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Singing
How does one keep their voice in good condition during the three-month span of everyday musical practice? {ie, practice for a musical}
I'm aiming to a lead role and I want to know how to keep my voice intact.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Music?
Here's some things that I've learned over the years from being a singer:
Rule Number One: Don't ever overdo it. Start every voice practice with a good 15 minutes of warmups. And make sure you know when to stop. The voice is a muscle, and like any muscle, it needs to be trained regularly in order to do what you want it to. Your not going to sing opera the first day, but you might tackle something challenging if you pace yourself over several months.
Rule Number Two: Breathing is the Key. Way too many young singers are singing without taking into account how important breathing is to your singing. A lot of people think that singing comes from the throat. In reality, more of it comes from the ability to have good "breath support." If you make a conscious effort to take deep, low breaths (from your low ribs and belly, NOT from the shoulders) you singing will be more in tune,you'll hold notes longer, you will have a bigger volume, and sound more free and natural. The minute the throat gets in the way is the minute that it all goes down hill.
Rule Number Three: Don't try to sound like the recording. Given that your going for the lead in the musical, bring something of yourself and your own singing style your performance. Every young woman I've heard sing "On my Own" sings it like the Broadway recording. It shows no sense of originality, and not every woman sounds like that particular vocalist naturally. Not everyone does Hamlet the same, so why should everyone sing the same as the recording?
Rule Number Three: Good Body, Good Voice. If your body is somehow out of whack when you perform, chances are your voice will be. Get plenty of rest. Water or hot liquids like tea can be your best friend. Don't have too much caffeine, alcohol, or asprin before you sing, because they all dry out your vocal folds. Eat right, and avoid greasy foods or diary before a performance. Exercise not also helps you with weight problems, but with your breathing as well. If you have neck or shoulder tension, try to stretch or massage out the kinks.
There's books worth of information, but these things I find extremely helpful. Let me know what you think, and if they help.
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If you're singing properly, you won't damage you're voice that way, even when doing rehearsal every day. Make sure to warm-up beforehand, and don't abuse your voice by yelling or screaming.
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Stay away from sugar.
Sugar is yurm, but the root of all evil when it comes to singing. Also, dairy will give you lots of phlem, use little of that. Drink lots of water. Don't try to reach for anything out of your range, and don't over-sing it close to the time you really need it. Good luck.
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Dear Singer,
Drinking hot tea REALLY helps. And here's a little secret that does work. When you go to make your hot tea put some honey in it. The honey will help coat your throat. In other words honey helps your voice so it's not all scratchy. And while your making the hot tea, sing the songs that your gonna sing for the audition. Then drink the tea. And try not to talk and save your voice for the audition. That's what I've always done and I've been in 28 musicals and it's always helped me.
Sincerely,
MiSSc
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Whatever you do, don't whisper or clear your throat by making noise. It is in effect slamming your vocal chords together. If you strain your voice and it doesn't get well after a day or two, see a doctor. If you must clear your throat, suck in some air. The others below me are on the money as well.
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Go you! I'm a singer of sorts myself and if I can't at least give a little advice on this I'd be in big trouble. First of all, drink water, drink water, DRINK WATER. There is NOTHING better for your voice than to be well hydrated. Also, get lots of sleep. If you go to bed at 10 at night, try going to bed 15 minutes or even a half hour earlier, it DOES make a difference! Here To Help was right on about the practicing thing too, and don't forget to warm up! And if you can't sing every day or your throat is sore, don't push it, or you could end up really damaging your voice.
~Milly
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Well, to keep your voice intact your obviously going to need to practice everyday, and do different warm-up excercises so you don't strain your voice from practicing too much.
I also heard that (and I dont know if you like this) that green tea helps the voice a lot. If not regular tea may do the trick with not much sugar.
Thanks for listening and thank you for your question!
Sincerely,
Here To Help
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