As a voice actor, your voice is your one and only tool, your professional portfolio, and the source of your income. Caring for your voice should be a number one priority, no matter how harsh a role can be on your voice. At ProVoiceUSA, we understand this better than anybody. Here are a few tips you can follow to help keep your most vocal and valuable asset healthy and strong for all of the work you do.
Hydration
Of all the things you should do for your voice, the best thing you can do is keep your vocal cords hydrated. Not only does it keep your voice from drying out and becoming hoarse, it will protect your voice from unnecessary strain while acting. Water keeps the vocal cords loose and flexible. You should drink a good amount of water at least an hour before every performance, and keep a water bottle handy during each session.
Keep Sinuses Clear
Taking care of your sinuses is also important, as it determines the resonance of your voice. Keep in mind that a decongestant spray or tablet will work in case of emergencies, but it will also dry your mouth out. If things get bad, consult with an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Some actors who have been diagnosed with deviated septums have found a lot of success with surgery.
Physical Exercise
You might not think it, but good physical exercise is a great way to maintain your voice. Voice work depends on a lot of breathing control. You’ll find that the better your fitness level, the bigger lung capacity you’ll have and consequently more control. Without a lot of breath control, long-form voice work like audiobooks becomes a lot more difficult.
Here’s a short list of other things voice actors should avoid to keep their voices strong:
- Caffeine (it dries the throat)
- Alcohol (same as caffeine)
- Smoking (while some actors do this to change the quality of their voices, smoking can make work in a booth very difficult for yourself and others)
- Eating right before a session
Remember to care for your voice: it’s your moneymaker! For the best voice work and some of the fastest turnaround in the business, you can rely on the professionals at ProVoiceUSA to get the job done. Contact us today.
