Michelle,

I have found vocal strain to be a function of incorrect placement of vowels due to tension by trying to enuciate and tightening the facial and throat muscles. A lot of loose jaw action, not floppy but slightly open (like the first part of a yawn), avoiding tension in the lips, tongue and eyebrows (no knitted brows) as well as allowing the vowel resonance to be easilly accented by consonants is the trick.

A good vocal teacher can help you remember what it feels like to sing correctly. Once you feel the right way, it can be reinforced by practice.

If you are feeling strain or overexertion in your singing, you would do well to find a qualified teacher who will concentrate on basic vocal production (not interpretation necessarilly). You might check the singing teachers organization on-line ( I can't remember the name but it's something like National Association of Teachers of Singing or ...oh yes NATS. They have a national listing of voice teachers and as an organization they are selective as to who can join (gotta' know how to teach properly).

Frank Hamilton