---

Should I sing with a sore throat? This is a common question among all types of singers. These tips will help to answer it along with some advice on improving your voice. The next time your throat feels scratchy, read this again.

A Sore Throat and Your Singing Voice

Should I Sing with a Sore Throat?

When your vocal chords are dry and brittle, your sound will be scratchy. You may want this sound with certain styles or songs but it is not the best way to treat your voice. There are several ways to prevent a sore throat for singers.

Number One Tip

One of the best things to do is to avoid singing with a sore throat when you get one. This will cause more damage to your vocal chords, making it harder to recover. Perhaps the best thing to do is to drink a cup of herbal tea every day. It is even better if you squeeze half a lemon's juice into the brewed tea.

The combination will provide a soothing layer around your vocal chords and down your throat making the tissues softer and more pliable. This can be tremendously comforting and will keep your voice, whether talking or singing, at it's best.

Improving Vocal Quality 

In order to really improve the quality of your voice, remember to practice your breathing techniques as well as singing scales once a day. This will keep your voice in practice and you will be improving your talent simultaneously. Whether you sing at a local karaoke event or even give professional performances on stage, it is good to keep your voice in good health. You only have one voice box so protect it with a vengeance!

If You Sing with a Sore Throat You Could Damage Your Vocal Chords

The damage incurred by trying to sing when your throat is sore can become permanent if you continue to vocalize when your voice box is begging you to stop. Listen to your body. It's your instrument and should be finely tuned. If you are feeling discomfort while singing, then it is probably wise to stop for a few days and help your voice recover.

When you continue to sing with even just a dry or scratchy throat, your vocal chords become increasingly irritated as they vibrate together with no lubrication. So drink a lot of water and remember to support your voice while you sing. Don't try to sing above the whole group. Join in with them and blend. 

Most Importantly

Drinking liquid is worth repeating as a dry throat can become sore quickly and hinder your singing performance. You should always be aware of keeping your vocal chords moist and flexible for maximum strength.