Preview
Reduce risk before rehearsal
Prevention begins before a difficult note: do not overload an ill voice, do not shout over noise and leave pauses in the day.
- Do not sing or speak at the limit when the voice is already hoarse or tired.
- Drink water through the day and account for dry air.
- Use amplification and pauses instead of competing with the room.
Do not begin at maximum load
Hoarseness often follows accumulated speech, noise, dry air, illness and singing without pauses. Count the whole day, including the hours before the piano.
Use the voice wisely
- do not shout over a choir or noisy room
- use a microphone when available
- keep explanations out of an uncomfortable tessitura
- alternate demonstration and independent work
- avoid shouting and prolonged whispering
- do not sing on a hoarse or clearly tired voice
Water and air help but do not treat a cause
Regular water and reasonable humidity reduce dryness. They do not cancel overload or replace evaluation when a voice change persists.
Illness changes the plan
A cold or inflammation adds load. Reduce rehearsal time, range and volume instead of trying to sing through hoarseness.
For choir leaders
Do not keep the ensemble at full volume for the entire rehearsal. Alternate reading, section work, spoken rhythm and singing. Precise instructions save the voices of both leader and choir.