Voice Care

Do:

• Drink water all day, every day- carry a water bottle to classes. Make it a habit!!
• Drink warm water, honey & lemon to soothe a sore throat
• Drink Throat Coat Tea (with honey and lemon)
• Safely inhale steam when you're congested
• Visit the doctor if you feel like something is wrong
• Warm up your vocals before trying to sing a song or stretch your range

Limit:

• Coffee and black tea (including chai and any tea with caffeine. These dehydrate you.)
• Dairy (especially before practicing or performing)
• Yelling- make sure to project from your core, not the throat, or you may lose your voice
• Time spent working on high range
• Whispering, especially if you have a sore throat. Try talking at a low volume instead. Go on vocal rest if you are really experiencing pain. This includes talking and singing.

Don’t:

• Scream (even at concerts and sporting events! See the note above about yelling from your core- project!) 
• Sing if you’re feeling pain in your throat/ vocal folds. This is not a "no pain, no gain" situation. Pain= stop.
• Smoke or vape, ever. These actions destroy your lungs, not just for singing, but for breathing in general. Keep your body healthy! You won't regret it.