One of the things I love most about Fun DMC is also one of the many things that sets us apart. If you’ve ever seen us perform or checked out one of our videos, you’ll notice that 4 of the 5 of us take an active role in singing (and let’s be real, I’ve heard Talon sing and he could totally grab a mic if he weren’t so involved behind the drums). I love that we can create a unique sound for each song by using whichever individual voice best suits the piece of music and that we are able to layer voices in order to create harmonies and the unique blend that makes us who we are. We all love jumping in on different vocal parts to help create a more full, round-out sound.

But all of those parts add up to a whole lot of singing for all of us, especially on weekends when we have multiple events happening back to back. No matter if we are feeling tired, sick, weak, or like we are losing our voices all together, the show must go on. We play private events, weddings, fundraisers, parties, festivals, and local bars where we have committed to putting on the best possible show we can and we fully plan on delivering on the promises we’ve made.

That being said, vocal fatigue and strain are serious matters and ones that could ruin a singing career for anyone if taken lightly. Because we sing so much and are so incredibly committed to creating an amazing show for our friends, guests, and patrons, I’ve created a list of my favorite ways to vocally prep for a gig and keep myself singing safely throughout.

(Please note, I am not a doctor and that these tips/ideas are simply based on my personal experiences. If you are experiencing vocal strain or pain related to singing/vocal use, please seek help from a medical professional.)

Sleep

Getting the right amount of rest is helpful in every aspect of life, but especially allows your voice the right amount of down time to relax and heal. Unless you talk in your sleep (like I sometimes), it is a time of complete vocal rest.

Water

Vocal folds (or chords) are soft tissue the require a lot of moisture to stay working, vibrating, and moving in the right ways. Hydrating will help keep your vocal folds from becoming tight and rigid, thus helping you to keep that beautiful voice going strong. You will see me drinking water during nearly every song as well as running for refills on my huge water bottle(s) on every break. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine prior to and during an event is also advisable because they contribute to dehydration. Other methods you may see some of us using include vocal steamers that help relax and hydrate the vocal folds. I also like to take a long hot shower or bath prior to and after a show to help relax my voice.

Breaks

If you ever wonder why we take breaks during a longer show it’s so we can keep providing great entertainment throughout the whole night. We need those short periods of respite to get hydrated, take a break, breathe, and relax for a minute so we can get back up there and keep giving you our best.

Quiet

Before a show and on breaks you will often find me looking for a quiet location to sit, stretch, and breathe. I very intentionally try not to talk over loud music, talk to much during set up or on breaks, or yell to get someone’s attention. The less I talk the better I feel. Finding alone time where I can focus on breathing, work on relaxing my voice, and center myself, helps me to stay in the moment and singing strongly even during a long set.

No Yelling Ever

Take a second and clap your hands together, hard. When you yell or talk loudly without using the right support and vocal placement, that’s what your vocal folds are doing. They are slapping together. Repeated yelling, screaming, or even loud talking can lead to the build up of scar tissue or vocal nodes that can take you out of the singing game. Forever. For that reason I even avoid singing in the car because when I’m sitting I cannot use the right breaths, I do not have the right posture, and would be trying to sing over road noise and/or a radio.

Learn to Breathe

Some people call it singing from your diaphragm but I like to call it supporting my sound. Using the right breath makes all the difference when trying to sing. The deep, low, belly breaths that you naturally use when you sleep are so splendid when trying to support your singing. Try breathing while lying on the floor or doing a quick panting (like a dog) breaths to see where that breath is coming from and where you feel it in your body. Practice your breaths. If you have no idea what I’m talking about a voice coach can do wonders!

Ask for Help

On days when any of us are particularly struggling with vocal fatigue, we are up front and honest about it. We all know each other’s parts well enough that we can fill in when needed, cover whole songs, or jump in occasionally. We know that by helping each other we create the best possible sound in the moment and provide the best show we can. In the end, we all love what we do and want to keep making great music for as long as we can.