| The condition of a singer's throat is paramount. | | | | I have the same reaction with Chinese hot and sour |
| Whether you are a singer, or just learning to sing, you | | | | soup made by a local restaurant. I love the flavor but it |
| want to take good care of your throat. Follow my | | | | gives me coughing fits. I do indulge, but I water it down |
| helpful tips and learn how to keep your voice in top | | | | considerably with Chinese tea. It does the trick for me. |
| shape. | | | | Common irritants are peppers, vinegars and anything |
| Prevention | | | | that's very spicy. Dairy products can cause phlegm |
| Lots of water is always good starting point in good | | | | and some juices, like orange can leave a film in your |
| throat care, for a singer. A good supply of water is | | | | mouth. You don't necessarily have to give things up. |
| good for the body, as well as the voice. But note, that | | | | Just don't have them before you sing. For instance, I |
| particularly before singing is a good time to drink. It | | | | drink coffee, but before I sing and when I sing, I drink |
| lubricates the vocal cords before use. | | | | water. Experiment and find out what works for you. |
| I generally keep my throat well wrapped up in cold | | | | Smoking and alcohol are, of course hard on the voice. |
| weather. That can vary from person to person. Pay | | | | Use your own judgment. Many singers do it all and still |
| attention to your habits and the results you get. If you | | | | sing. You have to find what suits you. |
| have no problems, then you don't need to adjust your | | | | Hot water |
| behavior. However, if you do have problems, then | | | | I love to drink hot water. Sometimes I put lemon in, but |
| some adjustment in your behavior is necessary. We | | | | not always. It feels absolutely wonderful on the throat. I |
| are definitely not all the same. | | | | call it liquid gold. If you suffer from congested nasal |
| Hollering is never a good thing for the voice. Avoid | | | | passages or phlegm, it is very good for flushing that |
| hollering in noisy bars, at football or baseball games. | | | | out. |
| The odd hoarse voice is not going to hurt you much, | | | | Steaming your throat |
| unless, of course, you have a singing engagement | | | | My remedy for the first sign of anything that doesn't |
| coming up. But regularly having a hoarse voice can | | | | feel like a wonderful, happy, healthy throat is to steam |
| produce some conditions that you would rather not | | | | it. I am always having coffee or hot water, so |
| have. | | | | whenever I make myself a cup, I just put a towel over |
| Dry air in your home, can be very harsh and drying on | | | | my head and hang over the spout. I have my mouth |
| the vocal cords. Be sure to compensate with lots of | | | | and throat open very wide while I breathe in, allowing |
| water. If you have house plants and you are | | | | the steam into my throat. Of course, you have to |
| constantly having to water them, or if they are dying - | | | | watch not to get too close. I find soothing relief |
| take that as a sign and drink more more water. | | | | immediately. |
| Sufficient sleep is important to the voice. If you are | | | | A real key, to that remedy working, is being aware |
| over tired and run down, your voice will be too. A tired | | | | and catching it at the very first sign. When I catch it |
| body just cannot deliver a good performance. And a | | | | early, I'll steam for only a minute or two, that's all. And I |
| run down body is more susceptible to catch something | | | | repeat whenever I'm back in the kitchen. |
| unwanted as well. Sufficient sleep is a very good | | | | If for some reason I was not paying attention and let it |
| preventative measure. | | | | get farther along, then I take a more aggressive |
| Irritants | | | | approach and steam for much longer. You can also |
| What irritates my throat may not irritate yours. It is | | | | experiment with herbs, I generally use just plain steam. |
| important to know what affects you and then make | | | | Extra sleep is also very beneficial. |
| you own choices. | | | | Always carry candies |
| I had a very young student once, who was quite a | | | | I try to never cough, or cough as little as I can. |
| developed singer for her age. She had a problem with | | | | Sometimes I get a dry scratch throat and I just can't |
| high notes and wanted to work on it. When ever she | | | | stop coughing until the scratch or tickle is gone. I found |
| tried to sing high notes, she would cough. When I met | | | | the remedy to this is to have candies always in my |
| her mother, I became suspicious. Her mother had a | | | | purse. I found that a candy worked better than a drink. |
| very raspy voice, from frequent coughing -- was my | | | | I always stop coughing, immediately. |
| guess. | | | | If you are a singer, good voice care is essential in |
| I then questioned my young student about her diet. | | | | making sure that your voice is always ready and able |
| After some talking, I found that she and her mother | | | | to deliver for you. Whether your voice is finicky or |
| both loved pepper. They used a lot of pepper on their | | | | whether it's like a mack truck, you need to find a |
| food. I mentioned my suspicions to my young student. | | | | system of care that works for your voice. If you look |
| She was quite a serious singer, and even though she | | | | after you voice, it will deliver for you. |
| loved pepper, she decided to give it up. | | | | |