Why singers must care for the instrument they live in.
You Are the Instrument
Singing lessons with a master voice teacher include so much more than just the techniques to create a good vocal tone.
It is important to become completely aware of the fact that the instrument you are playing — the instrument you are singing through — is your own body.
Therefore, a predominantly unspoken and under-appreciated aspect of singing lessons, in all forms of vocal instruction, is the care and maintenance of the physical body.
Once that door has been opened and the process of body awareness has begun, there are a massive number of quality points and tips that can aid you in becoming a better singer.
Hydration and Vocal Health
At the forefront of your new body awareness is adequate hydration.
Drinking enough water is incredibly important for the body on so many levels.
Water helps function in the body’s chemistry to create energy, and it is one of the most important natural lubricants in the body.
Holistic health practitioners often suggest drinking roughly half your body weight in ounces of water.
In other words, if you weigh 120 pounds, you would aim to drink approximately 60 ounces of water.
I know very few people who drink enough water.
In addition, many common beverages do not actually hydrate the body the way we might expect.
Coffee and tea are diuretics, and every ounce of diuretic you drink subtracts an ounce of water from your body’s storehouse.
So for every eight ounces of coffee or tea you drink, you may need an additional eight ounces of water to offset it.
Reducing Inflammation for Better Tone
One of the biggest obstacles to creating good tone in the resonant cavities of the body is inflammation.
Inflammation in bodily tissues greatly increases mucous, which is an acknowledged enemy of singers.
Unfortunately for your sweet tooth, one of the biggest causes of inflammation in the body is the ingestion of sugar in all its forms.
If you want to reduce the presence of inflammation in your body, cutting back on sugar intake can make a meaningful difference.
Nutrition and Avoiding Toxins
The last thing I’d like to discuss in this article is becoming vigilant about what you eat.
This goes beyond simply fueling your body with optimal nutrition so that your health and vitality are at their highest level.
It’s also about avoiding substances that have no business being in your body.
We’re talking about toxins.
Many processed food products are filled with chemical additives designed to preserve shelf life, enhance color, or replace more expensive ingredients.
Regardless of the reason for their use, many of these substances increase your body’s toxic load, which can contribute to illness and inflammation — neither of which helps your singing.
If you want to increase your health and vitality, raise your energy levels, and help keep your body clear of congestion and mucous, I suggest:
- Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding sugar as much as possible
• Eating whole, organic foods without excessive additives
These suggestions will help your body function in the best possible way to support your dream of being a great singer and help you get the most out of your singing lessons.
Wow — it sounds just like something Grandma would have said!
Simple Body Awareness Habits for Singers
Professional singers often develop simple daily habits that help keep their voice and body functioning well.
Some of the most helpful include:
- Drinking enough water throughout the day
• Getting adequate sleep and recovery
• Reducing excessive sugar and highly processed foods
• Paying attention to posture and breathing habits
• Maintaining overall physical fitness and energy
Because the human voice is produced by the body itself, taking care of your health is one of the most powerful ways to support your singing progress.