How to Increase Vocal Stamina

Vocal stamina is the ability to use your voice for a prolonged period of time. People who are required to speak aloud such as teachers, public speakers, actors or professional singers may experience vocal fatigue if they do not have the vocal stamina to meet their job's requirements. According to The Voice and Swallowing Institute, vocal fatigue is "characterized by a sense of increased effort or strain when talking, accompanied by decreased vocal capabilities, such as decreased loudness or quality." Fortunately, there are ways to increase vocal stamina.

Instructions

• 1

  Warm up your voice before long performances or speaking sessions. Try humming, singing scales or buzzing through your lips. These exercises will warm up your vocal chords just as stretching warms up muscles before a race.

• 2

  Practice your vocalizing technique. Learn how to sing or speak from the diaphragm -- open your mouth wide while performing. Find the pitch using your larynx control and project from the back of your throat.

• 3

  Practice vocalizing for longer than your actual performance to improve stamina. If a typical performance is 30 minutes, for example, practice vocalizing for longer than 30 minutes and up to two hours every day. This will help build muscle and increase the strength of your voice.

• 4

  Stay hydrated while you practice and perform. Keep your vocal chords well lubricated by drinking at least a glass of water for every hour of vocal work.

• 5

  Rest your voice on off-days. Speak in a low, gentle voice on your non-performance days to give your vocal chords a break.