Singer In The Band
Taking care of your voice
So you’re on stage singing with a band. You’ve sung two sets with a large
audience on the floor. The crowd is having a great time. Then something
happens.. Your mouth feels like a desert. Your throat is burning out of control.
A horrible squeak is beginning to come out of the notes your singing. So you
push harder and harder on yourself to sing the rest of the song. Your high notes
are disappearing and your low notes are weak. Then it happens. CRACK!
Desperately you try to sing the next line. But only a squeak will come out. You
feel a cold, nervous sweat beginning to form as people stare with concern. Your
voice is finished, not to return for hours, days, weeks, or who knows how long.
Luckily your band members give you vocal support throughout the evening.
Don’t panic! Your voice will come back. If you have completely lost your
voice, don’t try singing until you have a strong talking voice. Then gradually
begin singing in small doses. It’s important to ease back into singing.
Singing hard or out of your vocal range the moment you get your voice back will
mean starting all over again to heal your vocal cords.
What causes these breaks in the voice is one, or a combination of the following:
- singing out of your vocal range
- incorrect use of your throat and diaphragm
- singing too hard for lack of a good vocal monitor.
- Caffeine, smoking, alcohol and dairy products are also hard on the voice
the day of the performance. These things promote coughing and throat
clearing.
If you are the only singer in the band, pace yourself. Pick slower and lower
key songs as well as fast and higher key songs in your vocal range to keep from
using just one part of the vocal cords and wearing you out. It also helps to
stretch and lengthen your vocal range. The day of your gig;
Drink a lot of fluids (water, juice, sports drinks). Eat well (as if you were
jogging or exercising). Be rested (it takes a lot of strength to sing for hours)
and stay relaxed (for longevity and vocal control). So keep your voice happy and
strong. Be aware of how you feel, because your body is your instrument and your
tool for personal artistic expression.
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The Singer In The Band