Most singers experience unsettling changes in their singing when traveling to high, dry climates. High elevation singing is especially problematic for those of us who live in the “high desert” full-time. The dry air dries out the vocal folds. The high altitude means that in the same breath, you inhale LESS oxygen than you would at a lower altitude. As singers, we really need that oxygen! Low oxygen levels in the air also means that– and this is crazy– you must stretch the vocal folds further in order to sing the same perceived pitch. In other words, that high E-flat is going to feel like a high E-natural at the top of a 14-er!
So how do you deal? I have composed a list of helpful tips for coping with the excessively high and dry climate of the Rocky Mountain region. (disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor should this post be taken as medical advice.)
Tips for dealing with high, dry climates:
1. Drink water
2. Drink MORE water
3. Improve your cardiovascular health. A healthy cardiovascular system means that you can process that little bit of oxygen in the air faster and better. Walk, run, cycle, hike, or snowboard: whatever gets that heart-rate up.
4. Breath more often during sining. You need more air to get the same amount of oxygen, so BREATHE. No one will fault you for taking that extra breath during your cadenza.
5. Allow your body to adjust to the dry air by avoiding excessive use of humidifiers. Yes, I had nosebleeds for the first month of living in Colorado, but after that month, my body had adjusted.
6. Drink MORE water
7. Adjust your technique by 1 half-step up. In other words, if you typically “narrow” starting on a D, start “narrowing” at a C#. If you “widen” for a high B, start “widening” on the B-flat.
8. DRINK MORE WATER.
