VOCALS
[ THE DANGER OF BREATHY SINGING | Sheri Gould ]
Styles of singing are constantly emerging striving to create a personal style, since they’ve Lawrence (laryngologist for the Houston Grand
and changing in the world of popular music. not developed muscle strength or proper Opera) she decided to have a ‘vocal abuse’
Listening to singers on the radio today is quite vocal technique, they reach for the easiest session using the fiber optic camera. This was
different than it was 20 years ago, 40 years ago, techniques to master. Singing with a breathy an attempt to define what truly irritates the vocal
or 60 years ago. Today’s singers are looking to tone is very easy, in fact many singers have folds. Amazingly, Dr. Mathis learned how to sing
set themselves apart through unique styling, breath in their tone simply because they’ve not with the camera down her throat. The discovery
interpretation, and presentation. In today’s yet learned how to rid themselves of it! Rather was nothing less than amazing. She first tried
world, would-be artists can achieve almost than look to eliminate this hazardous practice, belting, pushing big unprotected sound, yelling,
instant fame due to the phenomenon of social they capitalize on it - much to their unknowing etc, making every sound that is perceived as
media. As a result, we have artist after artist detriment. a type of vocal abuse. But the vocal folds just
looking for easy ways to create a style that will looked back at her relatively unscathed. Then
cause their voice to stand out amongst others. toward the end of the session, she told me that
Each generation has seemed to mark itself with
a particular style (or two!) of singing that seems
to grab the attention of their intended audience.
It is pretty easy to identify and date styles of
music or singing within just a few seconds
of listening. One particular style of singing
that is prominent today is a breathy, at times
sultry, or raw singing tone. Of additional note,
this generation has seen a record amount of
vocal damage.
Despite the mounting evidence of how this style
of singing wreaks havoc on one’s unsuspecting
vocal folds, masses of singers are continuing
to employ this dangerous technique. Every
time I turn on my Christian radio stations, I am
I believe that one she sang with a breathy unfocused tone, after
of the reasons red and the vocal lips swelled almost twice their
which the vocal cords turned more and more
normal thickness….”
this technique
This was, of course, just the beginning of her
is so prominent
research that went on for over five years and
is that it takes was later presented at New York Chapter of the
no training. Moreover, in my experience, the continued use
Therefore, almost memory such that the singers are no longer
National Association of Teachers of Singing.
anyone can
of this type of singing causes a type of muscle
able to achieve cord closure without relearning
through cord closure exercises Sadly, singers
are so used to the airy tone that they no
accomplish it.
longer even recognize it in themselves, so they
shocked at how much of this I hear, even from continue singing and speaking in this manner,
prominent singers who surely have access to prolonging and worsening the problem.
good, solid vocal training. I have been sounding HOW DOES IT HURT? the alarm for the last 20 years, and will continue Any ENT (Doctor of Otorhinolaryngology) will THE BOTTOM LINE
to do so until I see the trend turning or meet my tell you that whispering is hard on the vocal I would encourage you to become more aware
Savior face to face—whichever is first. cords. more of this damaging technique in yourself and
Whispering
actually
causes
trauma to the larynx than normal speech. In others you sing with: then STOP doing it. As
WHY? a whisper, the vocal cords do not vibrate. The I jokingly like to say, “Friends don’t let friends
I believe that one of the reasons this technique airflow is increased and turbulence is created sing with air in their tone!” Help me put an end
is so prominent is that it takes no training. while the vocal folds are in an unprotected, to this grievous technique that is hurting our
Therefore, almost anyone can accomplish it. non-adducted (open, not closed), position. singers and robbing us of years of fruitful and
Sadly, many singers, especially younger singers, Singing with a breathy tone is like “whispering healthy singing.
are likely to try their hand at singing without any on steroids”. Dr. Barbara Mathis is renowned professional training. Imitating styles they are for her research using a fiber optic camera.
God bless you with healthy and happy singing!
hearing on the radio becomes their only mode
of training. The feedback they get comes from “During
friends and other untrained singers. As they are performed at the laryngology office of Dr. Van
22
her
March 2018
vocal
research,
which
she
Sheri Gould
Internationally acclaimed vocal coach with a
degree from U of Illinois. Coaching since ‘79 and
leading worship since ‘85.
www.SheriGould.com
WorshipMusician.com