Vocal Issues (Full Version)

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BattleScarred -> Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 2:44:20 AM)

Lately I've heard so many stories of southern gospel singers having problems with their voices, even to the extent of having to undergo surgeries. I recently talked with some friends of Steve Ladd who said that he has been having bad problems with something like acid reflux which was causing severe problems with his vocals. They said that he has seen a specialist and has it under control now. I now read that Squire Parsons will be undergoing vocal surgery.

I bring this topic up because I constantly have problems with my voice being "raspy" sounding no matter how much water I drink in a day. I have used "Entertainers Secret" and other "sure to work" remedies that are often suggested and had no luck in stopping the dry raspy voice.

Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them, and if so what has worked to correct it? My fear of having surgery would be not to be able to sing at all afterwards. Also, why do you think so many singers are facing these types of issues in what seems like "all of a sudden"?



88keysinnc -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 9:02:02 AM)

Do yourself a favor....go to an ENT Dr. and have the issue correctly diagnosed. Sing within a comfortable range and your vocal will last longer. A voice teacher would be another plus for you.



querty -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 10:57:17 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BattleScarred



I bring this topic up because I constantly have problems with my voice being "raspy" sounding no matter how much water I drink in a day. I have used "Entertainers Secret" and other "sure to work" remedies that are often suggested and had no luck in stopping the dry raspy voice.



Sorry to say but it pretty much points to improper singing. I am talking the mechanics of it, not singing bad, etc. Singing from your throat and not your body. Singing too high improperly, ie: straight chest voice instead of head.

A vocal coach could help, or hurt. Depends on if THEY know what they are doing.



Qtman -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 11:05:21 AM)

While improper singing can cause the problem there are also several physical causes to this problem. Go to an ENT and get the physical problems ruled out first. It could be nodules on the vocal cords or something else that would require medical attention. Once these are ruled out then and only then try the vocal coach.



danielmount -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 1:47:47 PM)

I recall that one of the most famous vocalists in CCM ever (Steven Curtis Chapman) had to cancel a tour and go for about a half-year without saying anything because he had the vocal cord nodules; as qtman said, that can happen to the pros.



MsJudy -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 2:23:17 PM)

Lawdy me, I can't imagine NOT being able to talk for an hour much less 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is driving me crazy not to be able to go out and attend concerts!!!!!! I was hoping to get to go to see GC & the Inspirations tomorrow, but it looks like now it's going to be sometimes in February before I can get out like that.
[:(][:(]



danielmount -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 2:33:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MsJudy

Lawdy me, I can't imagine NOT being able to talk for an hour much less 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Me either!

I don't think I'll get to see a concert until mid-February, either, but I'm more used to long periods between concerts than you are.[:)]



MsJudy -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 2:59:27 PM)

Heavens Daniel, I'm used to hoping in my car and going every weekend almost. This is driving me nuttier than I already am......... no comments to that please LOL. I never know from one weekend to the other sometimes where I'll be, neither does my hubby. hehe...................just sitting here waiting till I can get back to my routine. The CCMA Awards in Nashville was the last thing I've been able to attend.
[:(]



TonyWatson -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 3:04:06 PM)

I agree with the advice of go see the ENT ASAP. You need to rule out physical difficulties. It could be as simple as acid reflux which doesn't require surgery or it could be vocal nodules or blood vessels on the vocal cords or something not nearly that serious.

Others that I am aware of that have, in the recent past, been either put on vocal rest or had surgery include Steve Ladd (vocal rest - doing great), Brian Lester (surgery - blood vessel - doing great), Frank Seamans (surgery - nodule - doing great), Michael Booth (vocal rest - doing great), and Rodney Griffin (extended vocal rest - doing great and sounding better than ever). As you can see it's not uncommon and normally is the result of dietary choices or bad vocal habits that are easy to develop when singing a lot.



smithtim -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 5:55:03 PM)

The vocal cords are muscles and if you do not warm them up in a proper manner evertime you can damage them. I had this problem all the time when I was teaching high school band. The kids that would not warm up could play about 10 minutes before their lips were on the floor. I also agree about checking with an ENT to see if there is a problems but never skip a warmup.



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 10:44:14 PM)

Here's the advice I would give to my voice students:

1. Go see an ENT (as previously suggested). You may need to have a scope put down your
throat.

2. Get a vocal coach when the doctor given you the all clear. (Nodules on the vocal ligaments
are typically caused by poor vocal technique)

Overstressing the muscles that are attached to your vocal ligaments (vocal cords) can lead to the irritation that causes nodules. They are basically blisters that can turn to callouses on your vocal cord. There are muscles called thryoarytenoid muscles (called vocal folds) and on the edge of those are the vocal ligaments. They are what vibrate to produce sound with the voice. When they are being used improperly (getting more volume from the throat or raising the larynx and stretching the vocal folds in order to produce higher notes) they respond by becoming fatigued and can even develop nodules. They can be taken care of by vocal rest (as mentioned above) or, in severe cases, surgery. This is the type of surgery that Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music lady) had that literally took her voice away for years. Admittedly her surgery was botched, according to her, but surgery can cause one to lose their singing ability to a large degree. Follow the advice of the doctor no matter what. My M.O.M. when I was a teen had nodules and had to go through six weeks of absolute silence. No noise when coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. He said it was tough, but then worked with a vocal coach and, twenty + years later, he's singing with no problems.



Lead1 -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/4/2008 11:11:58 PM)

Acid reflux is tough, it ruined any potential I had.



Billboy -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/5/2008 1:46:58 PM)

Boyce Fleenor of the Crossmen had severe problems with vocal chord health a couple of years ago, if I remember right. Also, I think Tim Surrett gave vocal problems or vocal strain as one of the reasons when he left the Kingsmen.
I have always wondered how professional singers manage to avoid colds, or at least avoid them enough to keep singing, especially considering all the hand-shaking or other incidental contact at the product table that SG artists typically experience at concerts.



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/6/2008 12:13:24 AM)

Hand sanitizer and regular hand washing are tremendously beneficial in avoiding colds. When I worked at a local hospital, I washed my hands 20 - 30 times a shift and didn't have a cold for 2 years. If you do get one, Zicam is a great product. My last two colds, I seem to get them a lot now teaching school, I zapped with Zicam in 3 or 4 days.



querty -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/6/2008 11:24:18 AM)

I think I would Google a little before I would suggest Zicam.



tenor247 -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/6/2008 1:53:27 PM)

Keeping the immune system up is VERY key to not getting sick or strained.

Lots of things can do this, but honey contains LOTS of the nutrients that God gave us for our well being.
A spoon a day (on a homemade biscuit) does wonders for me!!!

(now if i could not add Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and Mac& Cheese with it, i could handle another little problem)



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/6/2008 11:24:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: querty

I think I would Google a little before I would suggest Zicam.


Yeah, yeah, I know, you could lose your sense of smell. Right. Anyway, that would apply if I were cramming the stuff up my nose. However, if you're using the dissolving tablets, like I do, that's not an issue. I'm not sure I buy those reports. They are not based on any scientific research that I've been able to find. The only thing I put up my nose is saline when I'm very congested. That's it. So, I still recommend Zicam, just don't get the gel or spray that goes up your nose.



BattleScarred -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/15/2008 8:24:07 PM)

Thanks for all of the responses. I apoligize for not getting back to this forum sooner. I'll also be honest and say that I've been so busy at work that I forgot that I posted it!!! lol

I think I'll go ahead and set me an appointment this week to get checked out by a ENT doctor if I can find a reputable one in my area. I'll keep you all posted as to what I find out.

Neal



Christina6778 -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/24/2008 12:53:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BattleScarred

Thanks for all of the responses. I apoligize for not getting back to this forum sooner. I'll also be honest and say that I've been so busy at work that I forgot that I posted it!!! lol

I think I'll go ahead and set me an appointment this week to get checked out by a ENT doctor if I can find a reputable one in my area. I'll keep you all posted as to what I find out.

Neal


You're on the right track BattleScared! Everyone's comments have been excellent! When you see the ENT (year-round allergies are my nemesis!) tell him/her that you are a SINGER , just to be safe! Until you find a local vocal instructor, could I suggest a few things? W/o hearing you, I can only speculate, but these are actually a few tips that are good for anyone, anytime.

If it hurts, try something else. Sing from your eyes/forehead instead of your throat (in other words, above the throat). Chest voice is not the bad guy [>:] but should be used sparingly! Pushing is never recommended, terrible for the voice, & often produces a pretty ugly sound! Instead, take bigger breathes & try using up all the air in each phrase (this has been a great personal tool). Our bodies are pretty smart to tell us when we're doing something we shouldn't! Just be aware & listen to your teacher (yes, the best thing anyone can do for their vocal career is to have a voice instructor, even if not on a regular basis [some is better than none]... this instructor has one! [:)]).

Warning... sometimes "coaches" are just those who help others learn notes & play the piano well & are not necessarily trained voice instructors (please, someone tell me I'm wrong... unfortunately this is what I've seen too often in my area)... so I'd suggest asking for recommendations from friends, family, local colleges, churches, etc. & when talking to a prospective teacher ask them where they received their training & what they know about the SG style!

Just b/c my range is D3-A5, this does not mean I should be singing the bottom/top 3 notes on a regular basis. This is another way we can become hoarse or end up in oodles of trouble.

Sorry, I talk too much! That reminds me... you might try talking very little during the day of a performance or at least several hours before you sing (I had a friend who would carry a note pad around & actually wore a sign around his neck that said "On vocal REST." LOL! [:D]) & try staying away from caffeine for at least 1 day before you sing (this has helped me a tremendously!).

~Blessings!



Kerrlaw -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/24/2008 4:24:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lead1

Acid reflux is tough, it ruined any potential I had.


Finally!!! Now I know why I can't sing a lick.



bigboytenor -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/24/2008 10:40:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Christina6778

Sing from your eyes/forehead instead of your throat (in other words, above the throat). Chest voice is not the bad guy [>:] but should be used sparingly!



Why on earth should chest voice be used sparingly??? I've taught voice at the college/university level for a few years, read numerous books on vocal pedagogy and been to countless masterclasses and I've never heard or read any such thing.

If you're using your speaking voice properly, use away. As long as your not overusing, like speaking for hours on end, it really doesn't make a huge difference. The exception would be if your doctor puts you on vocal rest for nodules or something.



BattleScarred -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/25/2008 9:21:24 AM)

Thanks for the pointers. I am currently listening to Brett Manning's Singing Success package and it seems to be helping a lot.

I do agree with bigboytenor on what he says above. Brett Manning says basically the same thing. You flip into your head voice when a note is just out of range of your chest voice. If you can't sing the majority of the notes in chest voice, he basically says you have no business trying to do it regularly. If a note is super high, let's say out of head voice, then you flip to falsetto.

What I am trying to learn now is how to sing a lyric in head voice, and not just a sustained note. I think this will help me tremendously when I can figure it out.

I will also add that I am a police officer that handles and trains police canines. I am always speaking to the public, whether giving k-9 demos or giving tickets (lol) and rarely have time for vocal rest. I am drinking a lot of water these days, so I better run if you catch my drift!!! Get it? drift?..I crack myself up. Oh well, it was funny to me anyways.



Dinana -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/25/2008 9:27:18 AM)

[:D]



hhqbass -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/31/2008 5:17:53 PM)

Greetings!

When I sing (or talk, for that matter), I seem to have to clear my throat a lot. It seems that phlegm incessently builds up in my throat.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, what did/do you do to resolve the problem?

Thanks!



hhqbass -> RE: Vocal Issues (1/31/2008 5:34:50 PM)

Here's another question...

What, if anything, can I do to extend the low end of my vocal range? [8|]

Thanks again!



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