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Dos & Dont’s

Dos & Dont’s

Please DO:

  • Avoid dairy products and orange juice the day of a performance.
  • Avoid places with toxic substances in the air (chemicals, tar, etc.).
  • Stay relaxed (avoid stress), especially in thedays before a performance.
  • Eat a healthy diet (plenty of good protein, fresh fruits and vegetables).
  • Get plenty of rest especially two days before a performance.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Train with a qualified teacher regularly.
  • Speak at your own pitch (as in agreeing with someone by saying “mmm-hmm”).
  • Vocalize daily.
  • Warm up properly before singing.
  • See a qualified ENT if you have prolonged hoarseness.
  • Sing softly (mark) new songs when you are first learning them.
  • Support your singing voice properly.
  • Keep your larynx in a comfortable resting posture while singing
    (don’t let it lock down or jam up).

Please DON’T

  • Belt songs with pure chest voice above your passage
  • Clear your throat continually.
  • Drink alcohol on the day of a performance.
  • “Pull” the chest-voice (if you are chronically hoarse after singing, see a teacher!).
  • Cough excessively.
  • Drink coffee directly before a performance, especially if you are sensitive to it.
  • Smoke any substance.
  • Talk a lot on the day of a performance.
  • Try to talk or sing over a chest cold or laryngitis.
  • Try to talk over loud noise, (like in bars, amusement parks, big parties, etc.).
  • Try to sing if it hurts to swallow.
  • Whisper loudly or sing in a “breathy” voice for prolonged periods of time.
  • Scream.
  • Use recreational drugs and/or mind-altering drugs before singing.
  • Try to change your natural speaking voice (make it lower or raspy)

1998 Guy Babusek

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