DO

• Always warm-up your voice at least 20 minutes before performing
  
• Stretch your neck, shoulders and back muscles before performing
  
• Consume a variety of nutritious foods and vitamins
  
• Attain and maintain physical fitness with regular aerobic and muscles strengthening
  
• Maintain a humid living environment (40 - 50 percent humidity)
  
• Maintain body hydration by drinking one gallon of water per day
  
• Use efficient vocal technique in speech and singing
  
• Use the voice judiciously
  
• Wash hands frequently...keep hand sanitizer available to avoid germs
  
• Take 2,000mg of vitamin C with rose hips daily, along with a good multi-vitamin
  
• Get plenty of sleep, especially before a gig or recording session

DON'T

• Smoke cigarettes
• Consume recreational drugs
• Drink too much caffeine
• Stay up partying the night before a recording session
• Share drinks or lick the faces of sick / contagious people :)
• Speak too much or too loudly, especially in noisy environments
• Scream or clear the throat EVER!
• Use over-the-counter preparations for colds and allergies, especially antihistamines

Up to two hours before singing, avoid these things...

chocolate, carbonated beverages, milk or any dairy products, FOOD, iced or overly cold beverages

Deedra Patrick Vocal Studios

661-589-4304