Help! My singing voice is dying!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Joybell
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 11:22 PM

As a singer living with asthma triggered by passive smoking, I wondered - Has anybody mentioned cigarette smoke yet? Couldn't see it but maybe they have. Anyway it's a major factor in causing problems for singers. Also Ventolin does affect the vocal chords, at least for a time. It's better than the alternative of course - suffering a fatal asthma attack. I can't agree more that a throat specialist is the person to ask about voice problems.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Mac Hammac
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 05:17 PM

Hey, i'm only 17 , and i've been singing for just a little over a year. mostly simple things, but then the band i was in started getting me into screaming and now i know why i should never do that lol i can't hit the high notes or hold mid notes steady anymore, it always feels like its slipping just a little bit out of tune when i'm singing... (i quit the band) , and so now i play and sing lots of my own acoustic stuff agian my dad made me a webpage www.hammac.com/mac listen to my voice and you'll probably hear what i'm talking about! i just want to know what i can do to make my voice more powerfull and how to hit the right notes more often, i dont know how good i'm doing for how long i've been singing or anything of that sort so anyone that listens to it leave me a message on my email if you have any advice.... thanks -Mac

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Sooz(at work)
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 08:11 AM

In my 30th year since qualifying as a teacher, my voice "went" last term.I've had an endoscopy to check the state of my chords and both the consultant and the speech therapist have said that my voice is just fatigued. (I did have a few weeks of cure whilst off work recovering from a slipped disc!) However the both think its worth treating possible acid reflux which is not necessarily associated with indigestion pain. It can be silent. So now I'm taking a double dose of proton inhibitors and gritting my teeth every time I feel the need to raise my voice in school. I've managed fairly well this week and I think I will be able to sing tonight!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: JulieF
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 11:20 AM

Its really interesting to hear how people think inhalers affect the vocal cords. I stopped singing at the end of my teens when I developed athsma. I thought that I began to sing out of key. In recent years the athsma has all but disappeared and I have begun singing again.   I am not convinced that the inhalers affected my vocal cords - but perhaps it affected my confidence and I heard myself differently.

I am currently just recovering from losing my voice for about 3 days which I think was a caused by a mixture of hanging around cold marquees, the stress of using a microphone properly for the first time and a two hour Bulgarian Choral workshop. Will have to pay more attention to what I'm doing in future.

Julie

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Com Seangan
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 02:40 PM

My own voice has been losing volume for about five years. I try an old Irish remedy - a few pints of Guinness each evening follwed by a glass of Jameson. There has as yet been no remarkable improvement but the medicine is nice.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,kristin
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 07:19 PM

I have a major audition on Thursday (its Saturday) and I have a cold and allergies at the same time! I bought lemons that I'm eating right now and fresh pineapple. I'm also drinking room temperature water, which is what one of my friends who has a recording studio told me to do. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO????? I'M TOTALLY DESPERATE! GET BACK TO ME ASAP!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Cats
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 05:10 AM

If all else fails you need to coat your throat with something sweet and sticky. Many opera singers use sweet sherry, sipped sparingly, and I know loads of people in the South West who swear by Rum and Shrub. It's an alcoholic cordial you put in with rum and even the strict methodists down there use it for medicinal purposes. Rum and shrub for the throat, Brandy and lovage for the stomach. Try it.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Com Seangan
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 06:18 AM

I'm telling you - again. Guiness is your man - followed by a small Jameson.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Amos
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 06:47 AM

ALcohol doesn't help the vocal cords for singing purposes -- it just makes you care less.

See up thread. Good advice going all the way back to 1998.

A

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,G. Goguelet
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 06:26 PM

Just to add my two cents. I have been singing all my life (amateur, not professional). I began taking voice lessons last summer, then returned to choral singing as well a few months later.

Started having pain in my throat, low down. My teacher and I explored multiple techniques, thinking I was doing something wrong. She finally recommended I see a specialist. That specialist ordered a thyroid test, and it turns out my thyroid was nearly double the usual size. It was pressing on my trachea and singing aggravated it to the point that it would ache for two days after an hour's practicce.

Be sure to check our vocal problems that persists or don't seem to have a specific reason. It is better to know what is wrong and deal with it. But be sure also to see a throat specialist for it.

Good luck to everyone!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:26 AM

I was amazed to find that many people share my allergic problems
I have suffered from very bad hayfever for many years and taken an inhaler which has helped greatly to virtually irradicate the symptoms

I feel that too much alcohol at festivals can lead to voice loss, as well as smoky atmospheres, pub singing with back ground noise puts up the pitch leading to strain

Water take up is vital as alcohol tightens the vocal chords

general health, walking running and even weight training can help with the power aspect ~ chest exercises such as bench press and pull and push downs on the lat machine give good chest and lung workout, and no alcohol in sight

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: vectis
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:56 PM

A friend swears that sucking a soluble Disprin (we're in the UK) will enable you to get through a gig.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,sirhooter
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 04:40 PM

when i sing i sound sinusy and also phleghm appears in my throat/ anyone have any ideas thanks

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Amos
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 04:47 PM

A reorganization of the UPC Website has broken some links from up thread but there is a new Voice Specialty Page in their place at http://voicecenter.upmc.com/Default.htm.

Regards,

Amos

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: shepherdlass
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:20 PM

Moira - re Ventolin inhalers. I know many people who don't have problems with them, however, I'm not one of them. As a classically trained soprano, I have had very few vocal problems over the years (despite allergies and permanently blocked sinuses), despite several years' worth of 4 hour gigs 6 nights a week. But as soon as I started using inhalers I had weird, unpredictable and sporadic "drop-outs" of sound from the middle of my range. This happened within a month of me using the inhalers, so, if it hasn't affected you yet, you may well have no worries.

As for Kristin - try Vocalzone tablets (they're available over the counter and are like standard throat sweets but very strong) - you may not have anyone who wants to be in the vicinity of your fragrant breath for a day or two, but they do short-term wonders for clearing the old sinuses. Sweet sherry, Madeira or rum - they've also been known to sort things out. All in moderation of course. Or the soluble Disprin trick works for really sore throats (I always found gargling them far better than chewing, though, euch!) - but I'd only use it for drastic mega-important gigs because it can really mask pain that you shouldn't be ignoring - ie the kind that tells you to stop singing till your vocal cords have a chance to recover.

The other thing is, starving yourself to ward off potential allergens is only going to make you less able to deal with the nerves. No good having crystal clear sinuses if you pass out as soon as you breathe deeply enough to sing!

Wow - I wasn't going to say much here, because all the other advice above looked so good, but it's just one of those issues that make you want to share all your own problems and solutions.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,PoppaGator
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 02:17 PM

I'v scanned through the above, but not read every word. I did not see anyone mentioning SLIPPERY ELM, an old-fashioned herbal remedy that works very nicely as a throat lubricant. Available in tablet/lozenge form at health food stores, under the brand name "Thayer's" (and perhaps other brands as well).

Won't cure an infection, of course, but alleviates the symptoms and allows you to speak and sing comfortably.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Joybell
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:47 AM

As for ventolin by inhalation. I was taught to use a "spacer" - a plastic bottle type of cannister that the inhaler fits into at one end. You breathe at the other end. (You can actually just use a large plasitic drink bottle with a gap at the bottom that exactly fits the inhaler mouth-piece)
This method means that the ventolin doesn't hit directly on the vocal cords. It solved my problem of missing notes after using ventolin directly from an inhaler. It is a more efficient method anyway. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Anymonous
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 09:41 PM

I heard that if you use this spray called "Entertainers Secret" it looses up mucus and othet things (GOOD!) and helps your voice A LOT!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Dec 05 - 12:11 PM

A report in my Monday newsrag refers to a "new" voice problem. (New as in few seem to have known about it.) I don't see anything in previous posts here to suggest that anyone has this particular problem, but it might be of interest as something to rule out if one has a persistent problem with voice quality.

The name given to it is "spasmodic dysphonia."
The headline says about 50,000 in the US have been diagnosed.
It's neurological, caused by muscle spasms affecting vocal cords.
Onset is variable but often appears around age 40-50.
Slightly more common in women than in men.
Frequently misdiagnosed.

Info at NSDA (National Spasmodic Disphonia Association) http://www.dysphonia.org/. The front page is "generic" but if you click any of the "buttons" on the top bar, the pages should have a sidebar with choices. I found the FAQ most informative.

There are links to support groups at the site, so it's been known long enough for some organizing to have come about.

The article doesn't appear to be posted by my local paper, and appears to have been the result of a contact by a local writer with a local person diagnosed with this problem; but the NSDA site has all that was in the article except the picture of the local "victim."

This thing appears to affect mainly the speaking voice, and in fact singing is suggested as a possible aid to controlling the symptoms.

Something to bring to the attention of your medical provider if/when you have a difficulty that isn't caused by something readily identified, perhaps.

John

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Elise
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:51 PM

I'm a voice major, and have recently been told by my ENT that I need to get my tonsils out. My professors, as well as my voice teacher, are encouraging me to get a second opinion. Does removing the tonsils alter or effect your voice??

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Alice
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 10:42 AM

Elise, any surgery on your thoat could affect your voice. I'd follow your professor's advice if I were you.

Alice

Subject: Is there any chance of being a good singer again?
From: GUEST,Craig
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 05:39 AM

Hello Everyone,

I have just managed to stumble across this site and glad that I found it because the info is really good.

My problem is this.For years I have had a horrible problem with phlem on the back of my throat and because of this I have constantly for years had to clear my throat,disgusting I know.I used to have a great voice and loved to sing all the time but years of throat clearing have effected my voice and I can not hit the same notes any more.
I am gutted,because I would love to make a career from singing and I know if my voice was the way it used to be I would be in with a good chance.I am quite sure that I have damaged my vocal folds and would like to know if there is anything that I could do to get my voice back to the way it used to be.I am so upset about this situation.

Craig

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: s&r
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 06:10 AM

Silly question, but do you smoke?

Stu

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 01:31 PM

Just on the subject of smoking (and I realise that this may not apply to the person who started this thread) 2 well-known traditional singers have lately developed throat cancer: Ronnie Drew of the Dubliners and Tommy Makem of the Clancy Brothers. I don't know about the former, but Tommy Makem was apparently a heavy smoker though has given it up some years ago. I suppose both however would have spent many hours over the years in smoke-filled venues, which I suppose has a cumulative effect. British people will have heard of the entertainer Roy Castle, who died of cancer apparently due to many years of passive smoking although he never smoked himself.

I have to say that in my limited experience, folk musicians tend to be among the last bastions of heavy smoking (with only a little exaggeration it sometimes seemed that people could be divided into "Smokers" and "Heavy Smokers", and I for one will be glad when smoking in public places is banned next April in Northern Ireland. I usually attend 2 informal music sessions in local pubs each month, and as well as the unpleasant smell, etc, I notice that my harmonica smells of smoke for several days afterwards.

At 1 of these sessions, one man who was quite a heavy smoker died about 2 Christmasses ago from lung problems, which I suspect were contributed to by smoking, sadly, and although of course one misses his playing, one of the sessions is now usually smoke free. Things at the other session have improved from the smoke point of view as one of the heaviest smokers has gone back to Austria and another has given it up (permanently I hope) possibly in anticipation of the fact that he will not be able legally to do it from next April. This leaves only one, and even if he does not follow suit, if we can get him to only use the tin whistle rather than mandolin, etc, he will not be able to smoke at the same time!

I suppose I sound like a non-smoking fanatic rather than a music lover - my own view is that smoke as much as you want but don't make me smoke as well. Smoking is different from drinking as there is no such thing as "passive drinking."

As a lifeling non-smoker my main problem regarding voices has been phlegm and coughing as the after effects of colds lasting many months, and to which I have found no permanent solution; cough sweets can give a temporary respite. Anyway I hope the original posters voice has recovered.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 02:01 PM

ginger is very useful to help expecrtoration of phlegm.,gargling with salt water is useful for the throat.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 07:00 PM

Jim,

Singing is an athletic activity as well as a musical one. Good health will help retain your voice. Also good vocal health (learning to use it in such a way that you don't abuse it).

Diet and judicious exercise is an important component. Getting enough rest has a restorative affect.

Get a good vocal teacher who has a good singing voice and can help you keep what you have.

Pubs are not the best place to keep a voice in good condition. Smoke hurts you.

Shouting or yelling or excessive belting can damage your cords as well.

Take it easy on yourself by not pushing too hard and get some vocal help. You will have to scout around to find a good teacher but it's really worth it if you want to keep your voice.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 08:32 PM

Dutch/Holland Double Salt Black Licorish

Poor for the blood pressure but grand for the throat/voice.

Also, Dutch, POTTERS Licorish - metal case, tiny pellets, like old American "SinSin."

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: bobad
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:11 PM

Did you mean Sen Sen garg?

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:33 PM

You might Sen in your part of the world....but most Sin in mine.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

(Mea Capolitia Megos - my second in ten years) Yes, BOBAD, it is SEN - SEN - very soapy in flavor...probably NOT good for the throat - only bad breath.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Sandy Andina
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 05:30 AM

From my voice teacher, ENT and gastroenterologist, I learned:
Acid reflux can definitely irritate the folds and make them feel phlegmy.
Alcohol (regardless of whether beer, spirits, any color wine) not only is an irritant but is drying....AND relaxes the espophageal sphincter, which allows acid to back up into the throat when sleeping, causing or worsening acid reflux. Citrus iby itself is acidic, and if you have GERD it will make your voice worse, not better. Caffeine does not tighten the throat--it dries it out, and can irritate it just like alcohol--both are diuretics. You want to be well hydrated, and it can take 24 hrs for water you drink to reach your folds.
Dairy is a crapshoot. Some people get incredible phlegm from the slightest amount. Others are totally unaffected--my voice teacher can knock back an ice-cold milkshake and sound terrific. Listen to your own body,
If you are asthmatic, ask your pulmo or allergist about Singulair--since I started taking it I haven't had to use an inhaler for months at a stretch. Yes, inhalers, antihistamines, and decongestants are all very drying, but your total health (and ability to breathe) trumps your voice. For everything you do that might be drying, try harder to hydrate and lubricate--water, slippery elm, hard sucking candies ("boiled sweets") w/o menthol (mint is an irritant, especially to the esophagus and can make GERD worse).

Oh, and nobody produces sound from the diaphragm itself--that's what moves the air. Your folds produce the sound and your resonators (in your head and mouth) shape the tone. Make sure you aren't pushing too much air--that can actually blow the folds apart and inhibit vibration!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 06:54 AM

"ginger is useful to help expectoration of phlegm..."

Where did you get that one from Dick??..... Fred Astaire?

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 04:24 AM

Hello, I know this thread is getting quite old but its really looking like the only place I can turn to. I'm 17 and I don't sing but I do impressions with my voice and I use my high pitch alot. Recently I got laryngitis and after that my voice was pretty dead.   
       After taking some anti biotics my speaking voice came back but my high pitch is still non exisitant. I can get a pitch but it sounds like more of a lengthend squeak. The high pitch that I'd normally get from deep down has nothing there. Its there but hardly and it sounds pretty non-existant.
       I'm pretty sure it isn't puberty because I went through that when I was 15. I am very desperate for assistnce here. If there is any way for me to get my high pitch back please tell me. Thanks for your time.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: KT
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 07:19 AM

Don't push it, guest, guest. Give your voice LOTS of time to heal and restore itself. If you continue to strain it before it's healed, you run the risk of permanent damage. Rest it.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Cats
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 07:56 AM

Get and see a doctor immediatley and get them to get you to a consultatant if it doesmn't heal in the next couple of weeks.   I am being put off work this week with voice dysphonia and haven't been able to sing since August. For someone who is a teacher, singer and storyteller, voice dysphonia can be serious as it can lead to corruption of the vocal chords. The therapist I am working with said anyone who is a 'professional voice user' should be in to see her within 3 weeks if their voice is still bad, so.. take it from the horses mouth. Good luck, let us know how it's going.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 09:49 AM

KT when you say rest do mean the pitch or the voice in general. Plus does anyone know any ways to soothe it?

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Bellowbelle
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 09:46 PM

There's a spray called 'Clear Voice' that's very helpful. I'm always getting a hoarse voice or whatever, so I bought a batch of it a while ago. (Quite a while ago, and it seems to still be good and strong, in fact.)

I just found it sold online at Musician's Friend --
Clear Voice at Musician's Friend

But, it may be sold at a music store near you, or a health store. There are other sources online, too.

It's great stuff!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: KT
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 02:25 AM

Guest, guest, I guess it depends on how far along in the healing process you are.

Sometimes when people who use their voice a lot, (singers, teachers, public speakers), get laryngitis, there is a temptation to resume using their voice before it is fully healed. I don't know if your impressions are your livelihood or not, but if you are attempting to hit those high pitches before it's healed and are finding it's not there, that's telling you something. You'll hinder the healing if you force it. Bottom line....don't strain your voice that way if you don't have to. And if you are needing soothing remedies after a round of antibiotics, I suggest you see your MD again.   There's a lot of good information in this thread. Read through it if you haven't already. Take care ~

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: oggie
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 02:02 PM

I've recently taken up yoga for a back problem. The breathing took some getting used, a long inhale through the nose filling up your chest, diaphram and stomach (push that belly out) followed by a long exhale emptying everything (pull that belly in), again through the nose. I do this now on a regular basis even when not practising yoga, 5 breaths only, and have found two spin-offs; my singing range is widening and becoming firmer at the edges and also my blood pressure is down and I'm more relaxed when singing.

oggie

BTW - my back is also a lot better!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Matt O.
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 05:08 PM

The body is the vocalists instrument. Knowing how your digestive system works will help you decide what meals are easier to digest so your body can focus on repairing stressed vocal folds. Blended salads (Google it) are a GREAT safety net! Two of these a day will keep your body buzzing and your sleep deep! For the morning try any nuts: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds (contains elastacin), and pepitas blended with acidic fruits (ie. oranges, lemon, frozen strawberries, cranberries and raspberries) and some spinach for ultimate nutrients.   The combination is designed for the most effective digestion possible. This is all proven research so all you have to do is swallow the whole damn thing. Ha hah! You'll know why that's funny when you try your first blended salad. My body hates eating in the morning, but craves the glow a blended salad provides. Later in the day try a vegetable smoothie: romaine lettuce, tomato, avacado, carrots, maybe half a beet, green pepper, cucumber, and celery. Try throwing some fresh herbs in because they contain special phytonutrients and compounds. Eating these things alone is a chore, but blended (eliminates endless chewing) together they are tasty, easy going down, and SUPER healthy. These recipes are designed for ease of digestion. Blend'em up and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. All I do is wash the lettuce and spinach -storing seperateley- and prepare components all at once and store in tupperware for up to 5 days. You'll figure out more tricks as you get going. Let me know what you think about it.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 05:31 PM

Paul Stamler posted an important warning for folk singers.

"One other thing that makes a difference: remember all those pictures you saw of Pete Seeger with his head thrown back, singing his heart out? Very inspiring. Very bad. Sing a note softly and tilt your head back; feel the tightening in your vocal cords? You have to push a lot harder to get the sound through. I suspect this is one of the reasons Pete's voice is now almost gone. Sing with your head at a level. And don't let your voicebox get cold on the way to the gig -- wrap it in a scarf if the weather is even mildly chilly."

There is another reason Pete's voice has been worn out. A lot of times folk singers get into a habit of belting and yelling and attempting high pitches with this voice quality. Pete always referred to himself in the Weavers as a split tenor. That means that the voice
was forced out of its natural range. There are a lot of bad vocal habits out there and longevity in singing can be met by caring for the voice by not abusing it. Finding a good
balance for your voice and not trying to overextend it by volume, straining or yelling/belting or shouting will keep it from going hoarse and eventually losing it. With good vocal balance, not too soft or loud but well-supported by intercostal breathing can help you keep your voice. A good vocal teacher can help with proper vowel placement which
protects your voice from strain.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Don Firth
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 07:01 PM

Excellent advice, Frank!

As I get older, my voice has tended to deepen some. High notes I used to reach fairly easily, I now find are not very comfortable. By way of compensation, I've added a few low notes. The ultimate result of this is that I find I'm having to change the keys I do a lot of songs in. Which involves working out new guitar accompaniments. A bit of a drag since I do use classic guitar elements in some songs, so if I want to keep the accompaniment pretty much the same, it's a bit more involved than just changing chords. But it gives me a chance to revisit my arrangements for a lot of songs, which is not a bad idea.

I had some voice lessons early on, so I've managed to keep my voice in pretty good shape. And I want to keep it that way for as long as possible. A model for vocal longevity that I keep in mind is Russian operatic basso Mark Reizen. At the age of ninety, he was still sounding great (CLICKY). A worth goal!

As I keep telling folks here, taking some voice lessons isn't going to make them sound like an opera singer. Many young aspiring singers who want to sing opera wish it was just a matter of taking lessons. It ain't that easy!   You have to be born with that kind of voice and not everyone is. All a voice teacher can do is help you bring out the best in the voice you have—and teach you how to preserve it.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: LotusBlume
Date: 23 Dec 07 - 03:26 AM

Since everyone else has had their input, I will, too. Voice lessons aren't just good for singers; if you're in a profession where you must talk a lot, such as teaching or some other kind of orating, a vocal coach can help you learn how to use your voice healthfully. This is especially important if you plan on using your voice for special effects or other things such as stage screams - talk about ripping your vocal folds to shreds.

Another thing I, personally, have had problems with is drying out at night. This was really bad in college where we had steam heat radiators (I know, sounds like we should have been living in saunas for dorm rooms, but seriously, the things sucked so much moisture out of the air, we didn't even get snow) so I keep a humidifier right next to my bed...well, close enough breathe get moist air, not so close so my sheets get wet. Don't get as many random nose bleeds, either.

Yet another point of interest is that of clearing one's throat. This act, although it seems natural, especially if you are loosing your voice, have a cold, etc., is one of the WORST things you can do. It rubs your vocal cords together and erodes the mucus lining that keeps them healthy. It is much better to cough than to clear your throat. Also, yelling and talking overly loudly slam the vocal folds together; that is why it is necessary to avoid these activities when possible.

The last thing I have to say about vocal health is on how long it may take the voice to heal itself. Obviously, it depends on the damage, but if you've had an average 3-5 day cold, I believe one of my choir directors said it takes about 2 weeks after you've recovered from the cold for your voice to fully repair. So it will take much, MUCH longer than you probably think to heal.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Pistachio
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 06:10 PM

This is (unfortunately for me) just what I need to read right now.
I'm an amateur singer and I teach children cycling proficiency - and over the years I have got louder and louder - mistakenly believing I needed to project my voice for the children. my voice has become deeper,and though I do sing low harmonies I have noticed some discomfort. While reading through this ten year epic thread I have tried out a few breathing suggestions and must put them into practise. I have also noticed more discomfort as I swallow. I had an uncomfortable time having an endoscopy last January (not an investigation of my throat )and ended up needing sedation for the procedure. With my current problem I've had my thyroid level checked and it is fine. Now I am due to have and ENT appointment this month so I'll revise the above info and go 'armed' with questions!

Many thanks for all the advice. The food and drink comments are most interesting. Let me grab the blender.
Wish me luck
Hazel.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Kara
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 05:31 AM

I suggest a trip to Andalusie for a relaxation and voice workshop
Here's a link

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 02:10 PM

Hazel, pushing or "belting" the voice for volume will
eventually result in damage.
Learn to control volume by controlling the
air you float the sound on. Breath support and
NOT PUSHING the voice is the way to go.
Send me a PM if you have more questions.

Alice

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Stringsinger
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 08:55 PM

Jim, there is a one-to-one relationship between physical health, diet, rest, excercise
and a functioning voice. Aerobic excercise or swimming is best. Avoid weight training or ballet. These use interfering muscles.

A lot has to do with relaxed deep breathing and not tightening the facial muscles. Keep them relaxed. In breathing you don't need as much breath as you think but the softer you sing the more breath support you need.
Keep your jaw loose and flexible without being too floppy.

You have to coax your voice back. Don't force it. You will have to find the right balance
for your voice. Not too weak and breathy or too strident. (Avoid belting).

Don't shout. Don't speak too much before singing at a performance.

Don't throw your head back because that causes constriction in the neck muscles and
the vocal cords.

Don't try to project your voice but don't sing too softly because that can also cause
tension.

Alexander Technique really helps. Research it.

Yoga is good if it isn't too straining. Take walks for breathing.

Try to keep a good posture and by this I mean not a rigid military style but
relaxed shoulders back to allow the intercostal muscles to flow freely. Lift the
rib cage but gently without tension. There should be space between the ribs
and the pelvic bone.

Above all, if there is strain.....stop!   Coax back your voice gently.

Avoid milk products, alcohol and tobacco.

When you sing, tell the story on pitch. But don't over-enunciate because that also
produces facial and body tension.

Long relaxed sustained tones are good but find the right volume, not too loud or too soft.

Listen to good voices and when you hear one that sounds relaxed and musical, find out
where they are studying (if they are) and with whom.

Check out NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). Get them to recommend
a teacher in your area.

Study voice, because you learn by mirroring a teacher that knows how to sing properly.

You can reverse the problems.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Clee Belleville East
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 06:51 PM

Hi everybody...

I've been singing all my life but I started singing publicly at the age of 14...I'm 17 now and my birthday's on the 21st of this month. I just joined choir at the beggining of 2008 and my teacher was impressed by my voice but the thing is I haven't been singing the same since November of last year... She's put me in almost every choir at the school and my voice seems to be getting lower and weaker...and I don't do weak. Tenor lines seem too high and Bass lines too low...I want to rest my voice but right now I really can't because we have IMEA auditions at SUIC and I have to practice a lot to get into the Illinois state choir. Should I wait on the state choir? And how should I work on getting my voice back...I'm too young to strain my voice completely out aren't I?...They think i sound good now...I want them to hear me BLOW like I use to!

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Jan 16 - 07:11 PM

I do hope that Jim Bunch got what he needed from starting this thread. It's a good one.

I was reading it when the SPAM post got deleted -- that was FAST. An ill wind, though, that blows nobody any good. If that SPAM post had not refreshed the thread, I would not have seen it in the forum.

Lots of good advice here. My old specialty, as a piano student, was accompanying the students of classical music singing teachers in their lessons/studios. What is on this thread sounds very familiar indeed. Suffice to say, any panicked person who identifies with the anxieties and troubles described in these posts, you have got plenty of company, and there are ways through the crisis.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 16 - 08:25 PM

A spammer from the Ukraine swept through, and is gone, but yes, they do sometimes bring up gems from the past.

Subject: RE: Help! My singing voice is dying!
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 22 Jan 16 - 08:30 AM

I gave up singing for over 20 yrs and when I returned to it found I could barely be heard. So I had to practise a LOT and 6 years on it's just about peaking. But I'm wondering if you've been over singing and maybe not doing vocal exercises. It's very importand to do regular warm up exercises if one is singing regularly. I think others below have already posted links to lots of free exercise videos now on lin, so take your pick, However if you have been dong the right things, taking a rest may help or consult a throat specialist. Good luck