People are always asking me what things they can do to maintain healthy vocal cords. Here are some simple guidelines for a healthy voice, followed by a few common misconceptions:
1. Don’t smoke. We all know smoking is bad for us for a number of reasons, but for those of us who use our voices for our careers, smoking anything (not just cigarettes) is a sure-fire way to damage your instrument. It thickens and stiffens the vocal folds, contributing to loss of range and hoarseness of timbre. It also dehydrates them so they are unable to vibrate flexibly and freely.
2. Stay hydrated. The free and flexible vibration of your vocal folds is directly related to how hydrated they are. Drink lots of water (plain, normal water, not flavored or carbonated), because when your body is hydrated properly, so are your vocal cords. There is a saying for how to gauge your hydration level: “If you’re peeing clear, you’re free ’n’ clear.”
3. Avoid overuse. Be aware of how much you are singing/practicing in a given day. Two to three hours of singing total is plenty, and never more then one hour consecutively without taking at least a 30-minute break. Screaming at sporting events, on amusement park
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