Let’s face it, singing in the cold sucks! Not only is your body cold, but usually your throat is more dry and your hands may be freezing from playing the stainless steel strings on your guitar or the piano keys.
But since gathering in large groups inside isn’t an option right now, people are singing outside in the cold weather more than ever. So that means that as a singer you need to learn to sing in colder weather.
Hi, my name is Matt from ramseyvoice.com and here are five tips to help you sing better when it’s cold outside.
Tip #1:
Stay hydrated. The fact is that cold air dries the vocal folds in the tissues of the throat more than warm air. So drink warm beverages like hot water and tea to keep hydrated. As long as they don’t have alcohol, you’re doing your voice a favor.
Tip #2:
Steam your voice. The truth is that it takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours for the water that you drink to hydrate your vocal cords. Steaming, on the other hand, hydrates your vocal folds immediately. So I recommend steaming your voice if you’re going to be going on stage outside soon. There are lots of ways you can do this and tons of personal steamers that you can use. However don’t underestimate the power of a hot shower! The hot steam from the water will also help hydrate your vocal cords.
Tip #3:
Warm up your voice. Warming up your voice supplies more blood flow to the vocal cords which allows for more flexibility and movement. My personal favorite vocal warm up is the lip trill. If you’ve never done a lip trill, they’re very easy to do. Just take two fingers and place them in the middle of your cheeks and let your lips flop together as you blow some air through them. Then you can do some simple vocal sirens to warm up your voice.
Tip #4:
Use a neti pot. The truth of the matter is that it’s better to eliminate any vocal problems before they get worse. A neti pot uses saline solution to help thin the mucus secretions in your nasal passages. This not only eliminates the post nasal drip, but it will also prevent allergens, viruses, and mucus from entering your larynx which could cause laryngitis, sore throat or hoarseness. Just remember to use distilled water when you’re using your neti pot.
Tip #5:
If mucus continues to be a problem, use over the counter remedies like Mucinex or guaifenesin in order to thin out mucus secretions and make your cough more productive. Always remember less mucus equals a clear voice. So do your best in order to keep your voice sounding its best by keeping it clear.
If you found these tips helpful, make sure to check out my main channel at Ramsey Voice Studio or go to ramseyvoice.com to download 10 free singing warm-ups.
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