Singing Multiple Sets? Beware What You Do Between Shows!
photo by Pete Rodman
If
you have multiple long sets to perform, be careful to take care of your voice
between sets! Here are some tips to keep vocal cords from swelling during your
break. OH... and these tips work for you background vocalists and
studio singers, too... anytime you need to sing for hours with breaks in
between:
FIRST: Prepare for multiple set
singing
- Don't go
from 0 to 90! If you suddenly increase the time your vocal cords
have to work at peak performance, there is no 'correct form' in the world
that will protect your voice from strain and possibly damage. It's
not enough to just do vocal exercises... sing full voice several
days (sometimes weeks) before to rev up your vocal stamina for long or
multiple gigs. This DEFINITELY applies to tours.
- Get some
good sleep the night before.
Between shows... Keep hydrating
- Drink water
like a fish between sets! [Note from experience... remember to hit
the bathroom before hitting the stage again!]
- Avoid
anything dehydrating such as alcohol or black tea.
Limit or totally avoid talking
between sets
- Learn to
'pull' instead of push your speaking voice when you must say something.
- Whatever you
do, do NOT talk loud or whisper. If you need to network, smile, nod, hug,
sign autographs, but think of talking as like a bank account. The more
words you spend, the less voice you'll have for next show.
- Chill out to
re-ground yourself and lower your power center. Best to go back to a
quiet space like the bus or green room if one is available between stage
performances.
Prepare for the next set
- Do light
vocal exercises especially working your head voice to literally 're-lift'
your range.
- Eat a
protein snack or water-filled fresh fruit/veggie crudite or
salad.
- To rev up
energy, you might even try a 4 minute "Tabata' before hitting the stage
again.
Warm down
- At the end
of the night, do some light vocal exercises (bubbles, trills, sirens) on
the way home.
- Hydrate
again
- Get some
good sleep!
If
you've followed these suggestions, your voice should feel BETTER, not worse,
the next day.
Labels: Judy Rodman, long vocal performance, multiple sets, prepare for singing, singing, stage performance, talking voice, vocal cord swelling, vocal stamina
posted by Judy Rodman
@
10:59 AM
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