VOCAL HEALTH

Things which contribute to vocal strain/ fatigue/ disfunction

· making yourself heard over loud ambient noise (pubs, restaurants with loud music, inside cars, etc. etc.)

· drinking too much red wine or coffee (drying effect on the vocal folds)

· not supporting your voice when you speak/ sing

· eating late at night increases risk of acid reflux which burns the larynx

· gargling with aspirin increases likelihood of small haemorrhage in vocal folds

· dairy products - milk eggs cheese chocolate yoghurt etc. are all mucus-forming

Too much mucus clogs around the vocal folds and prevents them vibrating efficiently. You can then force your voice in order to try and find that efficiency

· taking anti-histamine products dries the vocal folds

Things to try to maintain good vocal health

· drink a lot of water - about 2 litres a day if you can (NB not in the form of tea/ coffee/ fruit juice - plain water cold or boiled!) - hydrates the vocal folds Pee Pale??

· steaming head over a bowl of boiling water with a towel no menthol added (extreme on the vocal folds)

· gargling gently with salt water - bicarbonate of soda/ red sage

· take echinacea, Vitamin C and Zinc

What to do if you get a cold/ laryngitis:

· with laryngitis be totally silent for 48 hours not even whispering

· for both steam as above

· take hot drinks and cold drinks alternately every 1/2 hour if possible (no caffeines)

· stay in a warm environment

If you have persistent voice loss and cannot solve for yourself what is causing it get yourself referred to an ENT specialist

Advise to Performers

• Choose your material carefully to match your voice
• Prepare your material carefully
• Wear clothes that you are comfortable in
• Do relaxation exercises
• Do a vocal warm up
• Take your time when you move – it’s easy to rush when you’re nervous
• Choose a focus point/ face your audience and play to cameras
• Breathe!
• Find yourself shaking? Move with the music!
• Project your voice & enjoy!
• Smile