Expert: Patrick J. Murray - 11/16/2011

Question
hello sir

I m asking about is their any advisable  hot drink or herbs can I take before recording my voice , if yes let me know your recommendation ?

generally , what I have to do , what I have to avoid for preserving my voice quality let me know some voice over preserving tip ?

thanks

Answer
Hi Ahmed.....

Thanks for stopping by....

There are some ways to preserve your voice if you are on the air and using it a lot...You mentioned a hot drink...I have known announcers to use tea and honey as an excellent lubricant for the throat. The tea of course is the warm part of the equation and the honey provides you with a soothing thin glaze over the vocal chords. That seemed to be most popular.

Here is the reprint of an article on 7 tips to save your voice....

"Ronda Alexander, M.D., assistant professor in the department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, is on a mission to save voices. She knows firsthand how important the voice is and how easily it can be lost. For years she sang background vocals for studio sessions and traveled extensively with a gospel singing group.

"Most people think that only professional singers, broadcasters or speakers have to take special care of their voices," said Alexander. "But the truth is, we all rely on our voices both at work and at home and we should all take precautionary measures to keep our voices healthy."

Since winter can be an especially harsh time for the voice, Alexander offers the following tips:

Drink plenty of water. You’ve heard it over and over but it’s true: Water is good for you. Staying well-hydrated keeps your airway healthy.

Avoid smoke. Tobacco smoke and other airborne irritants can cause your vocal cords to swell and ruin your sound. Try to stay away from smoky parties and never stand near a barbeque grill while talking.

Wash your hands often. According to the Centers for Disease Control, dirty hands are one of the quickest ways to spread bacteria. So wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your face.

Check your medications. Some medications for allergies and other chronic conditions can dry out your vocal cords. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your medications can adversely affect your voice.

Drink alcohol moderately. People tend to speak at a louder volume after drinking a few alcoholic beverages, and alcohol contributes to extra-esophageal reflux, which can cause damage to the vocal cords.

Eat early. Eating large meals late also increases the likelihood of extra-esophageal reflux. Try to stay upright for two to three hours after eating and don’t over-indulge.

Keep your friends close. It’s important to control the volume of your voice in social situations. Try not to yell from room to room in your home and, in noisy settings, use a normal voice and lean in.

Listen to your body. If all else fails, give your voice a break. Voice rest allows your vocal cords to recover from overuse. Practice being a good listener."

Those are some excellent thoughts on taking care of your voice. If you need any further answers that I can help you with, please stop on back!

Patrick Murray