Phlegm is one of those "necessary evils". Yes, it can interfere with your vocal production, but it is also necessary to keep your throat lubricated and to help your body fight infections.
It is normal to have a small amount of phlegm in your throat. This should be cleared easily by working your voice through a complete warm up. Some people's voices take longer to warm up and work out the phlegm than others. If you are particularly "phlegmy", a complete warm up might include humming several scales and vocalises, (make sure that you are not clenching your teeth by placing your tongue between them), sustained notes on multiple vowels, scales on multiple vowels, and then on to more advanced exercises. (You'll find some great exercises in our online singing lessons).
If you have a larger amount of phlegm than usual, there are several possible causes. You may be getting a cold, getting over a cold, your voice may be overworked, the air in your home/workplace may be too dry, or you may simply be dehydrated.
If you are sick or your voice is overworked, there isn't much you can do except let your body heal itself and make sure that it has the right resources to do so (rest, proper food, water).
Drinking enough water is absolutely essential. In addition, sleeping with a humidifier can make a huge difference. Please resist the urge to clear your throat to remove phlegm. It might work temporarily, but can become a bad habit that will cause irritation in the long run. Another temporary fix is medication. Most of the nasal-clearing medications on the market clear the stuffiness out by drying out the sinuses, making it doubly important for you to keep your body hydrated.
To make my throat feel clear, I use scotch mints. They may not work for other people but I always keep them in my performance bag. (They also have the added bonus of ensuring fresh breath, and the peppermint can help settle a nervous stomach). Fisherman's Friends are also very popular.
Links to More Tips & Resources for Vocal Care
Nature Made Zinc Lozenges, Cherry Flavored
Care of the Professional Voice: A Management Guide for Singers, Actors and Professional Voice Users
Evaluating the influence of warmup on singing voice quality using acoustic measures. : An article from: Journal of Voice
Comments From Our Visitors
"When i was in school, i had my lunch period right before my choir class so i always had all sorts of junk in my throat when i was in class. I started chewing Orbit gum after lunch with the intention of having fresh breath, but found that it cleared my throat quickly and quite effectivly. From the time i finished my lunch to when my choir class would start and i would spit it out, my throat was phlegm free. Also, I've heard that altoids are great at clearing throats as well. " - Kristine
