In the key of ‘Ahhhh ...’

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - If your holiday plans include singing, don’t chug the eggnog, champagne or even water. It could be hazardous to your voice.

While keeping hydrated is essential, gulping water before showtime washes away protective saliva that lubricates the throat, says William Riley, a Manhattan-based voice trainer whose client list includes Celine Dion, Faith Hill and the Grateful Dead.

Risky refreshments for vocalists include coffee, tea and chocolate, which can trigger acid reflux; acid-laden cola and citrus; dehydrating alcohol; and dairy products, which thicken mucus.

As an otolaryngologist to pro performers, Michael Benninger has resisted pleas for steroid injections. While sometimes necessary to reduce inflammation, steroids can cause long-term damage and, the national head-neck-voice expert says, “should not substitute for good technique or a healthy lifestyle.”

Celebrity songbirds take sound measures to protect their most precious instrument, avoiding throat-clearing, secondhand smoke and aggressive vocalizing. “When getting too loud, you lose control and lose resonance,” Riley says. “Clear articulation can save a lot of work by preventing too much force on the larynx.” Over time, “reckless forcefulness” may lead to vocal fold lesions (“singers’ nodes”). While benign, these calluses can chronically affect voice quality.

Even macho lead singers follow doctors’ orders when feeling hoarse or fatigued. Benninger suggests shifting more of the vocal load to bandmates and backup singers, nixing super-strenuous numbers, working with the sound engineer and audience interaction.

The best prescription for a strained voice is rest. “A bad performance is worse than a missed performance,” Riley says. “Audiences and critics will forget you did them a favor by performing under distress. They’ll just remember your voice cracked.”

Lastly, go easy on the holiday revelry — or you may be suffering instead of singing “Silent Night.”

More voice savers:

» Breathe fully and maintain good posture.

» Don’t raise your voice. Let others do the talking in noisy environments.

» Avoid smoke, mold, dust and other irritants.

» Avoid medications such as antihistamines that dry the mouth, nose and throat.

» Stop voice abuse: Speak in melodious, unforced tones, neither too low nor too high. Avoid shouting and throat-clearing. When hoarse or ill, be quiet.

Voice Warm-Up and Tension Relief Exercise

» Take a normal breath and then exhale from low in the abdomen, hissing an “s” sound for 5 to 10 seconds. Keep shoulders and chest low and relaxed. Repeat five times.

» Other warm-ups suggested by Michael Benninger: Engage in gentle humming or a “trill.”

Vocal Notes

» The American Academy of Otolaryngology, a global association of ear, nose, throat and neck specialist: www.entnet.org

» “The Performer’s Voice” by Drs. Michael S. Benninger and Thomas Murry: www.pluralpublishing.com