Sore Throat From Singing: 10 Basic Methods to Avoid It (2024)

Sore Throat From Singing: 10 Basic Methods to Avoid It (1)

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Sore Throat From Singing: 10 Basic Methods to Avoid It (2)

If you are a singer, getting a sore throat from singing is not new to you. Most people think that you only get a sore throat from sweet drinks and treats, but singers know better. A sore throat can be very irritating and painful. It often requires you to rest your voice and wait for it to come back so that you can use it again. In order to learn how you can prevent it from happening, we listed down some of the most common possible causes of a sore throat below.

Sore Throat From Singing

Those who sing for work might treat a sore throat as a regular, normal thing, especially after singing for about an hour or so. However, in reality, this is neither normal nor healthy.

If you are getting a sore throat because of the way you sing, it means that the vocal cords are unnaturally rubbing each other. As such, you will find that the vocal cords get inflamed.

Healthy, normal vocal cords produce a solid and melodious sound. On the other hand, inflamed vocal cords would show gaps that allow air to pass through, which is why your voice may sound unusually airy or hoarse when you have a sore throat. This can last for a couple of days, and, in some severe cases, may stay for over a month.

Simple Ways to Prevent Sore Throat

A sore throat caused by singing is not a natural occurrence. If you do get it after a concert or performance, you might want to see a doctor. He or she will then assess your situation and provide the necessary remedy for this issue.

If you don’t want to deal with this kind of throat problem, or if you want to reduce the possibility of developing one, here are some simple tricks and tips that you can do.

1. Observe Proper Breathing Techniques

One of the reasons why your throat gets irritated when you sing is improper breath support. If you force yourself to hit a high note without proper breath support, you will end up irritating your vocal cords. This is the reason why you have to practice the songs that you will sing in a concert or performance so that you would know the amount of air needed for every phrase in the song.

When you are releasing air while you are singing, you should hold back and do not allow the air to escape all at once.

2. Keep Your Throat Hydrated All the Time

Dryness in the throat can change the quality of your voice, and if you force yourself to sing even with a dry throat, you will surely develop sore throat after your performance. If you feel that your throat is a bit dry, drink plenty of water and make sure that the vocal cords are hydrated. You can also drink warm lemon tea with a bit of honey before you sing.

It is better to make this yourself, though. Don’t buy commercial lemon tea; all-natural ingredients are still better.

3. Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes

You must avoid extreme and sudden changes in temperature to protect your singing voice.

Basically, it will not have a direct effect on your throat, but doing this can lead to flu. As a result, you will have a runny nose, and your throat will become itchy. This will also be the start of irritation, and your voice will become hoarse after a while because of cold and cough. It may last for about five to seven days, so make sure that you avoid extreme temperature changes, especially if the outside temperature is extremely high.

4. Don’t Yell or Scream

This is something that you cannot prevent completely because we usually yell or scream when we are happy or angry. Still, you should be conscious of this kind of thing if you are a singer because unnecessary yelling or screaming can affect your voice. Yelling or screaming is the same as scratching your vocal cords with fingernails, causing damage or irritation on your vocals.

5. Use a Humidifier in Your Bedroom

If you spend a lot of time in your bedroom, it is better to use humidifiers, especially when sleeping. The steam that is released by the humidifier will enter your nose and throat, and it will provide the moisture that it needs. This is very important, especially for people who sleep with their mouths open.

When your mouth is open during the night, the throat will dry out because of the air in the room.

Inhaling the steam coming from the humidifier will make sure that your throat stays moist the whole night.

Sore Throat From Singing: 10 Basic Methods to Avoid It (3)

6. Don’t Drink Cold Water and Sweet Drinks Often

We are not trying to stop you from drinking cold water. You can drink them occasionally, but never drink cold and sweet drinks a few hours before a performance. Drinking cold water and other beverages can restrict your vocal bands, hindering the vibrations required to produce a good-quality sound. Coffee should also be avoided if you have a concert or performance during the day. If you are a coffee lover, skip it for a while because caffeine can dry your vocal cords.

7. Warm Up Your Voice Before Singing

By warming up your voice before you sing, you can prepare the vocal cords for several rounds of singing and prevent damage to your vocal cords, as well. You should try to warm up your voice for about 10 to 15 minutes before you start singing.

8. Don’t Clear Your Throat

As much as possible, do not clear your throat because it can irritate your vocal cords. Instead of clearing it, you just have to drink water and swallow. When something is blocking your throat, drink water to remove it.

9. Avoid Cigarettes and Alcohol

If you earn your living through singing, it makes sense that you should not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Drinking alcohol occasionally is not a big problem, but cigarettes are very addictive. Once you start smoking, it would be very hard to remove it from your system. Cigarettes contain substances that can cause harm to your singing voice. This is also true with alcoholic drinks. A lot of singers around the globe don’t pay too much attention to this, which is the reason why their singing careers don’t last long.

10. Don’t Force High Notes

We’ve seen a lot of singers hit high notes by forcing their vocal cords. Doing this is the same as screaming or yelling, and it would irritate your vocal cords. Sore throat from singing usually comes from this. You can always practice the notes from the song and look for a better technique to reach it instead of just forcing your throat.

FAQs

1. Does vocal rest help a sore throat?

Yes, resting your voice can help with your sore throat. Eventually, a sore throat would subside as long as you drink plenty of water and rest your vocal cords for a few days. You cannot sing properly anyway, so it is not advisable to use your voice when your vocal cords are inflamed. Also, you should prevent yourself from shouting and yelling.

2. Can singing with a sore throat damage your voice?

Yes, forcing yourself to sing even if you have a sore throat will do more harm than good. Your voice is already hoarse if you have a sore throat, and it will only worsen if you still continue singing. If you have a sore throat, you just have to rest your vocal cords and let it heal. Fortunately, it is capable of healing itself as long as the damage is not too severe.

3. How do I lubricate my vocal cords?

There is no direct way of lubricating your vocal cords because the water that you drink will not pass through the vocal cords or you would choke. The best thing to keep it moist all the time is to keep your body hydrated by drinking lots of water. If you stay in your house most of the time, use humidifiers as it can help provide additional moisture to your vocal cords.

4. What do singers drink to clear their throats?

Most singers simply drink room temperature water before every performance. They don’t drink cold water or carbonated drinks, as these can irritate the vocal cords. You can also drink warm water mixed with a bit of honey and lemon, which is a mixture that is very soothing to your throat.

5. How do you fix a raw throat?

The best and the most effective way to fix a sore throat is by drinking plenty of water. As long as the throat is constantly flushed with water, the irritation and inflammation will start to subside after a while.

Conclusion

It is very common for singers to deal with a sore throat since it is part of their singing careers. They get careless once in a while, but this is very normal.However, if you always get a sore throat after every performance, you should see a doctor to have it checked. This is so that you can be sure that you don’t have an underlying condition that needs medical attention.


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Sore Throat From Singing: 10 Basic Methods to Avoid It (2024)

FAQs

How to fix a sore throat after singing? ›

11 Ways to Help Your Vocal Cords Heal for Singing
  1. Let the Vocal Cords Rest. ...
  2. Refrain from Whispering. ...
  3. Purchase Over-The-Counter Anti-Inflammatories. ...
  4. Refrain from Taking Decongestants. ...
  5. Discuss the Possibility of Steroid Medications with a Primary Care Provider. ...
  6. Drink at Least 10 8-Ounce Glasses of Water Per Day.

How to not hurt your throat when singing? ›

Modify use of speaking or singing voice.
  1. Absolutely no screaming or shouting.
  2. Warm up gently before voice use.
  3. Use easy onset of voicing.
  4. Avoid vocal projection.
  5. Use soft, breathy vocal quality during speaking.
  6. Maintain use of good breath support during speaking or singing.
  7. Use only mid-range during singing.

What can I do to clear my throat for singing? ›

How to take care of your vocal cords for singing
  1. Do vocal warm-up exercises every day.
  2. Drink plenty of water.
  3. Schedule vocal rest time.
  4. Sing from your diaphragm.
  5. Use a humidifier.
  6. Cool down with light vocalizing.
  7. Avoid caffeine and dairy before singing.
  8. Relax your throat muscles when you sing.

What is the best throat medicine for singers? ›

Throat Sprays: Clyor Voice37 & Vocal EZE

One of the top picks for throat remedies for singers is Clyor's Voice37 vocal booster. Try this over other basic drugstore throat sprays, because it uses natural ingredients (herbs) to be effective. Some drugstore sprays have alcohol in them, which can dry your throat out.

What do singers use for a sore throat? ›

Scratchy throat remedies for singers

Here are some things you can try to get rid of a scratchy throat in lieu of an over the counter cough medicine: Gargle with saltwater. Drink fresh lemon juice in warm water. Use an echinacea and sage spray.

How to lubricate your throat for singing? ›

Hydrate your voice

If you're wondering what to drink to sing better, the answer is simple: water. Water is one of the best drinks for your singing voice, with herbal teas (but not too hot) in second place. Drink water throughout the day, and keep a water bottle nearby during lessons and rehearsals.

What drink is good for vocal cords? ›

Honey provides a great soothing effect on your vocal cords and throat because of its natural properties, like rich antioxidants and antibacterial components. Mix honey into your herbal tea for an extra boost of protection to your vocal cords along with your general well-being.

How do singers take care of their throat? ›

Use your voice wisely:
  • Try not to overuse your voice. ...
  • Rest your voice when you are sick. ...
  • Avoid using the extremes of your vocal range, such as screaming or whispering. ...
  • Practice good breathing techniques when singing or talking. ...
  • Avoid cradling the phone when talking. ...
  • Consider using a microphone when appropriate.
Apr 15, 2021

How long does a sore throat from singing last? ›

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). In most cases, it gets better without treatment in about a week.

How can I heal my singing voice fast? ›

Here are some methods to try.
  1. Rest your voice. Resting your voice is the single most important factor in healing laryngitis and other reasons for losing your voice. ...
  2. Avoid whispering. ...
  3. Use OTC pain relievers. ...
  4. Talk with a doctor about prescription medication. ...
  5. Drink warm liquids. ...
  6. Gargle salt water. ...
  7. Use lozenges. ...
  8. Breathe in steam.

What food is good for singing? ›

Top 7 Superfoods for Singers
  • Strawberries. One of the best things for your voice—so many antioxidants and vitamins! ...
  • Watermelon. It's 92% water… and your voice loves water! ...
  • Spinach. And kale, collards, Swiss chard… go for all the leafy greens! ...
  • Celery. ...
  • Flaxseeds. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Sweet potatoes.

What throat lozenges do singers use? ›

For years, we have recommended glycerin-based throat drops for professional voice-users, such as Grether's Pastilles (which Ms. Grande included in her kits) and Halls Breezers. These products help soothe a sore throat and make you less likely to cough or clear your throat unnecessarily, which can harm your vocal cords.

What do singers gargle with before they sing? ›

Even better, make a cup of Throat Coat tea, pour a bit into another cup, add some salt, and gargle with that! The salt moisturizes like nothing else and the Throat Coat diminishes inflammation and gives an extra coating of moisture to your vocal cords, which can make your vocal performance take a little less effort.

What do singers spray in their throats? ›

Throat Sprays

Sprays like Entertainer's Secret, Singer's Saving Grace, Vocal-Eze and the like are often used as an antidote for dryness or irritation. Again, nothing that you swallow or spray into your mouth actually comes in contact with your vocal folds.

How long does it take for your throat to heal after singing? ›

Most of the time, laryngitis clears up within a few days to a week. 1 But that's just an average. Some people may find that their lost voice lasts for just a day or so, while others may be without a full voice for a couple of weeks. Certain factors may play a role in how long you lose your voice.

How to recover voice after singing? ›

How to get your voice back quickly
  1. Try home remedies. Home remedies for a lost voice include salt water gargles and drinking everything from hot toddies to lemon water. ...
  2. Use a humidifier. ...
  3. Inhale steam. ...
  4. Stay hydrated. ...
  5. Try medication. ...
  6. Get plenty of rest. ...
  7. Reduce harmful behaviors. ...
  8. Try voice therapy.
Dec 22, 2023

How long does vocal strain last? ›

Most laryngitis symptoms are temporary and last less than two weeks. Common warning signs include: Hoarseness, or a weak voice. Losing your voice.

How do you warm up a sore throat for singing? ›

9 best vocal warm-ups for singers
  1. Yawn-sigh Technique. For this quick vocal exercise, simply yawn (take in air) with your mouth closed. ...
  2. Humming warm-upS. ...
  3. Vocal Straw Exercise. ...
  4. Lip buzz Vocal warm-up. ...
  5. Tongue trill exercise. ...
  6. Jaw Loosening ExerciseS. ...
  7. Two-octave pitch glide Warm-Up. ...
  8. Vocal Sirens Exercise.

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