As a singer, your voice is your instrument, and like any instrument, it requires proper preparation before use. Preparing your voice to singing is crucial for a successful performance, whether you’re a professional or singing for fun. In this article, we’ll cover tips and techniques for how to prepare your voice for singing, what singers and voice over artists take before they sing, what not to do before singing, what to use to clear your throat for singing, and how to lubricate your vocal cords. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to protect and strengthen your voice for singing.
How to Prepare Your Voice For Singing
Before you start singing, it’s important to prepare your voice to ensure you deliver the best performance possible. Here are some tips and techniques for how to prepare your voice for singing:
Warm-up exercises: Warm-up exercises are essential to prepare your voice to sing. Lip trills, humming, and sirens are all great warm-up exercises that can help you loosen up your vocal cords and get your voice ready for singing.
Proper breathing technique: Proper breathing technique is crucial for singing. Take deep breaths from your diaphragm, and exhale slowly to ensure you have enough air to sustain your notes.
Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for keeping your vocal cords hydrated and healthy. Avoid drinking caffeine and dairy products, which can dry out your throat.
What Do Singers Take Before They Sing?
Singers often take various items to help prepare their voice for singing. Here are some common items singers may take before singing:
Water: Drinking water is essential for keeping your vocal cords hydrated and healthy. Make sure to drink water at room temperature to avoid constriction of the vocal cords.
Throat lozenges: Throat lozenges can help soothe your throat and vocal cords, making it easier to sing. Look for lozenges with natural ingredients like honey, ginger, or lemon.
Tea: Tea, particularly herbal teas like chamomile or licorice root tea, can help hydrate your vocal cords and reduce inflammation. Avoid teas with caffeine or alcohol, which can be dehydrating.
By taking these items before singing, singers can help prepare their voice and keep it healthy throughout their performance.
What Not to Do Before Singing
To prepare your voice for singing, there are certain activities you should avoid before singing. Here are some things singers should not do before singing:
Smoking: Smoking can irritate your throat and vocal cords, leading to inflammation and vocal fatigue.
Drinking alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate your body, including your vocal cords, and make it difficult to sing properly.
Yelling: Yelling or screaming can strain your voice and cause inflammation in your vocal cords, leading to vocal fatigue.
By avoiding these activities before singing, you can help keep your vocal cords healthy and prepared for singing.
What Can I Use to Clear My Throat for Singing?
Clearing your throat before singing is essential to ensure your voice is clear and ready for performance. Here are some remedies you can use to clear your throat for singing:
Natural remedies: Honey and lemon can help soothe your throat and vocal cords, reducing inflammation and irritation. Gargling with saltwater or drinking warm water can also help clear your throat and hydrate your vocal cords.
Over-the-counter options: Throat sprays and drops can also be effective in clearing your throat for singing. Look for products with natural ingredients like peppermint or eucalyptus oil, which can help soothe your throat and reduce inflammation.
When using these remedies, be careful not to overuse them, as excessive use can lead to dependency or further irritation of your vocal cords.
How to Prepare Throat Before Singing
Lubricating your vocal cords is essential to prevent vocal fatigue and injury. Here are some ways to lubricate your vocal cords:
Importance of lubrication: Your vocal cords need to be lubricated to vibrate properly and produce sound. Without proper lubrication, your voice can become strained and fatigued.
Steam inhalation: Inhaling steam from a humidifier or a hot shower can help moisturize your vocal cords and reduce inflammation.
Drinking warm liquids: Drinking warm liquids like tea or soup can help hydrate your vocal cords and provide lubrication for your voice.
By keeping your vocal cords lubricated, you can help prevent vocal fatigue and injury, and maintain a healthy voice.
