Singing Tips
# Plan ahead
# Sore throat? Try an apple or pear (or their juices)
# Don't do anything that will hurt your voice in any way
# When looking for a teacher, ask about his/her backgroud in music, and whether they are willing to help you learn how to sing something other than their style of singing
# Just because a singer sounds nice doesn't mean s/he can sing
# When you are learning to sing, you are doing it to find out what your voice is capable of, not someone else's; be happy with what you have
# To those who want to sing pop music: There is nothing wrong with learning classical
# To those who wish to sing classical: There is nothing wrong with learning popular
# You are not the person on the radio-don't try to imitate them unless you are trying to learn something
# Don't inhale any kind of smoke at any time whatsoever
Reason: Smoke sticks to and burns your vocal cords.
# Don't drink
# Don't do drugs
# Don't allow people to come at your vocal cords with sharp instruments. In other words: Don't allow doctors to perform surgery on your vocal cords, as there is a possibility you may never sing again after this. The only way to not have vocal problems is to not do harm to your voice in the first place, a skill which isn't taught due to lack of information.
# No more yelling
# You can forget ice-cold drinks unless you have some sort of trauma to the throat area, i.e. tonsils removed, that sort fo thing.
Reason: It tightens up your vocal cords. They must be warm and loose in order for you to sing properly.
# Don't talk too much
Reason: It wears down your vocal cords.
# Try to stay away from a lot of dust
# Try to cough a little quieter
# Don't sing any song out of your range
# No more than 3 performances per week
# Don't sing your loudest for extended periods of time
# Ask as many questions of as many people as you can about singing
# Keep away from air conditioning for at least two hours before a performance
# Get to know and understand the organs involved in singing
# Singing will help to cure a sore throat that is not the result of oversinging or overtalking
# Practice as slowly and softly as possible
# Learn every style of singing you can
# Dairy products cause phlegm
# Singing helps to get rid of phlegm
# Keep a mint or hard candy handy
# When singing, make sure you know what the song is about by knowing what all the words mean and what is going on in the music.
# If you must sing in a group, make sure you know what the other voices are doing
# Know what the music is doing
# Contrary to classical tradition, taking pictures is not a distraction
# It is harder to make an audience sit in quiet awe than it is to start a party
# Play to the back of the crowd
# Being hoarse in the morning does not mean you will be hoarse in the evening
# After performing, place a warm, wet towel around your neck and do not speak for 10 minutes
# Gargle with warm water containing 1/2 tsp each of salt and baking soda
# Try to wear only one fabric on stage
Reason: Those lights get hot
# Learning how to sing well takes time. There are no shortcuts.
# Try to make as little air as possible come out of your mouth when you are singing a musical phrase
# Train your ears by playing only the first note of a musical exercise
# Always take one day a week off
# Unless it's called for, always stand with good posture (this does not mean standing stiffly) when you sing
# Any move you make will affect the sound you are trying to produce
# Keep the tip of you tongue below your teeth
# Don't exert yourself the day before a performance
Source: Dwayne's Singing Page
