My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Oct 08 - 12:59 PM

Wot, no sugar & no citrus? No lemonade you mean ?   ;-)

Alex, I've been wondering how you're doing too. Drop a note and let us know what's up -

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 05 Oct 08 - 07:52 PM

Well Bonnie, I had a long conversation with Jonnie Collins and he had to stop all of those things and his voice came back. Might be worth having a work with him Alex.

On the whole tho, I would recommend drinking my lemonade, but then I would say that, wouldn't I. LOL

x Sal

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: BB
Date: 06 Oct 08 - 01:43 PM

Spoke to Johnny Collins a week or so ago, and he has had to give up drinking alcohol of any kind when he is going to sing. When he does so, even a little, he has enormous problems with his voice.

Barbara

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 07 Oct 08 - 10:58 AM

2 years ago I had to have a whole term off school as I had problems with my voice. I wss rushed to the top of the waiting list as I am considered to be 'a Professional Voice User'on 5 counts. If you are a PVU you must be jumped to the top of the list so my consultant and Voice trainer told me, it is part of the NHS protocol. Make sure your doctor and your consultant know you are a PVU. Do exactly as they tell you. I was told that unless I did what they said, which included taking time off work, I would never teach again and .. what was far worse, i would never sing again. I was taught to talk again and I was taught to sing again and how to use my voice correctly. Now, they can't shut me up and I am still singing.

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: M.Ted
Date: 07 Oct 08 - 02:23 PM

If you haven't seen the specialist yet, you should check your insurance and to see whether you need a referral, or you can simply go the the specialist on your own. Also check to see what the arrangement is for out of system specialists. Often, on your Dr's request, you can get pre-approval to see the best, wherever, even if the policy says they don't cover it.

Then find out who the theatrical performers go to, and go. It's worth getting on a train or even a plane so you can see the doctor who can give you the best help.

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 08 Oct 08 - 09:04 AM

I had a problem with my voice/throat a fews years ago. The doc sent me to the Ear, nose and throat clinic. Before I knew what was happening they put a camera up my nose, down my throat and asked me to talk and cough. I NEVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. It was without a doubt the worst experience in my life so far.... and I've had 3 children!

Sal

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: GUEST,donna fletcher
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:37 PM

I am a survivor of vocal nodes -- and I know exactly what caused it -- trying to sing as loud as the saxophones in a practice room preparing for a musical theater production. I actually felt something rip at the time. I regained my voice in a couple of days...but over time, scar tissue built up and I lost range, got very scratchy, and ultimately had to have surgery. I was not allowed to talk or whisper (which is even worse for your voice) for a month. It's been about 15 years now, and all is OK.

You really must see a specialist if your voice has really deteriorated; it can be a sign of a serious condition. But assuming not,

Here is a piece of advice from my ear/nose/throat doctor:

To protect your voice, use a higher speaking voice! He said too many women want to sound like Lauren Bacall (and no, my speaking voice is not THAT low). I didn't make a change in how I speak normally, but I do this when I need to protect my voice for a gig or start to feel it getting strained even in just a social situation.
Raising your speaking voice is especially helpful if you are in a loud environnent, such as a club where everyone is talking or there is music in the background. Pitching your voice higher lessons strain on your vocal chords. Try it, you'll find it really works.

Another way to be heard without talking louder and straining your voice is to throw your voice more through your nose; it may not sound as lovely, but you will be heard.

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 09 - 09:35 PM

First thing I thought of was more like nodules on the vocal cords. Using vocal cords that are already strained and tired or sore, can make them worse! You can develop nodules and scar tissue that could make you lose your singing abilities for the rest of your life! Go to a ear, nose, throat specialist.

Subject: RE: My voice is heavily damaged! HELP!
From: GUEST,xXxgayboi247xXx
Date: 04 Jun 09 - 05:41 AM

The vocal chords are a very delicate part of the voice and by not resting your voice you have damaged it and it will affect your range. When you sing higher notes the vocal chords vibrate faster whilst singing lower notes causes your vocal chords to vibrate slower, you can usualy feel this by putting your hand on your larynx and singing scales. i wouldnt recomend trying to hard to reach notes that you cant reach perfectly because it will cause your voice to strain, this will cause your voice to lose its frequency and power. when you sing the notes that your not able to reach just yet they sound very breathy to begin with but they can be strengthened with practice, if you find that you are overdoing it then rest. Singing loudly comes with practice most beginner singers start out with a quiet voice some louder than others, but placing the power over the range or tone of your voice is very foolish, if you find that singing loudly is hurting or straining your voice then its best if you sing at a lower volume untill your capable of singing louder, it basicaly takes years of practice to get your voice to sound better and to be able to sing with more power but that is minimized by protecting your voice.