I am often asked “How do I take care of my voice, my instrument?” This can be a complicated question, since a vocalist’s instrument is their body. It gets even more complicated, because if you ask 10 professional vocalists how they care for their voice you will get 10 different answers! However, there are several common denominators amongst professionals, who have found tried and true ways to stay vocally fit. I have found that it boils down to taking care of yourself (your body), period. Take care of your body, by exercising and eating right. Don’t abuse your voice and allow your body and your vocal cords to rejuvenate on a regular basis. This is the winning combination.

Here are the 4 main areas I have personally found to be useful to focus on when it comes to general vocal health.

Sleep:  This bears repeating.  Sleep.  Good sleep is one of the best ways you can care for yourself and your vocal tissue.  Average recovery time after a performance is three to four hours, extended recovery is eight hours.  So keep this in mind during normal everyday “singer life”, and especially when you are traveling.  It is difficult for some to get a good nights sleep when in and out of airplanes and hotels.  But make a special effort to get rest, and in particular vocal rest.  Which means no phonation (talking), when you are feeling weak or spent. 

Water:  Hydration is very important to your overall health, and especially vocal health.  After all, our bodies are 60% water, and your vocal cords are made up entirely of entwined folds of mucous membrane.  A good reference point for this type of tissue that you can feel is your nose. Think of how dry the interior of your nose can feel in the winter.  That is how your cords feel when you don’t drink enough water!  This is one of the best ways to fight off colds, flu, and illnesses, as well as keep your cords healthy and functioning properly.  On top of all the normal benefits of adequate hydration, fast recovery from extended vocal performance is another benefit to keep in mind.  A good rule of thumb according to health experts is to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day.  This will keep you in the middle of the range of hydration recommendations. Keep in mind, caffeine and alcoholic beverages dehydrate you, as does exercise and heat, so you may need to increase your hydration intake depending on your circumstances.

Vocal Rest:  Give yourself talking breaks.  If you are talking all day, and performing for large swaths of time, vocal rest is imperative.  If you feel fine, and vocally strong, sure, go ahead and talk.  But be mindful of endless hours of phonation, yelling, laughing, screaming etc.  And at no time should a professional singer whisper.  If you are weak vocally, or have a cold or other illness, just don’t talk.  Complete vocal rest while sick or fatigued is the best way to quick recovery.  Texting is your friend!  You don’t have to become a mute, just be mindful of the state of your voice.  The more demanding the vocal performing you are doing, the less general talking you should be doing outside of that realm.  For example:  You have an important performance or studio recording on a particular day. Don’t spend the night before talking into the wee hours of the night, or talking loudly in a crowded area.  Rather, rest the night before so you are fresh, and at your best vocally.  Common sense prevails here, take extra care when you need it.  Be mindful of giving sufficient recovery times and stay particularly vigilant when traveling, as that adds extra fatigue to your body in general.

Vocal Exercise:  The other side of the “rest your voice when needed” coin, is to be sure to keep your voice moving and working when you are not performing.  This will prevent muscle atrophy.  You don’t have to vocalize for hours a day.  A light general “warm-up” will do wonders for keeping you in flexible, stable, vocal shape.  Think of it like an exercise routine - one day a week of singing is not enough to make you strong, and keep you strong, but 3-4 days a week is.  Your voice is a muscle group that needs regular maintenance.  The more demanding your vocal performance schedule is, the more demanding  your regular vocal practice routine should be.  Conversely, if you are performing a “ton” you might really just need vocal rest, with very light, low pressure exercises to keep you flexible in between performance.  Use your judgement, based on your particular schedule.  

I am frequently asked for specific brand recommendations of various products marketed to singers.  So I’ve put together a short list below, to help clear out misinformation that is floating around the singer-verse. I am not endorsed by ANY of the products listed on this website, so you can be assured I am giving my recommendations based 100% on whether they are effective, and of quality. Below is a list of products that I personally use, and recommend.  Of course, use what works best for you - this is always your first choice.

Keep in mind that NO product actually touches your vocal chords.  They are protected by your epiglottis (which flips closed to protect your folds). Your esophageal sphincter opening and closing allows food to pass into the esophagus.  

So, if no food or drink touches your chords, why use any products at all?  Well, what you eat and drink does touch your tongue, soft palate, throat walls, esophagus and all the soft tissue in your vocal area, and mouth. Calming and hydrating these areas can help your “vocal area” perform better when stressed or agitated.  What does touch your chords? Steam!  Steam from hot liquids or a warm shower does actually hydrate your vocal folds directly and can help with recovery and/or vocal maintenance.   Keeping your body well hydrated is the number one way to help your vocal cords perform at their best.  So drink plenty of liquids and avoid food and drink that dehydrates tissue, such as caffeine, alcohol and smoke.

Here are some products that can have a positive effect on your vocal area:

Throat Coat (Original Version):  An herbal tea that helps calm down general throat and mouth tissue.  Throat Coat is made by Traditional Medicinals, and is available at most markets and natural health food suppliers.  The main ingredients in this tea are Licorice, Slippery Elm and Marshmallow root. Marshmallow leaf and root, Licorice, and Slippery Elm are commonly used by mouth to treat stomach ulcers, swelling of the stomach lining, and pain and swelling of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. Basically they are natural anti-inflammatories. This is the main reason they are used in everything from throat lozenges to candy. The approximate break down of ingredients found in Throat Coat tea: Licorice Root 760mg, Slippery Elm 80mg, Marshmallow Root 60mg, additionally added is a flavor blend of Wild Cheery Bark, Fennel, and Cinnamon Bark (approx 1040mg).   I personally make my own version of Throat Coat from loose tea, so that I can lessen the percentage of some of the more drying herbs, and tailor it to my own preferences. I purchase my loose leaf ingredients from Rose Mountain Herbs which is an all organic herb supplier. If you are the DIY or Zero Waster type, Rose Mountain Herbs has an amazing collection of herbs, teas and educational videos.

People will say, “Hot tea, or other hot remedies help me immediately! So they must go directly to my cords.” Well, yes and no. What is giving you the immediate relief from stress or illness, is the steam from the tea. Additionally, it’s keeping all your membranes moisturized, and this is what is giving you the relief. You can accomplish this with just plain hot water, and honey (see below). Hot water for the steam, and honey for its natural anti-bacterial properties which will help cut down on infections - not to mention it makes it taste better. In general, if you have a heavy performance schedule, and/or are ill, I recommend alternating plain water, hot tea, and hot honey water.

Let’s talk lemons. Yes, you will often see lemon added to this moisturizing vocal cocktail, and it is useful if you have a lot of mucus or phlegm. In fact, any citrus can help with this. I personally find that lemon can have a drying effect, and I generally don’t recommend it unless you have a lot of discharge. So, gauge where you are at, and make your own vocal cocktail that works for your exact situation.

Sprays: There are lots of “sprays” or numbing sprays on the market for singers.  I do not recommend using ANY of them.  They only mask pain or swelling, they do not eliminate it. I feel it’s better to know exactly where your voice is at in order to protect it and regulate it.  Over the counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help temporarily, but do not use them long term.  Consult with your doctor for safe dosages.  

Warm water and honey:  Warm water for hydration, and steam for your folds.  Honey, which is a great natural anti-bacterial.  I personally drink warm water with honey every day as a preventative during the winter dry months to help keep my vocal area hydrated..  

Warm water and salt water:  Again, a low cost natural germ killer, keeping the tissue in your mouth as germ free as possible.  People have been using this folksy remedy for years, and for good reason. There is now mountains of evidence that good oral health directly relates to your overall health and in particular your heart health.  So brush, floss, gargle and be merry!

Warm water and baking soda:  Same as above, but targets slightly different germs.  If I have a full on throat infection (which singers tend to get, because it is an overused muscle group), I will alternate baking soda and warm salt water gargling.  If I am on the road, I will gargle several times a day as a preventative.  Tip:  if you are traveling abroad, take little salt packets with you, as many European countries use communal salt.

Personal Steam Inhaler:  There are a ton of personal steamers on the market and they can be great tools if you keep them nice and clean.  I recommend getting one that has a fan built in that runs when you are done steaming so that no bacteria builds ups.  One that is a warm mister,  is also recommended.  I personally use a My Purmist Hammacher Schlmmer brand that is available both at Target, Amazon and from Hammacher Schlemmer direclty.  Steamers work very well, and are a nice aid after a long 4 to 5 hour performance, especially if you are on the road and are stuck in dry hotel rooms.  Tip:  Wet a hotel towel, wring it out, and place on your radiator in your hotel room to add moisture back into the room.  You can also plug the tub, and run the shower on high for a few minutes to put some steam quickly into the room.  Some people travel with their own humidifiers etc, but it’s always a pain to have an extra suitcase.  I find that using the shower for a bit of steam, and the towel, and the compact steam inhaler works great, and I can keep my luggage down.

Humidifiers:  This is a staple in a vocalist’s life.  The trick is to keep it clean, VERY clean.  Clean them weekly, or don’t bother.  Mold and other germs can build up in these quickly, so unless you are willing to clean them each week, I recommend getting your humidity from other sources, such as showers, plants, etc.  No need for expensive humidifiers, or cleaners.  White vinegar and water will clean them all effectively.  I personally use a Miro MH7000 UV humidifier in the winter, which is the hands down the “most” cleanable humidifier on the market! Every single piece of this humidifier is cleanable, every piece! So well worth the price if you’re looking for a larger humidifier. They also make a smaller one (less expensive) Miro NR07G, which is also completely cleanable. It just doesn’t have the UV light. An inexpensive cool mist that is also easy to clean is Crane’s Ultra Sonic Cool Mist Humidifier.   As soon as the heat goes on, so does the humidifier. You basically want to keep your home, or bedroom between 30-50% humidity. The trick is to keep the humidity as high as possible, without condensation on the windows. If you do have condensation on the windows, dial it back. Every home is different. We aren’t trying to live in the tropics year round, we are just trying to take the edge off dry air that is produced in winter, which in turn drys out our vocal folds, and other soft moisture based tissue in our mouths.   In the summers, my house stays well at the 35-50% humidity even with the a/c on without a humidifier. But I have a lot of house plants to help balance healthy humidity in my home, so it’s comfortable most of the time.  If you are unsure of your homes humidity levels, there are cheap hygrometers on the market that will tell you your average humidity.    Basically, any humidifier that is easy to clean is a good one!  So look for designs where you can clean the inside of the tank and the bottom piece. Tip: If the mucus membrane tissue inside your nose is dry, then your environment is too dry.

Ricola Natural Herb Cough Drops:  These are great for traveling on planes etc, because you can pop one in your mouth, and it creates a good amount of moisture.  Plus it helps keep agitation down, and obviously helps with a cough.  There is no purse in my home that doesn’t have these in the pockets.  They are my favorite and have no harsh side effects or artificial ingredients.  Stay away from sugar free,  and flavored varieties as they can have drying effects.  

Thayer’s Slippery Elm Lozenges:  These are also good in combination with Ricolas as they are basically straight slippery elm, which is a soother.  All natural. Link

Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Organic Pectin Throat Drops: If you can tolerate ginger, this are a nice lozenges as well. Stay away from the menthol version if you’re performing that same day as it tends to dry out your membrane. It’s good for “stuffY’ symptoms, but I wouldn’t recommend on a performance day.

Grether’s Patilles (Original): This is an alternative to Ricola’s and the Slippery Elm, these are a coated (wax, oil) lozenges, that can help your mouth tissue and surrounding areas “feel” less dry. I personally don’t like things coating my tissue, but it can be useful, if you are particularly dry, or have cotton mouth. Overall I prefer Ricola’s to all of the drops, as they have no coating, no drying and no ill side effects to your voice. Link

Neti Pot Sinus Cleanser: If you are a vocalist, and you suffer from post nasal drip, sinus infections, or seasonal allergies, this will change your life! Neti pots have been around for thousands of years, and are so simple and easy to use that it’s an easy adjustment to add this into your vocal health routine. I suffer from seasonal allergies, and had an almost constant post nasal drip each spring, which causes sore throats. When I got serious with my neti pot, it literally changed my vocal life. If you suffer from the above mentioned sinus related issues, in my opinion this is the number one change you can make. Western medicine has taken notice of this chemical free, easy to use health irrigation device with no negative impacts, because it works. Essentially, Neti pots flush out your sinus cavity with water, and a pinch of salt. Why does this help? Well, think about it - everything you breath in and out all day goes through your sinuses. This includes, dust, smoke, pollen, fragrances… Everything! As these particles build up in your nasal and sinus cavities, they create a reaction. Swollen sinuses (stuffed up), or sinus drip (reactional fluids). Both are aggravating and bothersome for a vocalist. A good rule is to flush out your sinuses each night before bed, so that you’re flushing out the build up of that day’s irritants. If i’m sick, I might do this several times a day, so that the saline (salt) is helping my body by cutting down on infections, bacteria, and viruses. Even my primary physician at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital is a big supporter of Neti pots, as is my allergist. So this is a win-win. It’s an inexpensive way to keep your vocal area moisturized, sanitized and flushed. It’s gargling for your sinus cavity. Gross, but effective.

Note: Most people now suggest using only distilled water for your neti flushes, so if that’s easiest for you, go for it. I simply boil water once a week, and keep it in a container in my bathroom. I also heat up my water for my neti pot prior to use to make it more comfortable. The point of distilled water, or boiled water is to kill germs, bacteria, amebas etc, that might be in your public drinking water. Also, use only non- iodized salt. Regular table salt has iodine added, and we don’t want to add that to our sinus cavity. We want pure salt. I find the Neti salt packets that you can buy last forever, and have nice small grains of salt that dissolve perfectly.

Another benefit of using a Neti pot regularly is it really cuts down on the amount of colds that I pick up in general. It’s the same maintenance - preventative principle as gargling. So boil away, and flush your sinuses! Once you get used to it, it only takes 2-3 minutes, and the benefits if you suffer from sinus issues are amazing. Here is a video of just how it works: Video Link - Neti Pot. Tip: I have a ceramic Neti pot for home use, and a stainless steel version for travel. If you only purchase one, you might want to go for the stainless, since it’s more versatile.

Evian Bruimisateur (water atomizer) 1.7 oz Spray:  You might be picking up on a theme here.  WATER.  I keep these little Evian, flight size approved, water misters with me on every flight.  Why?  Not only are you exposed to recycled air, for long periods of time, but more importantly, those planes are dry like a desert, which makes your exposure to viruses higher.  So, spritz your face, and take a little inhale, it will keep your mouth and sinuses nice and moist and PH balanced, so you are less likely to pick up some random bug while traveling.  You can purchase these on Amazon, Walgreens, Ulta Beauty and Nordstroms.   Link

Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring (water Aatomizer): Another brand of atomized spring water, that is readily available overseas, as well as in many U.S. chains, like CVS, etc. This is equally kind to our mucas membranes, and skin. I keep a small travel can with me most days in the winter. It can be a game changer if you are consistently in dry, un-humidified rooms for long periods of time. Link

Anti-inflammitory Foods:  This is a great addition to any vocalist’s general eating habits.  Foods like Pineapple (or juice), Ginger, leafy greens, olive oil, strawberries and cucumber.  There are whole list of foods that fall into this category, so find ones you like.  Pineapple juice is a regular prescription for people up to two weeks prior to surgery, in order to help with inflammation after surgery, so the data is out there.  I personally just make cucumber and pineapple water and drink throughout the day.  It’s an easy boost to keep your vocal tissue feeling good.  Fresh aloe juice also falls into this category. I use Lilly of the Desert Brand.

I’d like to take a moment to talk about vocal care through vocal journaling.

The specifics of taking care of your voice and what that means for each individual will vary quite a bit. If you are generally healthy, and don’t suffer from vocal fatigue, or inconsistent vocal stamina, congratulations, you have already found what works for you. That’s fantastic!

For those of you who have not found a lifestyle for vocal consistency, or have recently had larger demand and increase of your performance time, I recommend keeping a vocal journal. Keeping a vocal journal will help you narrow down what might be helping you or possibly diminishing your abilities. Some of these interfering factors might be huge, and some might fall into the category of micro-fluid fluctuations. Meaning, as big as a major allergy, or as little as “it’s dry outside”.

I suggest journaling for 30 days, to get a good idea of what’s going on with your vocal cords over the long term. You can write down just the basics, or get super detailed, with barometric readings, and daily hygrometer readings. It’s up to you!

An example of a day’s journal would be:
Food: What you ate that day, including all beverages and food (to narrow down food allergies or irritations)

Pollen: Local pollen levels (exterior irritants). There are several great apps that give you alerts when pollen levels are high. I largely ignore these alerts, but for example I am very allergic to mold, so when I get that alert, I try to stay clear of the outdoors for that day. It makes a huge difference.

Cleaning: How often you dust, or wash your sheets (interior irritants). Think dust mites, which believe it or not are a huge issue for a large percentage of the population, and may just irritate you enough to make your vocal life slightly off. As many as 10 percent of Americans are sensitive to dust mites and in some regions they play a role in 90 percent of allergic asthma cases, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. If you have huge reaction to dust mites, chances are you already know that, but a tiny irritation by dust mites might go unnoticed. Which is why we journal!

Hydration: How much water you are consuming. The general guideline in the health community is 8-8 ounces a day. Some people might need more or less. Track if for awhile, and take notice.

Phonation time: How much vocal work you are doing. How much are you talking. If you go to a party and talk for 4/5 hours, how did you sound the next day. How did you sound that night on the gig?

Sleep: How much sleep you are getting on a regular basis. For example you notice on the weeks you got 7 hours of sleep you sounded great on those gigs, the days where you got less than 5 didn’t go so great. Boom, there you go! To perform at your optimum, 7 hours is best for you.

Medications: Some might cause drying effects, like Benadryl, or other allergy medicines.

Performances: Make a note in your journal about how your performance went. It can be short and sweet, like fantastic, could sing anything and everything freely with no fatigue.

Journalling helps you keep track of what affects your vocal performance. Think of your body as a bucket - you might have several little things that alone don’t bother you, but as your bucket fills up, the cumulative affect can give you a constant sinus drip, or a cough. Your journal will help you discover what affects you. For a vocalist, this can be huge. I use journalling off and on, particularly if my living conditions change, i.e., I move, or am traveling. It helped me discover quite a few things, that helped me almost eliminate awful sinus drip each spring. Something as simple as switching the times I took my allergy meds, and washing my sheets twice a week, made an enormous difference for me personally. Small changes, can have a big impact on your vocal life.

This is a good base level to start. If you would like to work on this aspect of your vocal routine, please use the contact me for further suggestions, and help.