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  1. “Thousands have lived without love, not one without Water”
    W. H. Auden

    Singing vibrates the vocal cords at over 100 times a second, and without sufficient water in the body, they can become dry, starved of the essential wet mucus they need to keep them lubricated. Drinking water also helps your mind function at an optimum level. You need your senses to be sharp when singing. Drink plenty of water. Keep hydrated.

  2. Coffee, Tea, Alcohol

    Drink it if you want, just bare in mind the above point. Both of these substances are diuretics, meaning they cause your body to increase urine production. The more you piss, the less hydrated you will become. If you drink coffee, tea, beer, wine- drink extra water to compensate. Repeat point #1 advice above: keep hydrated.

  3. “Sleep is God. Go Worship”
    Jim Butcher, Death Masks

    Sleep refreshes and energises our bodies and minds. Our singing voice comes from our body. When we are tired, we don’t function as well. Fatigue, low energy, drowsiness- all will likely cause a decrease in our physical performance levels, meaning that we’re less likely to sing well, and more likely to experience vocal fatigue, hoarseness, and harshness in our singing voice. Sleep well, sing better.

  4. Throat pastilles, Honey, Vocal drops

    These can feel nice and comforting, coating the throat. They won’t get anywhere near your vocal cords, which reside below the epiglottis. Probably they give a very welcome placebo effect, which isn’t to be knocked. If you believe in it, do it.

  5. Milk, Chocolate, Dairy

    Know your voice. If you eat/ drink these things and it has an adverse effect for you, then don’t do that again! If these things don’t bother you, enjoy at your leisure.

  6. Warmup, Cool Down

    Executing a good warm up routine can help your muscles ease into the demands of singing more gently. Cooling down at the end of your singing session properly readjusts and relaxes your vocal muscles for rest and recuperation, making it easier for you to get going again next time. Your singing teacher should be able to furnish you with an personally optimised routine.

  7. Vocal Technique

    Having good vocal technique is key. Do you know what you are doing, and are you doing it well? Increase your knowledge of voice, and keep yourself in good shape both physically and mentally. Singing persistently with bad technique can destroy your voice in the long term. Get a good vocal coach!

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