VOCALS
MONITORING FOR VOCAL ISSUES | Renée Maranan
It ’ s easy to assume that we would recognize any issues in our own voices immediately since we use our voices every day . And yet , this level of familiarity can sometimes make it more difficult to recognize when something in our voice needs attention . Here are some things that singers can do to monitor their voices more effectively so that they can address vocal issues as soon as possible .
Wait … but wouldn ’ t I know if something was wrong with my voice ?
If a singer is paying attention – and paying attention to the right things – it can be easier to recognize when the voice isn ’ t functioning properly . But some singers have difficulty recognizing issues in their own voices for several reasons , such as the ones below :
The decline in vocal quality might have been happening so gradually that it escaped their notice . There are some vocal issues that emerge suddenly and are very noticeable , but there are others wherein symptoms emerge gradually over time . These may be easy to miss if a singer isn ’ t monitoring their own voice in a systemized way .
It ’ s difficult to be objective with our own voices . Sometimes singers will rationalize any symptoms they may be experiencing in their voices . There are many times when this is reasonable , but sometimes the rationalizations can cloud a singer ’ s judgment , especially when they aren ’ t in the habit of keeping track of their vocal function objectively .
Many singers would rather avoid the topic of voice issues because they ’ re afraid of it . There ’ s a lot of stigma and misinformation around voice issues , and this can cause singers to be fearful of getting their voices evaluated . What tends to happen as a result is that singers would rather deny their symptoms rather than get help .
Much like the rest of our bodies , our intimate familiarity with our own voices can sometimes be the very reason we fail to notice declining vocal function . This is why it ’ s helpful to have a system for regularly monitoring your own voice .
HOW TO MONITOR YOUR VOICE Here is one simple “ Swell Test ” that singers can do to monitor vocal fold inflammation :
SWELL TEST
• Before warming up or using your voice for the first time , sing the first line of the song “ Happy Birthday ” at a very low volume
• Start at the very bottom of your comfortable range and gradually modulate upwards without changing volume
• Stop when you begin to feel like there is a delayed onset of the voice , which may cause you to feel like you need to increase volume or exert more effort to create sound
• Make note of your bottom pitch and your top pitch
• Do this every day and log your results
It ’ s helpful to accompany your observations with a bit of reflection about your recent voice use . Here are a few guiding questions that you can use as prompts :
REFLECTION PROMPTS In the past 24 hours or week …
• Approximately how many hours did you use your voice in total ? How many hours were one continuous stretch of speaking and / or singing without breaks ?
• On a scale of 1-10 , how would you rate your own talkativeness ?
• On a scale of 1-10 , how would you rate your average speaking and singing volume ?
• What illnesses or conditions may be affecting your vocal health ? If there has been a recent illness , how much time have you had for vocal recovery before your first day of heavy voice use ?
• Has there been any recent voice loss or vocal fatigue ? How long did it take to make a full recovery ?
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR Below are some signs that you may need to check in with a voice care professional to get evaluated :
• Voice loss / fatigue that does not improve or resolve in two or more days
• Sudden voice loss or dramatic change of vocal quality , facility , or range
• Persistent vocal fatigue or voice loss
• Decreasing endurance and increasing recovery times
• Pain during speaking or singing
• Persistent jaw / neck / tongue pain or lack of mobility
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have a disorder , injury , or pathology . They might just indicate that you need more information so that you can give your voice the care that it needs .
If you ’ re feeling anxious , remember that the voice is resilient . Voice issues are far more common than one might think , and many of them are easy to resolve with treatments that are not complicated or invasive . Singers often make complete recovery from voice issues , some of them even gaining better vocal function than before . One of the biggest factors contributing to a singer ’ s successful vocal recovery is their ability to catch early signs of wear and tear , as well as their readiness to seek help .
Got a voice question for Renée ? Send an email to hello @ reneemaranan . com with “ WM Voice Question ” in the subject line !
Renée Maranan Vocal Instructor | Life Coach Ambassador for the Institute for Vocal Advancement www . ReneeMaranan . com Instagram @ reneemaranan
42 April 2024 Subscribe for Free ...