When we have been spending time in Europe we have come across the Eurovision Song Contest, which at least in certain territories have gone from a song contest, to a reality TV-production. And years in a row the contestants have “lost their voices.” Curious about why, we have listened to their performances, and it’s obvious where they go wrong vocally, with lack of, or wrong, vocal technique. But equally bad or worse, is their treating the chance they got in a disrespectful way, using their voices recklessly outside of stage. Instead of resting their now hoarse voice from bad vocal technique when they sing, they are seen partying, screaming, yelling – and losing their voices completely.
Singing is a profession. It is something we are passionate about and something that we love. But it is not a party. If you have great vocal technique, you can do a lot more than if you don’t. Even so, performing and touring takes an enormous amount of energy, and therefore you have to preserve your energy for your performances. Everyone who has been touring knows that. That does not mean that you should be doomed to vocal rest every other day just because you perform. That’s why Seth and I work with our artists every day of performance, and continuously in general. Because even if something is great, if parts of a performance is taxing for the voice there is room for even greater. Being the performer, you may not even catch the times when you are being extravagant vocally on stage and then have to pay for that the next day. And in general, if your voice is tired, you give it a break when you have a chance.
How to treat your voice on the road
1 – Proper vocal technique
2 – Professional conduct on and off stage. Stay away from loud environments off stage where you might raise your voice when you speak.
3 – Sleep – Eight hours of sleep. Sleep late if you can.
4 – Eat nutritious food. What is good for your body is good for your voice. It comes back to being energized.
5 – Time of travel - As long as your sleep is not interrupted or affected, travel can take place any time, but usually travel is preferred right after a show while your energy is up, rather than the next day, when you have to use new energy just to travel.
6 – Humidifiers – Some environments are dry. Las Vegas is dry for instance. Cruise ships are dry. In general, ask for a humidifier to be put in your hotel room. Have the humidifier on while you sleep. If you have access to a steam room, take 20 minutes in it when you get ready in the afternoon.
7 – It’s a given that what is bad for your body is bad for your voice – stay away from alcohol, smoke and drugs.
8 – Though not a necessity, I like Vocalzones when I perform.