If you’re like me, you’re probably going to have a fairly busy holiday season with concerts, various performances, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year celebration involving music, and who knows what else!
Even though this happens regularly every year, it took me a few years to “get it together” and start gearing up (vocally speaking) to the holiday marathon early enough, so that my voice would be strong and resilient throughout the whole season.
I’d like to share with you what I do with my preparation (which is starting now), so that maybe you’ll feel inspired to do the same and avoid any vocal problems that may come from putting your voice under stress without adequate preparation.
First of all, if you haven’t been doing regular vocal warm ups, I suggest you start now. Spend at least 20-30 minutes every day doing some vocal exercises. Circle through various kinds of exercises: scales, arpeggios, long tones.
(If you don’t know any vocal warm ups, you can check out my Youtube channel, starting with this playlist. You can also join my free monthly live sessions of guided vocal exercises).
Go easy for the first 5 minutes, then start going higher and higher in the range, until you cover your whole range with each successive exercise.
After doing this daily for a week, sing a song or two after each warm up session. Warm ups are like the stretching exercises marathon runners do to prepare for a run; singing is like the actual running.
Gradually increase the amount of time you spend singing after each warm up session, until, about a week before the beginning of your holiday performances, you can easily sing for the same length of time as your performance.
If you don’t have enough time to sing for this long every day, you can break down your practice time into 2 sessions. But remember to warm up again at the beginning of the second session.
Another factor in singing during the holiday season – at least for those living in the northern hemisphere – is…cold.
Make sure you protect your throat from cold air, especially right after singing, when your vocal cords are warm. If you have to spend time outdoors, or even sing outdoors, wrap a scarf around your neck. Avoid breathing through your mouth when you’re outdoors, so that the air can get warmer before it reaches your bronchi and lungs.
Ok, I think I covered all the basics! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Have a wonderful preparation time!
