Rumors?

Karen Robinson84 said:Hey everyone!
I’ve been sitting here thinking about everything that actually makes or breaks your vocal cords—you know, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. It's a topic I could go on about for hours because people just don't take it seriously enough.
What should I drink, how should I act, don't smoke... blah, blah, blah. It’s always the same lecture. How on earth am I supposed to actually preserve them?
I’m open to any and all advice you might have, so please, don't hold back. Thanks.🙂

If you actually have aspirations of singing, you really ought to consider enrolling in some proper vocal technique training somewhere—think Berklee College of Music or a similar institution. It’s the absolute best way to protect your vocal cords in the long run. Let me be blunt: smoking is obviously destructive, and those carbonated sodas aren't doing you any favors either. I’d also suggest staying away from excessive lemon intake; that acidity can trigger stomach acid reflux, which is a nightmare for your throat. I actually remember hearing about a professional vocalist who temporarily lost their voice because a bout of acid reflux basically "scorched" their vocal folds. It wasn't permanent, but it was a terrifying wake-up call. For actual maintenance, nothing beats plain water. You need to stay hydrated constantly to keep those vocal cords lubricated. Beyond that, gargling sage tea helps, and adding some honey or propolis can work wonders too. There are plenty of lozenges out there that can help, like the ones produced by Theiss, if you're looking for something reliable.
Are you actually out there singing, or is this just some casual curiosity on your part?

Exactly, that’s why I’m asking... Thanks for the advice.😘I tend to go overboard with the lemon juice, so I really need to scale back...
And I smoke🙂, which isn't something I can quit just yet... That's precisely why I'm looking for alternative ways to reward my vocal cords.

I used to sing quite a bit... though I actually stepped away from it almost two years ago because the whole thing just started feeling a bit tedious. My voice change during puberty was pretty messy, too. I tried getting back into it, but I had to quit again after only about two months because my vocal cords were acting up. Now, I’m finding it impossible to get back to my old level; I can never quite seem satisfied with a performance, even if I run through the exact same lines a hundred times. I struggle specifically with those lower notes where my voice tends to crack. Any advice? I've got a recording session scheduled in a week and I could really use some help!

@Scott Johnson86:
Smoke dries out your vocal cords, so you need to be chugging water constantly just to keep everything hydrated. And honestly, go learn some actual vocal technique; there really isn't a better way to handle this.

@ruggedpanther64:
Taking a break from singing can definitely mess with your voice. It’s exactly like an athlete who steps away from training for a long stretch—it takes them forever to get back into peak shape. Try incorporating some light exercises, like humming. Work on singing separated fifths and then move into humming. If you actually understand proper breath control, start "training" that specifically.
When you're hitting those lower notes, you have to open up your throat significantly so that deep tone doesn't get trapped and turn into a flat note.

You all have to realize how difficult it is to even write something like this, because I have no idea if you guys are even familiar with basic vocal mechanics—things like breathing techniques, resonance chambers, vocal placement, and all that.

Olivia Martinez26, I assume you sing given how much experience you have?
I know a bit about vocal technique, but I wouldn't call myself an expert. I feel there is still so much more to learn...

@Baya_Rober, I went through a similar stretch where I stopped singing entirely. For a while, I was convinced my old voice had just vanished for good. But after some time passed, everything eventually returned to normal...

Yeah, I sing.🙂 I’m currently taking vocal lessons, though my background actually started back when I was studying at Berklee College of Music.
Go ahead and ask me whatever you want to know. It's honestly pretty difficult to explain the nuances of this craft through a screen, but I'll certainly give it my best shot to help you out.
Just one thing, Bino: make sure you actually understand where your diaphragm is and how to breathe from it, because if you don't master that, nothing else matters.😉

Olivia Martinez26, please tell me... can you recommend anything worth taking on the day of a performance?

Karen Robinson84 said:*Olivia Martinez26*, please, can you recommend anything good to take on the actual day of a performance?

The less you talk, the better. You have to protect those vocal cords at all costs! Drink plenty of water and make sure you eat a solid meal. Before you hit the stage, you need to stretch—get those neck muscles, your back, even your facial muscles loosened up. Personally, I swear by gargling some sage. Doing some vocal warm-ups beforehand is essential too, but don't overdo it or you'll blow them out. Again, just stay quiet as much as possible and for heaven's sake, get enough sleep!!!

Olivia Martinez26 said:Talk less. Save those vocal cords at all costs. Drink plenty of water and make sure you eat well. Before performing, stretch: neck muscles, back, facial muscles. I personally gargle with sage. Use certain exercises before a show, but don't overdo it. Again—talk less and get enough sleep!!!

Thank you🙂. Your advice is genuinely appreciated. I have already been practicing some of these, and I will certainly incorporate the rest.
Regarding the stretching, I remember doing that a long time ago. An opera singer once advised me to do it, but since I took a break from singing, I have forgotten much of it.
I will likely reach out to you again 😛:

Calcium and Vitamin B.
It’s generally better to talk less, especially if you find yourself straining above or below your natural speaking range. There is even some speculation that whispering can actually be more taxing on your vocal cords than just speaking at a normal volume.
I believe you can find those little Icelandic lichen lozenges at most pharmacies, though in my experience, they didn't make much of a difference.

silentnomad23 said:Calcium and B vitamins.
I’ve heard you should talk as little as possible—especially if you stray above or below your natural pitch—and apparently even whispering puts more strain on your vocal cords than just speaking at a normal volume.
I think they have those little "cough drops" made from Iceland moss at the pharmacy, though personally, I didn't find them particularly helpful.

Exactly, calcium is incredibly effective! If you can get the kind fortified with Vitamin C, that’s the gold standard. And regarding the whispering—it's true, it actually does more harm than good because the excess air pressure ends up battering your vocal cords.

I heard a few days ago that Laringo-Plus is actually good for the vocal cords.
Has anyone here used it and can offer some feedback?

Edea, yes... One more thing. When dealing with raw eggs, are you supposed to consume only the yolk? Is that the rule?

Karen Robinson84 said:I heard just a few days ago that Laringo-Plus is actually great for your vocal cords!
Has anyone here tried it? I'd love some feedback.

It works wonders for throat inflammation.

Karen Robinson84 said:Oh, wait—one more thing! When you're doing raw eggs, are you supposed to just drink the yolk? Is that really how it works?

The egg white.

Look, whatever you do, stay far away from red wine before you sing. Even just a little bit can mess with your vocal cords. Same goes for anything carbonated—skip the soda. I'm sure someone already told you to take some calcium and Vitamin C, so stick to that. And for heaven's sake, make sure those eggs are cooked right so you don't end up with salmonella. 😬

Honestly, I’ve been fighting this internal battle for a few days now... To drink a raw egg or not? It’s supposed to be great for the vocal cords, but then there's the risk of salmonella. And so on, and so forth...

You really don't need to worry about catching salmonella just by picking up eggs at a grocery store like Whole Foods. Everything is clearly labeled with an expiration date for a reason. Besides, if you actually did end up getting sick, you could always take legal action against the producer like Tyson Foods. 😁

Scott Johnson86 As stated by:
Hey everyone.
I find myself increasingly preoccupied with everything that affects vocal cord health—all the factors that either bolster or degrade the voice.
What to drink, how to act, don't smoke... blah, blah, blah. It’s all the same tired advice. How do you actually preserve them?
I'm open to any and all advice, so thanks in advance.🙂

I happened to stumble upon this thread by chance, so I figured I’d weigh in and offer a few thoughts on the matter.

If you want to actually be able to sing, the single most important thing you can do isn't practicing scales or buying expensive gear—it’s simply getting enough sleep. 👍 It’s an old truth that most people tend to overlook, but the reality is quite simple: the more sleep you get, the better you’re going to sing.

I'm not going to waste anyone's time by preaching about smoking, because we all know the healthiest choice is to never pick up a cigarette in the first place. I smoke, so clearly, I’m not exactly setting the gold standard for wellness.

You can drink whatever you feel like, really, but there are certain things that aren't exactly ideal, and frankly, there are a few unwritten rules you should probably follow.
First things first: the rules.

If you’re going to drink something hot, then just commit to the heat; if you prefer it cold, stick to the ice. Don't try to find some middle ground between the two.

Take hot coffee paired with ice-cold Coca-Cola, for instance; that’s a recipe for disaster if you actually care about your vocal cords.

If you’re going to eat ice cream, you might as well go all in and eat it by the bucketful, but please, for the love of god, don't pour hot tea over it—which is highly unlikely, I realize, but still entirely possible.

Carbonated drinks are definitely on the less desirable list, though that isn't some absolute rule you have to live by. It’s not worth stripping away everything you actually enjoy just for the sake of "protecting" your vocal cords. If you end up constantly stressed and agitated because you can't drink what you love, that nervous tension is going to do far more damage to your voice than a little soda ever could.
And just as importantly, those heavy-hitting spirits aren't exactly anything to write home about either.
Red wines contain tannins that tend to settle on the vocal cords, though that doesn't necessarily mean they're damaging; it just results in a voice that sounds a bit "deeper." It’s worth noting that tannins are also present in coffee and tea, yet nobody ever comes around to tell you to stop drinking those.

When it comes to the so-called "medical devices" on the market, my recommendation is pretty straightforward.
Vitamin C is best taken in powder form—pure ascorbic acid, nothing else. You just take a small spoonful, mix it with some water, and you're done. Simple enough.
Regarding Laringo Plus and Laringo Forte, there isn't much to dissect beyond the basic utility of the two. If you're looking for a recommendation, I suppose I could offer one, though I make no promises about whether it will actually suit your specific tastes.

Calcium is really just a last resort when you’ve run out of options. If you find yourself completely losing your voice, sure, there might be some benefit to taking it. But honestly, you're better off saving the dose for the evening, assuming you'll finally have some peace and quiet once night falls. 🙂 Why? Because that's just how it works. You end up doing far more damage to yourself if you try to talk or sing when calcium is actively affecting your vocal cords. 🙄

Vitamin B is actually quite beneficial—for instance, you can find it in beer. No, I’m being serious here: Vitamin B. 👍

Eggs. 😕 It’s absolute nonsense.

Sucking on those endless varieties of lozenges and hard candies is nothing more than a complete waste of money. It doesn't actually accomplish anything useful. All it really does is dry out your mucous membranes, which honestly just makes the whole situation worse.

Gargling with sage tea. 🙄 That all sounds fine in theory, I suppose, but I find myself wondering about the actual reasoning behind it. 😕 What’s the point? 😕 If you head over to Laringo-Plus, you can find everything you need without having to deal with that constant, irritating gargling routine. 🤣

When you strip everything else away, life really boils down to a few simple essentials: eating well, getting enough sleep, and singing your heart out as much as possible.
There is no such thing as singing without the actual act of singing, just as there is no way to sprint a hundred meters without putting in the training.

You might find these things useful in an absolute crisis, but let’s be clear—they're strictly for those extreme, last-resort scenarios where everything else has already failed you.

I trust my input was of some use to you