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The saying “everything has its season” isn’t just a saying.
There are moments where speaking out has to happen and times when singing out is a must.
But after long weekends of singing gigs back to back you need time to recuperate.
Your body needs time to recuperate
Your mind needs time to recuperate
But something most seem to forget is that your voice needs to recuperate.
I have so many students walk into my lesson and say to me “my voice feels tired, I may be getting sick”
Typically I ask a few questions (not giving everything away here, more blog posts to come!)
Mainly I ask what they’ve been doing the past couple days. I get all sorts of answers.
“I was playing soccer and had to scream the plays to everyone“
”I was out with friends we had a great time laughing.” (Honestly this may be one of the more healthy answers but there are ways this could need to be kept in check)
Or there could be the “we were at the amusement park.”
There is one single thread here to keep in mind. These days that my students had were fun! They were exhilarating! Which is GREA! They were LOUD! And my students were also LOUD!
I encourage the fun things. The amusement park would probably have been one of my favorites. BUT! They needed rest. These activities totally break the monotony of life up really well and are fully encouraged! However, if you are going to sing for a competition, or a concert, a recital maybe, the thing you’re voice needs is total silence.
Seriosuly.
Total silence!
Don‘t Speak. (No doubt was on to something when that sang those fateful lyrics) And don’t tell me that it hurts. (Ok a bit more than anyone wanted. But I really was a No Doubt fan growing up and still pull up their songs now as an adult)
Silence is key. Your voice needs a chance to sleep. Just for a bit. It’s just like when sleeping, your body heals as you sleep. When silent the vocal muscles get the chance to recuperate and heal.
Lets address the screaming.
healthy singing should feel like a massage in your throat, not painful or rough. if you could see how your vocal chords move when singing they have these motions of vibration that can be smooth and gentle when singing properly.
If you scream you are literally clapping those vocal chord muscles with full force.
Personally, this gives me small panic at the thought.
That blood curdling sound can only mean one thing.
You are damaging your vocal chords at this moment.
YIKES! I tell all my students. No screaming. Nope. No. Please stop. No.
Keep tabs on your voice. You feel hoarse? Take a couple days of minimal speaking. Let’s be realist most people have jobs. Most jobs require speaking.
But if you have a single day off. 6 hours even. Use that time to stay silent.
Regular intervals of silence will give your voice the ability to bounce back from the hefty amount of abuse it can get on a regular basis.
Keep in mind this won’t fix everything. If you continue to be hoarse you have to see an ear nose and throat doctor in your area. I am offering tips on how to help keep your voice healthy. This is not a diagnosi.
That’s my word on silence!
Keep eyes open for the next Blog coming to you
next week!
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