Music Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME - Eliminate Throat Tension


As a vocal coach, I hear it all the time. I love to sing but when I do, I get hoarse and need to shout to be heard after only a few hours. Some days I just want to give up. What am I doing wrong? What can I do about it?

Sadly, this is an all too common problem for many singers. The good news is that it is not your fault. Many people sing from a place of passion without having the control to protect their voice. We are encouraged to do so from other musicians, choir leaders, friends, our audience etc. Oh yes, and because we love to belt out our favorite tunes. It is no wonder we forget that the voice is "our" instrument and that it is to be treated with care and respect.

Some singers are born with a gift to sing but most need to understand how the voice functions naturally and take considerable care not to sing in a way that will limit their ability.

What are you doing wrong you ask? While you are probably doing many things right, I suspect you have developed one or two bad habits throwing everything off track. Let me explain. The throat does only two things. One, it produces the tone that differentiates one sound from another. This is what makes you sound the way you do and me sound the way I do. Second, the vocal cords vibrate creating a pitch. Slower vibrations occur for lower tones with faster vibrations for the higher tones. If we push too much air through the vocal cords to reach up to high notes or sing louder then we are able to control, the vocal cords slam together cutting off the sound. If done for an extended period, the voice will get tired and sore. If done on an ongoing basis, it will cause damage decreasing your ability to sing. Many people who sing well in their 20's lose their voice early in life because of this lack of information. Sounds simple doesn't it? That's because it is.

What can you do about it? Singers have an enormous amount of fear when it comes to singing. They worry about what people think so they inevitably put far too much emphasis on the throat. This must stop. What you need to realize is that only 25% of your voice comes from the gift you have been given. 75% comes from understanding how the voice works and how to bring out the best in your voice. Taking the emphasis off the throat will eliminate the tension that cuts off the sound we produce. Use proper breathing techniques to support your singing, taking in only as much air needed to sing a phrase. Remember, the voice has the ability to get stronger and better as it matures rather then deteriorate.

From time to time, we all push our voices beyond their limits, become ill, or need a little something to sooth the throat. Please consider products without sugar or alcohol. They will only dry the vocal cords. Herbal teas such as mint is very soothing. Choose natural products and not products that only have artificial flavors. They will not take the edge of an already overused and tired throat. Drink lots of water 48 hours before singing and more if you are ill. Avoid anything that will coat or dry the vocal cords the day of singing such as dairy products, greasy food, decaffeinated drinks, alcohol, high-carbohydrate foods and smoking.

To wrap things up?.what I am saying is please stop putting emphasis on the throat when the throat has very little to do with your singing ability. One last thing?.relax, relax, relax. Singing was meant to be enjoyed by you and your audience, so don't take things too seriously. In time, with a little practice, it will all fall into place. Trust that you are on the right path and that you will reach your goals. It's really that simple!

All the best, Donna

After moving to Toronto from Montreal 22 years ago, Donna began a journey of vocal training that connected her with coaches in Nashville, Los Angeles, San Francisco, as well as the Royal Conservatory in Toronto.

Although she found the techniques to be practical and was taught scales designed to improve the voice, she soon realized that no one was able to offer a method that allowed her to sing the many different styles of music she enjoyed singing.

It was clear that the only way she would find training that would bring out ALL the qualities that are UNIQUE to her voice, would be to develop it herself. So she did???..

Over the years, Donna has developed a complete mind / body / spirit / voice method designed to access the energy from the body to eliminate any pressure that may prohibit us from singing our best. She combines yoga and tai chi breathing along with specific exercises designed to building proper breath support while gently working the entire vocal range, top to bottom.

http://www.vocalcoach.ca


MORE RESOURCES:

BBC News

Texas music fest gets big dose of Colorado flavors
Denver Post
AUSTIN, Texas — Denver's mammoth presence at this year's South by Southwest music festival and conference made it clear: While Colorado has ...
Spoon-fed success?BBC News
SXSW: There's a whirr of music emerging from the clubs of Austin, TexasLos Angeles Times
Band Between Buzz and Big Break at South by SouthwestNew York Times
News 8 Austin -AnnArbor.com -Tulsa World
all 32 news articles »


The Guardian

SXSW 2010 Music Festival
Austin 360 (blog)
Remember when Indiana Jones was descending into the forbidden tomb and sees the floor crawling? ...
Please don't stop the music: Bands rock SXSWLos Angeles Times
SXSW Musicians Interact with Fans on the StreetHuffington Post (blog)
SXSW 2010 Music FestivalAustin 360 (blog)
Austin 360 (blog) -Austin 360 (blog) -Austin 360 (blog)
all 108 news articles »


The State

North Texas acts make impact at Austin music fest
Fort Worth Star Telegram
... outside downtown Austin attracted the police and a high-profile passer-by: actor Bill Murray. Preston Jones is the Star-Telegram pop music critic. ...
RIP Alex Chilton: American music manThe State
Ever-larger music festival comes to an end on a cold day in AustinAustin 360
Alex Chilton remembered as Big Star SXSW showcase becomes joyous tributeEntertainment Weekly
St. Louis Post-Dispatch -California Chronicle -Chicago Tribune (blog)
all 17 news articles »


Dallas Morning News

Classical music review: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra offers its take with ...
Dallas Morning News
Her extravagant rubato in dreamier passages was apt to the music, but she sometimes slowed down too soon before phrase endings. Led by music director Miguel ...
Symphony Orchestra puts music in motionFort Worth Star Telegram

all 4 news articles »


American Idol's Lacey Brown: 'I Want to Make Some Good Music'
People Magazine
I'm not just an artist that just sings one type of music. I'm going to have a definite fresh outlook on music but it will have a folky tinge to it just ...

and more »


UW World Series announces 2010-11 dance and music lineup
Seattle Times
The 2010-11 International Chamber Music series includes Meany perennials, the Emerson String Quartet. Concert dates: Kavafian-Schub-Shifrin Trio (Oct. 20); ...

and more »


New York Daily News

Canadian soul singer Melanie Fiona travels in time between where music has ...
New York Daily News
Melanie Fiona travels through time in her music. Play her records, and you're trans-ported back to the DayGlo days of mod '60s soul, a time when snappy ...



Jet's in, nice theme music
Dallas Morning News (blog)
Jason Terry just entered the game with the Mavericks trailing, 15-12, accompanied by a few notes of Phantom of the Opera. Of course, probably only the most ...

and more »


Reuters

Music Biz Insiders Say Sony-Jackson Deal Makes Sense
ABC News
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The magnitude of Sony Music Entertainment's landmark recording contract with the estate of Michael Jackson raises ...
Sony bets MJ fans never can say goodbyeLouisville Courier-Journal
Michael Jackson Betrayed After DeathPeopleMagazineDaily.com

all 66 news articles »


New York Times

Charlie Gillett, Disc Jockey and Historian, Dies at 68
New York Times
In the 1970s, Mr. Gillett was the first disc jockey to play music by Graham Parker, Elvis Costello and Dire Straits. By the time he had finished playing ...
Charlie Gillett: the patriarch of world musicThe Guardian

all 4 news articles »

Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006