Harmattan and your Voice

Singing Voice in Harmattan

 #voicecanic #healthyvoice #singers
"How can singing voice be maintained during the harmattan"?

The above question was sent in from someone who lives in Europe, but she's coming to Nigeria for a couple of weeks. Well, before I go on to reply, let me first give a little bit information on the Harmattan season in Nigeria, and by extension, West Africa.

The harmattan is a dry, dusty wind that blows across West Africa during the dry season, typically between December and February. It can have an effect on the singing voice by drying out the mucous membranes in the throat and nasal passages, which can make it more difficult to produce clear, well-pitched tones. It can also cause irritation and inflammation in the throat, which can lead to a scratchy or hoarse singing voice.

To maintain a healthy singing voice during the harmattan, it's important to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding dehydrating substances like alcohol and caffeine. It can also be helpful to use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, or to drink warm liquids like tea or broth to help soothe the throat. Singers may also want to consider using throat lozenges or a saline nasal spray to help alleviate irritation and keep the vocal cords moist.

"How do I improve my child's voice"?

Here's another question, and my take. You too can send in your question, and I will do my best to shoot you a reply. Send a mail mofasasings@gmail.com

There are several ways to help improve a child's singing voice:

Encourage your child to sing regularly: Regular practice can help improve a child's vocal control and pitch accuracy.

Encourage proper vocal technique: Children should be taught to sing with good posture, with their chest lifted and their head held high. They should also be taught to take deep breaths and to use proper breath control when singing.

Encourage proper diction and enunciation: Children should be taught to articulate words clearly and distinctly when singing. This can help improve their overall vocal clarity and projection.

Encourage proper warm-up and cool-down techniques: Children should be taught to warm up their voices before singing, using exercises like humming and lip trills. They should also be taught to cool down their voices after singing, using exercises like humming and singing descending scales.

Encourage good vocal health: Children should be taught to drink plenty of water, avoid singing when they have a cold or sore throat, and to use proper vocal hygiene techniques like covering their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough.

Consider professional voice lessons: If your child is interested in singing and is serious about improving their voice, you may want to consider hiring a professional vocal coach or teacher to help guide their development.