Do you have a big speech coming up, like a toast at a wedding or a presentation at work? Doing some vocal warm-ups before picking up the mic is highly recommended if you want to sound your best, just like a musician tuning their instrument before a performance.
Why Do I Need to Warm Up My Voice?
Warm-ups can help you feel more prepared before speaking or singing, giving you a confidence boost. Studies show that a speaker’s tone and voice qualities can influence the audience’s perception of them, so if you sound nervous, your message may not come through as intended.
Additionally, like any other muscle, your voice box can be strained or damaged from overuse. Doing vocal warm-ups is akin to an athlete stretching their muscles before a game: it reduces the chances of harm to the vocal cords. Overusing your voice box can lead to hoarseness or laryngitis.
How Does the Voice Box Work?
Your voice starts with the air in your lungs, which flows up your windpipe and through your voice box, or larynx. The larynx is made up of two folds of membrane, and when the air flows through it, these membranes open and close, forming your voice with their vibrations and movements. From there, the sound is shaped into words in your mouth by your tongue and lips.
What Are Some Warm-Ups I Can Do?
Here are some quick exercises you can do to loosen up the voice box and prepare yourself for speaking:
- Relax your upper back, shoulders and chin, then sigh using your voice. Do this a few times. It should be a soft sound that comes from your throat.
- Recite a tongue twister. Focus on pronouncing consonants and the rhythm of the words. Now recite it faster. Now recite it slower. Now recite it louder. Now recite it quieter.
- Make some silly sounds! Buzz your lips, blow a raspberry. This will help loosen your lips and tongue.
What To Do If I Lose My Voice?
Voice hoarseness, or dysphonia, can affect your voice’s pitch, volume or quality, and sometimes it’s accompanied by a sore throat. When dysphonia is caused by voice overuse or laryngitis, it’s called muscle tension dysphonia. If dysphonia is a prolonged issue for you, there are treatments available, such as voice therapy or medication. ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons can help you if you’re experiencing hoarseness or persistent voice changes; call for more information or to make an appointment today.