Greetings Ariella! Have to tell you that I love receiving your e-newsletters! Thank you for sharing such great info! I have a singing question that I don’t find to much information about 
hopefully you can help. My name is Daniela Brando and I’m a pop/rock singer/songwriter. After being pregnant and having a baby–I am planning a very important show in July. I’m very rusty since I haven’t had much time to dedicate to my voice. Any advice on preparing my voice to sound it’s best in just 4 months?? Also, I am working with new musicians for this show and we never worked together…my plan was doing 3 rehearsals with the whole band (4 hrs each)– I was thinking 1 rehearsal the week before and 2 for the week of the show. I want the band to sound tight; but I also don’t want to lose my voice. Do you think that may be too much of a strain on my voice? If so, what would you suggest with the band rehearsals? Thank You so much for your time and all your help. It’s very appreciated. And keep the newsletters coming! All the Best, Daniela
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Hi Daniela,
Congratulations on your new baby. (Good luck finding the time to prep for the show :). Depending on whether you had a C-section or not makes a huge difference on your own recovery period for singing after having a baby. A C-section has a much longer recovery rate for obvious reasons (major abdominal surgery).
It sounds like you had your baby 4 months ago and the performance is in July which is 3-4 months from now so you should definitely have enough time to get your body and voice going again. I would suggest getting your voice in shape starting now with regular vocal exercises. Depending on how you feel start slowly and build up to more practice time everyday. It is very important that you get all the proper singing muscles working in your body so that you don’t start using improper ones to support your voice.
If you have my Voice Lessons TO GO CDs those would be ideal for getting you back into shape. Remember to listen to your body. Only you know if you are feeling vocal fatigue or strain. Stop at the vocal fatigue and don’t let yourself get to the point of straining.
I would suggest that you do breathing exercises as well to get your breath support strengthened, (on my first CD Vocalize and Breath). You probably have not been using your diaphragmatic breathing lately! A good breath and strong body make for a free and healthy voice.
Also, it would be great for you to start up physical exercise again to help strengthen your body as well. This will provide added support to your voice. Yoga, and swimming are great singing work outs.
As far as your rehearsal schedule for the band goes, it really depends on how great of shape you get your voice back in. No matter what you do not need to sing full out for 4 hour rehearsals. You should “mark” when repeating songs. It takes a lot of rehearsal to be able to sing through a 4 hour rehearsal and I don’t think you will be there. Make sure during your practices until that point that you are lengthening your stamina by increasing the minutes on your practice so that your voice gets used to long periods of singing. Check out my 4th CD Stamina- (but make sure you are in vocal shape before you hit this one). Good luck and listen to your body and voice for signs on all of this. Sing well!
Ariella
Tags: how to prepare your voice, singing after pregnancy
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on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 5:44 pm and is filed under preparing your voice for a performance, singing advice, singing after pregnancy, singing tips.
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