It isn’t always technique
One of the reasons I started teaching what I call the art of transformational voice, is because not everything can be reduced to or solved by vocal technique. There are certain elements of vocal function that need to be developed, refined and balanced: breathing, phonation and resonance. After that, the quality and expressive impact of…
We are a singing species
Humans have a need to sing! Even if we are deaf, the vibrations from our voice can bathe our bones, organs and glands in life giving frequencies. The sounds can stimulate our brain with uplifting endorphins and boost our immune system. In this respect, matching pitch, tonal memory, or rhythmic accuracy are not descriptors of “good” singing. Regardless…
Flying
I’ve had a series of dreams in which I’m trying to teach people how to fly. The only reason they can’t do it is their disbelief. They know humans can’t fly, so they don’t. That’s pretty much how singing works. People are told they can’t match pitch, they are tone deaf, and they shouldn’t even…
Hello! My voice is too rough. Because of my rough voice I can’t sing. What should I do for smooth voice?
First of all, you have to determine what is making your voice rough. Perhaps it is from forcing the voice, from smoking, from allergies or acid reflux, or even from stress. A doctor can help you find the cause.
Then you need to develop your technique with the same elements of vocal function I recommended to Emir. Please read the tips I gave to him in the post below. You can also read posts in the Q&A Archives for more information.
Hello. I ll ask some singing books. What do you reccommend? You recommended Richard Miller. Can you add more to this, cuz Millers Book is expensive and has no pdf file in internet :).
Thank you.
Miller’s books are available at most libraries. Perhaps you could borrow it there? I think that no other books about the voice are any cheaper and his are really the best I know of.
I am Male. I guess I am a baritone. My question is: Can I improve my vocal range? Here is some details: I am practicing everyday with a piano going higher notes, but in high notes (I am doing this with totally relaxed vocal cords and larynx muscles) I am getting air instead of the note as if I am just blowing air while trying to hit the note. When I am at this step I stop. I am studying with piano for 4 days. If I carry on, will I be able to go high notes? Will I IMPROVE… Read more »
You can certainly improve your range, but the piano is not what will help you do that. There are elements of vocal function you need to develop: — the way you breathe — the way you pace the air through your vocal cords — the way your vocal cords come together to vibrate — the way you access the resonators in your head and chest Your best option is to work with a teacher or take a group singing class, either in person or over the internet. The best books are by Richard Miller. I do not recommend any particular… Read more »
I’ve been singing most of my life (in my early 40’s now). I am a baritone and usually have had a large range and have been able to sing pretty high. I have been able to sing with ease D – A (occasionally B flat). Most recently I have noticed that when I have sung for extended periods – particularly in the upper register – – – I lose my voice or do not have control. My voice does not hurt, and it comes back – but, it is gone for a while (3-4 minutes). As I reflect, the first… Read more »
Because I cannot hear or observe what you are doing, it is difficult to say for certain. It’s always a good idea to see a laryngologist to see if you have developed a post nasal drip, acid reflux or something that is causing the cords to be a little thick or swell. Thyroid issues will do that too. Another consideration is that the voice changes with age. Because of this, you have to refine and adapt your technique. It sounds like the cords are getting a little too stretched as your sing in the upper part of the range and… Read more »
Is my throat supposed to clog when I am having puberty?
I can’t really respond to you Kyle because you haven’t given me enough information. Can you tell me what you mean by “clog”? Do you have a lot of mucus? Or do you just sound kind of fuzzy? If you can tell me more about what you are experiencing I might be able to help you more.
Hi there! I have a problem, I usually have a strong, clear, and loud voice, but this week I have suffered a pretty bad cold. My noise is stuffy and my throat is raspy. Unfortunately, tomorrow I have to speak in front of my whole team with these nasally and stuffed-up voice. Is there a technique for me to speak as I normally do without sounding like I’m suffering a cold? Thanks for the help 🙂
You might try using a sinus cleanse (a simple saline solution) with a neti pot as well as kapalabhati breathing from the yoga traditions. If you do a google search you can get free instructions for both. These will clear the sinuses. Overtone chanting is also great for clearing the respiratory passages. Gargle with warm, lightly salted water. Use a pot of heated water, drape a towel over your head and the pot, and breath in the steam. Put Vic’s Vaporub on the soles of your feet and then socks (scientific research has shown this truly relieves congestion! Good luck!
Thank you so much for the helpful comments!
Im a 16 year old tenor, but actually more of an alto or mezzo soprano. I can go from middle c to c6 (two octaves up) and i can hit an a7 at least in my falsetto. Is my voice just unnaturally high, or will it change to be more like a regular tenor (even though my speaking voice changed two years ago)?
If you take singing lessons with a knowledgeable teacher your singing voice will develop. Whether or not it is unnaturally high is impossible to say — that depends on how large the larynx and vocal cords are as well as your overall body type. You need to see someone in person to get an answer. A singing teacher or a laryngologist can help you.
whenever i speak the letter “R” it sounds like “L”, its also the case with the letter “D”..
people make fun of me please help…
The sides of the tongue touch the upper side teeth to form “r”. The front tip of the tongue touches the roof of the mouth and the front teeth for “l”. For “d” the tip of the tongue touches the roof of the mouth but NOT the front teeth and stays wider than for “l”. The tongue releases immediately for “d” but can be more sustained for “l” and “r”. Because these actions that change the shape of the tongue are a little difficult to describe, it would be great if you could have even one session with a speech… Read more »
Hello. I ll ask some singing books. What do you reccommend? You recommended Richard Miller. Can you add more to this, cuz Millers Book is expensive and has no pdf file in internet .
Thank you
What are the benfits of a vocal coach?! Do you recommend any places?
– Thanks
A vocal coach, if they are truly a singing teacher, can help you develop your instrument. They will help you expand your range, develop power and beauty, flexibility and strength. Most importantly, perhaps, they can help you have a healthy voice that will last a lifetime. Some voice teachers and coaches can also help you develop your musicianship and performance skills. They all bring different strengths to the table; you have to be clear about what you need and that will help you choose the best person for you. I do not know where you live so I cannot recommend… Read more »
Hi, I’m a 16 year old male…..I know I’m going through puberty, but I’m becoming really furstrated with the way I sing. My voice sounds a little pitchy and wavy at time. I don’t know how to breath from my diaghram, and my breath control isn’t that good. I cant take voice classes for now, so what should I do? At least what are some proper warm ups I can do
Hi There,
This is a topic I’ve addressed several times. Go to the archives for Q & A from More Than Singing and you’ll find things there under titles that include “breathing” or “support.” I’ve also written several things about the voice at puberty. You can check the More Than Speaking Archives too. Keep searching on the internet — there are all kinds of free tips on youtube and other sites. Don’t force or push, and trust your own timing. The change in the voice takes longer in some than others.
Hi, I’m a singer, female, and I have been taking singing lessons since 2 years ago. The problem is the sound: I can hear that while i’m singing or speaking, there is an air sound at the side, like an air leak… I’ve heard that is because some much pressure of the air on the vocal cords. My vocal cords are Ok — I went to a ENT lately.
Can you help me with that?
You likely need to improve the way your vocal cords are coming together. If you begin the flow of air before the vocal cords start to vibrate, that can create a “leak” as you call it. Ideally, the vocal cords and the airflow begin at the same. precise instant. However, in order to correct your problem, you might have to experiment with closing the vocal cords before the airflow begins. If you make a little grunting sound, like you are going to lift something heavy, you will feel the cords come together and the airflow will be blocked. You NEVER… Read more »
Hi i’m a 12 year old female…all my life people have been telling me my voice is too quiet but pretty, are there any voice practice things I could do to help with this? Also, my voice is quite mucusy and I was wondering if I need to see a doctor about it.
Kind Regards,
Elayna
Hi Elayna, Whenever there is a physical issue it is a good idea to see a doctor. That way you can determine what is causing the mucus and what to do to alleviate it. To gain volume, you need to improve the way your vocal cords come together, the way you work your body to pace the breath, and the way you access the resonators in your body. The best solution would be to work with a singing teacher or a speech therapist. This is a complex matter and I cannot give you a true solution on a blog. However,… Read more »
Hi, my name is zoey and i’m 13 yrs old and i’m not sure if my voice is maturing, everybodys says i have a very low voice, but when i hear some of my friends i hear they have some vibrato in their voice, and i really want that in my voice, also i’m an alto, but my choir teacher says too that i have an incredibly low voice, so does that mean i’m a contralto?, because i can hit low DO and whats really weird is my voice sounds airy then it sounds clear then back too airy again,… Read more »
Hi Zoey, You are at a very tricky, developmental stage with your voice and the single most important thing is NOT to push or try to hard. You are getting another layer of skin cells over your vocal cords and you are also experiencing hormonal changes. While this is going on you might experience some breathy or weak areas; you’ll notice other parts of the range becoming stronger. It will even out in time, especially if you can work with a singing teacher. Meanwhile, you can move your voice higher by humming and doing little “sirens” on “OOH” as in… Read more »
Hi, I am a 33 years old male and I have developed this speech issue over the past few years where between a sentence my voice disappears and then again comes back. It is usually more prominent when I begin a sentence and then gradually it settles but continues to be on and off as I am into a conversation. My voice also breaks abruptly. Recently I have figured out that if I am speaking slowly and and calmly, the issue is not there. The issue is prominent when I am speaking fast and excitedly. I have a high pressure… Read more »
Hi There, The way you breathe and use your voice can definitely help with stress and anxiety. I just posted on performance anxiety and there are some quick tips there. The key is practice and repetition so that you develop a reflex to relax. The ability to stay calm under pressure is the result of conditioning, much like what athletes achieve with hours of practice. Also, there is a “more than” component for you. Research has shown the benefits of meditation. It does not have to be a spiritual practice, but it certainly can be if you are so inclined.… Read more »
Very insightful, thanks Jocelyn!
Do you believe my diagnosis of my problem is correct or there could be more to it? Can you pl suggest any speech exercises to correct these? Another thing, because of these ongoing issues, whenever I am speaking to someone in person I almost sure my voice would crack and to hold that back, I put in a lot of stress to speak and that causes the issue mentioned in my previous post. Thanks again for all your help!!
The only way you will know if there is more to your problem than stress is to go to a laryngologist and have your vocal cords looked at. The doctor will know whether or not you need medical treatment. If you need speech therapy the doctor should be able to recommend someone near you to work with. There is no “instant” cure. Whatever changes you make, they will take time and practice. Work with the suggestions you receive and the tools you choose and put no limit on your potential. Only know that nothing will shift without time and mindful… Read more »
When I was about the age of 12, my voice started going bad.It was cracking and still do.Can’t even speak properly without sounding like my dad.Does this have anything to do with the muscles in my throat or is it my vocal chords.Is there anyway I could fix it.
Check the headings on the top right corner of the meant2bheard blog:
If you go to the Q & A Archives from More Than Singing you will find posts on the male voice at puberty:
MALE PUBERTY
MALE TEEN VOCAL RANGE
If you go to the Q & A Archives from More Than Speaking you will find posts on the male voice at puberty:
12 YEAR OLD MALE AND PITCH
13-YEAR-OLD WITH A LOW VOICE
14 AND SOFT SPOKEN
Hi, I am a lyric soprano. I have been singing soprano for about three years now. I can sing a soprano D6, but its inconsistent. During my voice lessons I’ve sang to an F6 doing staccato scales, and without staccato I’m stuck at a consistent C6 or an inconsistent D6. I am familiar with my whistle voice, but when I try to access the D6 I go into vocal fry at about F6. So its almost like I’m missing notes to connect the two voices. Can you help me please???!!! Thanks!!!
Hi Moni, It sounds like when you are doing the staccato vocalizes you are able to engage a small enough edge of the vocal cords to make the high pitches, but when you try to sustain pitches you use more muscle and then the voice cuts out on you. Try an exercise beginning with staccato and then switching to sostenuto; be careful to not add any breath, engage additional muscle or shift the articulators with the change to sostenuto. For example: . . . . . . ________________ 1 3 5 8 8 8 8 7 6 5 4 3… Read more »
Hi, I am a 28 year-old female singer. I have hypothyroidism and it has really affected my voice. I have lost my high register and it sounds raspy and weak. Will it fully recover with treatment? Will I ruin it if I sing in the state is is now? Is there anything I can do?
Hi Erika, Hypothyroidism is difficult to go through vocally, not only because it causes hoarseness but also because it is accompanied by low spirits. You can, YES, definitely and fully recover with treatment. Many of us have. Denyce Graves talks about her experience with it and she is singing wonderfully again. Until the thyroid is stabilized you need to take it easy, not singing in the extremes or forcing it in any way. You also need to be careful that you do not develop any compensatory habits from singing with swollen or irritated vocal cords. See a laryngologist and get… Read more »
Thank you so much. I am so relieved to hear that my voice will not suffer any permanent damage. I’ll be sure to follow all the great advice and restrain myself from the impulse to sing. I’m really glad I found this site and find some comfort to my worries. Thanks again!
You are MOST welcome!
I am 14 years old & are still going through my changes (puberty). My Voice has already goten deeper at age 13. I lost my voice yelling during an arguement at about d beggining of this month. I recovered from losing it, but it wasn’t that clear. I used to able to sing really well before this incident. Now i cnt Sing at all. For the past week & a half maybe my voice has been very froggy. It sounds clear and normal wen i speak softly but when normally speakig it sounds muffly & when i try to speak… Read more »
Hi Jerry,
It sounds like you might have really stressed your vocal cords. You need to see a laryngologist (an ENT doctor) to find out for certain. At the very least the cords are swollen and continuing to use them without getting medical input could result in long term damage. You might need to work with a speech therapist or voice coach and the doctor might prescribe vocal rest. Do not whisper or speak loudly and speak as little as possible until you have a diagnosis.
Thank You So Much !
: )
You’re welcome Jerry.
Hey I’m 20 years old and my voice is too boyish. Will my voice get more mature even though I’ve already went through puberty, any tips on getting a more mature voice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Austin,
There are several answers and tips in the Q & A archives for both speaking and singing. You can read through the titles and find ones that refer to puberty or other relevant issues you are having. You can also see a doctor to see if there is a developmental reason for your vocal quality. You might need to work with a speech therapist or voice coach or you might need some form of medical treatment.
Best,
Jocelyn
Hi..am 16…and just wanna ask for some good breathing exercises. I wanna be able to hold notes for long… i have a great voice and a nice range. But i dnt seem to know whether am a tenor or baritone. I dont know notes but i wanna ask for physical stuff and things i should look out for to show whether am a tenor or baritone and also if you can please elaborate on the benefits of importance of resonance and forward placement. And also how to achieve this..thanks
Hi Emmanuel,
Please check through the archives for breathing exercises. I have written about several.
I’m 24 years old and love to sing. I’m really good its just sometimes my nose and throat get in the way. It sounds like I’m singing through my nose and I’m constantly clearing my throat. It’s making it very hard for me to sing. I’m not sick and have not been for a long time. I want to be able to sing again.
Hi Sharon,
Look through the archives for items on nasality, a clogged throat and anything else that seems relevant. Also try to see a doctor, speech therapist and voice teacher. A little help is all you need and you will definitely get your voice back!
Hi i used to sound like a girl version of usher,justin bieber,and beyoncé my problem is i got too excited when i discovered my talent. i can still sing but my voice is dry and it has a hissing sound . No matter how much honey i swallow and hot tea and warm water a dash of lemons i dont see any improvement and i have a song to sing at school in two weeks plzz help me. It would really mean the world.
Hi Zoey, I am sorry you are having such trouble. Most importantly you should go to the doctor to find out if it is safe for you to sing — you do not want to do lasting damage to your voice. Talk and sing as little as possible — rest your voice until the performance. Drink lots of water. Do NOT use Halls or other throat lozenges. They dehydrate. Better to just suck on a butterscotch hard candy. Drink LOTS of water. Steam. Drink tea with Slippery Elm in it. Gargle with a very lightly salted, warm water. Sleep as… Read more »
Thank you soo much i really appreciate it ????have a blessed day
You are welcome. I hope you are able to do the performance with great success.
What makes my voicebox to dry because i end up loosing my voice even if im just talking
Goodman, There are so many possible causes it is impossible to say. I know I sound a little like a broken record but it is always advisable to see a doctor when you have an ongoing vocal problem. Dryness can be caused by: — too much breath mixture in the sound — over work of the vocal cords — an illness directly affecting the vocal cords — sinus issues — issues with glands, tonsils, adenoids — allergies — acid refulx — dehydration — lack of rest — menthol — citrus — alcohol — smoke Once you are in a cycle… Read more »
I realy like wat u people ar doing,u ar realy helpn singers
Thank you! It’s nice to have your feedback.
I am a 70 year old female who sang 1st soprano in my younger years. My voice has steadily dropped over the years and my range is now in the low tenor or baritone range. However, our music director prefers not to have women sing in the men’s sections. We perform a two-hour concert and I have such difficulty reaching the higher alto notes that by the second half of the concert I can no longer sing. Any advice on how to increase my upper range or my ability to continue singing the 2nd half?
Hi Pat,
Before I answer can you tell me if you have continued to take voice lessons over the years as well as how much you practice each day/week? That information will help me to better help you.
No…never had voice lessons. I practice the music for our concert everyday anywhere from 1 – 2 hours. I just think the range is too high for me, but director wants me to try and increase my range. I have been trying for several years without success.
Okay Pat. When you have no background studying, it is almost impossible to know what to do to change your voice. The good news is that you can! The best thing you can do is find a teacher who will be able to give you exercises to reduce the air flow by supporting more, to use a finer edge of the vocal cords so they can vibrate faster and make the higher pitches, and to access the head resonators without the larynx elevating. Meanwhile, some things you can try are: — Make sure your larynx stay stable — neither raising… Read more »
I am a 16+ year old boy.my voice often slips and cracks while i am speaking.The problem started before two years.I am not able to speak gently/softly.Also my sound is not clear and I feel that something has got stuck in my throat.I have tested my blood and scanned my throat.everything is normal.the doctor told me that i have to do a speech therapy.what should i do?
Hi Adarsh,
There are a number of posts about this in the Q & A archives — feel free to read them!
Adarsh,
You should definitely follow the doctor’s advice and go for speech therapy! I wish you all the best with the help you receive.
thank you doctor.
Hello! I’ve been singing for a while now and I’ve noticed something that just started happening recently. When I try and sing sometimes, air goes into my throat and makes it hard for me to inhale. I mean, it kinda tickles my throat and I can’t sing when that happens. Can you tell me why it’s doing this?
Hi Meagan,
I’m a little unclear — is the tickle caused by the inhalation, or do you feel it when you start to sing? If you can tell me a little more I can make a better response.
Okay, so, I have a question, I’m almost 17, I don’t know when I hit puberty but I have a bass voice and I really don’t like it..because when I was like 10 I had a great voice, high one, obviously I was a kid with a high singin’ voice, nothing strange in that, i was singing at my church and all that and when I hit puberty, I lost my high range and was left with this low range. I know that I’ll never going to have the same voice I had and that’s not my point. Some bands… Read more »
Hi Christian, Since I cannot hear you and vocalize you, I cannot say what the potential range of the voice might be. What I can say is that the first job any of us has is to fall in love with the voice we have and to never long for it to be anything else. When you sing in the high part of your voice it will be just as thrilling as when a tenor sings high. When you are completely plugged in and communicating, no one will think, “Gee . . . if only his voice was higher.” It… Read more »
I can’t seem to find the spot to click for asking a question, so I’m putting it here.
You talk about visualizing yourself singing perfectly. Does it matter whether I visualize my self as I would appear to an observer, or is it better to visualize myself in my own body as I sing?
Hi Joan,
This IS the place to post your questions. It is most powerful to visualize yourself in your own body. However, I do both as I learn and grow stronger from both perspectives.
Hello i am a 17 year old boy and since i am 12 my voice is not loud .when i speak slow my voice is clear and when there is very noise my voice cannot be heard to .it is not at all audiable when there is any other noise.what exercises should i do
Try reading posts on volume in the question and answer archives.
my voice has become hoarse since 2 days due to yelling in class at students but as a teachr its a daily thing so how to overcome it
Yelling is never a good choice. I know teachers who use a piercing, unpleasant whistle and then speak. They also have serious consequences for students who do not listen or respond — they must leave the class and serve detention, etc. Once you have strained your voice you must rest it and let it heal or you could have permanent vocal damage. Steam, drink warm tea and see both a doctor and speech therapist if you can. Work with a voice specialist to learn how to project without straining.
Hello. My name is Ryan and I have been singing since I could basically walk. This last year I developed environmental allergies and lost my voice for an extensive amount of time. I know that you have to be patient with your voice, but it’s been almost a month and I still am missing a sizable amount of my range. I am using a kind of “vocal therapy” and I was wondering how low and high the average 14 year olds voice should be. Because normally when you get sick, you typically lose your upper voice. But both my upper… Read more »
Hi Ryan, I suffered terribly with allergies for many years. While you are searching for ways to bring them under control it is important not to push the voice into the extremes of the range or to sing too loud. The vocal cords are likely to be swollen or at the very least irritated. Some things you can do to help are using a neti pot (irrigating your sinuses) yoga breathing exercises, steaming, and drinking lots of water and throat coat tea. You can check out posts on breathing, stuffed nose and other topics in the question and answer archives… Read more »
I am almost 14 and all my classmates say I have a girly voice. Help
Hi, i’m a 14 year olde female, and i’m an alto I have an incredibly low voice, My voice sounds breathy but I know I dont have a breathy voice because my speaking voice isnt breathy, I hear some of my friends have a very nice mature voice, and there’s no breathiness in it its very clear and strong, and they have vibrato in it, I’ve been in choir since 6th grade and now i’m in 8th grade, I want to get a rich, strong, and clear sounding voice like my friends, Is it possible if I stayed in choir… Read more »
Hi There!
You are still very young and your voice is growing and developing just like the rest of you. The strength will continue to develop as you sing. Just don’t push or tire your voice. I think it is a great idea to stay in choir. It would be wonderful if you could also take some singing lessons!
Good luck to you,
Jocelyn
You have mentioned earlier not to push your voice as a 14 year Old male. I am very serious with my voice and theatre. It is my dream to be in Jason Robert Brown’s 13 the Musical. But, this is a very demanding musical. The males hit b’s and b flat’s all the time. Should I push through and do it or just do what is more easy and natural.
NEVER NEVER NEVER push your voice, especially at such a pivotal time in your development. If you truly are serious then you must develop patience and wisdom and find a way to work with a very knowledgeable voice teacher.
Hi,My voice is like girl i am boy so i can change my voice plz give me tips
I have written about this several times in the question and answer archives. I posted again in my latest blog if you want to check that out as well.
Hi, namaste My voice is like boy so i feel bad and i want girls voice plz would u help me.
Please read the most recent blog post and previous posts in the question and answer archives.
I have heard from different places that you can can feel your chewing muscle under your chin. I also heard that this tells you about your breath flow. It talked about how if it was hard, then your breath flow was not good and that the air supply wasn’t good either. If it is soft that meant that the air supply was good. Mine is always hard. Is this true or not true?
Breath flow is determined by the ability to pace the breath through the vocal cords so that they can come together cleanly and vibrate freely. I think the most useful way to think about this is to focus on physical elements that actually affect breathing and the ability to pace it. 1. The posture of the sternum (or breastbone) 2. The expansion of the muscles between the lower ribs (without affecting the posture of the sternum) 3. The ability to release the abdominals (without pushing them out or pulling them in so that their weight can help to retard the… Read more »
Hey! I am a performer and do lots of singing, acting, and dancing. For my voice as a 14 year old guy, it is sometimes hard to maintain excellence, especially when it is expected of you. What are some things I can do to help me ease through “the change?”
Hi,
I hope you can advise me.
I have a WIDE range. An Octave below mid C and 2 and Half above midC. The other day I hit one of those high keys that Queen use to sing and I am NOT sure HOW I did it.
I just sang a song and playd arround and out of the blue it came.
Hi There,
Clearly you have a good strong falsetto and it blends well with the part of the range you are singing with your true vocal cords. I’m not sure how you found higher notes either — there just isn’t enough information here to even venture a guess. However, when something works, if you do it again chances are it will keep working. The main thing is to keep having fun — that spirit of play will take you a long way!
best,
Jocelyn
Hi Jocelyn, What I have found is that when I rehearse with Paula and Randy Voice coach I hit those high keys. Here in South Africa we don’t have the American coaches hence me immegrating west. My range is quite big and some power cord does come out. Just this weekend I pulled Tina Turner’s version of Proud Marry off. The judges were amazed. (This is a small competition) Just wish that we had what the west offers, I don’t know if they invented singing because seriously, I fit in that bracket. Just need some guidence. I have perfect Diction,… Read more »
I have a question on the effects of chewing gum daily. Does it affect the ability to relax the tongue when singing. I have a problem keeping a straight tone, because it wobbles, which makes me go out of tune.
Hi There, Anything done to excess seems to influence us. If you were to chew a little gum for a couple minutes it might help to moisten the membranes and would be fine. If you chew constantly, not only could it affect your tongue but also your jaw. The ideal is to drink water or sip on an herbal tea and avoid the other stuff. The issue with the straight tone and wobble would, I think, be completely unrelated. That will be the result of the way your vocal cords come together to vibrate, and the manner in which you… Read more »
Is it ok to have 2 or more voice teachers? I am a dancer and we encourage multiple teachers. My 13 year old daughter is a singer and I want to provide her with as much training as possible.
It is possible to have more than one teacher and sometimes it can benefit. However, most voice teachers don’t agree to it. Singing teachers can have very different techniques. One might believe the jaw should be dropped and very open all of the time while another might believe in a closed mouth position. A third one might believe in a dynamic, changing mouth position. One teacher might believe in pushing the abdominal muscles down and out to support while another believes in working the muscles between the lower ribs and ignoring the abdominals. It can get very confusing for the… Read more »
I’m a young teenager, and last year I started practicing screamo, but I sucked so I stopped. All of a sudden, my voice got really deep and my throat felt big and my chest hurt like hell. I can feel a slight burn in my throat when I sing, I wouldnt dare scream, its sounds really um…airy? not much sound. please help, if you can then I love you! If not, I understand, neither could the doctors. Thanks!!!!!
Hi There, It is possible for the tissue to regenerate somewhat, depending on how much damage has been done and what the nature of the damage is. If the ligament has been stretched and traumatized, it will have to be rested and then very slowly and carefully worked to gradually regain strength and flexibility. If you repeatedly burst blood vessels, there could be a lot of scar tissue. Sometimes it can be surgically removed, sometimes it can be rehabilitated. Because you are young your chances are better. You need to work very carefully and slowly with a speech therapist and… Read more »
You said no smoking of any kind, but I’m kind of fucked. My downstairs neighbor smokes nonstop, and my apt smells smokey, and hes not planning on stopping for me any time soon. My place has 2nd and 3rd hand smoke. Soooo… what should I do to fix myself?
You can ventilate your place using a fan and windows and you can get a device that removes smoke from the air. Place it by your bed at night especially.
Good luck, Jocelyn
Thank you. May your life be filled with happiness! I’ve been hurting for a year now, and I honestly thought I would die soon. Nobody I’ve talked to has helped me, you are the first to respond. Its really nice to know that smart people exist. I have become obsessed with this. Maybe, one day, I can do good as well. I prayed that somebody would help me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hello Ms Jocelyn, my name is Sarah i am 10 yrs old and enjoy singing classical & musical Broadway. I value your advice and wanted you to look at some of my videos on you-tube to make sure i am singing properly. I don’t want to mess up my voice because I love to sing and it is my dream to be a famous classical & Broadway singer..I would love to have a chance at auditioning in Disney world. Thank you so much. Sarah
please do not post my last name… I wanted you to find me on youtube only.. Thanks Sarah.
Hi Sarah, You have a very pretty voice and a strong desire to communicate. Nothing you are doing will harm your voice or prevent you from singing in the future. As you continue to study and practice you will want to develop your breathing and support. You will also want to study a little piano and musicianship, take acting and a little dancing. Just keep growing and learning about all kinds of things. Singing isn’t just about your voice — it’s about your whole person. All of the other things you do in your life give you something to sing… Read more »
Hello there! I’ve had quite some vocal problems lately, and it’s quite bothersome and hard to deal with on top of all the curves life throws at me. So let me get down to the nitty gritty; I am an entertainer. I just graduated Highschool with multiple acting awards and I am now about to start college as a theatre major with a concentration in Acting specifically. I also adore being on stage in musicals. I’m a very loud, eccentric person, and my friends love me for my friendly, flamboyant personality. As I’m sure you can tell just by reading… Read more »
Hi There, It is good to be concerned and to seek help so that you can sustain your instrument for the dreams and goals you have. I would not recommend surgery unless everything else fails; it is a last resort. It can take a very long time to recover the strength and wholeness and the surgery can be damaging too. I would recommend you work with both a speech therapist and a voice coach to learn how to use your voice without stressing it. It is highly unlikely that your voice is inherently weak, but it might have been weakened… Read more »
Hi, my name is Joseph, I was born in Haiti and move here when I was 12 years old. Now in Haiti school is in French and I can only speak my native language at home which is Creole. I ended up speaking more French then Creole. When I have move to NYC the ball game change now I start learning a new language which is English. My brain got confuse a little, I stop speaking French ended up speaking Creole and English. All my cousins that’s from here don’t speak Creole they speak English. Finally around 8th grade I… Read more »
Hi Joseph, Sorry I was unable to respond sooner. There is a musical quality to languages and there are rules of construction. You are correct in thinking that both are important to communication. Being clear is not so much about the tone of voice as it is about being grammatically correct and then having the proper inflection and emphasis for each syllable. To truly shift this you could need to work with a teacher or take classes. However, some people make progress by working with recordings and computer programs designed to assist. Rosetta Stone is very popular and people report… Read more »
No problem. I think you are right about the Rosettastone application. However, my English is not that bad. I am 32 now, I came to NYC when I was 12 years old, remember. My English is fluent, I do held a Bachelor degree in Networking and Communication Management. My battle is to be able to sound more like American. Instead my voice tone sound the same when I speak Creole and English. I have to say sometime my accent don’t come out at all. Especially when I’m on the phone, because I work at a call center so I have… Read more »
Joseph, I am sad to say I have witnessed this discrimination and poor treatment far too many times and it is heartbreaking. It takes great fortitude to endure and to respond to such ignorance with compassion. I appreciate your kindness and hope it is often returned to you. What I like about the Rosetta Stone is the repetition and instant feedback. You can also just imitate good speakers in radio and TV. Listen and try to sound like them as you repeat what they say. As children we learn mostly by imitating and it is very effective. I wish you… Read more »
Another thing I do a lot is reading. I read a lot of books that seems to help a lot.
Thank you Jocelyn, I will keep that in mind, I think it would help me by imatating others on TV and radio. I just cannot understand how you have individual capable to speak three languages and able to speak them without an accent. I think it’s a gift. I have some friends that’s like that..
AND, that is the truth. Some people seem to have a gift for it!