Look after your voice: everyday care and warning signs

This page is general information, not medical advice. If singing hurts, or your voice changes and doesn't recover, stop singing and see a doctor or a qualified voice specialist.

How your voice makes sound

The vocal folds, often called vocal cords, sit in the larynx, or voice box, in the front of your neck. When you sing, air from your lungs sets them vibrating, many times a second, and your throat, mouth and nose shape that buzz into your voice. Higher notes come from faster vibration. The folds are small and soft, which is why heavy use can make them swollen and why rest helps them recover.

Everyday habits that help

• Drink water through the day. The folds work best when your body is well hydrated. Water you drink doesn't touch the folds directly, so steady drinking over the day matters more than a sip just before you sing.
• Breathe moist air when you can. Dry indoor heating and air travel can leave the throat feeling dry. Steam from a hot shower helps many singers.
• Keep your speaking volume reasonable. Shouting at games, talking over loud music and long calls in noisy places all tire the voice.
• Rest after heavy use. Plan a quieter day after a long rehearsal or a show.
• Sleep enough. Tiredness shows up in the voice quickly.
• Avoid smoking and vaping. Smoke and vapor dry and irritate the throat.
• Clear your throat less. Hard, frequent throat clearing knocks the folds together. Try a sip of water or a gentle swallow instead.

Signs of strain while you practice

Stop and rest if you notice any of these while singing:

• A scratchy, raw or burning feeling in your throat.
• Needing to push harder to get the same sound.
• Your voice cracking or cutting out more than usual.
• A tight or aching throat, neck or jaw.
• A voice that sounds rougher or breathier after practice than before it.

Mild tiredness often clears with a day or two of quiet. If it keeps coming back, change how you practice: shorter sessions, softer singing and easier keys. A qualified voice teacher can often find the cause, such as pushing chest voice too high or squeezing the throat on loud notes.

When to see a doctor

An ear, nose and throat doctor, also called an otolaryngologist, can look at your vocal folds with a small camera. Some focus on the voice and are known as laryngologists. Speech-language pathologists who work with voice can teach exercises to help it recover and stay healthy. Your regular doctor can usually refer you.

Singing when you are ill

With a cold, a sore throat or laryngitis, the folds are often swollen, and singing hard on swollen folds risks further harm. Rest, drink plenty, and keep to quiet, relaxed speech. Forceful whispering can strain the voice too, so speak softly instead. When you feel better, come back with short, gentle warm-ups before full songs.

When a teacher helps

A teacher won't replace a doctor, but they can help you sing in a way that puts less load on your voice. Look for someone who asks about your goals, starts with breathing and easy sounds, and tells you to stop when something hurts. If a teacher asks you to push through pain, find another one.

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