Vocal Care Part Two

by Jeannie Deva

Please note that none of these remedies take the place of seeking professional assistance if your vocal problems are chronic or serious. You can receive assistance from a good vocal coach and/or a medical doctor who is an otolaryngologist (ear and throat specialist).

Dry Mouth

Have you ever tried to sing while your mouth and throat were dry? The tissues of your vocal instrument, larynx, throat, mouth and tongue need to be sufficiently hydrated for your voice to sound its best. Let�s take a look at the various influences which may result in dehydration and how to avoid or remedy them so that they don�t restrict or damage your voice.

Alcoholic Beverages

Drinking alcoholic beverages causes so many bad effects for a singer that you just shouldn�t do it when you are performing. Many singers are aware of this and stick to drinking plain room temperature water at gigs, which is the best beverage. However, some singers try to reduce their stage fright or performance anxiety by having a drink. There are other less detrimental ways to deal with stage fright.

Alcohol is an irritant to your vocal folds and it dehydrates your body. Some singers may experience increased mucous as their bodies attempt to counteract the irritation and dehydration. Excess mucous on your vocal folds will hinder your voice�s agility and tonal quality. Alcohol depletes B vitamins in your body which are essential nutrients for your nervous system. In addition to impaired control of your nervous system and subsequently your muscles, the reduced B vitamin levels may even produce jitters or nervousness.

You may notice your body feeling more relaxed after having an alcoholic drink or two. However, it impairs overall muscular coordination and physical efficiency including that of your vocal folds. Alcohol can have a numbing effect on your throat and reduce your awareness of using too much force or blowing out too much air. Not being aware of it, you wouldn�t be able to do anything about it. But by the end of the night or by the next day, you will be aware of the negative repercussions of having sung with a dehydrated and forced voice.

So the motto is, if you�re going to have a drink, wait until after the show. Before going to sleep, drink a glass or two of water and take some B vitamins so that you help your body rebalance itself.
Alcohol takes 24 hours to leave your system. Give yourself and your voice a fair chance. Your fans expect you at your best. Don�t have an alcoholic drink within 24 hours of singing, and when you do indulge, replenish your body with fruit or vegetable juice, water and vitamins.

Getting Hydrated

Drinking lots of room temperature water is very important for a singer. Along with helping flush impurities out of your system, water replenishes your bodily fluids and promotes healthier vocal folds. A common difficulty with drinking lots of liquid before and during performance is the fact that you may need to frequent the toilet. So pace your fluid intake before the show and during the show, you may want to use a natural mouth moistening spray. A good one that I can recommend is Thayer�s Dry Mouth Spray, which we will soon have available for purchase on this site.

In next month�s tip, Vocal Remedies Part 3, we will explore the effects of caffeine and dry air on your voice with ways of dealing with them. Until then, stay well and keep singing.

Jeannie Deva

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Jeannie Deva teaches in Los Angeles, California and has worked with singers from around the world. She is the Founder of The Deva Method �, A Non-Classical Approach for Singers � and of The Jeannie Deva� Voice Studios. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed vocal home-study course: "The Contemporary Vocalist" and "The Deva Method Vocal Warm-Ups" CD. Her studios service an international clientele and are staffed with certified Deva Method voice trainers, now celebrating their 25th anniversary. Clients include: Members of the J. Geils Band, Fame and Jesus Christ Superstar, Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin and many more.

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