04 Vocal Rest

In this lesson, we’ll talk about:

How the singing and speaking voice are one and the same
Why vocal rest is imperative for singers
Practical strategies for vocal rest
When (and when not) to sing through sickness

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Responses

Lacecf October 31, 2021

Hi Charmaine, I am a new teacher and speaking everyday loudly for hours at a time is exhausting for my vocals. I was wondering how to protect my voice as a teacher. Should I warm up my voice in the morning/ do some exercises at night to relax the vocals? On top of that, I don’t know when to do vocal exercises with all this vocal strain during the day. On the one hand, I do feel like the talking loudly all day had strengthened my vocals a little, but with all the strain I feel like it’s affecting my voice when I sing. Would love any advice!

Charmaine Brown November 2, 2021

Hey Lace! Yes, absolutely it will be good for you to do a warmup in the morning before you teach. I would recommend doing a long slow warmup like my “Sunday Morning Warmup” — that will give your voice more stamina for sure. And then beyond that, find times in the day where you can rest your voice completely for 30-60 minutes. So important! You may need to take a few weeks break from doing extra workouts until your voice builds up the stamina, and has the rest it needs. Check in again in a few weeks to let me know how it’s going!

FBCCorinth August 28, 2021

Hi Charmaine! I have taken a rest for about three months because of a stressful time in my life. During that time I did not singing except in the congregation on Sundays. This was my first week back on the vocal team. I did vocal exercises from Discover Your Voice and some from Mastering Mix from Singing Success on Tuesday, and some warm ups on Thursday which is the night we have practice. My voice was so weak and strained. Do you think I should drop back to less vocal exercises, and work up to more? I have never taken a break for this long with no singing, and I did turn 61 this year. I definitely have to work harder to keep my vocals working. Just wondering if you have some advice for me.

Charmaine Brown August 30, 2021

Hi Cheryl! Yes, you will need to work up to doing more—when the voice has been on a break, we have to ease back in. Start with half of the Discover Your Voice Full Voice workout, every 2nd day, for one week—then do the whole workout every 2nd day for 1-2 weeks. Beyond that you can start doing a vocal workout every day if you’d like—but whenever your voice is feeling tired, give it a rest! I declare refreshing and healing over your voice, body and mind in this season! Jesus has new rhythms of grace for you to flow in—His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 🙂

Livjoy April 27, 2021

Hi Charmaine, I am a gymnastics coach and my voice often gets really tired and irritated after a long day of coaching especially with wearing a mask. I’m trying to take care of my voice as much as possible but with this being my profession vocal rest is tough to be able to do. Any suggestions?

Charmaine Brown May 1, 2021

Hmm… I hear ya! With a profession like that, vocal rest is absolutely crucial (and there’s nothing that replaces it!)—so anytime you are not working, I recommend finding 30, 60, 90 minute intervals where you can be as quiet as possible!

andreaalexis April 23, 2021

Hi Charmaine!
So I am a worship leader and I have a big conference to sing this coming Thursday. It is a long conference with multiple days and times of singing.

I recently got a cold and started coughing and have been coughing for days. ( I am over the cold but the cough and congestion is still there)

How can I get rid of the congestion/cough and get my voice back in shape before the conference?

I haven’t tried singing so I have no idea how my voice is sounding.

I have been doing everything I know to do to get better.

Thank you!
Blessings.

Charmaine Brown April 26, 2021

Hey! Well first of all, in Jesus name—all symptoms must GO! Healing come! The absolute best thing I can recommend is cutting out ALL sugar, dairy and gluten. And I mean ALL. Eat as plant based as possible—as many veggies and fruits as you can fit in a day!! Also eat spoonfuls of raw organic honey with a drop of oregano oil on it a couple times a day. And a spoonful of apple cider vinegar mixed in your water throughout the day. That’s how I get rid of the symptoms that hang on!

1. andreaalexis April 29, 2021
  
  Okay, will do!!
  Thank you so so much!!!
  Blessings:)

heatherxenia March 1, 2021

Hi Charmaine! I’m on vocal rest due to an extended sore throat. When I need to speak, which is easier on my vocal chords: whispering, or just speaking softly?

Charmaine Brown March 1, 2021

Hey Heather! Whispering is very rough on the vocal cords, especially when the throat is sore or inflamed. It’s best to speak quietly but in a clear tone. I speak healing over your voice in Jesus name!

1. heatherxenia March 3, 2021
  
  Wow! I’m so glad I asked! I had been whispering all morning in hopes that it would help. I will definitely stop doing that! Thanks for your prayers!
  
  1. Charmaine Brown March 3, 2021
    
    Glad to help!

04 Vocal Rest

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