VOCALS
Ryan Luchuck ( voice coach ) and Melanie Tapson ( CCC-SLP / Singing Voice Specialist ) are busy vocal professionals in Toronto who love working together as part of a voice care team whenever possible . Find them at www . ryanluchuckvoice . com and www . melanietapson . com .
By Ryan Luchuck & Melanie Tapson
Why You Need a Voice Team
The idea of a singer engaging a voice team is relatively new in our field , but it really shouldn ’ t be . Any serious athlete has a variety of different experts around them to help them excel in performance .
Why should you enlist the help of a team of experts to train and care for your voice ? Because the human voice is an incredibly complex instrument , which makes it very hard for any one person to completely understand . Plus , a range of different perspectives , approaches , and techniques is extremely important to help you fully explore everything your voice is capable of doing .
Simply put , a voice team is a group of professionals dedicated to maintaining and developing the health and growth of your instrument . If you are serious about your singing , optimal care of the voice is delivered by an interdisciplinary team with specialized knowledge , training , and experience .
1 . Singing Teacher / Coach This is the obvious one ; however , many people are not quite solid on what to expect from their singing teacher . To add to the confusion , there are many different kinds of voice teachers . Because there is no required certification , anyone can put a sign on their door and start teaching singing , so you have to do your research !
In our opinion , a great teacher should have a solid understanding of how to develop your vocal coordination in a healthy way . They should be able to train your voice using an efficient approach that ’ ll help you get what you want out of your singing , without excessive tension . At the same time , you want your voice teacher to help you develop your style and musicality in a big way . Coaches are often stronger in either technique or style , so don ’ t be afraid to ask them about their strengths . Because of this , it ’ s possible – and often encouraged – to have more than one instructor to take advantage of their complementary areas of expertise . For example , you could have one teacher to help you with your R & B licks and another to train your high notes .
2 . Speech Language Pathologist and / or Singing Voice Specialist ( Ideally , one in the same !)
In singers with vocal injuries or problems , training and rehabilitating the singing voice is critically different from the way singers are normally instructed . Even the most qualified and experienced voice teacher can do more harm than good if they are not comfortable working with a singer who has had a vocal injury or surgery . This is where a speech-language pathologist and / or singing voice specialist comes in very handy !
A speech-language pathologist ( SLP ) is a certified , licensed health care professional who has expertise in treating communication disorders – including voice-related issues . Imagine a physiotherapist , but for your voice ! That being said , SLP is a broad field ; you can ’ t assume all SLPs are trained , experienced , or comfortable in caring for people with voice problems . Those that sub-specialize in voice have sought out heaps of supplemental training , and they provide more incisive , state-ofthe-art treatment for voice disorders than the general SLP . It ’ s worth your while to do your research to find the right SLP to help take care of your voice .
Alongside your SLP , you may be lucky enough to find a singing voice specialist ( SVS ). This is typically someone who has a degree in voice performance or pedagogy , extensive performing and teaching experience , and extra training in the anatomy and physiology of the normal and disordered voice ( above and beyond what traditional singing teachers typically acquire in their training ). They work in a medical environment alongside an SLP and ENT with people who have had vocal injuries .
Be wary . Because it isn ’ t a regulated title , anyone can call themselves an SVS . It ’ s important to ask good questions about this professional ’ s training and knowledge to make sure they are legit . The optimal combination is a certified , licensed SLP who is also an SVS , but these unicorns are hard to find !
Visit MelanieTapson . com / voicetherapy101 / for-the-public for a few questions you might consider asking an SLP or SVS to find out if they ’ re the right fit for you .
3 . ENT / Laryngologist An Otolaryngologist , or ENT ( ear , nose , and throat ) doctor will often work in the same clinic as your SLP . This is the ideal situation as the two can communicate with ease and collaborate on your voice care plan . It takes a long time to get the education necessary to specialize in diagnosing voice problems , and a doctor who focuses on the ear or nose isn ’ t going to cut it . You want the throat doctor – and that ’ s a laryngologist .
This professional needs to be able to tell the difference between nodules , polyps , and granulomas , to spot acid reflux damage , to be knowledgeable about muscle tension dysphonia , and have a broad and deep knowledge of all the other nasty stuff that can happen to our vocal cords . They will use either a flexible scope ( through the nose ) or a rigid scope ( open up !) to get a look at them . A flexible scope is great to get an idea of how your voice is functioning when you speak and sing , and a rigid scope gives an up-close-and-personal magnified view of the structure of the vocal folds themselves . Ideally , both are used for a complete evaluation of the voice , alongside a stroboscopic light to slow down the motion of the vibration .
Check out Ryan ’ s scope at Youtu . be / StjgrJqp0gs .
Your laryngologist may also perform surgery that can , unfortunately , sometimes be necessary , but make sure you get all your options laid out for you and explained thoroughly if this is a consideration , and ask whether voice therapy is a good first step . Where possible , try to connect with a laryngologist that has experience working with singers . This will affect how they choose to treat you . ( PS . If you don ’ t want to see this person very often , choose # 1 and 2 very well !)
4 . Who else ? A truly holistic approach to singing doesn ’ t end with your vocal cords ! It has to go beyond the two square inches in your throat . There are many other professionals that you ’ ll likely need at one time or another to keep your voice in great shape . Some of the most helpful experts in our singing lives have , at times , been a chiropractor ( in particular , those who do manual therapy on soft tissue as well as the more traditional adjustments ), a personal trainer , a nutritionist , an osteopath , a physiotherapist ( specifically a pelvic floor specialist – and boy , do they ever get up close and personal !), a psychologist or therapist , and even a yoga or pilates instructor .
Anyone that can help you improve your posture , alignment , mental and emotional health , breath support , core strength , and overall general health will have a noticeable effect on your singing .
32 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN