Seriously. According to Dr. Solomon Snyder, director of the neurosciences department at Johns Hopkins University, caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance on earth. It's so popular, in fact, some people use "cups of coffee" as a way to measure a year in the life. (*groan*)
It's no secret why caffeine is so popular: It makes us feel better, gives us a jolt of energy, and helps us stay focused and awake for all that we have to do. College campuses seem to have a particular predilection for caffeine since their populations are chronically overtired from a lack of sleep. In the Department of Theatre this is partly because of your own lifestyle choices and partly because we keep you up late for rehearsals and make you get up early for dance classes (sorry!).
As I've discussed in this blog before, caffeine in all its forms (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and even chocolate) acts as a diuretic and can dehydrate the body and vocal folds. It is crucial that the body stay well hydrated in order for the vocal folds to function optimally.
But I've learned some new information in reading a recently published book called Manual of Singing Voice Rehabilitation: A Practical Approach to Vocal Health and Wellness by Leda Scearce, who is a speech-language pathologist and singing voice specialist at the Duke Voice Care Center.
Scearce writes that caffeine may be getting a bad rap when it comes to how it impacts vocal health. According to recent studies, the dehydrating effect of caffeine kicks in at around 250 mg. For reference, a tall, 12-oz. coffee from Starbucks has around 235 mg of caffeine. A 12-oz. cola has about 45 mg and 12 oz. of tea has roughly 37 mg. (Don't worry, chocolate is significantly lower than that...depending on how much you eat!) She also writes that people who consume caffeine regularly and at these moderate amounts can develop a tolerance to its dehydrating effect.You should consult the trusty internet to know what the caffeine levels are in the beverages you regularly consume. Take note that espresso shots have more caffeine than brewed coffee and the caffeine levels in energy drinks can vary widely.
For singers who regularly consume caffeine, Scearce does not necessarily advocate eliminating it entirely from your diet. Rather, she recommends singers keep their levels less than 250 mg. in combination with increasing their water intake throughout the day for general health as well as to offset the dehydrating effects.
However, she also counsels that caffeine can be a trigger for reflux. Singers who experience GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or LPRD (laryngopharyngeal reflux disease) need to further monitor or limit the amount of caffeine they are consuming (especially coffee, which can be more acidic than other forms of caffeine).
And, of course, as with all foods, drinks, and drugs, they impact us all differently. Some of us who are more sensitive to caffeine may need to make different choices than those who are less sensitive to caffeine. Know your body, what it can handle, and what it can't.
How has your practice been going this week? How are you doing on the goals you set in the last blog?
Now go practice.
This has definitely been week #3 for me, which is probably the worst week for every new semester. I say this because everyone is now set in their classes, and homework and tests have been given and it all just happens so quickly and can be so overwhelming.. and it's only the third week. With that being said, my practicing hasn't been strong at all this week, not only because of the amount of spare time I haven't been able to figure out, but also the amount of stress and lack of sleep has caused my voice to be really fatigued, making it very difficult to work my instrument when my vocal health isn't 100%. I'm still striving towards the goals I set for myself, this week was just a minor set back. But I plan on coming out on top and planning even more ahead than usual and making a really clean, and solidified routine schedule including: my sleep, voice practice, eating, and rehearsals/school.
ReplyDeleteThis past week has been just a tad bit overwhelming, with it being tech and trying to grasp my hold of everything this last semester entails. I have still been able to practice, but not as much as I should be. However, I have put aside some time to try and tackle certain projects that I have been meaning to get to. I have, in regards to this weeks topic, been consuming a LOT more caffeine than I am used to lately. I haven't noticed much correlation between how much coffee I drink and the quality of my voice, but this might be due to how conscious I am about drinking a lot of water throughout the day. On the other hand, I am still looking forward to being out of tech, and to cutting back on my caffeine intake.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a rough week. I've been recovering from getting sick last week but also with Sundance happening I feel like I'm working all of the time I'm not in school! I've definitely turned to caffeine and by that I mean, upped my intake from my regular cup of coffee a day. Working with Journey to the Past for auditions and the stress of that was a lot for my recovering voice and I tried to hydrate to counteract my caffeine intake. I think the built up tolerance for caffeine is strong with me, I've had a cup a day for years now and it doesn't affect my voice like it used to. That being said, when I know I'm going to sing I try to drink three times the water of whatever caffeinated beverage I've had. Basically I need to pee almost constantly.
ReplyDeleteWorking towards my goals in practice time has become strained because I feel like I've had so much to do in the limited practice time I have with auditions picking up and needing to learn new songs faster than I usually like to. I need to stop and spend my time solidifying my technique for every new song instead of learning the words and moving on.
I don't drink caffeine which is great! I wasn't allowed to when I was a kid, so now my body reacts terribly to caffeinated beverages. I don't drink soda anyway, and I enjoy the taste of coffee so sometimes I will get decaf, but I simply don't drink caffeine. I've never in my life had an energy drink. I do eat chocolate, but that's got such low levels of caffeine and i consume a limited amount. I don't even drink caffeinated teas. My liquid intake on a regular basis is throat coat tea, tons of water, and usually a smoothie and a protein shake.
ReplyDeleteMy practicing is nonexistent. I am resting my voice and just focusing on DOGFIGHT right now. I warm up everyday before rehearsal and sometimes I sing in class, but I don't do any real practicing because I need to keep rested and healthy for the show. Particularly right now because we are in tech. This show has STUPIDLY taxing music to begin with, and the show has a fog machine running the ENTIRE time, so it's even more crucial that I hydrate and rest and take care of my instrument. The show has taught me so much about my instrument so fast. I'm still very much in a developmental stage, and I'm still learning about my voice and about how to sing, but it's been great to jump into such a challenging project and learn as much as I have.
I appreciate the information on caffeine. For a while I thought that any caffeine was bad for your voice, but knowing that there's a threshold under which you will not be affected as much is welcome information. I now just have to deal with the fact that I am leaps and bounds past that threshold. Generally, I have three to five cups of coffee a day, with that number going up and down depending on money and free time. It more than likely is not a good thing for my voice. I would say that I have built up a tolerance to caffeine over the years, but this does not absolve me. Very often I will take coffee over water, and the fact that it's a diuretic as well does not bode well for my hydration. One large step I could probably take towards improving my vocal health would be to start bringing a water bottle to school and drinking out of it regularly instead of going to the library for a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteI have not been as on top of practice as I ought to be. Work often takes up my afternoon/evening/night and I've been a little behind on homework. A lot of the time this will demotivate me into a state where I think I simply don't have time to practice that day, but this is wrong. A half hour out of twenty four is negligible in terms of time in the day but notably significant in terms of practice. The issue is not time, but discipline. I will work towards practicing more regularly and not coming up with excuses not to.
I have never been a big caffeine drinker; I only drink the occasional soda and a tea in the morning when it's chilly and I have never noticed that my voice has been supremely affected by drinking caffeine. However, it is really useful information to know that, should I choose to have a coffee or a soda to wake me up, particularly before I need to use my voice extensively, that I should also drink water to make sure that I don't dehydrate.
ReplyDeletePracticing this week has been really difficult, particularly since classwork in all areas has gotten a bit heavier and we're in the midst of teching/prepping to open a show. If anything, I've been warming up in the morning before I leave the house so that I am at least ready to use my voice without hurting it. In that regard, I've been usually achieving my first goal. I'm hoping that over the course of the semester I continue to feel more comfortable going into a singing audition. I've been working on expressivity in my other classes and relaxing my jaw is a daily struggle for me, so this is a continuous process as well.
I am a die hard coffee drinker. I go through phases of how much I consume. During Bring it On, and now during tech rehearsals for Dogfight, I have been drinking a cup a day, if not more. However, when I am in a show, or working on a project, I am extra cautious of how much water I am drinking as well. I try really hard to stay super hydrated, and drink at least 4 water bottles a day. I only will drink it in the morning, because if I drink it in the afternoon I will be up all night and then super tired the next day, and it turns into a very vicious cycle very quickly.
ReplyDeleteAs for practicing, I have been really reaping the benefits of recording class lessons. It makes it so much easier to follow warm ups and memorizing songs. Especially since I don't have a piano in my house. I think I am also really widening my rep. I am listening to more musicals and seeing what could fit my voice. I think its a good first step to learning more music by the week, and practicing more and more. Because maybe if I am not technically singing, I think it is good to listen to other singers and hear what they do and how they make songs their own. I also have been really conscious of my jaw when I go to sleep, I think a lot of my tension comes from me grinding my teeth in the middle of the night. It is so annoying and gross, but I think relaxing my jaw before I sleep should help.
I honestly don't drink caffeine all that much. I'll have a soda, or coffee, or tea occasionally, but I usually drink water or juice instead. I joke a lot, though, about how I should drink more caffeine because I am tired all the time, so we'll see if my consumption increases in the future. I have always heard that caffeine isn't good for your voice, so it's interesting to hear that it may not be as bad as I have always been told. One thing I personally need to work on, and it is one of my goals for this semester actually, is to drink more water. I suppose it's good that I don't drink much caffeine because my water intake is probably lower than where it should be. I have been consciously trying to remember to drink plenty of water all day to keep my voice healthy. As my uncle always says, "you pee clear, you sing clear!"
ReplyDeleteAs far as my other goals go, I have been better at practicing than I thought I would be. This week got a little crazy, but I have still been trying to vocalize whenever I get the chance. When I do have time, I find that I actually practice for a lot longer than I intend to, because I end up going over my music for voice lessons, and even old music that I haven't gone through in a long time. Sometimes I forget how much I love singing, so it's nice to have regular practice times as a reminder. It has also made me more diligent about practicing my songs for voice lessons, which is very helpful.
My final goal was about sight reading, and I feel like I am improving everyday in that area. I got really good my senior year of high school, but I didn't practice it after I graduated, so I lost a lot of that skill. I'm really happy to be having this refresher, and I feel like it is doing wonders for me!
I wasn't allowed to have caffeine growing up, and I never really liked the taste of coffee much, so I've never really even given the effects of caffeine on my vocal folds much thought. Ever since Chris told us in class last semester that it takes four hours for the water you drink to reach your vocal folds, though, I've been trying to drink a lot of water for the main purpose of keeping my vocal folds hydrated. It's good to keep in mind what caffeine would do to my voice if I ever did drink more than an occasional caffeinated tea.
ReplyDeleteI've been really sticking to my singing schedule this week, which I'm very proud of. I've been forcing myself to get up an hour earlier than usual to go to the practice room at Libby Gardner and warm up and go through my music before class. I find that I'm not quite as productive because it's so early in the morning, but I feel much more prepared for class. I think this next week I'm going to try to find a better balance of getting fully warmed up before class, while still finding time later in the day to get more work done.
My first semester in college I tried to hop on the caffeine train, at which point the train derailed and I became a jittery, super unproductive, anxious mess. So I try to stay away from it. Though I think the lesson still rings true that we should be aware of what we're putting in our body and how it affects us.
ReplyDeletePractice has actually been really good so far this semester. It has been frustrating in these past few weeks though as the inversion has really affected and fatigued my voice. At any rate, I've loved the flexibility and agility I've found in the practice room and how that translates into my daily routine.
Having heard your coffee-water compensation spiel from a young age, I feel it is now habit for me to be aware of how many possibly dehydrating substances I put in my body and consciously compensate with my water intake. I do not drink as much coffee and not as much sugary coffee as I did probably in high school or my first semester of college, but I definitely still indulge in the occasional black coffee, espresso, or tea.. and of course the addition of alcohol to the beverage palette. That being said, when I am dehydrated, I can absolutely feel it with major discomfort. I also know that it takes hours for the water I drink to actually hydrate me from the inside, so I make the effort to stay hydrated and compensate for choices that dehydrate me.
ReplyDeletePractice is going well. I have been a little stagnantly sick for the past two weeks, so vocal production has not been at forte, however, I have been able to spend more time learning my new repertoire.
I am a huge tea drinker and since I work at a tea shop, it is really easy to come by for me. I have noticed a big difference in how I feel by decreasing the amount of coffee I drink and stick to the energy boosts I get from the tea that I drink. My voice is affected as much by the tea and it doesn't set me back from singing when I drink it.
ReplyDeletePractice is going a lot better than the week before. My voice was really tired from the inversion and getting back into practicing at a more strict schedule than I was during the break. For some reason, my jaw has been incredibly tight and tense. I'm thinking that it is from attempting to not shiver in the cold all the time and keeping my body tense all the time. I've also been paying attention to my breathing with all the inversion and it seems to be causing all kinds of problems for my lungs, so I am trying to keep my mouth covered while I am outdoors in order to reduce the amount of pollution I am breathing in.
I am also a huge caffeine, energy drink, and tea goer. I am really trying hard not to drink so much of these items but it has become an addictive cycle for me. As much as I love stimulant drinks, I understand that it isn't good for the voice and try to stay away from them before practicing, voice lessons, or performances. I only tend to drink them during school or before a workout. Other than that, I have been practicing regularly without energy drinks and I am making progress. I am learning to release tension in my body and jaw more which has helped me with nerves and singing in front of people. It is a huge mental thing but knowing that it is possible to release tension on cue has really directed me to focus on the singing and not the anxiety.
ReplyDeleteThis semester so far has been interesting for my practice has been mainly focused on vocal function rather than "singing good". The biggest thing I have learned is that you can't make it harder than it is or you will be screwed. I have to constantly remind myself to relax the neck and to engage the breath fully and let that take over rather than added pressure (which is why I am in the situation I am in). I've also found it much easier to hit high notes as I work my CT muscle a lot through my exercises. Even from December to Now I have noticed a big difference in my high notes and the consistency of them. I look forward to getting back to endurance training so I can practice full sets for my recital effectively.
ReplyDelete-Cameron Karter
I am glad to hear that I don't have to completely eliminate coffee from my diet because that would be impossible hahaha. I have been trying to allow myself to drink coffee only if I earn it by drinking extra water afterward. I will also try to not drink more than 12 ounces at a time.
ReplyDeleteI have never been able to stand caffeine (it runs in the family). But I find it very interesting to know about the effects it has on the voice/body. As I was reading the post I got very curious as to how much chocolate I would have to consume to have the dehydrating effect. Fun fact: Turns out it is over 6.5 ounces (possibly more due to natural caffeine). As for practice, I can finally sing again! And my range is the best it's ever been. So I am planning on making sure I stay extra wary about hydration (especially since I'm coming out of a cold).
ReplyDeleteOftentimes I find myself drinking coffee simply because I enjoy the taste. I only drink cold brew coffee, which is much less acidic and dehydrating than regular coffee and espresso. However, I have never noticed the effect that caffeine supposedly has on the voice due to the fact that I drink a ton of water throughout the day. I drink 16-24 ounces prior to ballet, 32 ounces after ballet, and probably fill up my 32 ounce water bottle 4-5 times in a day simply because I sweat so often. I have always been extremely cognizant of my health and watch very carefully what I put into my body. That being said, I don't think a daily cup of coffee will be my demise. My practicing has been lackluster these past few weeks because I am so wiped out and exhausted by the end of each school day, I hardly have the energy to sing. The inversion has negatively effected me and it definitely took a toll on my voice for a few days. Now that spring is around the corner and the inversion is clearing up, I will make practicing more of a regular routine.
ReplyDeleteI drink a lot of coffee, and occasionally energy drinks where I really need a pickup, more then I probably should. But I also drink a lot of water. I make an effort to be aware of what I am putting into my body and the effect it is having, which is something my training has taught me to do better. I have never really noticed the effect caffeine has on my voice, but then I am tired from lack of sleep I often feel strained.
ReplyDeletePracticing has been a but difficult this week. Like many others, the inversion has had a noticeable effect on my voice, and singing is not as easy. I have been taking it easy and trying to rest my voice this week.
I'm not usually one to drink coffee so thats been nice. I do strive to drink a lot of water everyday especially 3 hours before singing and private voice lessons. It's really interesting waking up early and chugging down water then going back to bed haha! The inversion has been really crappy especially when I need to sing. I must say how proud and impressed I am with the Dog Fight cast being able to sing so beautifully.
ReplyDeletePersonally I do drink a good amount of coffee. I drink at least one Starbucks a day most days. I have not noticed an impact on my voice but I have begun to realize how much it does affect my energy level. On a day I do have my latte I am significantly more awake around 3:00pm than I am when I do no drink a latte that day. Even though that is not a direct affect on my voice it definitely has an impact on my body.
ReplyDeleteI have been practicing on a daily basis and attempting to extend my practice time, so that goal is going well. Aside from that one feel I need to continue working on my confidence while singing.
Thanks :)
AFHHHHHFJDKD I typed something up and then it got deleted but I'll just type it again 😿 I thought the rent joke in the first paragraph was funny. As far as caffeine goes, I have my good days and bad days. I have started limiting my intake. Pretty similar to what this post talks about. I also try to balance my caffeine intake with water intake. Everything in moderation. I like to drink water and tea mainly at night and caffeine during the day. I am loving practicing a more belt contemporary sound. Also I am playing the piano more to get better at sight singing.
ReplyDeleteI am ever on a conquest to rid my thoughts of caffeine and soda altogether. I actually don't ever consume either very often, so when I'm faced with a choice at say a party I usually think, "Why not? It's been a while." Obviously having it every so often like that isn't bad, but I just think it would be fantastic to one day be able to say to myself, "Wow ! You haven't had soda or caffeinated beverages in 15 years!"
ReplyDeleteMy goals are going well. I'm enjoying my schedule this semester in just being able to get up and get going on my career each morning.
I hate coffee and soda, so I'm usually not drinking caffeine. I will drink teas with caffeine, but in the same day, I will also drink uncaffeinates teas. I don't like feeling jittery from coffee and I really don't like the taste of it at all. I used to drink soda more as a kid (not much because my parents didn't have it in our house - we drank seltzer water, milk, and regular water) but around 12 or 13, when I was going to a lot of bar and bat mitzvahs, I would drink soda and it would make me feel sick.
ReplyDeletePractice has been going well this week! I had an audition for The Muny and it went well. I'm just trying to keep my confidence up in auditions and not get discouraged if I don't get called back.
My throat has not been happy with me this week. I'm pretty sure I've had a cold so it's been harder to be productive with my practice, but I'm pretty happy as I've been keeping up with my schedule pretty closely.
ReplyDeleteAs far as coffee goes, I'm pretty obsessed with it. However, I do try to keep a limit on how much I have... usually only one or two cups a week. I've noticed I've been getting other bad reactions from drinking it so I've been lowering my intake. But my biggest focus right now is hydrating with water and healing my throats back up.
Fortunately, caffeine is not something I am addicted to. I pretty much have enough energy to spread around at any given point in the day. The only time I really turn to caffeine is when I'm really dragging... and even then it's not coffee, it's tea.
ReplyDeleteI have not been feeling well at all for the past three weeks. This was right around the time that I began to get sick. I hope that I'll be back to regular practicing soon, but for the past little while my voice has been feeling too strained. I haven't been willing to put on that extra pressure.