As a professional singer, it’s crucial to learn how to keep your voice and throat healthy. If it’s not sounding its very best, it could damage your earning potential and even stunt your singing career. Vocal health really matters, so avoiding “singer’s throat,” which arises when you overuse or misuse your voice, causing strain and discomfort, should be at the top of your agenda. Understanding the professional dos and don’ts, especially at the start of your career, can keep you singing longer and better. Let’s discover how to hit the highs and avoid the lows.
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Although most pros recognise the term “singer’s throat,” it’s not an official medical condition. It’s used to describe various voice problems singers encounter in their professional lives, usually connected with the vocal cords or throat. The causes are numerous, including overuse, bad technique, pushing your voice out of your optimal range, and just not looking after yourself well enough.
“Singer’s throat” may be a colloquial catch-all term, but it is a real problem you need to be aware of. You may be used to soldiering on and not complaining, but you need to listen to what your voice is trying to tell you. Sufferers describe feelings of tightness, hoarseness, difficulty hitting high notes, and a change in range. There also may be issues with increased tiredness after a gig.
Taking time to look after your voice is just part of being a professional singer. Adele, Justin Timberlake, and Dolly Parton have all suffered from vocal issues such as nodules, strain, and polyps, but they recovered eventually.
When it comes to vocal health, thinking of yourself as similar to an athlete is a good place to start. After all, your throat is basically just a very fabulous muscle! Your job and income rely on your voice, which is part of your body, so physical fitness is crucial. According to the UK Musicians Union, the fitter you are, the quicker your throat will recover from any strain – so start to think fit!
- Don’t smoke. This is sound health advice for anyone, not just singers, but it’s an absolute must when your voice is your instrument. Cigarettes can affect lung capacity, swell up your vocal cords, and make you want to clear your throat in the middle of a performance.
- Think about your stress levels. Reflux can affect your voice. If you’re stressed, acids and enzymes from your stomach will pop up and wash round the back of your throat. That’s bad news for good singing. Consider mindfulness techniques and breathing exercises for stress control. Also think about what in your life is making you stressed and try to implement some changes.
- Protect your cords – whatever your singing style. Your voice is an instrument, and you need to look after it. Singing continuously at full pelt is not how to maintain a healthy voice. Even if you’re more Ozzy Osbourne than Aled Jones, variation – or at least proper rest between performances – is key to singing success. Look after your voice and it will look after you.
- Be careful about what you consume. According to the US National Institutes of Health, singers should avoid spicy foods and mouthwash. The former causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the latter potentially contains alcohol or irritating chemicals.
1. Perfect your warm-up.
Always warm up before any performance. Start with a basic physical warm-up, stretching and loosening your neck and shoulders. Then find a specialised vocal warm-up that works for you. It may involve lip trills, humming, sirens, or scales. Many singers find diaphragmatic breathing effective. Remember that it’s important to warm down after singing too.
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your vocal cords hydrated, soft, and supple. If you drink caffeinated drinks such as tea or coffee, balance them out with lots of water. Limit alcohol, which is dehydrating. When you exercise, remember that water is your friend! You can read more about how water and diet affect singers here.
3. Think about your environment.
When possible, avoid smoking areas where you may end up ingesting second-hand smoke and noisy places where you may have to shout to be heard. Think about investing in a humidifier, which will increase the moisture in the air. They’re key during the winter or in dry climates. About 40% to 60% humidity is ideal for singers.
4. Hone your technique.
Not only is technique the foundation to any singing success, but it’s also key to avoiding injury and singing-related illnesses. Pay attention to your posture, and avoid tension in your neck and throat. A good vocal coach should be able to help, but there’s also plenty of self-help to guide you. Think about how your breath may affect your technique.
5. Know when to say no.
Allow sufficient time for vocal rest between performances, especially after intense vocal exertion. Rest is essential for the vocal cords to heal and rejuvenate.
6. Listen to your body and follow its lead.
Unless you absolutely can’t back out, don’t sing if your voice is hoarse. Instead take a well-earned vocal rest. You should also temporarily avoid speaking if you want to recover quickly. Whispering is not restful; it also strains your vocal cords.
Learning how to use our voice effectively and healthily is something every professional singer needs to know. Check out these singing tips from leading actors.
If you have persistent issues with your singing voice, it may be worth seeing an expert. Start with your GP, and read up on advice for singers on the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) website. The organisation specialises in medicine for performers and has lots of resources to help even the most stubborn singer’s throat!