How Much Vocal Practice is Too Much?
For many singers and vocal students, a big struggle is finding enough time to practice. These students worry that they’re not able to practice enough. On the other hand, you may sit on the other end of the spectrum, and you’re a student that practices a lot. So much so that you find yourself worried that you might be practicing too much.
Why is too much practice a concern?
If you are a student that practices a lot, there is a chance that you can overdo it. As a result, you might end up hurting your voice.
How do you know when you’re practicing too much?
Consider this: when you pinch yourself, you feel pain. This is because there are receptors under your skin, nerve endings, that send a pain message to your brain. Unfortunately, your voice doesn’t have these types of receptors, so your voice can’t let you know, via pain, that you’re doing too much.
Unfortunately, this is why so many people hurt themselves and their voices. Because there is no physiological pain response to let you know what you’ve gone too far, you have to pay attention to other signs.
Here are some of the warning signs that you might be overdoing it in your vocal practice:
1. Hoarseness.
When your voice starts to get hoarse, this is a red flag and an indicator to let you know that it’s time to stop.
Keep in mind that you may not experience hoarseness while you’re singing and practicing. But when you stop and later talk to someone, you might notice some hoarseness. This is still a sign that you might’ve overdone your practice time.
2. Slowing of vocal function.
Another sign that you’re practicing too much is a slowing of vocal function. Or in other words, if your voice starts to decline compared to how you sounded at the beginning of your practice session.
If you’re an hour into rehearsing and your voice doesn’t sound or work as well as it did when you were only 15 minutes in, this is a sign that you’ve had enough.
3. Dryness.
A feeling of dryness in your voice is another sign you’ve overdone it.
If you’re still unsure of the best way to keep your voice healthy, consider meeting with a coach for regular voice lessons. By taking lessons, you’ll have someone else who can listen to what you’re doing and ensure that you’re carrying out your practice routine in a healthy way.
If you’re interested in working with a voice coach, Fox Music can help. We have professional voice teachers who are well-trained, experienced instructors and role models. Contact us at either our Chesapeake or Virginia Beach locations to learn more about the programs we have to offer kids and adults.
