Vocalists!

[Syyle]

What do you do to strengthen your voice? So that you are able to go out there night after night and belt away a full set?

 

Your diet? Throat remedies? Exercises? Just in general, how do you take care of your tubes?

 

:thu:thanks

[EvilSoup]

Well, one tip I'll give you is to warm down if your voice feels a bit raspy after a session. It will save you lots of trouble if you take the time to run some scales softly until your voice returns to "normal". If you don't do anything your voice could be in an even worse condition the next day.

[blue2blue]

Wish we had a Vocalism Forum here at HC!

 

Let me give you some cover, here, since I already know a few regulars are going to be secretly grumbling about off-topicality...

 

Many of us songwriters also sing or are at least sometimes forced into the role... and I know from experience that many of us are not entirely comfortable with our singing.

 

 

I'm probably not the best person to offer even limited answers to that question, as I've abused my voice pretty badly in the past.

 

These days, I try to avoid abuse.

 

They say alcohol is bad for your vocal instrument. I quit drinking (after several very enthusiastic decades of drowning both joys and sorrows -- for general reasons, rather than voice) in 1994.

 

More importantly -- as far as my voice was concerned -- I stopped smoking cigarettes. (My dad died from them and then, after quitting in solidarity wit him when he was ill, a few years after he passed I started smoking again. Wotta dolt! Anyway, after ramping back up to a pack and a half a day, I finally quit and made it stick about ten years ago.)

 

That was probably the single biggest thing I did to help my voice.

 

I used to get bronchitis all the time (even before I started smoking, for that matter). Until I started taking precautions, at any rate.

 

I avoid contagious people (it's amazing how rude -- or oblivious -- but at some point they're essentially the same thing) some folks are at subjecting others to their germs...

 

People will tell you they're suffering a cold and then get right up on you.

 

I back away, smile and apologize but I don't let people with colds/flu/etc get in my face (why do they like to do that so much?!? I blame the antihistamines in their stupid OTC meds)

 

And I don't shake their hands [and if I can't avoid it, I avoid touching my own face, particularly around vulnerable eyes, nose and mouth, washing my hands -- and often my face, too -- as soon as possible].

 

For me, colds lead to bronchitis, sinus infections, the lot.

 

And I've found that -- despite what people who are always fighting colds try to tell their friends who are edging away from them -- you don't have to get sick every cold and flu season -- and you don't have to put up with rude or oblivious people who (presumably inadvertantly) put you at risk of getting their germs. Just don't let them do that to you.

 

I guess I'm going on about this but some years past I used to be almost completely knocked out from singing for 2 to 3 months a year because of illness and its aftermath. (The whole time I was probably trying to get in my friends' faces and saying things like, "Oh, I'm not contagious anymore [cough cough]. Really..." )

 

 

Anyhow, beyond that, I'm thinking vocal warmups. I don't think you have to do anything elaborate -- certainly not the sort of thing you see opera singers doing in Three Stooges moveies -- but, still, running through some scales and such, starting from the center of your range and gradually working toward the low and high extremes can only help warm up the muscles and tendons in your vocal box, which need it just as much as any other muscle/tendon system in your body...

 

We fool ourselves into thinking we can just jump into singing at full throttle -- and maybe one can when one is younger... but if you still want to be singing when you're older, you might want to take care.

 

 

Now, all that said, I used to utterly trash my voice. I was in some punk bands and when I sang, Sid Vicious looked up/down from wherever he is and said, Bloody ------- hell, mate, even I was easier to understand than that...

 

But now, finally qualifying for that all-important senior discount that's going to get me through my twighlight years, I can honestly say that I have far more control of not just pitch but the little "character elements" (whiskey voice edge, growls, vibrato, and such) that make singing more characterful and interesting. I still have what seems to me an irritating voice -- but I'm glad to have it, nonetheless. (Be careful not to look even the feeblest gift horse in the mouth -- that's my motto.)

 

And it's a much better controlled irritating voice than it's ever been before.

[MattSkibaIsGOD]

vocal warm-ups are key, and i like to drink a cup of hot tea when I'm done singing for the day.

[Eclepto Funk]

my system is easy

 

i suck no matter what i do

 

(but not smoking has helped a lot)

[Syyle]

thanks for the tips all!

 

anyone have any secret conconctions i like to 1/3 part orange juice (no pulp), 1/3 parts Aloe Vera Juice, and 1/3 part water. it keeps my pipes pretty well lubed and doesn't dehydrate them at all. even tastes kind of good

[blue2blue]

 

my system is easy i suck no matter what i do (but not smoking has helped a lot)

 

 

Dude... I have a patent pending on that system.

 

 

Have your lawyers call my lawyers.

[Geno_xl]

I'm probably the last person to take advise from about singing. I'm a songwriter first.

 

However, I've read it's best to drink room temp. water before, during, and after playing. I wouldn't drink alcohol when you play. and of course the vocal excercise should help.

 

good luck

[shniggens]

Watch acidic foods and drinks. Especially if you have a propensity to get heartburn. I've had reflux attack at exactly the wrong moment durning a vocal performance. Changing my diet has helped tons!!!!

 

Same goes for carbonated drinks.

[johnbegone]

Yay, a topic I can help with.

 

I'm a senior voice major and vocal health is something I'm concerned with every day. I tend to get strep throat kind of often (once or twice a year) so I pay very careful attention to my body and the warning signs. This is important! If you feel even "just a little" scratchy, then don't sing if you can avoid it. I frequently don't sing during rehearsals for a band if I know I have an important classical performance coming up or if I'm feeling sick at all, you'll just do much more damage if you try to sing through it.

 

If you're on a tour or are doing nightly gigs, then watch closely how you use your voice during the day. If you're an outgoing, talkative person, then be careful not to over-extend yourself. This is key at a show as well. When there is loud music going on, people try to talk over it with their friends, which generally means pretty much screaming in someone's ear. You'll regret that later.

 

If you're on pain medication of any kind, don't sing. Especially blood thinners like ibuprofen. Go with acetominophen (yeah no idea..... uh Tylenol) if you have to take something. Pain killers make it easy to not feel what our vocal chords are telling us, which is usually "Stop it!" You can sing through a lot of problems with pain killers, and you can end up doing real permanent damage.

 

Of course you should always warm up, come up with some excercises that fall right in the middle of your voice. Don't sing too high or too low during warmups, as that will also strain your voice before you've even begun.

 

After concerts if my voice is a little raspy, I do humming excercises, once again in the middle part of my range. Humming is a great way to get the voice going without using much volume.

 

During your show, like someone said, go with room temp. water if you can. Cold water tastes better, but the body has to work to make cold water into body temperature which expends energy. That's a trick from like excercising and stuff, but it still applies to live shows.

 

If you HAVE to get through a concert and you're voice is down, you can take shots of straight honey between the songs as needed. It helps coat the throat. But like I said, only if you must. Do not do this every night.

 

OK, that's enough for now, hope I've provided a little insight. There are books dedicated to vocal health and I'm sure there's a ton of stuff out there on the internet as well.

[blue2blue]

Johnbegone

 

Good suggestions.

 

I'm kind of concerned by how often you get strep infections, though.

 

I used to get sick like that and -- of course we're all different -- but when I started becoming a "please-don't-infect-me" stickler I started getting sick a lot less often.

 

It's not always easy -- some folks seem to need to get closer to their friends and aquaintances when they're sick, some kind of sick, emotional perversion (I suppose ) -- or maybe they're just so stuffed up they can't hear well... or so loaded on antihistamines that they're not themselves...

 

Whatever, nowadays, I'm friendly, polite -- but firm. If they keep closing in on me I simply keep backing away and if they do it, like, three times, I remind them that they are sick and while they're utterly convinced that they're not contagious, I'd just as soon not take the chance.

 

If they can't handle that, that should be a warning sign right there about what kind of person they are and their maturity level and sensitivity to others.

 

Seriously, if they keep getting in your face, tell 'em to f... feel better soon and walk away.

 

[elbow]

I do a bit of singing and can give you some hints that help me...

 

before or during a performance

 

- do not drink cold beverages

- alcohol or drugs will not make YOU sing better.. but in some cases, it could help if the audience is drinking

- stay away from all dairy products

- start with songs that are easy for you to reach. If you have some songs that will make you stretch, then try to put them back in the list a little if you can

- drink plenty of fluids.. you can't go wrong with water

- do not eat a heavy meal beforehand

- warm up some if possible. I've even gone out to my truck in the parking lot to sing a song or 2 to loosen the pipes a little

 

I like the previous advice about "listening to your body". You know if you're pushing your voice too hard.

[johnbegone]

You know, I try very hard but here's the deal. I'm in a touring choir of about 60 people. And we generally tour during the winter, during the cold and flu season, and when you're driving around country (sometimes we're doing 24 hour bus rides) in a tin can of a bus, germs spread very quickly and there isn't much you can do about it. I take a lot of Airborne, which who knows if its helping or not. I'm still getting sick.

 

Johnbegone Good suggestions. I'm kind of concerned by how often you get strep infections, though. I used to get sick like that and -- of course we're all different -- but when I started becoming a "please-don't-infect-me" stickler I started getting sick a lot less often. It's not always easy -- some folks seem to need to get closer to their friends and aquaintances when they're sick, some kind of sick, emotional perversion (I suppose ) -- or maybe they're just so stuffed up they can't hear well... or so loaded on antihistamines that they're not themselves... Whatever, nowadays, I'm friendly, polite -- but firm. If they keep closing in on me I simply keep backing away and if they do it, like, three times, I remind them that they are sick and while they're utterly convinced that they're not contagious, I'd just as soon not take the chance. If they can't handle that, that should be a warning sign right there about what kind of person they are and their maturity level and sensitivity to others. Seriously, if they keep getting in your face, tell 'em to f... feel better soon and walk away.

[Floophead3]

you could always coat yourself in teflon.

[Li10]

or get a huge tour bus and isolate yourself in a huge hamster ball.

 

I can't say much about singing....

[DougH]

 

or get a huge tour bus and isolate yourself in a huge hamster ball. I can't say much about singing....

 

 

Why do that when he can just adopt an old Rave style musical persona and wear a gas mask! You can spray it bright green or get some glow in the dark paint. Scare of people at night in the local walmart though!

[attic]

When I feel that my voice could start giving some trouble, I drink hot turkish apple tea. Always helps for me.

[cherri]

So that you are able to go out there night after night and belt away a full set?

 

A full set?

 

That cracked me up yesterday, and cracked me up again this morning. A full set.

 

The most I've ever had to sing at one event was six one-hour sets with a two hour break between the third and fourth sets.

[ryan7585]

A full set? That cracked me up yesterday, and cracked me up again this morning. A full set. The most I've ever had to sing at one event was six one-hour sets with a two hour break between the third and fourth sets.

 

 

damn man, i can't even hardly make it through a practice session.

 

i start gagging

 

anyone know what that's about?

 

ps: why not drink cold water? energy isnt a problem for me... so does is actually hurt your ability to sing? i feel like cold water kinda wakes up my vocal chords.

 

and why not alcohol? it's the only thing that keeps my voice useable

[cherri]

Ryan, IMHO vocal endurance is all about breathing. It's a mistake to push the air for volume, and then clench up the throat to control pitch. That's a sure way to beat up the voice.

[shniggens]

ps: why not drink cold water? energy isnt a problem for me... so does is actually hurt your ability to sing? i feel like cold water kinda wakes up my vocal chords.

 

It tightens up the vocals chords and all related singing apparati. Think shrinkage, but in the throat.

 

and why not alcohol? it's the only thing that keeps my voice useable

 

Dehydration. Dries up the vocal chords. Do you think it keeps your voice usable because you're buzzed?

[johnbegone]

Don't be crazy, don't drink while you sing. I don't drink at all ever, although sometimes I think about drink a bunch of whiskey and wasting my voice before a recording session so I can have that nice raspiness going on. My voice sometimes feels too polished for rock. But oh well, I gotta keep versatile.

 

I think some vocal lessons would benefit you greatly. If you have a local university or something nearby, they can be had pretty cheaply. Even if you just had one, it might make all the difference. Vocal instructors should immediately be able to pick up on the shortcomings in your technique and tell you how to correct them. You should do more than one though.

 

If you really can't get through a single practice session, there might be an issue. I mean, it's tough for me if I'm trying to sing like 80's hair metal or something in a high screamy falsetto, but obviously I know why that is. My voice doesn't do that very long. But if you're just singing normal stuff and you can't get through 20-30 minutes of singing, check out an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. You might have something physically wrong with your throat (nodules or something). They also have a speech pathologist and a singing coach there. I started going two years ago because I'm sick all the time, and I had to go through all sorts of tests to see how I was using my voice. My technique was all good, though.

[blue2blue]

You know, I try very hard but here's the deal. I'm in a touring choir of about 60 people. And we generally tour during the winter, during the cold and flu season, and when you're driving around country (sometimes we're doing 24 hour bus rides) in a tin can of a bus, germs spread very quickly and there isn't much you can do about it. I take a lot of Airborne, which who knows if its helping or not. I'm still getting sick.

Yeah... when you put it like that... it's easy to understand... that's about as bad as being an elementary school teacher, sounds like...

 

____________________

 

 

I'm a little leery of vocal lessons for people who aren't necessarily sure of who they are as a singer.

 

Not to say they're all bad or you can't learn from them and retain your individuality or sense of yourself -- but I think they can be especially risky for a singer who hasn't really found him/herself yet.

 

I knew a fine country/folk singer back in the day. She was from coal country and she had that thing... She could be riveting as a solo and she could do those paint-peeling smack-on mountain harmonies that make the best hill music so cool and even eery sometimes.

 

But then she got in the grasp of a voice teacher... Not only did it ruin her style -- it ruined her pitch. Go figure that one... as I learned more about even-tempered scales and true harmony I started wondering if this particular voice teacher trained against a piano, organ, or other equal-tempered instrument instead of letting the singer use true harmonics intervals... I mean, it really ruined a fine, natural singer. (She had some babies and dropped out of the scene, last thing I knew.)

 

 

That said, I think a lot of voice teachers are more sensitive to different styles these days and there are actually teachers who can show you how to "break the rules" of conventional good singing while minimizing damage to your voice... so I think it can be a worthwhile avenue to explore.

[ido1957]

A good vocal warm up is essential and some strengthening exercises.

Try these CD's ....

 

http://www.singingvoicelessons.com/courses.html