Far too many singers learn about vocal rest the hard way: by experiencing vocal damage. The concept of voice rest is foreign to many singers because the voice is an invisible instrument. However, it is far from non-physical.
The human voice is produced by the coordinated action of various muscles, such as the diaphragm and vocal cords. Consequently, it is susceptible to misuse, overuse, and injury, like all other muscles.
Public speakers beware!
It’s not just singers who have to worry about vocal abuse. Even public speakers can have voice problems because of how they talk. Surprisingly, many people produce speech with bad technique.
Fortunately, you can prevent common voice disorders, like vocal nodules, and keep your voice in peak condition by simply knowing when and how long to go on vocal rest.
What is vocal rest?
Simply put, vocal rest is the action of not talking or singing. The two forms of voice rest are silence during the day and sleeping at night.
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Hush! Don’t whisper!
Notably, whispering is a form of voice use that should be avoided when trying to rest the vocal cords. All forms of voice production are discouraged during vocal rest. Whispering is actually much harsher on your vocal cords than speaking or singing.
Remember this; whispering takes a breathy-sounding vocal tone to the next level and strains your vocal folds. Several artists, even Grammy winners, have trashed their voices by singing excessively breathy tones.
Alternative methods of communicating
If you absolutely must speak, talk with a ‘sing-like’ vocal quality with only light pressure on your consonants. Don’t waste words. Better to just send a text–and not a voice text;). You all would be surprised why I even have to write this.
Case Study: A World Tour Gone Wrong
Once, I was brought on the road to vocalize an artist. Don’t even try to guess who, there’s no way I’ll tell you! Her team loaded her voice with tons of interviews and appearances in the opening of her tour.
In one meet-and-greet, she signed over 1,000 autographs! That is TOO MUCH TALKING, especially over a crowd! I was furious. Plus, she was already tired from a sound check that was too long.
Warming up her beat-up voice
When she came in to vocalize, she sounded like someone needing severe vocal therapy. She was in no shape to perform. But leave it to the vocal coach to perform some magic; Crazy enough… I did. 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off for 2 hours; tons of steam to rehabilitate her vocal cords even to want to make basic tone. None of our warm-ups were typical voice exercises you might see in my Singing Success 360 programs. Instead, we were doing vocal therapy!A miracle… sort of
She sounded great… for having massive inflammation. But her voice only lasted for about six songs, and then she had to leave the stage early. I WAS LIVID! No one can endure this heavy schedule without being given proper voice rest. Unhappily, her team looked in my direction as if I were a God and could fix these problems. NO ONE CAN! You cannot violate the laws of physics with impunity.An inconvenient consequence
She went to the doctor, and he put her on a solid month or so of complete voice rest to restore her vocal health. No talking… even on the phone. Which is no life. If we can’t talk…!? Then, after complete voice silence (no talking or singing) her voice sounded amazing… again.So, why is voice rest necessary?
Voice rest is necessary to recover from fatigue, prevent damage, and perform at peak ability. Just like any muscle. But touring schedules tend to be unforgiving, and the music industry (i.e., record labels, managers, and tour managers) aren’t merciful. They believe “strike while the iron is hot.”
Recovering from fatigue
Vocal fatigue is a normal result of prolonged singing or speaking. If you’ve ever had an extremely long phone call, a job that requires a lot of talking, or you just like to be the life of the party, then you are no stranger to the fatiguing effect of prolonged voice use. On average, the vocal cords open and close hundreds of times per second when vocalizing! It’s not a stretch (Oh these puns… 7 days without a pun makes one weak/week) to imagine that this could be fatiguing. However, the vocal cords by design are able to handle this for many hours when trained and used properly.It is your responsibility to get voice rest
Even with perfect technique, your voice will eventually become tired from overuse. Vocal rest is the remedy for fatigue that comes from extended use. But you can find yourself right back in the fatigue much easier each time if you don’t break your bad habits of overuse. We need to prefer voice rest over voice therapy. Going through voice therapy can set you back much further than even canceling a show due to the need for voice rest.Vocal coaches need rest too!
This happens to voice coaches even easier than singers. We’re prone to extremes in order to demonstrate with passion. We don’t take breaks or get strict voice rest. Rather than voice exercises, we tend to get stuck in our own perpetual voice therapy! This is one reason Singing Success and Brett Manning Studios (with all their associates) exist; To spread great singing methodology worldwide and to save singers and coaches.Preventing vocal cord damage
Now that we’ve established that rest is required in order for the vocal cords to recover from extended use, here’s the role of vocal rest in preventing damage.Misuse and overuse
Understanding vocal misuse and vocal overuse are necessary to prevent damage. To sing or speak using unnecessary muscles or excessive effort is called misuse. To sing or speak with a tired voice is called overuse. Misusing or overusing the voice can result in vocal damage, such as vocal cord hemorrhages and nodules. If you combine misuse with overuse or yelling with a fatigued voice, the likelihood of injury is higher. Don’t be deceived, overuse is always bad, even if you’re using perfect vocal technique. Resting is vital to prevent vocal damage.Permanent vocal damage
If you’ve ever seen a vocal fold being scoped and heard a voice produce excess mucus causing heavy throat clearing, witnessed lesions, nodes or nodules, cysts, along with the discomfort and pain of an inflamed larynx… the stress is real! Even worse, hearing “you need one week… no… two weeks off” to, “this hoarseness tells me you’re far from healthy…you need surgery.” The word surgery bothers me! Only one word is worse… permanent damage!!!A word on vocal fold damage
Vocal damage often requires surgery in order to be repaired. After surgery, singers usually need to go on complete vocal rest. Then vocal therapy in order to get back to normal. Recovering larynx from vocal damage can be very expensive, physically painful, and traumatic for singers. It should be avoided at all costs whether that means cancelling shows, improving your monitoring system, changing the keys of your songs, etc.Performing at your peak ability
Peak vocal performance is only achievable with a well-rested voice. In other words, tiredness limits vocal cord function. Vocal fatigue affects effort, pitch range, dynamic range, agility, timbre, etc. Neglecting to rest your voice means you’ll sound worse while having to work harder for everything. Singing on tired vocal cords is a vicious circle: you’ll push because your voice is tired and your voice will become more tired because you’re pushing. On the contrary, singing with a well-rested voice is a so-called virtuous circle: you’re relaxed because singing is easy and singing is easy because you’re relaxed.Voice Rest During A Performance
- Appetizer– A song that warms up your voice and your audience. The song should be fun and easy to sing. A total de-stressor to set the stage… pun intended.
- Soup or Salad– The meal is getting some distinctive flavors now.
- Wait for the main course– recovering while introducing the band. Do an extended instrumental version of a song. You could even invite a band member to come up and sing one of your songs. Not often, but if done right, it can be a tasteful (pun intended again) time of vocal rest.
- Main course– You and your audience had some time to digest. Now your voice feels great. Your technique won’t be compromised. Your set list prepares you for the big song. The high notes are effortless, your power is epic, and your confidence is evident!
Recording Studio Woes
Rehearsals, studio recording, and daily training can fatigue you. Learn how to use your mix, lighten the vocal load on your cords, and take tons of vocal rest in between sets or takes in the recording studio.
If you need voice therapy or your voice production denotes (Dang! Another pun… I’m on fire!) need for voice rest, you’ve compromised your music, and your production will be your paradigm of how you’ll sing your songs. It’s like practicing your voice disorders instead of habituating great technique in music. If your ‘sound’ is a damaged ‘sound,’ you’ll always sing on a bad version of your voice.
Often, I’m called into the studio for ’emergency’ voice care. They really needed emergency voice rest. But producers don’t get tired when playing guitar. Even if with a bad cold.
Vocal health correlates to physical health. Not just sickness. Good technique, frequent rest periods, and an instinct to know when the tone isn’t healthy.
Sometimes, the issue was: bad voice technique, improper warmup, or they’ve never done any vocal exercises. (See my blog, “The way you warm up is the way you’re going to sing”)
Don’t fight your producer
Often the producer is “on the clock,” and studio time is expensive, so he keeps pushing the singer until all vocal health is gone and then wonders why the final product sounds less than sterile. After recording, I’ve seen singers needing vocal fold surgery (vocal folds is the typical medical name for vocal cords). The producer works for you. You don’t work for them. Voice therapists around the world often butt heads with labels, managers, and producers because they expect more from the voice than they should. If your throat hurts… that’s NEVER a good sign. In past decades, the breathy sound has been over-exaggerated in the studio. This can cause vocal scarring or even vocal fold lesions! Don’t let someone else’s expectations cause your vocal problems. Rest as needed! JUST ONE MORE POINT on studio recording. I often see the singer head into the control room, and I hear them talking to the producer, and I sharply say, “NO TALKING!” Vocal naps are simply giving up all talking AND singing. Complete silence. Even for extended periods. A literal voice nap. Drink plenty of mineralized water! Avoid dehydration. Lay down on a couch, and your larynx (voice box), throat, vocal folds… your entire laryngeal muscles will immediately start feeling healthy. ANOTHER “ONE MORE POINT.” Most producers LOVE me and my coaches!!! We make it easier for them to do their jobs. Healthy voices record better and prevent the need for total voice rest.Vocal Therapy
Vocal therapy may be necessary if you want healthy vocal folds. This means a few different things:- Throat clearing has to stop. This may be the fundamental cause of your issues. Instead, a gentle cough can knock off excess mucus. Our coaches can show you how to do this. Throat clearing is often counterproductive and can result in throat pain.
- Heal properly. Make sure that your voice is cleared for take-off. Coordinate between your Otolaryngologist (ENT or throat doctor) and your coach to see if you’re ready. Singing Success can assist you in this. Don’t worry if this is a long period. Use common sense.
- Breathe correctly. This is so crucial. In fact, your very life depends on it. Seriously though. Proper breathing can undo hoarseness because the breath support reduces stress from the larynx.
- Exercise your body as well as your voice. Be attentive to support, and don’t grunt or strain your throat, making various sounds while bench pressing… like me… ha!
- Don’t yell. If you yell during exercise, expect hoarseness. I’ve even seen surgery needed for athletes yelling too heavily during training or competing!
