Avoid stressing your cords while singing

Many times we stress our cords simply by not warming up properly. Just like an athlete needs to stretch and warm up before playing a sport, you need to stretch and warm up your vocal cords as well. Trying to sing with a full voice or at the outreaches of your range too soon can be one of the culprits of unnecessary stress and of course phlegm.  Start your singing day out slowly. Warm up by gently ‘waking up’ your cords through humming. Any warming up you can do in the shower will be extra great as the moisture will help lubricate the cords (you always sound great in the shower too!). Then continue your warm-up routine being careful not to talk too much or too loudly first thing in the morning.  This will pay off. Many of us rush to church on a Sunday morning, grab a microphone and start wailing away in our ‘belt voice’ and then can’t figure out why we’re hoarse and sore after the service(s).

Get Lessons!

Many singers end up stressing their cords during singing simply because they do not understand the basics of proper singing. It’s so important to understand how the vocal mechanism works and to work WITH your body and not against it. If your throat is sore after you sing, take heed! There is a reason for pain. It’s a warning. If you experience pain on a regular basis when you sing, then you need to figure out why. Getting some good vocal training is invaluable in terms of saving your voice from harm. Some basic things to look for in your body are: any kind of strain or muscle tension in the throat or facial area. When you sing, you need to be completely relaxed. When you start seeing or feeling tension, that’s when trouble can start. A good vocal coach can help you to see this in yourself and teach you how to avoid further vocal strain.

Next time we’ll take a look at some remedial courses of action if you find yourself in the position of having already done some damage to your vocal cords. See you next time!

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