How to Protect Your Voice: For Singers

It is important as a singer that you maintain your vocal chords, otherwise your voice will suffer. There are simple exercises to maintain a high range in your voice and there are secret ingredients to drink prior to singing that will protect your vocal chords. And lastly some good old fashion common sense is also in order here. After straining the voice for a few hours without any proper rest, training exercises, or secret ingredients you will start to literally wreck your voice. Usually you will lose your voice, it will start to sound hoarse, you'll get a sore throat, and or pain while talking. This is the aftermath of poor maintenance of your vocal chords.

First off anyone that has had some basic vocal training will learn some silly exercises that will keep your vocal range high and in good shape. The vocal teacher I had who was actually a professional Opera singer had me say "Meow meow meow meow meow," up unto the highest notes I could reach.

Yes you'll sound and feel like an idiot, but that's why you'll do it in private; and yes it really does work. That's a great exercise for keeping the range up way high and preparing for some vocal gymnastics on stage.

Next off there is a basic recipe that is excellent for your voice. Mix these two main ingredients together with water to maintain and protect your voice. Add honey and lemon into water and drink during singing breaks. These two ingredients act as a protect-ant for your throat.

Third, the most obvious but most overlooked fact about singing and your voice is you must take a break after singing for a long time. If you sing non-stop hour after hour without any time to catch your breath and just be quiet you may really strain your voice. For one thing when your voice gets more tired taper off a bit, sing with a lower pitch and don't overdo it as much.

They key thing is to pace yourself throughout a performance giving out effort, but in measured bursts of singing and vocals. Breathing deeply, pacing one-self, and taking breaks, will all help a singer to preserve their voice, so they can perform well for a show.

And lastly a personal note from experience; no matter what you're doing never strain yourself, if your voice and your energy are tapering off then pull back from the high energy performances. I have learned the hard way straining and singing for recordings and microphone tests. I suffered greatly, with a hoarse voice and a sore throat. Be smart and try out my tips and you'll keep your voice and feel much better.