Taking the stage to blow away an audience with your voice can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you are a novice performer. Whether you’re singing opera, blues, or gospel, certain steps should be taken and tips to keep in mind when preparing for a vocal performance. Knowing how to practice efficiently and tackling those pre-performance jitters will make all the difference in ensuring you give it your all on stage! In this blog post, we’ll provide valuable tips to help anyone looking to get ready for their next musical adventure — so read on if you’re interested in nailing that big show!
Ways to prepare for a vocal performance
- Take care of your vocal health: Ensure you’re drinking plenty of water and resting your voice before a performance. Also, avoid anything that could damage your voice, like smoking or screaming.
- Practice with confidence: Regularly practice the songs you plan to perform to build confidence and comfort level when singing them on stage. Remember to warm up your voice too!
- Breathe right: During performances, try to take deep breaths between verses and chorus to keep yourself calm and focused on the song at hand. This will also help prevent fatigue during longer sets.
- Connect with the audience: There are plenty of ways to connect with your audience during a live performance emotionally. For example, eye contact, facial expressions, and body language can draw in the crowd and make them feel more connected to your music.
- Stay positive: Getting nervous before a big performance is natural, but don’t let it get the best of you! Believe in yourself and stay positive throughout the entire experience.
- Have fun!: Performances are all about having fun with your favorite songs, so don’t forget to enjoy the moment! A great attitude can go a long way when singing on stage.
Tips for taking care of your voice before a big performance
- Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal cords hydrated: Dehydration can cause your voice to become scratchy, hoarse, and tired. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water daily leading up to the big performance.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol dehydrate the body and can dry out your vocal cords, making it harder for them to function properly during a performance.
- Avoid excessive talking or yelling before taking the stage: The sound waves generated when you talk too much can damage your vocal cords, so try not to speak more than necessary in the days leading up to your show.
- Warm-up: Before each performance, do vocal exercises like humming, singing scales, and tongue twisters to get your voice in shape before you start.
- Gargle with salt water: This will help reduce inflammation of the vocal cords and protect them from damage caused by speaking or singing too much.
- Avoid dairy products: Dairy can produce phlegm which will coat your vocal cords and make it harder for them to vibrate correctly during a performance.
- Get enough sleep: Make sure you are well-rested before taking the stage, as this will ensure that your body is functioning optimally and has enough energy to power through your performance.
- Use a humidifier: If possible, keep the room you’re performing in at a comfortable humidity level by using a humidifier. This will help keep your vocal cords from drying out and cracking during the performance.
- Have honey and lemon: Drinking a mixture of honey and warm water with a few drops of lemon juice can help soothe your throat before going on stage. The antimicrobial effects of both honey and lemon help reduce inflammation in your vocal cords and protect them from damage caused by speaking or singing too much.
- Consult an expert: If you have any issues with your voice, see a doctor or speech therapist before taking the stage. This may help identify any underlying problems that need to be addressed ASAP. Taking care of yourself and your voice before a big performance is essential to ensure a successful show. By following these tips, you can ensure that your voice will be in peak condition when it’s time to take the stage! Good luck, and have fun performing!