Vocal rest is an important part of a singer’s routine, especially when gearing up for a big performance or tour. When on vocal rest, singers give their voices a break to allow their vocal cords to recover and heal. This ensures they are in top shape vocally for their upcoming singing commitments.
What is vocal rest?
Vocal rest refers to a period of time when singers completely refrain from using their voice. This means no talking, whispering, singing, or any other vocalization. The duration of vocal rest varies depending on the singer and the demands on their voice. Many singers go on vocal rest for a week or two leading up to a major performance. Some may only need a few days of rest between smaller shows. Vocal rest allows the vocal cords to recover from any swelling or irritation that has built up over time.
Why do singers go on vocal rest?
There are a few key reasons singers take time for complete vocal rest:
- Preventing injury – Overuse can cause small injuries or irritation to the vocal cords. Rest prevents more serious injury or damage.
- Healing existing injuries – If a singer already has some vocal strain or an irritated throat, vocal rest allows this to heal.
- Preparing for performances – Resting the voice before a big show or tour helps singers deliver their best vocals on stage.
- Recovering from performances – Singers often take vocal rest to recover after an intense period of performing.
- Illness – If a singer has a cold, flu, or other illness that affects their voice, vocal rest helps them recover.
Vocal rest serves an important protective purpose for a singer’s voice and career. Professional singers are vocal athletes, carefully managing their instruments to maintain their livelihood.
How long do singers stay on vocal rest?
The specific duration of vocal rest varies based on the singer’s needs and medical advice. Here are some general guidelines:
- 24-48 hours – Brief vocal rest to recover from irritation or overuse.
- 3-5 days – More extended rest to get over a minor vocal injury or illness.
- 1-2 weeks – Typical vocal rest to prepare vocals for a tour or heavy performance schedule.
- Several weeks – Maximum vocal rest to treat a serious vocal injury and fully heal.
Singers may start with a few days of rest and extend it if they don’t feel fully recovered. Regular check-ins with a vocal coach or ENT doctor help determine when the voice is ready to go back to full activity.
What are singers allowed to do on vocal rest?
When on vocal rest, singers still need to communicate and go about their regular activities. Here are some things singers can still do while resting their voices:
- Use non-verbal communication like writing, typing, texting, gestures, etc.
- Whisper only as absolutely needed
- Walk and do other physical activity or exercise
- Practice silent breath control and vocal warm-ups
- Mouth words to communicate if absolutely necessary
- Hum very softly to try out notes and melodies
- Listen to music and do music theory study
The key is to avoid any kind of voice use that causes vibration of the vocal cords. Whispering and humming should be kept to an absolute minimum. Silent practice allows singers to rest their voices while maintaining their skills.
What activities do singers avoid on vocal rest?
To fully rest the vocal cords, there are certain activities singers need to avoid while on vocal rest:
- Speaking at any volume level
- Singing
- Whispering more than absolutely necessary
- Throat clearing or coughing
- Yelling or shouting
- Extreme vocal warm-ups
- Alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, citrus, dairy, etc.
- Smoking cigarettes or vaping
- Environmental irritants like smoke or pollution
Avoiding all unnecessary voice use is key. Singers also adjust their diet and environment to remove anything that could further irritate the vocal cords.
Do singers see a doctor while on vocal rest?
It’s recommended for singers to check in with an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor and get their vocal cords examined either right before or during an extended period of vocal rest. The ENT can look for signs of injury, irritation, cysts, or polyps on the cords and advise the singer on any medical treatment needed.
A vocal coach can also listen to the singer on coming off vocal rest and assess if the voice sounds healthy enough to return to singing. With a doctor’s input, singers can feel confident they are fully healed and ready to perform again.
What vocal exercises can singers do while on rest?
While on vocal rest, singers can keep their voices in shape with exercises that don’t require vocalizing, including:
- Silent breath work – Inhaling and exhaling deeply
- Lip trills – Blowing air through lightly closed lips
- Tongue trills – Fluttering the tongue softly
- Facial massages – Massaging the face, jaw, and neck muscles
- Posture practice – correcting alignment
- Mouthing vowels and words – forming silent shapes
- Humming very softly – on a near whisper level
- Visualizing song lyrics and melodies
These techniques keep the muscles engaged without taxing the vocal cords. A vocal coach can suggest more exercises tailored to the singer’s needs.
How can singers communicate on vocal rest?
When they need to communicate during vocal rest, singers have a few options to avoid using their voice:
- Writing notes by hand
- Texting or emailing on their phone
- Using a whiteboard or notepad
- Non-verbal cues like nodding, pointing, gesturing
- Typing messages on a computer
- Having someone transcribe for them
- Using a voice app to speak their texts
Carrying a small notebook and pen or a whiteboard is an easy way for singers to communicate quietly on vocal rest. Smartphones are also essential for texting, writing notes, and looking up information as needed.
What diet do singers follow on vocal rest?
Dietary adjustments help optimize vocal rest by reducing inflammation and irritation:
- Increasing hydration – drinking plenty of water
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Eliminating dairy, spicy, or acidic foods
- Eating more anti-inflammatory foods – fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts
- Taking supplements – Vitamin C, zinc, herbal blends
- Consuming room temperature or warm beverages
- Avoiding throat lozenges or cough drops
The ideal diet for vocal rest has an abundance of hydration and nutritious anti-inflammatory foods. Processed foods, junk food, and other common irritants are removed.
How do singers modify their environment for vocal rest?
To optimize vocal rest, singers also pay attention to modifying their environment:
- Avoiding dry air – using a humidifier
- Minimizing exposure to smoke, pollution, and allergens
- Not going to crowded, noisy places
- Turning down background noise and music
- Avoiding very warm or very cold temperature extremes
- Choosing quiet activities and limiting talking around them
- Using saltwater nasal spray to moisturize nasal passages
Controlling their environment removes potential irritants and minimizes situations where singers may be tempted to strain their voice. Warm steam from a humidifier or shower can also provide moisture to prevent dryness.
How do singers prepare for performances after vocal rest?
As vocal rest ends, singers gradually reintroduce voice use leading up to a performance. This may include:
- Starting with simple hums and warm-ups
- Slowly increasing vocal practice time each day
- Rehearsing songs at low volume
- Avoiding vocally demanding practice
- Staying well hydrated pre- and post-practice
- Checking in with their vocal coach frequently
- Ending practice at the first sign of fatigue
- Continuing anti-inflammatory diet and supplements
The voice should never be pushed to full performance capacity right after rest. Resuming intense vocal demands too quickly risks undoing the benefits of the singer’s vocal rest.
Do singers lose their voice on vocal rest?
It’s a common myth that vocal rest will cause singers to lose their voice or vocal skills. In reality, vocal rest has the opposite effect – strengthening the voice and preventing loss. Here are a few reasons why vocal rest helps singers:
- Gives irritated vocal cords time to heal
- Allows any swelling or inflammation to go down
- Prevents overuse injuries and damage
- Rehydrates vocal tissues
- Restores optimal vocal function
- Reduces risk of losing range or control
- strengthens muscles through silent practice
With proper technique, singers should regain their full vocal capabilities after rest. Their voices may even improve as vocal health is restored.
Can singers talk after vocal rest?
After a period of complete vocal rest, singers should not jump right back into their normal vocal demands. The voice needs to be gradually reintroduced to avoid injury or strain.
Initially, singers should only hum, vocalize softly, or speak minimally in short periods. Talking should be kept to a minimum the first few days. It takes time to rebuild vocal stamina through practiced vocal exercises, just like rebuilding any other muscle’s stamina.
Singers should also continue to follow their vocal rest diet and environmental precautions as they transition back to using their voice. With a gradual return to talking and singing, the vocal cords can adjust without shock or trauma.
Conclusion
Vocal rest provides enormous benefits for protecting the careers of professional singers. Avoiding all voice use gives irritated vocal cords a chance to heal and recover their optimal function. Though vocal rest requires sacrifice and discipline, it allows singers to deliver their best performance possible. With proper medical guidance and vocal technique, singers should return from vocal rest with improved vocal health, stamina, and longevity.