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hi wail fans! hey, i've been getting questions lately from fans and students regarding some tips on keeping the voice healthy. we've just returned from the east coast where a gentle, beautiful autumn was rolling in..and now back home in wisconsin, a, (not as gentle !) change of season. this seasonal change has our voices calling out for a little extra T.L.C! my #1 tip is to drink AT LEAST 1/2 gallon of water a day. that's pretty easy! if you're battling with any kind of "gunk" in the throat, add some fresh lemon to your water. a quicker fix is to just suck on a slice of lemon! #2. avoid caffeine! o.k. ...i say, "a little coffee is o.k.". BUT, caffeine, in any form, dries out our pipes. enjoy herbal teas! plus, it's another way to achieve that 1/2 gallon goal!
#3. i use a throat spray regularly. not just if i feel a cold coming on or something, but for overall voice health. i use it year-round, and highly reccomend this habit for singers and folks who use their speaking voice heavily each day. my personal choice is ZAND THROAT SPRAY with echinacea & tee tree oil. i personally avoid any spray with propolis (i feel like this numbs the throat a wee bit ). other than that, there are plenty of brands out there to choose from. #4. whisky and scotch will give you a lower, huskier voice! (temporarily!). if that's what yer goin' for, well..........! #5. get plenty of rest. you deserve it! and if you've a cold, know that the tail end of the process will most often be the hoarse voice, or even laryngitis, that can typically last up to three weeks. STOP TALKING! silence will be your best friend to get your voice back as soon as possible. #6. smoking? what do YOU think?!! #7. and lastly, if you're prepping for a gig, or recording, avoid dairy for the couple of hours before . a bit of hard cheese perhaps, but no dips and creamy goodness! for a copies of my vocal technique c.d.s, " If You Can Speak You Can SIng" the MAGGIE METHOD for beginning and advanced singers, just email,
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sing every day and you'll never get sick! that's what i say! coming soon to wail.com......a free sample of MAGGIE'S METHOD! all the best, maggie
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One of the great things about having a Friday Night off is having the chance to go out and hear other music. Last Friday night I took Sims to see my favorite vocalist. What a stroke of luck that the John Cowan Band , fro Nashville , was playing a gig in Wisc. We cover one of John's song - Nothing But The Blues - and I've been telling audiences for years of this guy, his passion and that John is my favorite vocalist. Not only for his amazing set of pipes but his passion, ease of singing and completely loving being in the muse. Catch him if you can - 