Caring For Your Voice
Handling Dehydration and Nutritional Advice for Singers

Have you ever tried to sing while your mouth and throat were dry? If the tissues of your vocal instrument are not sufficiently hydrated, they cannot function well and your voice will not reflect your full vocal capability. There are various influences which result in abnormal dryness of your voice - such as air conditioning, dry hotel room air, cold outside air and indoor heat during the winter months - and through which your voice can be restricted or actually damaged.

Drinking lots of water is very important for a singer. Along with helping flush out impurities in your blood stream, water replenishes your bodily fluids and promotes healthier vocal folds. A common difficulty with drinking lots of liquid before and during performance is the fact that you may need to frequent the toilet. (Did I say that discretely enough?) There is a product by Thayers is called “Dry Mouth Spray - Instant Moisture” which moisturizes your mouth without drinking water on stage. This spray is not a medication and it supplements the throat¹s natural moisturizing secretions. It is also sugar free but tastes really good and the formula is designed for healthy throats needing extra moisture. Dry Mouth Spray has recently been endorsed by Rob Thomas as well as Jeannie Deva Voice Studios.

An additional remedy is to take hot steamy showers, inhale through your mouth and give your voice a steam treatment. Steaming your voice is a soothing treatment helping with dehydration or as well, when recovering from a cold, a strenuous gig or hoarseness.

The Effects of Alcohol

As flavorful as it can be made to taste by mixing it with juices, alcohol like all drugs acts upon your body as a poison. This is why drinking a small amount acts like a stimulant, giving you a "buzz", while larger doses act like a sedative and can cause you to pass-out. To rid itself of this poison, the body releases its fluids in an attempt to wash it out, thus urination increases after drinking alcohol. Because of its fluid release, the body becomes dehydrated. Your vocal folds are muscle fiber coated with mucous membrane. They need to be fully hydrated to perform their elastic movements for sound production. While alcohol is detrimental to singing, it is not as severe as pot and other drugs because it is water soluble. It flushes out well with water so your body can get rid of it faster. If you want a drink, do so at least 24 hours before singing, and give your body a chance to fully regain normal fluid levels by drinking lots of water.

Drinking Alcohol and Singing

Alcohol causes increased production of mucous because it dilates the blood capillaries. It acts as an irritant to your vocal folds, dehydrates your body while it strips your system of B vitamins, essential nutrients for the proper function of your nervous system. Lack of these vitamins contributes to physical stress.

You may have noticed your body feeling more relaxed after having an alcoholic drink or two. This is the sedative effect which then impairs overall muscular coordination and physical efficiency including that of your vocal folds. Alcohol can have a numbing effect on your throat and reduce awareness that you may be using too much force. Not being aware of it, you wouldn¹t be able to do anything about it. But by the end of the night or by the next day, you will be aware of the negative repercussions of singing with a dehydrated and forced voice. If you¹re going to have a drink, wait until after the show. Dress extra warm if you have to go out into cold temperatures after performing. Before retiring, drink a glass or two of water and take some B vitamins so that you help your body re-balance itself. Alcohol takes 24 hours to leave your system.

Q: "What are the best foods and beverages to drink before a performance or recording session?"
A: I can reduce my answer down to one important concept: Keep it simple. Give your body energy so that it can perform for you, and help it to digest and operate well by keeping your intake simple. I personally find the best foods to be juicy fruit and raw salads with a little light dressing, and light low fat proteins such as tofu, turkey and fish. Do not go hungry the day of a recording or performance because it will stress your body and deny it the energy it needs to perform well. The sound of your voice is created by small internal muscle movements. Muscles need energy to function well. They also need fluid for their energy, flexibility and elasticity. Room temperature water is the best. The reason for this is that when you swallow, it rolls down behind and past your larynx (voice box). So if the temperature of what you¹ve swallowed is either cold or hot, it will affect the muscles of your larynx and vocal folds. This would be like putting a hot or cold compress on your leg muscles right before running a race. So drink your hot or cold drinks after the rehearsal, show or recording session. Before or during these times, just drink room temperature water.

What about caffeine?
Caffeine, like alcohol is a drug and a poison which dehydrates the body. Granted it is milder than other drugs, but in coffee where it blends with acids and heavy oils, it has been found to be an irritant to the vocal folds tending to induce stiffness and mucous build-up. You may experience a slight burning or irritation of your vocal folds or need to clear your throat after drinking coffee. For some, the adverse effects disappear after a while. If you decide to continue as a coffee drinker, be sure to include drinking plenty of water throughout the day (8-8oz. glasses daily). This will help to flush out your system and restore the bodily fluids that have been lost from your body's reaction to the caffeine. Many soft drinks, especially Cola and black teas also contain caffeine.

Basic rules About Food And Drink
- Do not drink coffee within two to three hours prior to singing and drink lots of water to re-hydrate.
- Do not drink alcohol within 24 hours prior to a show, rehearsal or recording session.
- Do not drink iced beverages within two to three hours prior to singing.
- Do not drink hot beverages prior to or during singing.
- Do drink lots of room temperature water.
- Do eat high water content fruit and vegetables for hydration, minerals and energy.
- Do eat low fat protein to help your muscles perform their best.

Jeannie Deva is an internationally respected vocal coach, originator of The Deva Method®, A Non-Classical Approach for Singers ™ and author of "The Contemporary Vocalist". A growing network of Deva Method voice teachers are located on East and West coasts, with her largest school located in Boston, MA(since 1977). Jeannie holds a Bachelors degree from Berklee College of Music where, in 1975, she assisted in launching their vocal department. As a Recording Studio Vocal Specialist, she is flown trans-continent to work with singers during album recording. Ms Deva's many endorsers range from Jazz pianist Chick Corea to producers / engineers for Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, Bette Midler, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and others. She delivers voice clinics, workshops and music industry panels around the world. Clients include label recording artists, Grammy award winners and nominees.