Why do I always automatically swallow big gulps whilst singing? It disturbs my singing...?

Question

I'm not talking about unnoticeable swallows. When I'm singing, sometimes my throat would suddenly be unmoveable, and then I would swallow. It really disturbs my singing. This always happens when I have a lot of saliva in my mouth. Problem is, how can I *not* have saliva? And just to satisfy your curiousity, singing does not remind me of food... ^_^ I've always thought something was wrong with my throat or salivary glands... Can someone help?

Answer 1

I agree, it's terrible advice to stop drinking water on the day of your singing gig. Water helps to lubricate the throat and makes your singing smoother and less of an effort. Which is the point! Not drinking enough may dry your mouth out, but it will also dry out your throat and make your singing croaky and could end up making your throat sore. Not fun.
The above advice is good though. Use pauses in the music to swallow what is already in your mouth rather than being overcome by it when it builds up. This is the reason you're swallowing in a gulp... it's your natural reflex because the saliva has build up too much. Swallowing small amounts periodically will certainly help this.

Answer 2

Bad advice from Mighty-Po. Thinking relaxing thoughts will be of zero help. Your problem is physical, not mental.
OK, listen, your problem is a common one for beginning and intermediate level singers, and it all has to do with fundamental breath control. You are breathing exclusively though your mouth in an attempt to "fill out" your voice and come from the diaphram. And you DO want to come from the diaphram with your breath, but what you gotta do is breath through your NOSE too. This will alleviate the saliva build-up and you won't have to swallow.

Answer 3

are you gulping air? that's what i do sometimes when i get too stressed out. i've tried drinking 7up or sprite (those wouldn't really be good for your voice tho), but they didn't really work for me. the best trick that helps me get rid of them is to just relax and think relaxing thoughts.

maybe you should try consciously swallowing a little bit every now and then, instead of letting it all build up. or try not drinking water like the day of your singing, just to dry up your mouth a little bit.