How's Your Voice Working Today???

Pavarotti, one of the greatest opera singers of all time once said in an interview, "If I have 5 good voice days in a month, I'm lucky. The rest of the time, I must sing like I'm having a good voice day."

Sad but true, good voice days are the exception, not the rule. The more you know about the workings of your voice, the better prepared you are to face those dreaded "Bad Voice Days." ... and don't they always show up just when we need our voice the most?

Joni's Voice Tip for the Cold and Windy Month of March.

On those invigorating winter walks that are so good for the spirit, make sure you are breathing through the nose and keeping the mouth shut. Every time you open your mouth to breath, the winter air acts like a "blow dryer" on those delicate vocal cords. Breathing through your nose transforms that cold, dry air to warm, moist air. So even if you are are having a stimulating conversation with your walking partner, be sure to take periodic pauses to send the gift of warm, moist air to your vocal cords. They will love you for that!

7 DO'S AND DON'TS TO KEEP YOUR VOICE HEALTHY AND HAPPY!

2. Don't clear your throat with a vengeance. The more you clear the mucous, the more mucous you'll have. The vocal cords are mucous membranes and need the mucous to moisturize and protect them.

3. Don't use cough drops or throat lozenges with menthol. The "coolness" of the menthol is irritating to the membranes of your vocal cords. Herbal drops work great, or better yet, have a lemon drop and create your own saliva. It's the natural healing "elixir" of the voice.

4. Don't whisper if you find your voice becoming tired and weak. Whispering causes more vocal damage than speaking in a normal voice.

5. Don't take a decongestant if you plan on using your voice. Decongestants are designed to dry up mucous and they do not care where the mucous lives. Because the vocal cords survive in a mucous atmosphere, if anything dries up that precious mucous, the cords will also dry up, effecting the voice "Big Time."

6. Do drink herbal teas and warm liquids to pump-up those tired vocal cords. Avoid ANYTHING with caffeine in it. Your precious cords need moisture and caffeine dehydrates.

7. Do read The 3-Dimensional Voice. "An instruction manual for the human voice written for everybody who owns one." This fun and informative book will set you on the path to greater vocal freedom and power.

Do you have a favorite tip you'd like to share? Leave me a note on my contact page or e-mail me here.

....and thanks for sharing!