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Beginning voice students should generally sing no more than one hour per day (or about one-half hour for students in their early teens), divided into half-hour segments. More advanced singers may be able to sing for longer periods of time. Students may supplement their singing with silent studying of words and music using the piano, keyboard, and tape recorder. Excessive or loud use of the speaking voice, especially on the phone or in a loud environment, can tire the singing voice and cause vocal problems. In the winter, many buildings become excessively dry due to the use of certain types of heating. You can use a humidifier, vaporizer, or pans of water near the radiators if your home is dry. Keep all humidifiers and vaporizers clean and change the filters regularly to inhibit growth of harmful bacteria. In all cases, avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoke dries out the throat and damages the tissues of the respiratory system, often leading to severe illnesses such as cancer. The same is true of marijuana smoke. |
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Stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, and not dressing warmly enough can increase susceptibility to colds. Certain foods and herbs such as mushrooms, ginger, garlic, onions, echinacea, astragalus, cat's claw and Siberian ginseng are traditionally thought to boost the functioning of the immune system. For more information, visit Dr. Andrew Weil's website. If a singer contracts a cold, the best remedies for the voice are rest, fluids (see diet, below), and inhaling steam from a bowl full of hot water or in a warm shower. Some medicines, especially over-the-counter cold medicines, can be dehydrating. The singer should drink extra water if using these medications. If flu is suspected, see your health care practitioner. Do not sing if you have a cold in the throat unless absolutely necessary, as it will tire the voice even more and delay healing. Beware of over-the-counter medications which numb the pain in the throat, as you will not be able to tell if you are becoming tired and hurting yourself when singing with a cold. |
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Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Herb teas and fresh fruit juices can also be helpful. Avoid coffee and other drinks with a high caffeine content, such as colas: they will dry you out. Alcohol dries out the throat and may even lead to hemorrhaging of the vocal folds. Never drink alcohol before singing. Eating many raw, fresh fruits and vegetables is good, as these tend to have a high water and fiber content. Apples are particularly recommended by many singers. Avoid eating too much sugar and salt, as this also will dry out your throat. Be aware that cheese and some processed foods have a high salt content.
Physical exercise can reduce stress and greatly increase overall health. There is no one exercise program required for all singers. Choose an exercise program that you enjoy and which you will be able to commit to doing on a regular basis. Some types of exercise that I have enjoyed and which have been helpful for me are yoga, tai chi, qigong (chi kung), aerobics, and walking. Weight lifting, if done at all, should be done with extreme care and under the supervision of a qualified instructor. There is always some strain on the larynx involved in weight lifting, but it can be significantly reduced by the use of moderation, proper posture, and correct breathing. The singer should exhale on the lift, attempting to keep an open throat and avoid all sounds such as grunting, which puts excess pressure on the larynx. If possible, substitute another type of exercise which is less stressful to the vocal mechanism.
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