The Right
Cords!
Amidst the chaos of technicalities, musicality, creative
pressures, showmanship, and professionalism, most artists
today forget or overlook the vitality of vocal health. Be it for
a beginner or the biggest name in the industry, vocal health
is necessary for excellence in performance and otherwise.
Considering the clutter around the topic, Mumbai-based
vocal coach Varun Uday clear the air!
What is vocal health?
Simply put, vocal health reflects the state of your physical
and mental health. Although it is singers and artists who
primarily use their voices to perform, managing vocal health
is essential for one and all. Every person must follow a basic
level of vocal hygiene because the voice is a primordial
element that evokes each and every emotion that one can feel.
It is one of the most significant communication tools used to
express yourself, effortlessly and clearly!
A well supported sound combined with the right breathing
mechanism is of immense significance. The sound produced
should be placed or directed into the mask region of the face
and into your hard palate in your buccal cavity. Not only does
this improve your sound projection but also helps keep your
vocal cords tension-free.
(Sound vibration should be felt on the nasal bridge, your lips,
upper teeth, allowing you to experience a free throat). Also, a
sufficiently moisturised vocal chords are happy vocal folds,
indicative of good hydration levels, at all given times.
Importance of vocal heath
The equation of well-maintained vocal health is
straightforward:
A HEALTHY VOICE = HEALTHY SOUND = EXPRESSION
(Singing/speaking)
If you wish to be able to use your voice to emote and produce
beautiful sounds and tones in any style/genre of your choice,
you need to pay attention to the state of your vocal cords. This
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involves a clear understanding of various mechanisms that
are simultaneously involved in producing a good voice such
as breathing, nutrition, exercise (physical and vocal) and
hydration to name a important few. It’s like being an athlete!
If your muscles are sore from the last time you worked them,
due to lack of technique or nutrition or something even as
simple as rest or insufficient sleep, you are bound to end
up with an injury sooner or later. Hindering ones ability to
perform effectively!
How can one go about keeping their voice healthy?
I can never say this enough, the life of a voice is the breath!,
learn how to 'breathe’ right!
Let’s get this straight, there is no replacement for a good
breath and a good breathing mechanism (diaphragmatic
breathing). Stop taxing your voice to produce excellent
sounds without providing it with sufficient amount of fuel
to function seamlessly. Developing the right breathing
mechanism through specific exercises, helps you win more
than half the battle of having to build and maintain a healthy
voice.
The breath to the voice is what diet is to working out. I have
fitness enthusiasts who say to me, “You can never outwork
a bad diet.” In the same way, you can never beat a weak
breath management system if you want to have a healthy and
free voice. Whether you choose to speak or sing, remember,
the instrument remains the same and depends on the breath.
Training your posture - having a healthy posture is
absolutely essential to optimise the flow of the breath helping