Why do I need to practice scales and all those exercises?
A singer is like an athlete who gradually trains their body until it reaches the peak of its operating ability. Like any other muscle in body, the vocal chords need to be warmed up with exercises before asking them to perform. Although you may have been singing since you were small, it is important that you learn to sing in a healthy manner that builds up the muscles slowly and prevents damage to the voice.
The vocal chords (also known as vocal folds) are small thin muscles that vibrate when air passes through them. The vibration ranges from fast to slow and the more ‘elastic’ they become, the easier it is for the notes to be produced. The singer learns how to control their breathing and uses vocal exercises, scales and vocalize which help to develop flexibility in the vocal chords.
How long should I practice for?
That depends on the level of experience and amount of training that the singer has. For a complete beginner no more than 20 minutes a day including warm up, rests, vocalization and cool down. The amount of practice time should be gradually increased over a period of months according to your singing teachers instructions.
Advanced singers can practice for a lot longer with practice sessions broken down into 15 – 20 minute slots of warm up, vocalization, rest, repertoire, rest, advanced repertoire and cool down.
I’ve heard you can practice for hours?
It is not advisable to sing for long periods of time without a lot of training! You would not expect to run a marathon without training slowly and regularly over a long period of time. The vocal mechanism is like any other group of muscles and requires the same type of gradual development. It should also be noted that even professional singers use their practice periods to do other types of training! As well as vocalizing, a singer should use their rehearsals to learn lyrics, learn music, study techniques, observe recorded performances and utilize their time between singing rather than sing continuously for long periods of time which may strain their precious voices!
Can I sing if I’m sick?
Never sing or vocalize if you are ill or suffering with a sore throat. If your voice starts to feel hoarse or sore during your practice session STOP singing immediately and completely rest the voice. When your voice has fully recuperated, review your vocal technique, start with gentle humming and cut down the length of practice time until you can consult your teacher. If the problem persists, do not sing – visit your doctor.
Can I eat or drink before my practice?
Eat a light meal at least 2 – 3 hours before you start, allow plenty of time for the food to digest. Avoid caffeine, alcohol or acidic drinks like orange juice before you sing as these can cause drying or excess phlem in some people. Drink between 8 – 9 pints of water a day and keep a supply of water to hand during your practice period.
Should I practice every day?
At least one day a week should be spent resting the voice – NO Singing!
source: http://www.vocalist.org.uk/singing_practice.html