How do you take care of your voice? A practical guide for singers

Hydration: from within and from the air

Your vocal folds vibrate hundreds of times per second and need a layer of fluid mucus to do so without friction. That hydration comes from two sources.

From within

The water you drink doesn't pass over your vocal folds: it goes down the esophagus. It reaches them through your body, and that takes time. That's why drinking water throughout the day helps more than having a large glass just before rehearsal.

From the air

The air you breathe matters, too. Bogotá has very dry periods, and electric heaters, office air conditioning, and airplane cabins dry the air even further. Breathing through your nose when you're not singing helps warm and moisten the air before it reaches your larynx.

Some substances dry or irritate your voice: alcohol, cigarettes, vaping, and, for some people, too much coffee. The point is to notice how your voice responds, rather than impose blanket bans.

Vocal rest and your daily vocal workload

Your voice works when you're speaking, too. If you teach, work with the public, spend hours on the phone, or go out dancing and talk over the music, you arrive at your singing lesson with an already tired voice.

• Plan your day: if you have rehearsal at night, speak less and more softly in the afternoon.
• Don't talk over the noise, whether on a bus, in a bar, or on a sports field. Move closer to the person or wait.
• After a performance or long rehearsal, give your voice a few hours of gentle use.
• Forceful whispering isn't rest: it also puts demands on the larynx. Speak sparingly, in a soft, natural voice.
• Sleep well: a tired voice often reflects a tired body.

In your practice journal, note the days when your voice felt tired and what you did beforehand. Over time, you'll see patterns that help you plan better.

Warm up before and cool down after

Singing without warming up is like running without stretching: you can do it, but your voice responds less well and you work harder. About ten minutes is enough: body movement, breathing, lip trills, gentle sirens, and scales in a comfortable register. Find the full routine in vocal warm-up exercises, and the foundation in breathing exercises for singing.

Cooling down is often forgotten. After singing loudly or high in your range, spend a couple of minutes easing down: descending lip trills, gentle humming with your mouth closed, and a few spoken phrases at your natural pitch.

Warming up doesn't make unsuitable repertoire safe. If a song makes you push every time you reach the chorus, the key may not suit you: ask your teacher whether it can be lowered.

Throat clearing, shouting, and other habits that wear out your voice

Clearing your throat makes your vocal folds collide forcefully. Once is generally no problem; many times a day is. It becomes a cycle: friction causes irritation, irritation creates a feeling of phlegm, and that makes you want to clear your throat again. Try gentler alternatives:

• Swallow.
• Take a sip of water.
• Hum gently with your mouth closed.
• Exhale firmly without voicing a sound, as if fogging up a window.

If the feeling of something in your throat doesn't go away, it isn't a technique issue: discuss it with a doctor. Other habits that wear out your voice include:

• Shouting at games or concerts, or to call someone far away.
• Singing over a band without a monitor or microphone, straining to hear yourself.
• Imitating voices very different from your own, very low or raspy, without technical guidance.
• Spending a lot of time at the extremes of your range.
• Habitually speaking at a lower or higher pitch than your natural one.

Reflux, colds, and other health factors

Some health conditions affect your voice. Diagnosing them isn't your job, but recognizing the signs helps you seek care in time.

Reflux

Reflux that reaches the throat can irritate the larynx. Signs often associated with it include morning hoarseness, frequent throat clearing, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, or a bitter taste. If these sound familiar, see a doctor before taking medication or changing your diet on your own: diagnosis and treatment are the job of a healthcare professional.

Colds, allergies, and hoarse days

• If you're hoarse or have a cold, don't push: sing less, more softly, or not at all, depending on how you feel and what your doctor advises.
• Don't use lozenges, sprays, or drinks to get through a performance without first seeking medical advice. Relieving discomfort doesn't mean your voice is healthy.
• Let your teacher know: they can adapt the lesson to focus on breathing, reading through the song, or interpretation without straining your voice.

Hormonal changes, some medications, and age also affect your voice. If you notice a change you don't understand, consult a doctor rather than the internet.

Common myths about vocal care

When to see an ENT specialist or speech-language pathologist

Your singing teacher may notice warning signs, but can't see your vocal folds or make a diagnosis. See an ENT specialist if you have:

• Hoarseness lasting more than two or three weeks.
• Pain when speaking or singing.
• Sudden loss of your voice or notes from your range, especially after intense effort such as shouting.
• A feeling that singing is getting harder, even though you're practicing well.
• A voice that breaks or changes tone quality for no clear reason.

The ENT specialist examines your larynx and makes a diagnosis. If you need voice rehabilitation or to learn a different way of using your voice, a speech-language pathologist guides that process, often in coordination with your singing teacher.

Good technique is the best prevention, and you develop it with someone who listens to you every week. If you're starting out, read what to expect from your first singing lessons, or see how our singing lessons work. If the singer in your household is a child, read singing for children: how to care for their voices.

Frequently asked questions