VOCAL TOOLKIT

The tools I recommend to take great care of your voice.

Everyday Essentials

Straws: One of the most effective ways to warm up your voice and train better singing support.

  • BEST: Singing Straw Silicone or Metal. This is definitely a higher price point, but they usually have a promotion going on you can couple with putting in my name MCKENNATROY to get $5 off. I like these both because they have a carrying case so I don’t lose them, and because the metal ‘pro’ straws have different size options for how your voice is feeling on a given day. They’re also much more sustainable than plastic coffee stirring straws (the only other straws with a small enough diameter once you are advanced).

  • BUDGET: Silicone Reusable Drinking Straws for when you’re starting (wider diameter, the cheapest correct set I could find), then Plastic Coffee Straws (I can’t find a more sustainable affordable alternative yet) for when you’re advanced.

Extra Accessories

Vocal Sound Dampener: great for practicing loud singing in your apartment or warming up somewhere more public. Also great for practicing shouting lines in acting. (significantly dampens sound)

Nebulizer: hydrates vocal folds, reducing phonation threshold pressure. Results in less effort / strain to make sound. Particularly useful if you’re using your voice a lot and are concerned with vocal stamina, have allergies / sickness concerns, or have other vocal irritants like smoking/vaping/dehydration/alcohol/post nasal drip.

  • BEST: Mypurmist Nebulizer. This one is awesome because its cordless, so you can use it anywhere (aka backstage/in a waiting room before an audition or performance) and comes with a large supply of the necessary sterile water as well.

  • BUDGET: Misty Portable Nebulizer. I personally have not tried this one yet, but it has great reviews and is also rechargeable/cordless!

Keyboard/Piano: It’s very important to choose the right piano when you start learning. It needs to have the full 88 keys and have weighted (not semi-weighted) keys.

  • BEST TABLETOP: Yamaha 88 Key Weighted Keyboard: This is the most reliable keyboard to buy for a lower/moderate price point. This keyboard does not include a stand and bench- it’s perfect for a table top (or a bench/stand can be bought separately)