Drink water, inhale steam or nebulized saline, or start your routine with a hot shower. This will thin the mucus, making it less adherent and easier to dislodge. Try to move the folds by inhaling, as part of a snort- this can also be somewhat effective.
Excess mucus can prevent a voice from performing well, render singing practice unproductive, and potentially lead to vocal damage. Keep in mind, however, that a healthy level of mucus is desirable, as it helps to keep the vocal cords lubricated.
Run through some light high-to-low vocalizations to get your vocal cords vibrating and loosen the mucus. Hydrate with warm drinks or water – keeping your fluid intake up will help flush out phlegm and will stop the urge to clear your throat. Steam – inhaling steam is a great way to soothe and hydrate your vocal cords.
Bothersome mucus can cause people to frequently clear their throats or have the sensation something is on their vocal cords. Your doctor may advise you to take a medication called a “mucolytic” that helps to keep respiratory secretions thin and flowing. The most common mucolytic is Mucinex (common name: “guaifenesin”).
Your vocal folds (vocal cords) have been agitated so to protect themselves they make phlegm; The vocal folds are covered in a mucus membrane.
Drink water, inhale steam or nebulized saline, or start your routine with a hot shower. This will thin the mucus, making it less adherent and easier to dislodge. Try to move the folds by inhaling, as part of a snort- this can also be somewhat effective.
The best way to deal with phlegm is with light vocalizing. This will keep your voice supple and flexible and cause the phlegm to vibrate off. Practice singing at a low volume on EE vowel scales and glissando's (start from you highest pitch and slide down to your lowest pitch).
A: The most important thing we can consume to improve vocal health is water. Staying hydrated helps your body produce thin, watery mucus. Your vocal cords vibrate more than 100 times a second when you speak, and they need that mucus to help them stay lubricated. We recommend drinking 64 ounces of water each day.
Nebulizers (or, nebulisers) are being used by singers to "cure" ailments and promote vocal health - Dr.
The best drinks before singing are warm drinks without caffeine or milk, warm water and herbal teas containing manuka honey, lemon and ginger are ideal. Warm or room-temperature water will hydrate your vocal cords, making them more supple and less liable to injury.
Singing enhances lung function
We often take our lungs for granted, but most of us rarely use them to their full capacity. The way singing requires you to breathe makes you do just that, increasing your lung capacity as well as engaging the muscles around the ribcage.
Water should be a singer's drink of choice because it lubricates your vocal folds, allowing them to vibrate fully. Staying hydrated doesn't just help your vocal cords – it brings moisture to your mouth and throat, too. This improves your articulation and clarity when you sing.
Gargling is a common practice among all singers. Whenever your throat is itchy or there is cough congestion you must gargle. Also gargling with warm water just before your performance will act as a catalyst and give you a vocal boost. My guru advises me to gargle warm water with a pinch of salt or turmeric.
Common Misconception With Vocal Lubrication
Companies are no better, pandering to singers and sick people, claiming that their product can lubricate your vocal cords directly. Don't believe the hype! Products like vocal sprays and throat lozenges are able to help soothe your throat.
When you do cough up phlegm (another word for mucus) from your chest, Dr. Boucher says it really doesn't matter if you spit it out or swallow it.
Possible causes of excess mucus can be food allergies, an acid reflux from the stomach, or an infection. The consistency of mucus in the throat also varies depending on what is going on in your body. Common causes of too much mucus in the throat include a cold or flu, acute bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
Your physician may recommend a steroid nasal spray (Nasonex, prescription only) or (Flonase or Nasacort, both over the counter). Steroid sprays work by reducing inflammation in the nose. They are safe for the vocal cords, as they are non-drying. If you'd prefer a natural alternative, try Simply Saline.
Drink massive amounts of water (64 ounces a day at least) and take Guaifenesin — an over-the-counter medication that I use and have recommended to singers for over 30 years.
Throat Lozenges for Singers: VocalZone & Thayer's
Two of the most popular lozenges are VocalZone, which claims to help “keep a clear voice,” and Thayer's, which has been used by professional singers since 1847.
A happy singing voice is a hydrated voice. Unlike water, steaming directly applies moisture to your vocal folds. This rehydrates your voice box and cures hoarseness fast. Steaming is really effective and beneficial for your singing voice, but it should never replace drinking water.
Honey is known to have powerful soothing effects on your voice, vocal cords, and throat. It's rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties which help fight bacterial infections in the throat. Honey can help singers recover quicker from strained, sore, and lost voices.