| 10 Vocal Health Tips | | | | warm up. Rest your voice and avoid excessive talking |
| | | | in between sets. |
| 1. Rest is very important. Get as much rest as you can. | | | | Natural Throat Coat/ Throat Soother-Comforter |
| Even if this means cat naps in between shows, on the | | | | - Any kind of Tea you like |
| bus... rest wherever you can and learn to sleep in busy | | | | - Add 1 Tablespoon Honey (or as much or as little as |
| or noisy places. | | | | you like) |
| 2. Eliminate any unnecessary talking if you have a | | | | - Dash of Lemon Juice |
| heavy singing schedule. If you can come up with a | | | | Throat Sprays |
| series of 'hand gestures' or sign language to | | | | Entertainer's Secret |
| communicate with others to cut out unnecessary | | | | Vocal-eze Professional Throat Spray |
| talking, this is good. When touring, make an Artist Pass | | | | Home Remedy Teas |
| Lanyard or sign that says "Today is a no talking day | | | | An old home remedy for sore throats is a tea made |
| for me". Do this if you feel that your cords are | | | | with lemon, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, and honey. |
| particularly fatigued. People need to understand that | | | | Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a tiny pinch |
| you make your living with your internal instrument and it | | | | of cayenne pepper, the juice of 1/4 lemon, and one |
| needs plenty of TLC. | | | | teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot water. Stir. |
| 3. NEVER WHISPER! This is about the worst possible | | | | Typically, up to four cups a day is suggested |
| thing you can ever do as it grates the cords together | | | | Natural Sore Throat Remedy |
| like sand paper and this is terrible for your voice! | | | | - 4 cloves of garlic, minced |
| 4. As much as possible, avoid coughing and clearing | | | | - 4 chunks of ginger root, grated |
| your throat. Try to swallow or sip water instead. | | | | - 1 lemon, juiced (or bottled lemon juice can work) |
| 5. Drink as much water as you can. Think of yourself | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon of honey |
| as a plant that needs to be watered every day. You | | | | - small dash of cayenne pepper |
| need water to keep your cords moist. Moist cords | | | | |
| make for healthy cords. | | | | 1. Prepare all ingredients and place them in a large mug |
| 6. Try steaming with Vics Vapo Rub: Put 1 Teaspoon | | | | measuring cup/teapot |
| (or more if you like) of Vics Vapo Rub into some | | | | 2. Cover with just boiled water and infuse for 15/20 |
| water. Stand over the kitchen stove and let this | | | | minutes |
| mixture work up into a good steam. Make sure you | | | | 3. Strain and drink |
| put a towel around your head to trap the steam. Take | | | | Gargles |
| deep breaths and allow the steam to penetrate your | | | | Cayenne Gargle: |
| lungs. This is a great prep for recording sessions. It | | | | -1 Tsp (or as much as you can handle) of Cayenne |
| opens you up and moistens your entire throat area. | | | | Pepper in room temperature water |
| 7. Avoid most citrus juice and caffeinated drinks while | | | | Gargle as needed |
| singing, since these can negatively affect your throat's | | | | Swallow bits if you can |
| natural lubrication. | | | | ***NOTE ABOUT CAYENNE***: |
| 8. Don't eat a very heavy meal just prior to a show. | | | | Cayenne Pepper is a very effective blood thinner and |
| Your body won't have time to digest the meal, and the | | | | so, like aspirin, you shouldn't take it prior to surgery. |
| heavy volume of food in your stomach will make it | | | | Saline Gargle: |
| harder for you to breathe, thus affecting your vocal | | | | -1 Tsp of Salt (non-iodized) in room temperature water |
| reach and projection. | | | | Gargle as needed |
| 9. As hard as it may be for you to do, avoid | | | | This helps cut back Phlegm somewhat. But do |
| excessive loud talking and yelling, since this can lead to | | | | remember that your body can also produce phlegm as |
| vocal strain. | | | | a result of a sinus problem, allergies or something else. |
| 10. Never sing out of your range, and try to keep the | | | | Always to get to the root of the phlegm when there is |
| most vocally demanding songs to the middle or end of | | | | an underlying problem that is causing it. |
| each set where your voice has had a chance to | | | | |