The good voice guide
By Vocalzone® in association with
The Edinburgh Voice Centre
The human voice is a precious, delicate mechanism; used properly, it rarely goes wrong. The harsh environments and smoky atmospheres of modern
living, though, can often cause hoarseness, unreliability and even complete failure. If you are a singer or actor - amateur or professional, solo or
choral - voice problems can have a major effect on your career.
Vocalzone and the Edinburgh Voice Centre have jointly produced this Good Voice Guide, packed with tips and advice on keeping your voice in first
class condition. If your voice is important to you, this Guide - and Vocalzone - will help you maintain it properly.
Don't smoke
If you care about your voice, you should not smoke. The irritants in tobacco damage the voice and will certainly shorten your vocal career. As a
smoker you are more prone to infection and your voice can become unreliable.
Stay hydrated.
Caffeine, alcohol and some drugs can prevent the body from retaining water. The vocal folds' protective cushioned layers need to be kept moist to
stay healthy. Avoid too much tea or coffee, colas, alcohol etc. - no more than 2-3 per day, no later than mid afternoon. Drink as much water as
possible - we suggest 2 litres a day (6-8 glasses), even more if you are working in a dry environment such as on stage or in the theatre.
Many medications are dehydrating; check with your pharmacist or doctor. Also try to avoid hot dry atmospheres or air conditioned areas.
Generally, your body is well hydrated when your urine is very pale. As they say - "pee pale".
Monitor your voice use
Everyone's voice has their own limits. Know yours! Obviously, loud harsh talking or singing is more damaging than gentle use, so avoid prolonged
use in "hard" environments such as clubs and pubs; even using your mobile in a noisy place.
Don't shout when you don't have to!! Your vocal cords collide with each other more than a million times a day. Any extra activity adds to that and
puts a strain on those cords.
When recovering from a voice problem, avoid unnecessary conversation - phone calls, chatting, etc. - and try to monitor your voice use. Keep to 2
hours of intensive use a day (performing, rehearsing, public speaking or meetings) and remember that the more intensive the use, the less time your
voice will last.
Always warm up
Your vocal folds are muscles. Like any muscles, they need a thorough warm up before exercise to get the best performance. We recommend very gentle
humming and glides, for about five minutes in the morning and before intensive voice use. After the warm-up, give your voice 10-15 minutes rest before
the performance. Contact the Voice Centre for detailed information on warm-up exercises.
Use the warm-up period to relax; check your breathing habits and drink some water! Healthy habits pay off in the long term - and bad habits cost.
Just because you get away without warming up now does not mean that you will never need to.
Avoid late night eating
This can result in stomach acid spilling into your larynx, causing hoarseness. Tell-tale signs are bad breath (especially first thing), prolonged
warm-up (more than 15-20 minutes), and a sour taste in the mouth.
Avoid repeated throat clearing
Clearing your throat and coughing can damage the vocal folds. Try sipping water instead, or sucking a Vocalzone.
Manage your stress
Stress can be very harmful to the voice, causing forced voice production and vocal fold damage. Relaxation techniques, deep breathing and regular
exercise can help.
Watch out for…
persistent breathiness, hoarseness or pain. They may signal a voice problem. A consistently unreliable voice can also signal deeper problems.
Always consult your doctor or voice coach if you feel you may have a problem.
Vocalzone: the key to a healthy voice
 Vocalzone is specially
formulated for voice care, and is designed specifically to relieve irritations due to excessive singing, speaking or smoking. It also soothes the dry,
irritated throats that often accompany the common cold. A unique blend of natural ingredients first developed as long ago as 1910, Vocalzone's active
ingredients include menthol, peppermint oil, liquorice extract and myrrh tincture.
Tom Jones, Kelly of the Stereophonics, Cerys of Catatonia and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker are regular users, as are many other professional singers and
speakers; you can read a selection of their testimonials on the web site.
Vocalzone is a unique product, ideally suited to helping singers maintain their clarity of voice. If you sing, or act, or speak regularly in
public, Vocalzone will ensure that you always keep a clear voice.
Product history
Vocalzone was first created for Enrico Caruso, the renowned Italian tenor, in the early part of the 20th Century. The creator was a chemist in
Carmarthen, a small town in the South West of Wales and the product subsequently remained in the family for many years. Vocalzone is the only product
in the world that is uniquely suited to helping singers maintain their clarity of voice, and the product's success over the years has been reflected
in the consistently fine performances of the stars who use it.
A satisfied customer
"I hope that the message gets out that Vocalzones are the best throat pastilles in the world." Tom Jones
This article originally appeared in print as The Good Voice Guide from Vocalzone and the Edinburgh Voice Centre. You can find out
more information about Vocalzone Throat Pastilles at www.vocalzones.com. The Edinburgh Voice Centre is at
www.voicecentre.org.
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