Understanding & Taking Care of Your Voice! …How the voice works, cold & flu prevention and vocal abuse.

Understanding & Taking Care of

Your Voice!

Understanding & Taking Care of

Your Voice!

……How the voice works, cold & flu How the voice works, cold & flu prevention and vocal abuse.prevention and vocal abuse.

……How the voice works, cold & flu How the voice works, cold & flu prevention and vocal abuse.prevention and vocal abuse.

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How is vocal sound produced?How is vocal sound produced?

Vocal sound is produced by Vocal sound is produced by vibration of the vocal folds. vibration of the vocal folds.

The vocal folds are two bands The vocal folds are two bands of smooth muscle tissue that lie of smooth muscle tissue that lie opposite each other. They are opposite each other. They are located in the larynx or voice located in the larynx or voice box. box.

The larynx is positioned The larynx is positioned between the base of the tongue between the base of the tongue and the top of the trachea and the top of the trachea (windpipe), the passageway to (windpipe), the passageway to the lungs.the lungs.

When at rest, the vocal folds When at rest, the vocal folds are open to allow an individual are open to allow an individual to breathe. to breathe.

Vocal sound is produced by Vocal sound is produced by vibration of the vocal folds. vibration of the vocal folds.

The vocal folds are two bands The vocal folds are two bands of smooth muscle tissue that lie of smooth muscle tissue that lie opposite each other. They are opposite each other. They are located in the larynx or voice located in the larynx or voice box. box.

The larynx is positioned The larynx is positioned between the base of the tongue between the base of the tongue and the top of the trachea and the top of the trachea (windpipe), the passageway to (windpipe), the passageway to the lungs.the lungs.

When at rest, the vocal folds When at rest, the vocal folds are open to allow an individual are open to allow an individual to breathe. to breathe.

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How is voice produced?How is voice produced? First, the folds come First, the folds come

together in a firm but together in a firm but relaxed way. relaxed way.

Air from the lungs passes Air from the lungs passes through them, causing through them, causing vibration and thus making vibration and thus making sound. sound.

The sound from this The sound from this vibration then travels vibration then travels through the throat, nose, through the throat, nose, and mouth (resonating and mouth (resonating cavities). cavities).

The size and shape of The size and shape of these cavities, along with these cavities, along with the size and shape of the the size and shape of the vocal folds, help to vocal folds, help to determine voice quality.determine voice quality.

First, the folds come First, the folds come together in a firm but together in a firm but relaxed way. relaxed way.

Air from the lungs passes Air from the lungs passes through them, causing through them, causing vibration and thus making vibration and thus making sound. sound.

The sound from this The sound from this vibration then travels vibration then travels through the throat, nose, through the throat, nose, and mouth (resonating and mouth (resonating cavities). cavities).

The size and shape of The size and shape of these cavities, along with these cavities, along with the size and shape of the the size and shape of the vocal folds, help to vocal folds, help to determine voice quality.determine voice quality.

• Variety within an individual Variety within an individual voice is the result of voice is the result of lengthening or shortening, lengthening or shortening, tensing or relaxing the vocal tensing or relaxing the vocal folds.folds.

• Moving the cartilages, or Moving the cartilages, or soft, flexible bone-like soft, flexible bone-like tissues to which the folds are tissues to which the folds are attached, makes these attached, makes these adjustments possible. adjustments possible.

• Shortening and relaxing Shortening and relaxing the vocal folds makes a the vocal folds makes a deep voice; lengthening deep voice; lengthening and tensing them and tensing them produces a high-pitched produces a high-pitched voice.voice.

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12 Tips to Prevent Cold & Flu12 Tips to Prevent Cold & Flu

1.1. WASH YOUR HANDSWASH YOUR HANDS2.2. DON’T COVER YOUR SNEEZES & COUGHS DON’T COVER YOUR SNEEZES & COUGHS

WITH YOUR HANDS WITH YOUR HANDS - if you can help it, use a tissue- if you can help it, use a tissue

3.3. DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACEDON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE4.4. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDSDRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS5.5. VISIT A SAUNAVISIT A SAUNA6.6. GET FRESH AIRGET FRESH AIR

- germs like the indoors- germs like the indoors7.7. DO AEROBIC EXERCISE REGULARLYDO AEROBIC EXERCISE REGULARLY8.8. EAT DARK GREEN, RED AND YELLOW EAT DARK GREEN, RED AND YELLOW

VEGETABLE AND FRUITSVEGETABLE AND FRUITS

1.1. WASH YOUR HANDSWASH YOUR HANDS2.2. DON’T COVER YOUR SNEEZES & COUGHS DON’T COVER YOUR SNEEZES & COUGHS

WITH YOUR HANDS WITH YOUR HANDS - if you can help it, use a tissue- if you can help it, use a tissue

3.3. DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACEDON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE4.4. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDSDRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS5.5. VISIT A SAUNAVISIT A SAUNA6.6. GET FRESH AIRGET FRESH AIR

- germs like the indoors- germs like the indoors7.7. DO AEROBIC EXERCISE REGULARLYDO AEROBIC EXERCISE REGULARLY8.8. EAT DARK GREEN, RED AND YELLOW EAT DARK GREEN, RED AND YELLOW

VEGETABLE AND FRUITSVEGETABLE AND FRUITS

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12 Tips to Prevent Cold & Flu12 Tips to Prevent Cold & Flu

9. EAT YOGURT9. EAT YOGURT- reduces colds by 25%- reduces colds by 25%

10. DON’T SMOKE!10. DON’T SMOKE!- even being around it zaps your immune - even being around it zaps your immune

systemsystem- it dries out your nasal passages- it dries out your nasal passages- paralyzes cilia in nose- paralyzes cilia in nose

11. NO ALCOHOL11. NO ALCOHOL- destroys the liver; the body’s filtering - destroys the liver; the body’s filtering

systemsystem12. 12. RELAXRELAX - it can activate your immune system - it can activate your immune system

9. EAT YOGURT9. EAT YOGURT- reduces colds by 25%- reduces colds by 25%

10. DON’T SMOKE!10. DON’T SMOKE!- even being around it zaps your immune - even being around it zaps your immune

systemsystem- it dries out your nasal passages- it dries out your nasal passages- paralyzes cilia in nose- paralyzes cilia in nose

11. NO ALCOHOL11. NO ALCOHOL- destroys the liver; the body’s filtering - destroys the liver; the body’s filtering

systemsystem12. 12. RELAXRELAX - it can activate your immune system - it can activate your immune system

Vocalists Guide to RecoveryVocalists Guide to Recovery Drink plenty of waterDrink plenty of water REST! … sleep BEFORE midnightREST! … sleep BEFORE midnight Avoid severe/violent coughing - can Avoid severe/violent coughing - can

injure the vocal foldsinjure the vocal folds Vitamins C and DVitamins C and D Steam Inhalation - hotSteam Inhalation - hot Vocal Rest - Avoid singing and talking Vocal Rest - Avoid singing and talking

until medications are finished to allow until medications are finished to allow inflammation to reduceinflammation to reduce

Avoid caffeinated tea, coffee, cream & Avoid caffeinated tea, coffee, cream & alcohol before singing - these can alcohol before singing - these can have a dehydrating effecthave a dehydrating effect

Drink plenty of waterDrink plenty of water REST! … sleep BEFORE midnightREST! … sleep BEFORE midnight Avoid severe/violent coughing - can Avoid severe/violent coughing - can

injure the vocal foldsinjure the vocal folds Vitamins C and DVitamins C and D Steam Inhalation - hotSteam Inhalation - hot Vocal Rest - Avoid singing and talking Vocal Rest - Avoid singing and talking

until medications are finished to allow until medications are finished to allow inflammation to reduceinflammation to reduce

Avoid caffeinated tea, coffee, cream & Avoid caffeinated tea, coffee, cream & alcohol before singing - these can alcohol before singing - these can have a dehydrating effecthave a dehydrating effect

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Vocalists Guide to RecoveryVocalists Guide to Recovery

Avoid yelling and screaming if possibleAvoid yelling and screaming if possible If hoarse, talk in a higher registerIf hoarse, talk in a higher register Don’t allow that “froggy” sound!Don’t allow that “froggy” sound!

If any part of your throat hurts when you sing, DON’T If any part of your throat hurts when you sing, DON’T SING!SING!

Once recovered, begin with humming for 5-10 mins Once recovered, begin with humming for 5-10 mins then build up to exercises in your mid-range then build up to exercises in your mid-range

Avoid throat spray productsAvoid throat spray products

Avoid yelling and screaming if possibleAvoid yelling and screaming if possible If hoarse, talk in a higher registerIf hoarse, talk in a higher register Don’t allow that “froggy” sound!Don’t allow that “froggy” sound!

If any part of your throat hurts when you sing, DON’T If any part of your throat hurts when you sing, DON’T SING!SING!

Once recovered, begin with humming for 5-10 mins Once recovered, begin with humming for 5-10 mins then build up to exercises in your mid-range then build up to exercises in your mid-range

Avoid throat spray productsAvoid throat spray products

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Normal LarynxNormal Larynx

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Signs of Vocal Abuse:Signs of Vocal Abuse:

Throat is tender to the touch after useThroat is tender to the touch after use Voice is hoarse at the end of singingVoice is hoarse at the end of singing Throat is very dry, with a noticeable tickle Throat is very dry, with a noticeable tickle

- check dehydration- check dehydration Inability to produce your highest notes at Inability to produce your highest notes at

a pianissimo volumea pianissimo volume Hoarseness or inability to sing with a clear Hoarseness or inability to sing with a clear

voice after 24-48 hours of vocal restvoice after 24-48 hours of vocal rest

Throat is tender to the touch after useThroat is tender to the touch after use Voice is hoarse at the end of singingVoice is hoarse at the end of singing Throat is very dry, with a noticeable tickle Throat is very dry, with a noticeable tickle

- check dehydration- check dehydration Inability to produce your highest notes at Inability to produce your highest notes at

a pianissimo volumea pianissimo volume Hoarseness or inability to sing with a clear Hoarseness or inability to sing with a clear

voice after 24-48 hours of vocal restvoice after 24-48 hours of vocal rest

Vocal NoduleVocal Nodule

A callus on a vocal fold that results from vocal abuse.A callus on a vocal fold that results from vocal abuse. Can get bad enough to require surgical removalCan get bad enough to require surgical removal Common treatment is simply vocal rest - up to 4 weeks!Common treatment is simply vocal rest - up to 4 weeks!

A callus on a vocal fold that results from vocal abuse.A callus on a vocal fold that results from vocal abuse. Can get bad enough to require surgical removalCan get bad enough to require surgical removal Common treatment is simply vocal rest - up to 4 weeks!Common treatment is simply vocal rest - up to 4 weeks!

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Laryngopharyngeal (Acid) RefluxLaryngopharyngeal (Acid) Reflux

Swelling to the Swelling to the back of the back of the larynx because larynx because of acid caused of acid caused by reflux.by reflux.

Swelling to the Swelling to the back of the back of the larynx because larynx because of acid caused of acid caused by reflux.by reflux.

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Normal larynx ^

Mr. Smith’s larynx!

Vocal CystVocal Cyst A collection of fluid in a sac-like A collection of fluid in a sac-like

structurestructure Lesion that can occur singly or in pairsLesion that can occur singly or in pairs Surgery usually required to remove a Surgery usually required to remove a

cyst followed by vocal restcyst followed by vocal rest

A collection of fluid in a sac-like A collection of fluid in a sac-like structurestructure

Lesion that can occur singly or in pairsLesion that can occur singly or in pairs Surgery usually required to remove a Surgery usually required to remove a

cyst followed by vocal restcyst followed by vocal rest

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PolypPolyp

Lesions that develop Lesions that develop from vocal abusefrom vocal abuse

Similar to a blisterSimilar to a blister

Lesions that develop Lesions that develop from vocal abusefrom vocal abuse

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Vocal Fold HemorrhageVocal Fold Hemorrhage

A broken blood vessel A broken blood vessel in the mucosal layer of in the mucosal layer of the fold.the fold.

These may rupture and These may rupture and bleed after loud bleed after loud voicing, after sustained voicing, after sustained voicing, or when they voicing, or when they are more fragile than are more fragile than normal - i.e. when they normal - i.e. when they are swollen during are swollen during laryngitis.laryngitis.

A broken blood vessel A broken blood vessel in the mucosal layer of in the mucosal layer of the fold.the fold.

These may rupture and These may rupture and bleed after loud bleed after loud voicing, after sustained voicing, after sustained voicing, or when they voicing, or when they are more fragile than are more fragile than normal - i.e. when they normal - i.e. when they are swollen during are swollen during laryngitis.laryngitis.

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SO… Maintaining Vocal Health!SO… Maintaining Vocal Health! Eat a balanced diet - when using your voice a lot, avoid large Eat a balanced diet - when using your voice a lot, avoid large

amounts of salt & sugar, spicy food, alcohol, caffeinated amounts of salt & sugar, spicy food, alcohol, caffeinated beverages & artificially sweetened beverages.beverages & artificially sweetened beverages.

Maintain body hydration - 7 to 9 glasses of water a dayMaintain body hydration - 7 to 9 glasses of water a day Avoid dry artificial climatesAvoid dry artificial climates Avoid smoking or breathing smoggy polluted airAvoid smoking or breathing smoggy polluted air Avoid singing in a tessitura at the extremes of your own Avoid singing in a tessitura at the extremes of your own

range - VOCAL SUICIDErange - VOCAL SUICIDE Avoid continual heavy throat clearing - be gentle with Avoid continual heavy throat clearing - be gentle with

the folds!the folds! Emotional and physical stress contribute to vocal Emotional and physical stress contribute to vocal

distressdistress Avoid screaming and yelling in excess - abusive to the Avoid screaming and yelling in excess - abusive to the

chordschords Talk in a comfortable, not “froggy” registerTalk in a comfortable, not “froggy” register

Eat a balanced diet - when using your voice a lot, avoid large Eat a balanced diet - when using your voice a lot, avoid large amounts of salt & sugar, spicy food, alcohol, caffeinated amounts of salt & sugar, spicy food, alcohol, caffeinated beverages & artificially sweetened beverages.beverages & artificially sweetened beverages.

Maintain body hydration - 7 to 9 glasses of water a dayMaintain body hydration - 7 to 9 glasses of water a day Avoid dry artificial climatesAvoid dry artificial climates Avoid smoking or breathing smoggy polluted airAvoid smoking or breathing smoggy polluted air Avoid singing in a tessitura at the extremes of your own Avoid singing in a tessitura at the extremes of your own

range - VOCAL SUICIDErange - VOCAL SUICIDE Avoid continual heavy throat clearing - be gentle with Avoid continual heavy throat clearing - be gentle with

the folds!the folds! Emotional and physical stress contribute to vocal Emotional and physical stress contribute to vocal

distressdistress Avoid screaming and yelling in excess - abusive to the Avoid screaming and yelling in excess - abusive to the

chordschords Talk in a comfortable, not “froggy” registerTalk in a comfortable, not “froggy” register