If you feel a frog forming in your throat, the vibrations caused by humming are gentle enough to preserve your voice but strong enough to dislodge some of the phlegm in your throat. Pick a tune and hum it softly at least a half hour before the practice. Choose a tune that hits both high and low notes for the best results. Swallow often to help clear away the buildup in your throat as you dislodge it from humming.
A dry, parched throat isn’t going to produce the strong voice you need for performances. Drink plenty of water before the show to keep your mouth and throat moist. Avoid beverages that are overly hot, though. For example, drinking hot tea too quickly may result in burns. These burns will cause you discomfort during the performance as well as possibly alter the sound of your voice. Stick to beverages no hotter than room temperature. Drinking beverages that are too cold can cause issues as well. A warm throat is one that is ready to sing.
While the song may seem outdated, “Do Re Mi” helps clear your throat before a performance without causing trauma to the vocal cords. The song takes you through a level of notes without forcing you to complete strong, overly complicated singing feats. Sing it five minutes before show time to clear your throat and leave you primed for singing. The National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services provides the full lyrics of the song for anyone not familiar with it.
Your lips and tongue play a big part in your singing performance. If your lips and tongue move sluggishly, your words will sound slurred and off key. Warm up your lips and tongue before the performance to keep your voice sounding clear and confident. Practice puckering your lips and rolling your tongue. Perform a move called the “lip trill,” where you release air from your mouth to move your lips and tongue, making a gurgling sound. Open your mouth wide to stretch your jaws and lips.