Summertime! Ahh, the nice, pleasant time of year when we think of summer vacations, trips to the beach or pool, or whatever dream you have.
But, what does this hotter weather do to your singing voice?
When you begin singing in warm weather, do you need to take special precautions?
Can Singing in Warm Weather Really Take a Toll on Your Throat?
Today, the vocal lesson includes how the weather affects your voice. Yes, I’m aware that all seasons change you in one way or another.
What’s happening with the weather outside could affect how you sound when singing. These tips for singing in warm weather will change your perspective on this vocal challenge.
Your voice changes with heat or cold or humid conditions. These singing tips will help you to overcome some of these challenges.
Critical Tips for Summer Singing
First, there are a lot of methods singers need to learn in order to protect their voices. Some of these include:
- How to warm up the vocal chords
- what to eat and drink before singing
- and how certain weather conditions can interfere with your singing voice.
So yes, the weather actually does have an impact on your voice.
Baby It’s Hot Outside! Singing & Humidity
It’s a known fact that hot and humid conditions can dry out your mouth and throat. And, this condition can make it very difficult to sing at your optimum levels.
Also, humidity causes shortness of breath making it near impossible to reach those high notes that you need. Warm weather also tends to come with pollen making allergies affect the nose and throat.
These allergies along with the short breaths make it harder to use your breathing techniques to sing.
Sometimes, singing and weather conditions do not mix well. Hydration, lots of rest, and good breathing should help with the heat and humidity.
Fortunately, there are some cool singing tips (pardon the pun) to make it easier on yourself during the warm summer conditions.
First and foremost, make sure that you are drinking even more water than usual to keep yourself well hydrated.
The water should not be too warm and not too cold. Tap or cool bottled water should do just fine.
Remedies for Summer Time Sore or Scratchy Throat
Hot, summer weather can result in a scratchy or even a sore throat. Now, it’s possible to sing with these issues. But, you need to take care of them for your vocal health.
If your throat bothers you, try these three solutions:
- Gargle with warm saltwater rinses
- suck on hard candies
- or try some honey.
Herbal teas present another great option to help with improving your voice.
And, as I’ve stated multiple times, you should always warm up your voice before practicing or performing at a show so that you do not strain your vocal chords.
A No-No for Singers – Keep Away from These Voice Killers..
Avoid caffeinated beverages and dairy products. Consuming food & drink with these added tend to constrict your vocal chords.
This condition makes it even tougher to keep in control of your breathing.
Breathe to Sing in Hot Weather
Before a performance or audition, practice slow breathing to help regulate it. You’ll see an improvement in your voice quality.
When you must sing, and weather conditions are extremely hot and humid, you may feel a panicky feeling.
Using slow breathing techniques can help to alleviate these feelings.
Relax. You can even sing at a karaoke bar as practice for using your techniques before going in front a big crowd for a performance.
Practicing scales can also be beneficial for working on your voice and breathing control.
Sleep Tight – Voice Right!
Be sure and get plenty of rest the night before singing. And, eat a light meal an hour or two before you will be performing.
Next, have plenty of lukewarm water available.
Also keep hard candy and herbal teas on hand in case you need them.
Are You Ready to Sing in the Summertime?
The art of singing in warm weather is not such a mystery. But, my final thought is to take care of your singing voice no matter what the atmosphere brings outside.
Yes, it’s easy to ignore these facts and just take your chances. But, for my voice, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Once you climb up on that stage, it’s too late to prepare!
When you use these tips, and are prepared for warmer than normal temperatures, your natural talent should shine through and help your voice.
If you need more singing help, Singorama is the course I chose. On the blog, I wrote a review of the singing system so you can learn what it offers.
==> See the Singorama vocal course review here ..
So, now you know.. It’s true! Singing in warm weather can work since you know what to do. Okay, where did I put that sheet music? – Bob
Note: Music video above by Kenny Loggins performing This Is It. (C) 1993 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.