Inside My Toolbox For Vocal Health

By: Erin Lockett | September 17th, 2022

Healthy habits and environmental quality both play essential roles in

your vocal health and ability. Today we will focus on the power of

hydration, air quality, mindful practice, and a proper resting routine.

Explore this article to discover the best devices, practices, and tools to

promote vocal health.

1. Hydration

Have you ever tried to sing when you were thirsty? Your high notes somehow felt higher and your lows bottomed out like a Saab scraping the pavement. Your voice may have suddenly acquired an uncontrollable rasp. Yes, maybe it was perfect for that one Zeppelin song in your set, but I’m sure you want to choose your rasp, not have the rasp choose you. Hydration is an essential element to vocal health. “Recent literature regarding vocal hydration is high quality evidence. Systemic hydration is the easiest and most cost-effective solution to improve voice quality. Recent evidence therefore supports the inclusion of hydration in a vocal hygiene program” (Alves, Krüger, Pillay, van Lierde, Van Der, Linde 2019).

Here are the highlights on staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of filtered water warm or at room temperature while singing and all day long will

improve the overall quality of your voice. Cold water is better enjoyed after your practice session is finished. Think of it like an ice bath for your voice after a long work out. We are one step closer to that millionaire morning routine for your million-dollar-voice! Want to boost the flavor? Try drinking warm throat coat tea to soothe a dry voice. If you want to kick your hydration into overdrive, you can incorporate the use of a vocal steamer. This will directly hydrate your vocal cords with pure water vapor. It is best used right before practice or a performance. A well hydrated space is also vital for a smooth practice session every time. Adding a humidifier to your studio space ensures 360 degree hydration. Try these tips on vocal hydration today. Your voice will thank you.

2. AIR QUALITY

We all want clarity in our vocal tone, but did you know your vocal clarity can be impacted by your air quality? Dust particles, allergens, and other air impurities can lead to vocal cord irritation. Curating a perfect practice space should not be slept on. Part of a perfect space is clean air. Investing in an air purifier for your studio space will allow for your clear, resonant tone to be the only thing filling the air. Taking fresh breaths can also be achieved from the inside out. Making sure your body is ready to take a fresh breath with practices like using a neti pot and purifying pranayama practices can make every breath feel easeful. Pranayama is the sanskrit word for yogic breathing practices. These techniques can help expand, steady, and strengthen your breathing system. Air quality can make a noticeable difference in the quality of your breathing, a fundamental element for smooth singing.

3. MINDFUL PRACTICE

Another element of vocal health is practicing mindfully. It is easy to want to jump right into belting your favorite tunes. What if you knew that doing so could lead to less vocal longevity, a slower pace of progress/a potential plateau of progress, vocal injury or loss of passion?

When we are able to practice with steadiness we can build a vocal practice that is fulfilling, progressive, inspiring and satisfying day after day. By implementing mindfulness into your vocal routine, you can see these results. What does this look like in practice? We can begin by creating ease and awareness in the body. Trying out physical practices that link the body with the breath is one way to mindfully begin your singing practice.

Asana, or yogic postures, are one way to bring ease and awareness into your physical body before singing. You can also try Tai Chi, Qigong Bouncing, or diaphragmatic breathing lying down. Next, you can practice without vocal use. You can listen to songs with your favorite pair of headphones on, practicing only the breaths before each phrase and mouthing the words along with the singer.

To warm-up mindfully and get the most out of your practice, you will want to select vocal warm-ups and exercises that specifically target the challenges of the songs you are playing. For example, if your song switches between head and chest voice smoothly like in the chorus of Olivia Rodrigo’s song, “Deja Vu,” you will want to practice passaggio slides and smooth out your break before belting out your song. If your song has long tones, like in the last chorus of Bill Withers’ song, “Lovely Day,” you will want to practice holding notes for the length of the long tones before attempting it with the song. Mindfully choosing exercises that align with your song will help you see progress sooner. It will also teach you to listen for techniques vocalists are using in songs. Mindfully choosing exercises will empower your practice.

The last piece of mindful practice we will discuss in this article is singing in short segments of your song. If you sing full run-throughs of your song every time you practice, you may be creating unnecessary vocal fatigue and seeing slow, or little to no progress. Contrarily, singing short phrasing in repetition and fine tuning the details of your vocal technique will lead to faster progress, more potential for styling and artistry, and a fulfilling practice.

Sing your song one phrase at a time. Notice your breathing, pitch, rhythm, pronunciation, tone, mouth position, tongue position, resonant placement, tension/ease, stylistic choices, and embellishments. Notice vocal elements one at a time and refine them as needed. When you feel the phrase is polished and performable, move onto the next phrase. You will be amazed at how much deeper your practice will feel when you work in small pieces, rather than singing your whole song again and again.

4. REST

Getting adequate rest promotes vocal recovery. After you train any part of your body or brain, you need rest to integrate what you have learned into muscle memory, and your mind’s memory. Planning a proper resting routine is essential for vocal recovery and practice pay-off. Allow yourself 8-9 Hours of Sleep each night for the best results. You can also try meditation, especially open monitoring meditation where you simply watch your thoughts without an attempt to change or alter them, but simply observing what is. This type of meditation can improve overall well-being and make you feel more rested after only five to ten minutes of daily practice.

Your Journey of Vocal Health Begins Now

There are a variety of ways to boost your vocal health. Use the

HAMR method to remember: hydration, air quality, mindful practice,

and rest. Your voice is a precious tool. It is a part of your body, an

instrument, and a form of expression. Treat it with care by building

your own toolbox for vocal health today.