Tips on vocals ?

Question

does anyone have any vocal warm-up tips?

and maybe what to avoid eating before you sing or anything?

Answer 1

I don't have much personal experience, but what I do is take I recorder or something to record your voice, sing the song you want to practice, and listen to yourself. That way you know what you should improve and where in the song to improve. Then you can do it again until you have the song just right.

Avoid greasy and scratchy food so your stomach won't get irritated.

Soft drinks and bean burritos (for hopefully obvious reasons)

Drink fruit juice and/or yogurt (about 15 minutes before you perform)

Answer 2

Good vocal exersises are specific to you, but here are some you can try (they're pretty generic, but you may be able to vary them so they work for you):

- Scales.. self explanatory. Go up the scale and then back down the scale, changing vowels every so often (ah, oo, ee, oh, eh). If you are more belty, don't warm your head voice up as much because using the head voice stretches the vocal chords. Vocal chords are supposed to be tight when you belt, so stretching them too much beforehand isn't the best idea. Also try scales on a lip buzz to get your breathing going

- Sirens.. go from the very lowest part of your range and slide smoothly up over your break to your highest range. Don't scream so you hurt your voice, just try to hit your top legit note

-Jumping exersises.. you basically start at a note and then jump up five steps, and then come back down (for example.. middle c to g back to middle c) and then move up a half step each time

DO NOT sing your song soon before you perform. It wears down your vocal chords from the warm up. Stick to warm ups and/or other songs within a limited range that wont strain your voice.

Avoid ALL dairy. No milk, yogurt, cheese or anything. It coats your vocal chords and makes it harder for them to vibrate. Anything that makes you gassy is bad.. not only because it would be embarassing, but because it messes with the breath support from your stomache. The best thing to consume before you sing is tea at least an hour before you sing, and room temperature water leading up to the time you sing. A little lemon in the water won't hurt. I have heard, though I have never tried it, that i shot of straight honey does wonders for your voice. Don't eat cough drops, though that might sound like a good idea, because they numb your vocal chords. Can't think of anything else right now... but if anything comes to mind I will edit it in.

Answer 3

Just keep the room-temperature water flowing, that's the most important thing. And if you're throat is sore and you need a quick fix, try some warm tea and gummy bears... yes... gummy bears. I know it's crazy but for some reason it helps. Try it out, maybe you'll disagree, but give it a shot. Also I've never tried it but I've heard a small bag of Lays potatoe chips can help your voice a little. It must be the grease.