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20 Dec 05 - 10:32 AM (#1631323) Subject: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: muppitz I've just about got over a month long cold and now find that my range and capacity have diminished severely. I can't hit the notes I could & I'm nowhere near as powerful as I used to be, can anyone suggest any vocal exercises I could do or point me in the right direction to look them up as I'm not sure how to get it all back again and restore my voice to his former glory! Oh and Merry Christmas! muppitz x |
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20 Dec 05 - 12:34 PM (#1631462) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: Firecat I've had that a few times. The only way I've found is to be patient. My voice generally gets back to it's full strength within about a month or so. DON'T, whatever you do, force it. I tried and it went again!! |
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20 Dec 05 - 12:40 PM (#1631470) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: MMario it is quite possible that not having the full range and capacity of your voice means you really are NOT yet recovered from your cold (in fact - it would be hard to deny that unless you find that a short bout of vocal excercises shows improvement.) GENTLE excercise of your voice - increasing slowly; avoidng strain is the way to go. |
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20 Dec 05 - 12:41 PM (#1631471) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: Joe Offer Hi, muppitz - Cut back on your volume and power - and as a side effect, you may find your singing is a lot sweeter. Make sure to cut way back on the volume of notes at the top of your vocal range. If it starts to hurt, stop singing - right away. Oh - and warm up before singing. Good luck. -Joe Offer- |
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20 Dec 05 - 01:00 PM (#1631491) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: kendall Be thankful, believe me it could be MUCH worse. |
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20 Dec 05 - 01:06 PM (#1631499) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: Beer Check some of the related threads and good luck. |
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20 Dec 05 - 01:26 PM (#1631517) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: Don Firth Here is an excellent collection of exercises. Clicky. It's a PDF file that you can print off (seven pages), so it may take a moment or two to load. I had voice lessons when I was a lot younger, and every now and then I feel like I need a "tune-up." I practice these—in the sequence they are presented—fairly regularly. All that "ma-me-mi-mo-mu" stuff may sound kind of goofy, but the "mm" sound is a quick way of getting the tone into your "mask" or nasal resonance areas (if done right, you can feel the front of your face—upper teeth up to your forehead—vibrating). That takes the "tickle" (tendency to cough sometimes) out of your throat and gives you the sort of resonance that makes your voice carry, even when singing fairly softly. The important thing to remember is never push your voice beyond what is comfortable, either in terms of range or volume, especially when you're coming out of a cold or sore throat. If problems continue, get thee to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and have your pipes looked at. Dunno if you've ever had any voice lessons, but that really wouldn't be a bad idea. A good voice teacher can give you some techniques that will allow you to sing easily without straining your voice. And don't worry, voice lessons won't make you sound like an opera singer. There are hundreds of young, wannabe opera singers out there who wish it was that easy! It ain't. To sing opera, you have to be born with the right kind of voice and then spend years developing it. If you want to sing folk songs, a few voice lessons won't mess you up, they teach you how to keep your voice healthy so you can keep on singing well on into a ripe old age Good luck. And take it easy! Don Firth |
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20 Dec 05 - 03:59 PM (#1631625) Subject: RE: Obit: My voice! How can I get it back? From: tarheel well....since it's Christmas and i am considered a scrooge at times...Tough!!! you lost it, now find it yourself!!! loser's weeper's ...finder's keeper's!!!! bah humbug!!!...oh well,Merry Christmas,anyway! tar... |
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20 Dec 05 - 04:04 PM (#1631628) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Irish sergeant I also find that in addition a bit of cider vinegar liberally sweetened with honey and mixed with hot water (Think like tea)will help immensely with no side effects and you can take it as needed. Time and care will have you back in form in no time! Neil |
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21 Dec 05 - 06:15 AM (#1632004) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Bonnie Shaljean Muppitz, sometimes it can take several MONTHS to get back to normal - which feels like several lifetimes. I know cuz I've been there. I'm not a medical professional, but judging from my own experience (and that of a friend who faced a similar situation) I don't think your illness has inflicted permanent damage on your voice unless you have been giving it horrendous physical abuse as well. It sounds as though the effect the cold or infection had on your vocal cords is still in force (e.g. an excessive coating of phlegm, which is one of the body's defenses but feels like a strait-jacket). THEN they will need to heal from that, and the healing process itself takes time. I had the same problems and suffered all the same feelings as you are going through, but hang in there and don't write your voice off. Do follow the good advice above about NOT STRAINING or trying to force anything, which will only make it worse and take longer. There's no real medicine you can buy for it, so just do all the common sense things and keep despair at bay by remembering that it can take a few months to come right - so don't try to monitor progress by days or even weeks or you'll make yourself crazy. Your situation sounds very like mine (three times) and my friend's: and we're back to full strength. I really think you will too, so keep your spirits up! |
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21 Dec 05 - 10:37 AM (#1632149) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: muppitz Thanks werry much for the advice, it's good to hear positive comments! That alone is a big help. muppitz x |
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22 Dec 05 - 09:54 AM (#1632873) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: leftydee Muppitz, I went thru the same thing not long ago and finally, on my 3rd trip to the doctor, he gave me prednizone which fixed me up in days. I think rest is best but the prednizone does work. Lefty |
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22 Dec 05 - 02:27 PM (#1633129) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Bat Goddess The voice comes back -- don't push it -- but never fast enough (especially if there's a gig in the offing). The lack of resonance and volume is due to excessive shxt (otherwise known as shit) in the chest (technical medical term) -- give it another week or so, drink lots of water, rest as much as you can,try not to fidgit. Pretty soon you'll be blasting the back of the pub again. Linn (who's been there) |
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23 Dec 05 - 11:12 AM (#1633831) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: GUEST Try a temporary palliative. If you live in the UK, Boot's the Chemist do a pastille called Vocalzone. It contains tincture of myrrh which is indicated for coughs and colds. They should only be used in an "in concert" way. e.g. if you really must sing these will certainly help but the best method is rest the larynx. They work for me when needs must. Spot the Dog |
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23 Dec 05 - 03:40 PM (#1634041) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: WooBerry There are vocal exercises online at: http://cyberbass.com/beta/vocal_warmups.htm Also, I think myrrh is appropriate to the season! Diana |
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21 Jan 06 - 04:23 PM (#1653017) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: GUEST,harleyjamesradio@aol.com I have a gig tonight. Must sing, lead singer. Anything out there besides Throat Coat and the like that could help bring it back for a few hours? thanks W.D. |
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21 Jan 06 - 04:29 PM (#1653022) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Peace Boil some figs in water. Add some rum. Strain it and drink the broth. |
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21 Jan 06 - 05:28 PM (#1653057) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Liz the Squeak Rum and warm ginger wine seems to be working for me on a temporary basis... pity I can't take it to rehearsals with me! LTS |
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10 Apr 08 - 07:08 PM (#2312501) Subject: my voice is gone... From: GUEST,imc Help!! i used to sing all the time and i had a really strong voice..and i used to be able just open my mouth and without a struggle just let it out...ive never took singing lessons so i dont kno the terms. but i used to be able belch one out...but i stopped 2 years because of my stage fright and now i cant go loud like i used to and now i cant do these certain parts..to give u an example of what i used t be able to do..like in that song i need you by leanne rimes...theres this loud strong full voice part when she sings that part now i cant turn back now cause u brought me to FAR!!! i used to be able to sing that very loud part.....but now when i try it it goes soft and i choke and it feels like theres something stuck in my throat like something is pulling my throat....but whats weird is that i got it back the day before this christmas then i stopped for like a month and a half and then i try singing again and ive been practiceing for like a month and a half and its not comming back...whats going on?? How do i get it back someone write me back back??? |
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10 Apr 08 - 07:37 PM (#2312520) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: M.Ted Start a new thread about your particular issue, so people will talk about your problem, and not this one. One thing to think about is that part of what voice lessons give you is the ability to put yourself in the place you need to be, physically and mentally, to get the best sound out of your voice whenever you sing, not just when you're feeling good-- |
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11 Apr 08 - 03:36 AM (#2312706) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Genie I've noticed several posters stressing how important it is not to force or over-stress your voice while trying to recover from laryngitis or other voice maladies. Which brings me to a pet peeve, where the folk music community is concerned. It seems a lot of "folkies" have a 'thing' about the use of mics and amps - as though they were somehow 'inauthentic' (never mind that nearly all the pros use them in live concert, not to mention the recording studio). Thus, there is, in many folk camps and gatherings, peer pressure to do your bit (whether it be leading a song in a song circle or performing in a "concert") sans amplification. Result (especially in some gawdawfully humongous rooms with bad acoustics): too many people straining too hard to be heard. I think using amplification, not to blast people out of the room, but to make a voice sound in a big room with background noise the way it would in a small one without that, could go a long way towards helping not-so-huge-voiced singers preserve their vocal equipment. (OK, off the soapbox.) Genie |
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11 Apr 08 - 03:56 AM (#2312712) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Dave Roberts Genie, You're so right. |
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11 Apr 08 - 07:00 AM (#2312798) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Bonnie Shaljean Have you looked into the possibility that it might be dysphonia (a condition linked to psychological trauma that stops the voice working properly)? If stage fright stopped you performing for two years, it sounds like there are more than physical issues going on. Even if this fear is now history, trauma can leave lingering after-effects which often express themselves in physical ways. The fact that the problem disappears periodically makes me wonder about this. Did your voice come back at a time when the pressure was off? If you Google "dysphonia" you'll find a wealth of information, and don't forget Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphonia Also look at the upper left corner of your screen on this site, where you'll see a box titled "Lyrics & Knowledge Search". Untick "DT" (which stands for DigiTrad and contains song words) but leave "Forum" ticked, type in "dysphonia" and it will bring up some other threads which discuss it, though that doesn't mean it's the main topic. Do also go to a voice specialist and investigate the physical situation, including an examination of your vocal cords to see if it reveals anything out of order. Sometimes the mental and physical aspects can work in tandem to paralyse your singing, and sometimes of course it's purely physical. But get expert advice and find out. We can only speak in generalities but a throat doctor can advise on your individual situation. Also take a look through the blue links at the top of this page, to other threads dealing with voice problems. If after reading some of the material out there you still have things you want to discuss, do please start a new thread, because then we will know it's a different person & subject. Otherwise, people may just assume this is a continuation of the original question. Best of luck to you - |
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11 Apr 08 - 11:48 AM (#2313019) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: GUEST,Player Lost voice? Blessing in disguise - start playing some tunes! |
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11 Apr 08 - 04:57 PM (#2313262) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Genie Player, some of us are blessed with nimble fingers and other natural assets for playing instruments. Some are blessed with good vocal equipment. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be blessed with both. Why should a singer who's not an instrumental soloist be looked down on any more than an instrumentalist who can't sing very well? |
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11 Apr 08 - 05:33 PM (#2313289) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: McGrath of Harlow pity I can't take it to rehearsals with me Why not stick it in a vacuum flask? |
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06 Jun 08 - 03:16 PM (#2359565) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: GUEST,Grace Hey everyone, Im 19 years old, Im a "pop/rock" singer I guess you could say, i sing stuff like sheryl Crow, melissa Etheridge. However I also somewhat sing classical stuff . I am having some great troubles. I think I may have something wrong with my pop/rock voice. When I used to sing it, it felt very natural, not strained at all, and no tension in the throat. Recently When i try and sing i feels like Im working out the muscles in my throat, like im actually using them, its very uncomfortable and tiring and is preventing me from reaching a higher range comfortably, and singing "naturally" without feeling strained like I used to. I have no idea what it could be. Im worried this is permentant and if so I have no idea what im going to do. Im wondering if their are any exercises to do ? or something? |
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06 Jun 08 - 05:09 PM (#2359643) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Pistachio Hi, I've too have been struggling with my voice - having foolishly 'forced' the volume a couple of weeks ago and the first thing I suggest is rest. Secondly practise slow deep breaths in through your nose (for a count of 7 - 8 or as long as you can and out through your mouth for 15 - 16 or longer, using your diaphragm! Make a conscious effort to sound a quiet note for part of the time you exhale or use a sssssssSSSSSSsssssss sound and 'feel' that the sound is 'on the breath' rather than forced from the throat!! It took me a while to 'separate' the wrong breathing from the right, and it'll take a lot of effort to keep doing it the right way - good luck. Drink water, water or water!! Boring but best. Try it luke warm. Have a long hot bath and inhale the steam. Avoid really hot drinks. Much of this info came from a speech therapist (not a voice coach - as I've not gone that route yet). Whatever - best wishes, Hazel. |
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07 Jun 08 - 05:09 AM (#2359930) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: GUEST,Suffolk Miracle Whatever you may do now to cure your voice, ultimately old age will start to work on the voices of just about all of us. Accept now that the current quality of your voice will change. Many will say deteriorate, but that to me is a moot point. I have seen singers who lost the original quality of their voice and came back later with a different voice with which they were just as successful. I know I risk getting a tirade of abuse for even suggesting it, but I believe Tony Rose was an example. Probably less people will want to beat me up for saying Charlie Wills, so maybe I'll stick to him. Listen to the early recordings by Kennedy and the BBC; then listen to the recordings Bill Leader released of him in his nineties. No voice left, but just as great a singer. How? In my opinion, by never stopping singing. |
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07 Jun 08 - 06:13 AM (#2359951) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Bonnie Shaljean Grace, be careful of trying to force anything, ever. If it's giving you resistance and feeling strained when you try to sing, it probably is being strained - which means putting wear on the vocal cords, and that will eventually cause permanent damage if it keeps happening for too long. Even a voice expert (which I'm not) can't diagnose anything from this distance, but it sounds like it's your body telling you to ease up / get help. Off the top of my head it seems like some sort of register-break conflict, if you sing "high" for classical music and "low" (in your natural speaking-voice) for pop. It's very easy to shout and overdo things in your lower register because it feels so natural, but forcing it by singing too loud or trying to push your lower register up too far (which does sound nice and dramatic) can cause physical stress/abrasion problems, which you will aggravate the more you do it. Do please go to a doctor - and I mean a voice specialist who knows what he/she is looking at. GPs often aren't sufficiently aware of specific voice issues. It may get better on its own, but probably only with a total rest from singing and even (as much as you can manage) speaking. Strain means you have to stop doing whatever is causing it, and let the injuries heal. But find out for sure, from a qualified expert. Otherwise you risk damaging your voice permanently, because after a certain amount of abuse they don't ever come right again. Read some of those other threads linked in blue at the top, take a particular look at Alice's posts (you can click on her name which will bring them up), and let us know how you get on. The very best of luck to you - |
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07 Jun 08 - 07:30 AM (#2359972) Subject: RE: Obit - My voice! How can I get it back? From: Bonnie Shaljean PS: >It may get better on its own, but probably only with a total rest from singing and even (as much as you can manage) speaking. This applies to whispering too, which in some circumstances can be even worse for you. It really means (ideally) no use of the voice at all for a sustained period, or at least as little as is possible. |