Question:
Last summer I had a sort of crack in the voice every time I sang head voice. My tutor asked me to go to an ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat) doctor. The doctor said I have a blockage in the nose. I have allergies in the nose — I used spray but still my nose is blocked. What shall I do?
Answer:
Very often when we have a blockage we push against it and this pressure can cause the voice to “crack.” Instead, try to use maximum support by expanding your lower ribs in order to keep the breath low and away from your voice while singing a very small, pure tone. Have the sense of threading this small, pure sound through the congestion rather than pushing against it. Use an EE vowel sound first and don’t try to go high at first. Teach yourself that singing is easy and that phlegm can be there without interfering. Try plugging one nostril and sending all of the tone through the opposite side. After doing this for a while, switch sides. The sound should be nasal and the vibrations will start to break up the congestion. Then sing through both sides and notice the improvement. The sound will fill and move higher when it is ready. Your job is to be patient, persistent and fearless. Anxiety creates vocal tension — faith creates release and ease.
You can also do yoga cleansing breath, nasal rinsing with a neti pot, and steaming. Practices in books and audio programs, including my VOCAL TUNE-UP CD might also help you if you work diligently with them.