HOW TO DISCIPLINE AND MAINTAIN YOUR VOICE AS A SINGER - PART ONE

 

HOW TO DISCIPLINE AND MAINTAIN YOUR VOICE AS A SINGER.

INTRODUCTION

As a singer, disciplining your voice is important to improve your vocal control, tone, and overall performance. If your voice is good you stand out as a Singer. The voice of a Singer is the gold nugget he/she has. Therefore, protecting it is a priority.

Here are ten ways to discipline your voice as a singer. I will elaborate on each point to give you a better understanding.

they are:

1.      Practice proper breathing techniques to support your voice and avoid strain on your vocal cords.
2.    Warm up your voice with vocal exercises before singing to loosen up your vocal cords and prevent injury.
3.    Develop good posture to allow your lungs to expand fully, enabling you to sing with better breath control and projection.
4.      Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, as these can cause damage to your vocal cords and affect your singing ability.
5.     Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal cords hydrated, which can prevent dryness and hoarseness.
6.     Avoid screaming or shouting, as this can cause damage to your vocal cords.
7.    Use proper microphone technique to avoid straining your voice while singing into a microphone.
8.  . Learn how to control your vibrato and use it appropriately to add expression and emotion to your singing.
9.    Work with a vocal coach to receive feedback and guidance on how to improve your singing technique and avoid bad habits.
10.  Take breaks when practicing or performing to avoid overusing your voice and causing strain or injury.

For purposes of clear understanding, this message will be a 2 part series so that I can properly elaborate on each topic. The first part will be made up of  the first five points, and the second part the remaining five points 

Now let's dive into it.

Read also: How to Discipline and Maintain Your Voice as a Singer - pt. 2

PART ONE

1. PRACTICE PROPER BREATHING TECHNIQUES TO SUPPORT YOUR VOICE AND AVOID STRAIN ON YOUR VOCAL CORDS

Proper breathing techniques are essential for singing because they help you control the flow of air and sound from your lungs, through your vocal cords, and out of your mouth. 

This can improve your tone quality, range, pitch accuracy, and stamina while reducing strain on your vocal cords.

 

Here are some tips to practice proper breathing techniques for singing:

    1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and your shoulders relaxed.

    2. Place your hand on your diaphragm, just below your rib cage, and inhale deeply through your nose. You should feel your diaphragm expand and your chest rise.

    3. Exhale slowly through your mouth while keeping your stomach muscles engaged. This should cause your diaphragm to contract and your chest to lower.

 

 

   4.  Practice this diaphragmatic breathing exercise regularly to build up your lung capacity and strengthen your breathing muscles.

    5. When singing, take a deep breath before starting a phrase and release the air slowly and evenly throughout the phrase. This will give you greater control over the volume and intensity of your singing.

   6.  Avoid shallow, chest-based breathing, as this can cause tension in your neck and shoulders and strain on your vocal cords.

   7.  Relax your jaw and tongue while singing to allow for greater airflow and resonance in your voice.

   8. Experiment with different breathing patterns, such as breath-holding or staggered breathing, to find what works best for you and the style of music you are singing.

Remember that breathing is the foundation of good singing technique, and it takes practice and patience to master. Working with a vocal coach can also help you improve your breathing skills and avoid bad habits that may hinder your vocal performance.

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Read also: Leveraging the Power of Praise to Overcome Biblical Trails 

2. WARM UP YOUR VOICE WITH VOCAL EXERCISES  BEFORE SINGING TO LOOSEN UP YOUR VOCAL CORDS AND PREVENT INJURY

Warming up your voice before singing is crucial to prevent injury and improve your overall vocal performance. Vocal warm-up exercises help to increase blood flow to your vocal cords, loosen up your muscles, and improve your breathing and articulation. 

Now, here are some ways to warm up your voice before singing:

 1. Lip trills: Make a "brrr" sound while blowing air through your lips. This exercise helps to relax your lips and tongue and warm up your breath support.

 2. Humming: Humming is a great way to warm up your voice and improve resonance. Start with a low hum and gradually move up to higher pitches.

 3. Sirens: Glide up and down the scale, starting from a low pitch and gradually moving up to a high pitch, then back down again. This exercise helps to stretch your vocal cords and improve your range

 4. Tongue twisters: Practicing tongue twisters can improve your diction and articulation while warming up your voice.

 5. Vocal scales: Singing scales are a great way to warm up your voice and improve pitch accuracy and range.

  6. Breathing exercises: Practice diaphragmatic breathing exercises to strengthen your breathing muscles and support your voice.

 7. Jaw and neck stretch: Stretching your jaw and neck muscles can help to release tension and improve your overall vocal control.

Remember to start with gentle warm-up exercises and gradually increase the intensity as your voice becomes more warmed up. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout your warm-up and singing sessions. By regularly warming up your voice, you can improve your vocal performance, prevent injury, and maintain a healthy singing voice.

Read also: The Profound Benefit of Worship

 

3. DEVELOP GOOD POSTURE TO ALLOW YOUR LUNGS TO EXPAND FULLY, ENABLING YOU TO SING WITH BETTER BREATH CONTROL AND PROJECTION.

Good posture is essential for singers because it allows your lungs to expand fully, enabling you to sing with better breath control, projection, and tone quality. Proper posture helps to align your spine, open up your rib cage, and provide a stable foundation for your vocal cords to function efficiently.

Here are some tips to develop good posture for singing:

    1. Stand up straight: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and keep your shoulders relaxed and level. Avoid slouching or leaning forward, as this can restrict your breathing and strain your vocal cords.

    2. Align your spine: Imagine a straight line running from the top of your head down through your neck, spine, and pelvis. Try to keep your spine straight and avoid arching your back or tucking your pelvis.

    3. Relax your shoulders: Let your shoulders drop down and back, away from your ears. Avoid tensing your shoulder muscles, which can restrict your breathing and cause tension in your neck and back.

    4. Open up your chest: Lift your sternum slightly and widen your ribcage, creating space for your lungs to expand fully. This will allow you to take deeper breaths and support your voice with better breath control.

    5. Keep your head level: Avoid tilting your head up or down, which can affect the alignment of your spine and cause tension in your neck muscles. Keep your chin level and your head in a neutral position.

    6. Engage your core muscles: Contract your abdominal muscles slightly to provide support for your spine and improve your posture.

Remember to practice good posture throughout the day, not just when you're singing. Regular exercise, stretching, and yoga can also help to improve your posture and prevent muscle tension and strain. 

By developing good posture, you can sing with greater ease, power, and clarity, while protecting your vocal cords from injury

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4. AVOID SMOKING AND EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AS THESE CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR VOCAL CORDS AND AFFECT YOUR SINGING ABILITY.

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have a detrimental effect on your vocal cords and overall singing ability.

 It is generally, accepted that good Christians don't have to drink alcohol or smoke. These vices tend to drain your anointing and push you into a realm of obscurity. For a secular Singer, you are not bound by this code, therefore a lesson in this vice can come in handy. This is how smoking and drinking affect you.

Here's how:

    Smoking: 

•     Smoking can cause irritation and inflammation of the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness, voice fatigue,
•     and even vocal cord damage. Smoking also increases the risk of developing throat and lung cancer, 
•     which can be life-threatening for singers.

   Alcohol intake:

•     Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can cause dehydration, which can dry out your vocal cords and 
•     make it difficult to sing with good tone quality and projection. Alcohol can also cause inflammation and 
•     damage to the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness and vocal fatigue.

To protect your voice and maintain good vocal health, it's important to avoid smoking and limit your alcohol consumption. 

If you indeed smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your vocal health. Seek support from a doctor or a smoking cessation program to help you quit. If you drink alcohol, ask the Lord Jesus to help you stop it. It will bring your ministry down.

    Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks, which can dehydrate your vocal cords.

    Take care of your overall health: Maintaining good overall health can also benefit your vocal health.  Exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Remember that your vocal cords are delicate and can be easily damaged by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. By avoiding these habits and taking good care of your vocal health, you can sing with greater ease and longevity.

Read also: The Role of The Holy Spirit in Worship

5. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER TO KEEP YOUR VOCAL CORDS HYDRATED

Keeping your vocal cords hydrated is essential for maintaining good vocal health and preventing vocal fatigue, dryness, and hoarseness. Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to keep your vocal cords hydrated and functioning optimally.

Here's how drinking enough water can help you:

    Hydrate regularly: 

    Drink water throughout the day, especially before and during singing or speaking engagements.  Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.

    Avoid dehydration:

    Avoid beverages that can dehydrate your vocal cords, such as alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks.

    Use a humidifier if possible:

    Use a humidifier in your home or workspace to add moisture to the air and prevent dryness.

    Eat water-rich foods:  

    Eat foods that are high in water content, such as fruits, vegetables, and soups.

   Limit throat-clearing: 

   Excessive throat-clearing can irritate your vocal cords and cause inflammation and hoarseness      Instead of clearing your throat, try sipping water or humming to lubricate your vocal cords.

Remember that hydration is crucial for maintaining good vocal health, and water is the best way to keep your vocal cords hydrated. By drinking plenty of water and taking good care of your vocal health, you can sing with greater ease, power, and clarity.

let us continue in the second part...PART TWO