Vocal Health Tips
- Drink water to keep your body well hydrated, and avoid alcohol, smoke, and caffeine. Your vocal cords vibrate very fast, and having a proper water balance helps keep them lubricated.
- Allow yourself several "vocal naps" every day, especially during periods of extended use.
- Don't abuse or misuse your voice. Avoid yelling or screaming, and try not to talk loudly in noisy areas. If your throat feels dry or tired, or your voice is getting hoarse, reduce your voice use. The hoarseness is a warning sign that your vocal cords are irritated.
- Keep your throat and neck muscles relaxed even when singing high notes and low notes. Some singers tilt their heads up when singing high notes and down when singing low notes.
- Pay attention to how you speak every day. Even performers who have good singing habits can cause damage when they speak.
- Don't clear your throat too often. When you clear your throat, it's like slamming your vocal cords together. Doing it too much can injure them and make you hoarse. Try a sip of water or swallow to quench the urge to clear.
- Allow yourself several "vocal naps" every day, especially during periods of extended use.
- Don't abuse or misuse your voice. Avoid yelling or screaming, and try not to talk loudly in noisy areas. If your throat feels dry or tired, or your voice is getting hoarse, reduce your voice use. The hoarseness is a warning sign that your vocal cords are irritated.
- Keep your throat and neck muscles relaxed even when singing high notes and low notes. Some singers tilt their heads up when singing high notes and down when singing low notes.
- Pay attention to how you speak every day. Even performers who have good singing habits can cause damage when they speak.
- Don't clear your throat too often. When you clear your throat, it's like slamming your vocal cords together. Doing it too much can injure them and make you hoarse. Try a sip of water or swallow to quench the urge to clear.
Online Practice Tools
Basics of Music Notation
Ricci Adams’ musictheory.net
Basics of reading music, with exercises, quizzes, etc. Very helpful!
Teoria
Another great site, chock full of info. Also includes ear-training exercises.
Sonicfit
Very useful games, exercises, and videos explaining and reinforcing important music concepts.
Rhythms and Counting
An interactive site that will help improve your rhythm skills and understanding.
Method Behind the Music
Basic music notation info and concepts.
Basics of reading music, with exercises, quizzes, etc. Very helpful!
Teoria
Another great site, chock full of info. Also includes ear-training exercises.
Sonicfit
Very useful games, exercises, and videos explaining and reinforcing important music concepts.
Rhythms and Counting
An interactive site that will help improve your rhythm skills and understanding.
Method Behind the Music
Basic music notation info and concepts.
Ear training
Good Ear
http://trainer.thetamusic.com/
http://www.musictheory.net/exercises/ear-interval
http://www.earbeater.com/online-ear-training
http://pitchimprover.com/
http://trainer.thetamusic.com/
http://www.musictheory.net/exercises/ear-interval
http://www.earbeater.com/online-ear-training
http://pitchimprover.com/
Sight Reading
https://sightreadingmastery.com/
http://thesightreadingproject.com/
https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/
http://thesightreadingproject.com/
https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/
