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Are you committing vocal suicide? If you wonder about this question, glance at the following list of common sensory and auditory symptoms.
- Progressive voice fatigue following brief or extended voice usage
- Rapid voice fatigue
- A feeling that talking/singing is an effort
- Tension or tightness in the throat
- Acute or chronic hoarseness
- Reduced vocal range
- Tone change from clear voice to breathy, raspy, or rough voice
- Repeated loss of voice
If one notices these symptoms persistently, it would be wise to see a voice professional and have a thorough laryngeal examination. An Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor can examine and will advise. Once cleared of any pathological problem, a voice therapist, voice teacher or Alexander Technique professional can help restore your voice to it’s resounding quality.
In my previous blog, I mentioned I had listened to some YouTube videos of Miley Cyrus; I observed her singing 4 years ago as well as in a more recent recording. Specifically, 4 years ago her singing was clear; she exhibited more healthy vocal use throughout her range, utilizing both higher head voice and lower chest tones. Being aware of her current professional image as an entertainer, it seems pretty obvious to me that she has assumed that the dominance of the lower chest voice matches the image she wishes to promote. I have read that it is not uncommon for young girls, especially, to follow current pop culture and take on this new sound. Vocal fry, with it’s low raspy quality, in these cases, constitutes vocal abuse. The vocal folds are not coming together with ease and fluidity and a resonant vocal quality is being sacrificed. To continue to speak with this added tension will result in many of the symptoms mentioned earlier, especially vocal fatigue and the ensuing laryngitis. A classically trained singer specializing in new music sometimes uses vocal fry as one of the vocal colors in his/hern work. But, using extended vocal techniques is a choice and not used habitually and continuously. The professional singer with healthy vocal production is able to choose, consciously and safely, many different colors to meet the needs of the music being performed.
Two of the best sources I have found on the topic of vocal abuse are written by Dr. Morton Cooper , a voice and speech therapist who specialized in working with difficult cases. The books are Change Your Voice, Change Your Life and Stop Committing Voice Suicide. Both books are availiable and are easy reads. Dr. Morton’s website, on which he has more detailed information, is www.voice-doctor.com.
To conclude on a positive note, it is possible to change vocal quality for the better. It is true that many of us do not like the sound of our voices. We hear a recording of our own voice and cringe and exclaim that “I don’t sound like that!” The good news is that usually it does not take an extended amount of time and work to improve. Breath use is an important part of the cure, although not the single answer. FM Alexander spent 9 years refining his technique. His work began as an exploratory process to regain the use of his own faulty speaking habits. Thanks to his diligence and tenacity, we now have his proven body of expertise from which to learn. If you decide you may be unwillingly heading towards or are in vocal suicide mode, contact a voice professional and move positively towards finding your true authentic voice.