Your voice is your most personal and delicate instrument. Good preparation before entering the studio can make the difference between a mediocre recording and a memorable performance. Here I share the tips I give to all artists who come to record with me.
Days before the session
1. Rest well
Your voice reflects your physical state. Sleep at least 7-8 hours the nights before recording. Fatigue immediately shows in vocal timbre and projection.
2. Stay constantly hydrated
Drink water throughout the day, not just on recording day. Vocal cords need to be hydrated to vibrate correctly. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages that dehydrate.
3. Avoid dairy and heavy foods
Dairy generates mucus that affects vocal clarity. Heavy or highly seasoned foods can cause reflux. Eat light and healthy the days before.
4. Practice the song (but don't wear it out)
Know your song by heart, but don't sing it at full volume repeatedly. Save your best performance for the studio. Practice softly or by humming.
The day of recording
Wake up early
Your voice needs to "wake up". Get up at least 2-3 hours before the session. Talk normally, hum, let your voice activate naturally.
Eat a light breakfast
Eat something mild: fruits, toast, oatmeal. Avoid dairy, very acidic citrus juices and greasy foods. Bring light snacks to the studio.
Warm up your voice
Do vocal warm-up exercises: gentle scales, lip trills, breathing exercises. 15-20 minutes are enough. Don't force it.
Arrive relaxed
Stress tenses vocal cords. Leave with time, listen to relaxing music on the way. Arrive at the studio calm and positive.
Vocal warm-up exercises
- Diaphragmatic breathing: Inhale deeply through nose (4 seconds), hold (4 seconds), exhale slowly through mouth (8 seconds). Repeat 5 times.
- Lip trills: Make your lips vibrate while making sound, going up and down in pitch. This relaxes facial muscles and warms up cords.
- Gentle scales: Sing ascending and descending scales with "ma", "me", "mi", "mo", "mu". Start in your comfortable range.
- Sirens: Glide your voice from your lowest note to highest and back, like a siren. Do it softly, without forcing.
- Articulation: Pronounce tongue twisters slowly to activate lips, tongue and jaw.
What to bring to the studio
Room temperature water
Cold water contracts vocal cords. Bring a large bottle of natural water.
Ginger or honey tea
In a thermos, bring warm tea with honey. It helps keep the throat lubricated during long sessions.
Light snacks
Fruits, nuts or cereal bars. Avoid chocolates or sweets that dry out the mouth.
Printed lyrics
Even if you know them by heart, having lyrics at hand reduces stress and lets you focus on emotion.
What to avoid before and during recording
- Yelling or talking too much: Don't waste your voice in long conversations or yelling. Save your vocal energy for recording.
- Smoking: Tobacco irritates vocal cords and reduces breathing capacity. Avoid it days before if possible.
- Ice cold drinks: Cold contracts throat muscles. Keep everything at room temperature.
- Constantly clearing throat: It damages vocal cords. If you feel something, drink water or do a soft swallow.
- Strong perfumes or air fresheners: They can irritate your throat. Let us know if something bothers you in the studio.
Preparing your voice is as important as rehearsing the song. A well-prepared singer not only sounds better, but enjoys the session more and manages to capture the authentic emotion of their music. Take the time to care for your instrument — your voice deserves it.
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