Onions are an old home remedy renowned for their healing properties and are known to relieve coughs, colds and catarrh. Many musicians and music industry insiders swear by the benefits of crushed white onion and maple syrup topped with warm water. If this sounds unpalatable, try simmering the onion to dampen the taste then adding maple syrup and warm water.
Take a tablespoon hourly for a few hours before going on stage. Adding a few drops of liquid chlorophyll to your water can help too; chlorophyll reduces inflammation and will ensure your vocal cords are primed and ready.
Adding honey or maple syrup to a glass of warm water can further soothe the vocal cords in preparation for singing. Or, if you prefer, warm it up alone and take it like medicine. There are so many different opinions to what the best foods to improve singing voice performance are. We spoke with a selection of singers who perform at the Open Mic UK competition to see what they believe the best food to eat before singing is.
A salad is a good option, with many ingredients being water-based. So if you are potentially looking at a bit more than a snack all the following in a salad are high in water content; cucumber, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and green peppers. Protein is essential for singers , both chicken, fish and turkey are a lean source of protein. It will fill you up and give you energy for stamina to keep singing for long periods.
Baking or boiling in the oven allows you to use less oil than frying. If you are Vegetarian or Vegan, a good source of protein is pulses and beans. Kidney beans are great in a salad, or if you are interested in being especially healthy and conscientious about your diet sprouting your beans and seeds is a fantastic way to get all those important micronutrients. Again, eat your fruit at room temperature. An orange or an apple has a lot more crucial nutritional value.
While dry crackers might seem like the last thing to eat before singing, actually they are great as they stimulate saliva production for hours, therefore lubricating your vocal cords accordingly. Turkey served with salad. With turkey being a lean source of protein along with containing tryptophan to reduce the nerves, combined with a salad high in water content for hydration as a side this has to be a consideration for the health conscientious singer.
For general advice on healthy eating go to this article from the BBC. Both designed to remedy sore throats but can also be used as a preventative measure before going on stage.
You can also use Slippery elm tree barks powder for reducing an upset stomach and clearing the lungs. Just take care not to put too much in otherwise its vapour can sting your eyes.
Conversely, things to avoid ingesting are those that produce excess mucus or have a drying or cooling effect. As refreshing as chilled foods or drinks might seem pre-performance, the coldness will actually constrict your vocal cords, while hot drinks may cause your vocal cords to swell.
Dairy — milk, ice cream, yoghurt — can thicken the mucous already present in your airways, which coats the vocal cords and makes singing difficult. Yes and no; bananas are made up of potassium, magnesium and tryptophan. Magnesium is a natural beta-blocker and thus a natural remedy for preventing anxiety. Tryptophan adds to the mix by triggering the release of serotonin and reducing stress.
So you need to work out if lemon is something that works for you or not. If you are going to have fruit best to chew it, juices tend to have a lot of sugar, which can go straight into your bloodstream and wear you out quicker.
It slows the digestion process down when you chew your food. When considering what to eat and drink before singing , the most important thing to remember is that you are unique. At its worst in the long-term , alcohol can increase chances of cancer, particularly in the mouth, throat and voice box by two or three times compared to non-drinkers. Despite the dangers, musicians and indeed, much of society continue to enjoy a drink or two.
This is especially true before a performance. Research by the Office of National Statistics shows that in 64 per cent of men drank more than 20 units of alcohol per week, 63 per cent of women drank more than 10 units weekly. Something that often gets missed in the discussion of drinking and singing is the possible detriment alcohol can have on your career, through missed or inadequately exploited opportunity.
Celebrating the end of a long run of shows is one thing, but a really bad hangover can often have lasting effects on the voice for several days. This is something to think about, given the fact that all musicians should want to maximise their ability to capitalise on any opportunity presented, no matter how last-minute the phone call! Vocalists Niven Smith and Karen Gilmore suggest that vodka is a safe choice if singers feel they need a drink.
Niven says;. Keep away from anything fizzy like lager or coke. I normally have a pint of orange cordial with a couple of double vodkas in. For all musicians, it is important to remember to be constantly professional. He says;. I never touch booze when I am working.
I drive to and from the gig and also feel better playing with a clear head. You can also seek medical advice from the NHS service, by calling or using online :. Clear, broth soups are also one of the best foods for the singing voice — miso soup, ABC soup, Lotus Pork Rib Soup, and chicken soup are good examples, especially because the vegetables included in the soups will give you an extra vitamin boost!
Take note though — tomato-based soups and cream-based soups are not good for the singing voice as they may cause acid reflux and increase phlegm production. GOOD: Protein sources — foods like roast chicken or baked fish are good foods for singing as they are lean sources of protein, which is essential for having energy and feeling full for longer periods, especially if the singer has a long show to perform.
BAD: Dairy products — American mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey, a regular performer at the Metropolitan Opera, avoids eating dairy products as it creates phlegm and makes it difficult to sing. These include foods with cheese, milk, or cream.
BAD: Caffeine and alcohol — these beverages are bad for singing as both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which leads to dehydration and therefore the constriction of the throat muscles. Tightness in the throat is not good for singing, as it disables the vocal folds from vibrating freely. BAD: Anything too oily and spicy — this will come as bad news for singers who enjoy fast food or Asian food.
These foods are bad for the singing voice as they grease up your throat and cause phlegm. Spicy foods in particular also cause heartburn.
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