Avoid dairy products, which coagulate on vocal chords, for at least eight hours before a performance to help you avoid clearing your throat. Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of the performance to keep your body well-hydrated. Eat a healthy but relatively small meal before you perform.
Breathing deeply both relaxes muscles and delivers a healthy supply of oxygen to your bloodstream. Begin the warm-up by standing up straight in order to maximize the area in your lungs. Relax your shoulders and breathe deeply, like a yawn. Keep your tongue on the floor of your mouth as you yawn. When exhaling, vocalize a comfortable pitch. Repeat this exercise five to seven times. During the exhale, vary the pitch you vocalize.
Good vocal projection stems from support in the diaphragm. Hold the palm of your hand over your belly and vocalize the word "Ha" with a burst of energy. You should feel your diaphragm pushing upward to support the burst. Exercise your diaphragm by breathing in slowly and deeply with a relaxed mouth and throat. Your shoulders must remain relaxed. Maintaining the relaxed position of the jaw area, challenge your diaphragm with several bursts. Repeat the sound "Ha" several times at the same pitch. As you warm up your diaphragm muscles, try a range of pitches for each string of vocal bursts.
The muscles of the jaw, tongue and lips must be warmed up and prepared in order to optimize vocal performance. Buzz your lips like a motor, keeping them loose and relaxed. Inhale deeply, then trill your tongue as you exhale. Vocalize a range of pitches as you exhale. To relax the jaw muscles, rub deeply with small circles into the tissue of each side simultaneously. Keep your shoulders loose and relaxed throughout the warm-up.