How to Care for Your Vocals: Tips for Vocalists

If you’re a singer, taking care of your vocals is just as important as rehearsing your set list. From vocal strain and nodules to practical voice rest and recovery strategies, this guide shares proven tips for vocalists to help you protect your voice, prevent long-term damage, and sustain a healthy singing career.

Take a look at our Vocals Department at WaterBear, where you’ll find world-class live performance and music industry opportunities, access to industry-standard facilities, personalised 1-1 mentoring, and expert masterclasses with leading professionals. 

1. Why Vocal Health Matters for Singers
2. Common Vocal Cord Problems
3. Everyday Vocal Health Tips for Singers
4. Prevention: How to Avoid Vocal Cord Problems
5. Treatment Options for Vocal Cord Injuries
6. Protecting Your Vocals

I’m currently sitting here battling yet another cold (seriously, I should have shares in Lemsip). I’ve had about 30 people today alone tell me the same thing: “Take a break.” 

But here’s the reality: I’m a self-employed singer. If I don’t sing, I don’t get paid. Like many performers, my voice is my livelihood. For those who have built their entire careers on singing (whether in theatres, studios, or stadiums) vocal health isn’t optional. It’s survival. 

Even legendary artists aren’t immune. From Ozzy Osbourne postponing tours after pneumonia to Oli Sykes cancelling shows due to a ruptured vocal cord, singers at every level face the same truth: without a healthy voice, there’s no performance.

When singers ignore the warning signs, they risk long-term vocal cord problems.  

Here are the most common issues: 

Overusing your voice without proper rest or technique can cause pain, fatigue, and a weakened sound.

Small, benign growths on the vocal cords caused by repeated strain. They can lead to hoarseness and loss of vocal range.

From laryngitis to ruptures, injury to the vocal cords can take months to heal and may even require surgery or therapy.

These are my honest, hard-earned tips for vocalists – the small, everyday choices that make a big difference in protecting your vocals: 

• Take a break – even just a day or two. If you feel vocal strain creeping in, stop before it becomes damage. 

• Think long-term – your voice is your career. Protect your vocals now for future success. 

• Hydrate constantly – water is your best friend. Alcohol and caffeine? Not so much. 

• Avoid shouting – conserve your voice outside of singing. At gigs, be mindful about raising your voice over the music. 

• Seek medical advice early – if illness or hoarseness persists, don’t just rely on throat sprays. See a doctor or vocal health specialist. 

• Stay calm – stress adds tension to your voice. The more you panic about your performance, the more you strain. 

• Hum gently – it keeps your vocal cords moving without overloading them. 

These lifestyle choices don’t just get you through one performance, they help build the foundations of a long, healthy career in music.

Beyond everyday habits, it’s also vital to actively prevent vocal cord problems such as nodules, laryngitis, or reflux-related issues. Prevention is about technique, health management, and environmental care: 

• Practise good technique – use correct posture, breathing, and regular vocal exercises. 

• Learn to speak safely – avoid forcing your voice when talking, not just when singing. 

• Manage reflux – acid reflux can irritate your vocal cords and lead to chronic problems. Seek treatment if it’s an issue. 

• Adjust eating habits – eat smaller meals and avoid food late at night. 

• Limit irritants – cut down alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and fatty foods, which can all affect your vocals. 

• Avoid smoke and chemicals – protect your lungs and throat from external irritants. 

Think of prevention as vocal insurance: the more care you put in now, the fewer setbacks you’ll face later.

If you’re already experiencing vocal strain or other vocal cord problems, here are the most common treatments singers use: 

• Short-term: complete or partial voice rest. Limit talking and avoid whispering. Humming lightly can help keep your vocals moving without strain. 

• Long-term: voice therapy with a professional who can help you build safe, sustainable habits. 

Important note: This advice is based on singer experience. If you suspect an injury or persistent problem with your vocal cords, always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Medical advice should take priority over anything you read online. 

Caring for your vocals isn’t just about getting through the next gig, it’s about building habits that protect your voice for years to come. From avoiding vocal strain to knowing when to take voice rest, these are the essential lessons every singer should keep in mind. 

Key takeaways: 

• Your vocals are your most important instrument – treat them with care! 

• Vocal strain and vocal nodules can be preventable with the right habits. 

• Regular hydration, gentle vocal exercises, and strategic voice rest are essential. 

• Seek medical advice if you notice persistent hoarseness, pain, or loss of range. 

Care for your vocals now, and you’ll enjoy a stronger, longer-lasting singing career.

At WaterBear, we offer BA (Hons) and master’s music degree courses in Brighton and Sheffield, as well as online. Explore our BA (Hons) Professional Music (Performance) course, featuring a specialised vocal pathway designed for singers. You’ll learn from accomplished industry professionals and gain hands-on experience through exciting performance and industry opportunities.  

Apply now or request a prospectus to see how WaterBear can help you develop your skills and build a sustainable music career.