Daily Voice Care Tips for Singers and Speakers Alike
Voice going all froggy on you in the morning or at the end of the day? Here are 3 easy tips to help keep your voice happy.
Whether you are a singer or not, you probably use your voice every day. It is a crucial part of day to day communication for most people and can feel debilitating when our voice is not functioning at 100%. Here are 3 ways you can help keep your voice healthy and avoid fatigue or injury*.
Hydrate
I know, I know you are probably SO tired of hearing this one. But hear me out. The outside of your vocal folds are covered in a thin layer of mucus. When they are hydrated, that mucus is thin and helps those little folds of tissue function normally (barring any other injuries) by keeping them supple and wiggly. When that layer of mucus is disrupted by dehydration, it can cause dry spots on the vocal folds and can make the mucus coming from above the vocal folds thick and sticky. This makes phonating (ie making sound) more work for those poor vocal folds that can lead to fatigue, voice cracking, and if sustained, possibly injury. So drink your fluids! Your voice will thank you.
Warm up that voice
Even if you aren’t a singer, your voice will be so happy if you get a little blood moving. Literally! Just like when you warm up at the gym or for a run, your voice needs to warm up before it really gets going. Since the vocal folds likely haven’t been used while you were sleeping, they can feel sluggish in the morning and even have a little bit of swelling. Getting them moving gently can help you avoid sounding like a frog for the first part of the day. Even 5 minutes makes a difference! Here are a few ideas:
Making the sound “mmhmm” as if you are agreeing with someone
Gentle humming at a pitch around your speaking voice
Singing slides into a straw in water
The beauty of these is that they can be done while you are on your commute, in the shower, or waiting for your morning cup of coffee! You can check out this video I created with a few simple vocal warm ups for singers and speakers. You can even use these as a cool down at the end of a long day!
Singers, this is not a substitute for your normal warm up, but is a great addition to your normal routine. These exercises are geared toward easy, full fold phonation, meaning it helps you get an efficient, buzzy sound in your singing and speaking voice.
Take Vocal Breaks
If you have a high vocal load (using your voice a lot, like a teacher), make sure you are taking vocal breaks when possible. Even 5-10 minutes of silence can rest your voice and help you avoid fatigue. These breaks can take a load off your voice and give all the muscles in the area a chance to relax. If you have your hands free you can even do a gentle neck massage to help get rid of any extra tension.
Ok, I tried those things and my voice still feels really tired.
If you are regularly feeling fatigued after a day of working, whether as a singer or speaker, reflect on your voice care.
Am I taking breaks? Am I drinking enough water? Am I warming up my voice gently?
If the answer to those questions is yes and you are still experiencing fatigue, consider having a session with a voice professional, like myself. We can help you triage your issues and help you figure out whether you just need a vocal-use tuneup, like changing daily habits, or if you might need to be referred to a specialist who will take a look at your voice and assess whether anything medically related is going on. Either way, don’t just accept the fatigue, there are ways you can address it! Your voice will be so happy you asked for help.
Are you interested in online Spoken Voice Coaching? Learn more!
Taking care of your voice, like you do the rest of your body, can help it stay functional and can help maintain it well into your life!
Happy phonating!
-Jennifer
*This is not medical advice. If you are concerned by an onset of unknown voice related symptoms, please seek medical attention.
Need help putting these steps into action?
Meet the Author
Jennifer Burks is a soprano with 17 years of formal training and degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Arkansas and Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory of Music (NEC). She has won prestigious vocal competitions such as the 2022 Rhode Island Civic Chorale. Beyond her studio, Jennifer actively contributes to vocal excellence through associations like NATS, PAVA, and The Voice Foundation. In her leisure, she enjoys running, reading, sailing, and cherishing every musical moment.
