Add vocal performance to the ever-growing list of reasons to stay properly hydrated. According to noted voice scientist Dr. Ronald C. Scherer in a Voice Council Magazine article, drinking eight glasses of water per day is essential to maintaining your vocal cords.
The NHS recommends that you should aim to drink 8 glasses of 200ml water a day. Men are recommended to drink more and should try to drink around 10 glasses.
Recommendations on the right amount of water intake range from two quarts or two liters per day to “whatever it takes to pee pale.” A general rule of thumb is to divide your weight in pounds by 2 and drink that number of ounces (see Figure 1).
You can also expect a wider pitch range and more vocal stability with adequate hydration. It's not only your vocal folds or even your muscles in general that need to be hydrated to function well. Speaking and singing are not just physical activities, they are neurological activities too.
What are the best drinks for your singing voice? The best drinks for your singing voice are water (especially room-temperature water, perhaps with a squeeze or two of lemon) and tea, but be careful about consuming too much caffeine, which can dehydrate you. You can find wonderful herbal teas designed for singers.
Steam. Steam is the only way to directly hydrate the vocal folds. Usually prescribed for tired and husky voices, or when recovering from illness like a cold, flu or laryngitis, steam is the cheapest and simplest vocal health cure in the world.
Cold water can actually shock your vocal cords and create tension in your throat. This can reduce your vocal range and ability. While it is important to stay hydrated and water is an obvious source of hydration, room temperature water is best.
The best drinks before singing are warm drinks without caffeine or milk, warm water and herbal teas containing manuka honey, lemon and ginger are ideal. Warm or room-temperature water will hydrate your vocal cords, making them more supple and less liable to injury.
So yes, if you need a gatorade after a room run or a performance, you better drink your Gatorade! Remember though that most of the possible negative effects of Gatorade come when you don't expend the level of energy that the football players for whom this drink was crated, expend on a regular basis.
So should singers drink cold water? Cold water can shock the vocal cords and create tension which limits your vocal range and ability. But, hot water can cause inflammation and increase mucus production. Stick to room-temperature water which enables flexibility in your cords.
Straws help to balance your voice by keeping your vocal folds closed (which is what we want for a clear and consistent sound). Many famous singers use them and rave about the effect!
Did you know that it can take up to 4 hours for the water to reach your vocal folds? So the water you drink on stage or in the recording booth does not have any direct effect on the voice. Sip throughout the day, and don't wait until you get thirsty.
Take Steamy Shower
Steam can be a huge comfort for your vocal cords during the dry season. You're prone to having a dry mouth and bad sinus infections during the winter, so a healthy amount of moisture can do wonders. Drinking liquids only moisturizes your vocal system so much.
This will keep your vocal instrument well-hydrated, flexible and ready to provide the best tone and range you need to perform well. Keep a glass of room-temperature water on stage, and don't be afraid to drink from it occasionally. You'll sing even better if you keep your fluid levels topped up during the show.
Is lemon good for your voice? Yes, as lemon has a high source of vitamin C to help fight infection and, like honey, contains calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Lemons contain citric acid which helps to break down the mucus in your throat and also helps to relieve you of throat inflammations.
Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy
It's a big no-no before your show. In many cases, it causes acid reflux that can creep up your esophagus and burn your vocal cords. In all cases, it tends to cling to everything in your throat, thickening the mucus that's already present.
Honey can help singers recover quicker from strained, sore, and lost voices. But honey isn't just effective when you're ill; it can be used to prevent vocal problems too. Its thick, smooth consistency coats and lubricates the throat, providing relief to your vocal cords and voice after a strenuous performance.
Gargle with warm salt water for 30 seconds before every rehearsal, singing lesson, performance, and recording. Even better, make a cup of Throat Coat tea, pour a bit into another cup, add some salt, and gargle with that!
Pineapple is a great anti-inflammatory that will soothe your vocal cords and prevent them from becoming strained. On top of this, pineapple cuts through any mucus build-up in your throat, keeping your voice sounding both clear and strong.
Bothersome mucus can cause people to frequently clear their throats or have the sensation something is on their vocal cords. Your doctor may advise you to take a medication called a “mucolytic” that helps to keep respiratory secretions thin and flowing. The most common mucolytic is Mucinex (common name: “guaifenesin”).
It's the active ingredient in Robitussin, Mucinex, and other over-the-counter expectorants that help to liquefy mucus. Guaifenesin is helpful to singers because it makes the cell walls in your body permeable to all the water you're drinking, so the vocal cord tissue is more easily hydrated.
Decongestants (Mucinex, Sudafed, etc.)
mucous! That mucous membrane is there to protect your vocal cords. So, if you take decongestants (or “super-decongestants” below), be extra aware of how your voice feels, stop singing whenever things begin to hurt, and drink EVEN MORE water!