Dos & Dont’s (2024)

Please DO:

• Avoid dairy products and orange juice the day of a performance.
• Avoid places with toxic substances in the air (chemicals, tar, etc.).
• Stay relaxed (avoid stress), especially in thedays before a performance.
• Eat a healthy diet (plenty of good protein, fresh fruits and vegetables).
• Get plenty of rest especially two days before a performance.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Train with a qualified teacher regularly.
• Speak at your own pitch (as in agreeing with someone by saying “mmm-hmm”).
• Vocalize daily.
• Warm up properly before singing.
• See a qualified ENT if you have prolonged hoarseness.
• Sing softly (mark) new songs when you are first learning them.
• Support your singing voice properly.
• Keep your larynx in a comfortable resting posture while singing
  (don’t let it lock down or jam up).

Please DON’T

• Belt songs with pure chest voice above your passage
• Clear your throat continually.
• Drink alcohol on the day of a performance.
• “Pull” the chest-voice (if you are chronically hoarse after singing, see a teacher!).
• Cough excessively.
• Drink coffee directly before a performance, especially if you are sensitive to it.
• Smoke any substance.
• Talk a lot on the day of a performance.
• Try to talk or sing over a chest cold or laryngitis.
• Try to talk over loud noise, (like in bars, amusem*nt parks, big parties, etc.).
• Try to sing if it hurts to swallow.
• Whisper loudly or sing in a “breathy” voice for prolonged periods of time.
• Scream.
• Use recreational drugs and/or mind-altering drugs before singing.
• Try to change your natural speaking voice (make it lower or raspy)

1998 Guy Babusek