HOW CAN I MAKE MY VOICE CLEARER IN THE MORNING?

Waking up with a gravelly or foggy voice is common, and has prompted this article on how to make your voice clearer in the morning.

QUESTION:  When I begin my work day, I often find that my voice is not clear, because my sound is affected by overnight drainage from my sinuses, and allergies.  How can I make my voice come alive and sound awake, well before I start my talking day.

ANSWER: Your first priority is hydration. Drink a glass of room-temperature water and inhale the steam during your shower. Quick, five-minute vocal exercises will help to improve the sound of your speaking voice early each morning.  They only take a few minutes, but are well worth the time.  Exercises include deep breathing, humming, lip trills, and gentle pitch glides to improve resonance, clarity, and reduce strain.

Essential warm-ups

• Humming: Hum at a comfortable pitch to feel vibrations in the face, or use a straw for better air regulation.
• Lip Trills: Gently vibrate lips while gliding from low to high pitches.
• Sighs/Yawns: Sigh while yawning to release tension.
• Articulation Drill: Recite phrases while over-articulating.

Key Exercises for Daily Practice

1. Descending Lip Trills: Start with a high-pitched “brrrr” and glide down to a low pitch.
2. Forward Humming: Hum while focusing on bringing the sound to your lips, alternating between “m” and “h” sounds.
3. Pitch Sirens: Glide from your lowest to highest note on a “null” or “boom” sound to strengthen vocal folds.
4. Tongue Twisters: Practice phrases like “Unique New York” or “Red Leather, Yellow Leather” to improve articulation.
5. “Mapo-Mapo” Chant: Repeat “mapa mapa” while moving up and down the musical scale to improve agility.
6. Vocal Strength: For a deeper or louder voice, spend 20 seconds using a low, firm, but controlled voice.

Tips for Success

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Breathe deeply into your belly, not your shoulders.
• Relaxation: Keep your neck, jaw, and shoulders relaxed.
• Consistency: Perform exercises for a few minutes daily to strengthen your voice.
• If your voice is tired: Use gentle humming and resonance exercises to reduce strain.
• If your voice is soft: Practice voice strengthening exercises.

Quick “Don’ts” for Morning Voice:

• Avoid Excessive Caffeine: Coffee is a diuretic and can further dehydrate the vocal tissues. If you must have it, balance it with equal amounts of water.
• No Clearing Your Throat: It’s a violent physical act for your vocal folds. Try a hard swallow instead.
• Skip the Lemon: While popular, highly acidic citrus can sometimes trigger reflux or irritate a sensitive morning throat. Stick to plain warm water or honey.

MYTUTORLESSON – ASK A QUESTION

On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays we invite you to “Ask MyTutorLesson” a question about how to improve your voice. Your question can be answered by our Voice and Speech Teacher, Bill Patti. Do you have a question? Please contact us at info@mytutorlesson.com