How to get back to singing after being sick – Vocal Coach Advice

Recovering your singing voice after a cold can be a challenging process, but with the right approach, you can regain your vocal strength and confidence. This comprehensive guide will walk you through effective strategies to restore your voice, ensuring you return to your full vocal potential safely and efficiently.

Understanding the Impact of a Cold on Your Voice

Colds can significantly affect your vocal cords, leading to symptoms such as:

• Hoarseness: Inflammation can cause your voice to sound raspy or strained.
• Mucus Buildup: Excess mucus can obstruct vocal fold vibration.
• Reduced Range: You may find it difficult to reach higher or lower notes.

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step in addressing them effectively.

Step 1: Start Slow and Steady

When recovering from a cold, patience is key. Here’s how to ease back into singing:

• Limit Vocal Use: For the first two to three weeks, use only 50-70% of your vocal ability. This gradual approach helps prevent strain and further damage.
• Avoid Overexertion: Pushing your voice too soon can lead to prolonged recovery or even reinfection.
• Adjust Based on Severity: If your symptoms were severe, consider extending this period to four, five, or even six weeks.

Step 2: Utilize SOVT Exercises

Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises are essential for vocal recovery. These exercises help balance the pressure above and below the vocal folds, promoting healthy vocal fold closure and reducing strain.

• Straw Phonation: Use a straw to create back pressure, which helps close the vocal folds and shift mucus. This exercise is particularly effective in clearing mucus and reducing inflammation.
• Siren Singing: This involves sliding your voice up and down in pitch, which can help smooth out transitions and improve vocal flexibility.
• Choose the Right Tools: Use plastic or paper straws, and avoid metal or glass for comfort and safety.

Step 3: Practice Smooth Onsets

Smooth onsets are crucial for retraining vocal fold closure and improving breath control. This technique helps prevent harsh glottal attacks and encourages a gentle start to sound production.

• Start with a “Y” Sound: Begin with a “Y” before your vowel to ensure smooth vocal fold contact. This helps in coordinating breath flow with vocal fold closure.
• Find Your Chest Voice: Count from 20 to 1 to locate your chest voice set point. This exercise helps you identify the natural speaking range of your voice.
• Use a “V” Sound: If smooth onsets are challenging, start with a “V” to ease into the exercise. This can help in achieving a balanced onset without excess breathiness.

Step 4: Retrain Your Breathing

Proper breathing is vital for vocal recovery. Efficient breath support ensures that your voice is powered correctly, reducing the risk of strain.

• Breathe Low: Inhale deeply, allowing your tummy to expand, and exhale as it contracts. This diaphragmatic breathing technique supports sustained vocalization.
• Breathing Exercise: Inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for eight, and hold again for four. This exercise helps in controlling breath flow and improving lung capacity.
• Avoid Protective Breathing: After a cold, retrain your lungs to breathe deeply and efficiently. Protective breathing can lead to shallow breaths, which are less supportive for singing.

Step 5: Monitor Your Progress

Pay attention to your voice and adjust your practice accordingly. Being mindful of your vocal health is crucial in preventing further damage.

• Limit Practice Time: Start with 15-20 minutes of singing, then rest and reassess. Gradually increase your practice time as your voice strengthens.
• Listen to Your Body: If you experience coughing or discomfort, stop and return to SOVT exercises. Your body will signal when it needs rest or when something is not right.
• Stay Hydrated: Keep throat lozenges or sweets handy to promote saliva production and mucus clearance. Hydration is key to maintaining vocal health.

Additional Tips for Vocal Recovery

• Rest and Relaxation: Prioritize rest, hydration, and relaxation to aid recovery. Your body needs time to heal, and rest is a critical component of that process.
• Avoid Menthol: Menthol can be harsh on the vocal cords and may exacerbate irritation.
• Consider Steaming: Use warm (not boiling) water to help clear mucus from the lungs and sinuses. Steaming can provide relief and help maintain vocal fold hydration.

Conclusion

Rebuilding your singing voice after a cold requires patience, dedication, and the right techniques. By following these steps, you can effectively restore your vocal strength and return to singing with confidence. Remember, the key is to listen to your body and give it the time it needs to heal. With consistent practice and care, your voice will be back to its full potential in no time.

For more tips on vocal health and singing techniques, stay tuned to our blog. Happy singing!

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