Vocal Health Basics: Prevent problems before they start!
 1. Use your voice correctly.
• Learn to maintain a flexible, well-balanced neck posture to minimize tension around the larynx.
• Control your voice with breathing muscles of the ribcage, back, and abdomen, so that the vocal folds receive an efficient, controlled stream of air pressure.
• Relax your tongue and expand your throat to create a generous resonating space, then focus the tone into the front of your face for natural amplification.
• Individual training is recommended for those who rely on their voices professionally.
2. Use your optimum pitch.
• Speak and sing in a pitch range that fits your own vocal instrument.
• If you want to increase your range, do so gradually, on a foundation of healthy technique. See my article on vocal ranges here.
3. Avoid inflammation.
• Protect the lining of the respiratory tract by avoiding smoky, dusty, and chemically toxic environments.
• Get help for respiratory allergies.
• Don’t smoke.
4. Keep the vocal tissues hydrated.
• Drink a minimum of two quarts of water per day to keep the body and voice healthy.
• Don’t go by sensations of thirst or wait until your throat feels dry.
• Avoid or limit beverages that are diuretic (water-expelling) in nature, including alcohol, caffeine, and many "diet formulas."
5. Warm-up your voice regularly. Here's a basic routine that anyone can use.
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Invest in a few private lessons to learn an individualized routine.
- Get a warmup CD or software package—one that fits your voice range and your style.
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Add additional warm-up time before performances or other demanding situations.
- If you have a cold and laryngitis, do a silent, mental warm-up.
 6. Soothe your airway with steam.
• Spend extra time in the shower or steam-room when your voice is tired or you are fighting a cold or other temporary irritation.
7. Avoid unnecessary yelling, screaming, and throat clearing.
• Especially avoid loud talking or singing when your voice is already hoarse or tired.
• Avoid situations when you must talk or sing over background noise.
• Repeated throat clearing can hurt your voice over time. Explore whether this is a nervous habit or a genuine response to extra secretions; anticipate the urge and swallow instead.
8. Get help for heartburn.
• The upper entryway of the larynx lies within a few millimeters of the entrance to the esophagus. When heartburn or gastric reflux (GERD) is present, acidic material from the stomach can “spill over” onto the vocal folds, leading to chronic inflammation and hoarseness.
 9. Avoid all throat lozenges that promise to relieve pain, unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Most over-the-counter cough drops and lozenges contain chemicals such as menthol that dry out the mucous membranes in your throat and larynx, making the vocal folds more vulnerable to irritation and infection.
• Pain-killing lozenges also mask the early signs of illness or vocal strain, increasing your risk of overuse injury.
• Instead, glycerin-based lozenges or sour-flavored hard candy can help stimulate saliva and keep your mouth and throat comfortable.
10. Make vocal health a priority.
• Most voice problems are related to improper voice use and/or life stress.
• Taking care of your voice means taking care of your self!
The "voice of your life" is just that: a sound that is made out of your body, mind, spirit, life experience, and your active desire to connect to other people. Doing your best to keep those areas healthy, is the best path towards keeping your voice healthy over time.
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Visualizations for Singers CD
