocal production is not coming from the back of your throat, something that can be very injurious to your voice.

4)       Avoid prolonged singing at both the upper and lower reaches of your vocal range. Producing lots of high and low tones requires repeated stretching and thinning of the vocal cords and can tire them more quickly than singing within a comfortable range would.

5)      Be sure to warm-up gradually before using your voice vigorously. Singing at a loud volume or in a high register are the two most strenuous ways to use your voice, so build up to those uses slowly. Start with a mid range scale and add increased volume and higher pitches only when you are comfortable with the more moderate tones.

6)      Rest your voice before a concert or performance. Even talking can be tiring, so it is best to have some quiet time before you sing to be sure that your voice is as well-rested as possible.

7)      Avoid cheering, shouting, yelling, and all other extreme forms of vocalization. Show your excitement at a game or contest by clapping or jumping, and leave the loud exclamations to others.

Whenever you feel that your voice is unusually tired, or is not responding to rest the way it normally does, do not hesitate to seek the advice of a medical specialist. Catching a problem early is often the best way to avoid serious damage.

Related posts:

  1. What is the Best Way to Keep Your Voice Healthy? Anyone who does a lot of singing knows that it is nearly impossible to sound...
  2. Warm Up Your Voice for the Best Sound Even amateur athletes know that warming up before physical exertion is vital to avoid muscle...
  3. How Should I Choose a Voice Instructor? If you have decided that you need a teacher to help you get the most...

Filed under: Singing Success

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!