We are back in that winter season were many singers do
complain of cold and the adverse effect this would have on their singing voice.
I will be telling you some things you need to know about the weather and how it
affects our singing voice. I would also be giving you useful tips on how to
keep your singing voice at its best. Also, things you should avoid this winter
in other not to suffer the many effects that comes with it.
Winter is generally characterized by a significant drop in temperature
and everyone usually trying to get them warm. Most importantly for singers it
is the time when singing takes much effort to be done. It is most likely in
winter to catch cold which would adversely affect the singer productivity. It is
therefore very important to keep yourself warm in this cold season.
Cold weather can lead to other serious health problems as
the body initiates responses to conserve the heat in the body and to increase
heat production.
This includes vasoconstriction, cessation of sweating,
shivering, secretion of norephinephrine, epinephrine and thyroxin.
All this responses of the body to cold are not without some adverse
effect. Being too cold will result to poor thyroid functioning which include
hyperthyroidism. Also, the effect of cold on the cardiovascular system can also
be damaging as it can result to heart attack as the blood viscosity increases,
blood pressure changes, and the heart has to work harder.
Now as a singer what effects has cold on your singing voice?
The common one is inflammation in the vocal cords or of the surrounding
membranes and tissues, which modify the amount of air that passes between the
cords when we articulate sounds. Because the vocal cords are very thin, to
begin with, even the slightest change in their thickness is enough to trigger a
massive modification of pitch and intonation in the voice. These can be frustrating
for a singer who had made great effort to keep his voice in shape only to face
the harsh consequences of a cold weather. In more severe cases, the singer will
find it even difficult to speak except in whisper when the vocal cords can no
longer vibrate resulting in laryngitis.
So my advice to all singer is to avoid getting cold as much
as possible and to stay warm. Ways you can actually avoid getting cold:
- · Stay warm in some winter jumpers. Avoid exposing your body to the dry wind.
- · Get those sweats on and exercise.
- · Keep away from cold drinks.
- · Remember to use your blanket when going to bed and ensure you get enough sleep.
- · Start your vocal exercise by humming for 5-10minutes and gradually starting from your middle range sing without hurting your vocal cords.
- · Take a lot of water, warm water at room temperature.
