How to dump the croaky Vocal Strain for good!
It was great to get the replies to the survey I sent out. I love to know that you are willing to share what makes you troubled. Together we can make a difference.
Now week by week your concerns will be part of our ‘Ask Jann’ articles to answer your concerns that keep you from singing at your best.
Let’s get started.
Sorting voice strain or hoarseness is one of the biggies by far.
Particularly (but not exclusively) in young people.
If this is you, it is a real bummer!
Have you noticed that when you are about to sing in front of an audience it is the very thing that gets in your way. The knowledge, just the fear, in the back of your Mind that your voice definitely may let you down; that you may go hoarse, stops you.
Since that is what often happens, you already know it is suspect! You have to ask yourself are you actually doomed? Can you not rely on your voice under any and all situations? Is there no way you can be certain that you will sing without crisis?
It becomes a vicious circle. The more you think it can happen the more it does. Round and round till you want to throw in the whole thing and take up pottery or dancing instead.
I remember giving a workshop to a group of young students and one of them shared that she just could not face singing lately because of the fear that her strained croaky voice would happen again. It was often compounded after she had been to a gig the night before and had sung loudly.
She had no idea how it was possible to perform wherever and as often as she liked and know she would not be embarrassed?
I asked my young student to sing a phrase for me. As she stood there her demeanour immediately gave way to distress. She hadn’t even opened her mouth!
Just with the idea of singing and she was already prepared she would let her Self down.
The thing is, finding out what is really happening is the missing link.
I started to work with her to turn this around.
I recommended a few things which I knew were a part of her predicament.
The suggestion that her feet were the pillars of strength that gave real support to her voice; that her head was free and light on top of her spine; already she looked different.
And her spine was the stamina that would give power to her lungs to work freely as she needed them to!
With these new thoughts her eyes started to shine as she focussed in this different dimension.
When she opened her mouth and started her phrase a distinctive quality in her voice was there. Her confidence took a leap!
Do you know how much confidence builds when you have a breakthrough?
She got it!
More direction followed…..
A soft gentle smile; her eyes to notice what was happening around her.
She floated with her song.
Whether you are a budding singer or a well trained enthusiast facing a similar situation –
- What you know of yourself as a whole is the key:
- What you are thinking;
- How you understand your body and its works;
- How you connect to yourself, to your voice……
…..that is the secret that gives you the results you are looking for!
There are no two people who are the same; each has their own unique vocal identity and solutions.
Exploring yours is your journey.
This whole series is about discovering your hidden secrets.
Stay tuned for the next ‘Ask Jann’ discussion.
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