How well do you take care of your voice?

Very few singers manage to get through their career without experiencing a sore throat now and again.

In some cases this can even lead to nodules, and in extreme cases the nodules need to be removed by surgery, and you really don't want that to happen!

I don't say this to scare you - on the contrary, by just taking care of your voice with these few tips below, you should be able to enjoy a long healthy singing career with good vocal health.

So, here are the top 10 singing tips to keep your voice in good check:

1. In order to hold notes longer, try this exercise. Breathe in (not too deep). Hold your breath for a couple of seconds and say the letter "S" until your lungs are empty. Repeat this exercise frequently and try to say the letter "S" for a longer period each time. You will find that with a little practice, when you come to hold on to a note, you will be able to hold the note longer than before without any effort.

2. Don't just sing one style of music. Try singing in as many styles as you can like swing, musical theatre, pop, rock etc. This will train your voice to be versatile when it's needed

3. Never guess the pitch you are about to sing. "Hear" the note in your head before you open your mouth. You should be "hearing" the notes you are about to sing in your head before attempting to sing them. This is not as difficult as it sounds!

4. In order to reach high notes with more ease change the vowel sound. For example, if the vowel is "A" as in the word "SAY", change the sound to "EH" as in "SAID". You will find that you can reach the note with less effort.

5. Always warm-up by singing scales for at least five minutes before singing. This will allow the blood flow to reach your vocal chords before singing at your full potential. This is similar to an athlete warming up before taking part in an event.

6. Don't eat dairy products like milk, cheese, butter or chocolate before singing as this creates a sticky film over your vocal chords preventing them from working properly.

7. Do drink plenty of water as your vocal chords are the last things in your body to be hydrated. Tea, coffee, diet juices and fizzy drinks don't count.

8. If you're having trouble with your voice such as a slight sore throat or having to clear your throat more than usual, take a glass of water and squeeze some juice from a lemon in it and drink.

9. If you are auditioning, make sure you are fully prepared for it with an appropriate song for what is needed. Although some auditions don't ask for it, always ensure you have a backing track and sheet music for the song you are going to perform and that it's in a comfortable key for your voice. You'll find more information on how to find your key at: http://www.mp3backingtrax.com/article13b.htm

10. Record yourself singing at every opportunity and listen back as though you are listening to someone else. This way you will clearly identify your mistakes as well as identify your best bits.

For a free guide packed with singing tips, visit the link below. Username “singer” and password “microphone” http://www.mp3btcorp.com/free/mictechniqueebook/microphonetechnique.pdf