Part 2 - Running On Sprained Ankles

Every runner knows that if you sprain your ankle you keep weight off it for a while. What you DEFINITELY DO NOT DO is try to keep running to get your miles in just because you’re training for a marathon.  In fact, EVERY professional athlete knows to head to the doctor at even the slightest sign of injury.  Why do they do this you ask? Because they care about their bodies!  That's their livelihood!  That's where the moolah (cash-money-dollah' billz) is at!  Without it, they don't have a job. 

Which brings me to my point...

You, as the professional, amateur, or aspiring performer are a vocal ATHLETE!  I know it doesn't result in calories spent or muscle mass gained, but what your vocal folds are doing every time you take the stage is the equivalent of a teeny weeny Olympic gymnast going for the gold inside your throat.

So why do we, as singers, keep running on “sprained ankles”?

If you’re sick, hoarse, vocally off for whatever reason – DON’T do whatever it takes to keep singing. Don’t snort cayenne pepper and mainline apple cider vinegar just to get through your performance. If it is imperative that you get on stage, then get to an ENT so they can help you reduce the damage done at least.  And then after the show? GO TAKE A BREAK!!

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Really guys??!

Taking care of your body is how you take care of your voice.

They are one and the same. You don’t just have a magical talent box hidden in your throat that sometimes needs constant infusions of hot tea, honey and lemon.

So what can you do?  How can you make sure you’re consistently keeping your voice in tip top shape and giving your body the love it needs to keep on trucking through that day job right on to those long and late rehearsals?  Try these 3 things to up-level your voice care:

1. Take Voice Lessons CONSISTENTLY – nothing can help you more than getting on top of your technique with the consistent training a highly qualified voice teacher can provide.  Bonus points if they take good care of themselves and can help YOU do the same (ahem… oh hey! That’s me!) But here’s the thing… you actually have to GO to them. Consistently.  Ideally weekly if finances allow but at least monthly.
   
2. Get a voice happy day job – Performers are notorious for waiting tables. It’s a great gig for us!  Flexible hours, allows you to go to auditions, free/cheap food… what’s not to love! Well… along with those perks come constantly half screaming over music that’s pumped up too loud, HOURS on your feet, dehydration because you just straight up forget to take a sip of water, later than late hours often, and giant restaurant sized portions.  Where’d your high C go? You left it at Table 8 three hours ago… Suddenly data entry ain’t looking so bad…
3. Ditch the long phone and video chats – In favor of texting, messaging, or making time to see that friend or have that meeting in person.  Because we have a hard time hearing people as well on the other end of the line, we subconsciously raise our pitch and do the whole WELL LET ME JUST YELL LOUDER thing to make up for our lack of being able to hear as clearly.  Which is more impact for the vocal folds. A lot of this has to do with the fact that we’re losing a lot of communication if we can’t SEE the other person’s body language. On top of that, we often talk on the phone in loud places.  Cafes, walking down the street, in offices, places where there’s a lot of ambient noise to fight over. This one isn’t always as easy BUT if you can, your voice will thank you for it.

If you’re having consistent difficulties with voice loss or health issues that are impacting your ability to perform – go click on the contact page up top to start a discussion with me and find out how I can help ☺

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