Have you ever found yourself mid-set, suddenly struggling to hit notes that felt effortless during rehearsal? Maybe your voice feels tired, pitchy, or stuck, and you’re wondering how you’re going to make it through the next two hours of your gig. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone—but let’s talk about why this is happening and what you can do about it.
Your Voice is a Living Instrument
Unlike a guitar or piano, your voice isn’t something you can put in a case at the end of the night. It’s affected by everything—your sleep, hydration, stress levels, and even how much you've been talking throughout the day. If you’re feeling fatigued early in a performance, it’s time to take a closer look at your habits leading up to the gig.
1. Are You Getting Enough Rest?
Rest isn’t just about sleep—it’s about giving your body and mind time to recover. If you’re staying up late scrolling on your phone or burning the candle at both ends, your voice will pay the price. Try adjusting your schedule to allow for extra rest, especially if you have back-to-back gigs. Even a short meditation or cat nap during the day can make a huge difference in your vocal stamina.
2. Are You Hydrating Properly?
Hydration isn’t just about chugging a bottle of water when you start feeling dry. It takes hours for water to fully hydrate your body, including your vocal folds. If you’re only drinking when you feel thirsty, you’re already behind. Make hydration a habit throughout the day—drink water consistently, eat hydrating foods like cucumbers and watermelon, and consider using a steamer or nebulizer to directly moisturize your vocal cords.
3. Are You Talking Too Much Before the Gig?
Your speaking voice and singing voice are the same instrument. If you’ve been chatting all day or teaching, your vocal stamina might already be depleted before you even start singing. Be mindful of your vocal load throughout the day, and take breaks when you can.
4. Are You Warming Up Properly?
You wouldn’t go for a long run without stretching first, so why would you sing a demanding set without warming up? A simple hum can do wonders for getting blood flow to your vocal folds. Try a light humming exercise before your gig to wake up your voice and build vocal efficiency.
5. Is Your Setlist Setting You Up for Success?
Take a look at how your songs are arranged. If you're opening with high-energy, vocally intense songs back-to-back, you might be burning out too quickly. Instead of stacking your setlist with "10s" right from the start, try starting at a moderate intensity and gradually building throughout the night. This can help you sustain energy and protect your voice.
6. Are You Equating Energy with Volume?
An energetic performance doesn’t always mean singing at full volume the entire time. If you’re pushing too hard, too soon, you’ll wear yourself out. Instead, learn to use resonant singing techniques that allow you to project with less effort. You can also engage your audience through facial expressions, stage movement, and dynamic contrast in your performance.
7. Are You Cooling Down After Your Set?
Just like warming up, cooling down is essential. A simple hum, descending in pitch, can help your voice recover after a high-demand performance. Treat your voice like an athlete treats their muscles—give it time to reset.
Take Action Today
If you’ve been struggling with vocal fatigue, try making some adjustments:
Plan your evening routine to prioritize rest.
Keep a water bottle with you and sip consistently throughout the day.
Be mindful of your vocal load before a gig.
Start warming up with a gentle hum before you sing.
Reevaluate your setlist to balance energy output.
Find ways to engage your audience without over-singing.
And most importantly, if you’re experiencing persistent vocal fatigue, it may be time to check in with a medical professional. An ENT (especially a laryngologist) or a speech-language pathologist can help assess your vocal health and guide you toward long-term vocal sustainability.
You deserve a performance career where you feel strong, confident, and in control of your voice. Take care of it, and it will take care of you!
🗣️ Download your FREE Pre-Show Warmup to get your mind, body, AND voice ready for a stellar performance. [HERE]
🎶 If you want to REALLY get to the heart of how to show up with more confidence when you sing, this is the kinds of stuff we talk about and prep for inside the Passionate Performer Program membership. Join us HERE! 👉 Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and tell me what’s on your mind! You can always reach out on Instagram or comment below with your challenges that you want us to solve on the show.
See you in the next episode! ¡Hasta la proxima! Available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube
Comentarios