VOICE CARE TIPS FOR PUBLIC SONG-LEADERS

ADVANCE PLANNING:

Take voice care seriously! To support a long-term social movement, try not to use up your voice or damage it during one action. Hoarseness may feel like a one-day badge of honor, but repeated strain can permanently damage your voice. Aim for sustainability here, as you do everywhere else.

Plan to lead songs with a vocal buddy or in teams whenever possible. Even during large, long events, each person should aim for at least 10 minutes every hour of silence. Silent breaks during a long and loud event help the cellular edges of your vocal folds recover from vibration stress, and do a lot to prevent long-term damage. Alternating shifts (for example, 20 minutes on/off) can also work. Just avoid the temptation to “help out” (singing with the crowd) when it’s your turn to shut-up.

Delegate the talking side of organizing to people who are not song-leaders. Talking over noise adds to singers’ vocal load and increases the risk of long-term damage to your voice.

Avoid cross-scheduling vocal performances or big social events the night before, or later the same day, as your public contribution. If other obligations are things you can’t avoid, talk quietly there and fit in vocal rest whenever you can.

Now for the details:

THE DAY BEFORE:

  • Your vocal cells need hydration in advance. So this is the most important time to drink plenty of water, throughout the day and evening. Eat small meals you’ll digest well (to avoid reflux problems).
  • Check-in with your vocal buddies and others in your group or pod, so everyone knows their share of the vocal plan.
  • Review your material: songs, lyrics, keys, and chords, but singing lightly.
  • Test any equipment you’ll use, such as a headset mic, bull-horn, portable amp; recharge, check batteries and pack extras.
  • As you plan and pack your fluids, snacks, sunscreen, etc. for the event, stock dry-mouth lozenges* too, and discard any mentholated “cough drops” (see below).
  • Be ready to explain, cheerfully, that if you’re quiet, you’re learning to save your voice—for the next time.
  • THE NIGHT BEFORE: Continue to hydrate, and make your evening meal small but nourishing. Avoid alcohol and get as much sleep as you can.

DURING THE SETUP AND EVENT:

  • Get close to people you need to talk to for planning, to avoid yelling over big space or crowd noise.
  • Hydrate steadily to keep your mouth and body comfortable and your mind clear. (This won’t help your voice for a few hours, hence the advance preparation. But it’s still good for all the other reasons.)
  • Trade-off song-leading as you’ve planned; you can still grin, march, dance, etc. during your voice-preserving silent breaks.
  • Notice sensations of vocal strain—tickles, coughing, soreness, or just needing to work harder to push your voice. These may show up before you sound hoarse, rough, quiet, tired, or losing range. Keep taking rest breaks when you can.
  • Use safe lozenges* for comfort, but not as a substitute for other thoughtful planning and self-care.

AFTER THE EVENT:

  • Plan for several hours of vocal rest. Small amounts of normal talking after a long/loud/leadership event are OK, but aim for 75% vocal recovery time later that day/evening. Especially avoid yelling, loud singing, or loud talking over noise.
  • Celebrate and debrief the event quietly! This includes making notes of your best vocal strategies, for next time.
  • If you’re hoarse or throat-sore the following day, stay protective. Your voice should sound and feel normal in 24-48 hours.

*ABOUT LOZENGES:

Lozenges that contain menthol—the ones that often promise to soothe a cough or relieve pain—simply numb the warning signs of vocal fatigue. Worse, the menthol tends to irritate your vocal cords, so you get tired even faster! Look instead for xylitol-based lozenges or mouth sprays, sold as “dry mouth care,” which serve your voice much better. Lozenges without menthol that feature glycerin, pectin, or just a tart flavor, are also safe.

For more information on preventing voice problems, check out my book! Everyday Voice Care: The Wellness Guide for Singers, Actors and Talkers.