Q: I have this ongoing and persistent problem wih mucus build up, and a constant need to clear my throat. It's especially prevelent my first 5 or 6 songs of the evening {I do all the things I should, like avoiding dairy, and doing vocal warm-ups}. It's more annoying than anything, although it sometimes presents itself at bad times, like when I'm reaching for a high note, I'll yak up a hair-ball! (Ohio)
A: Have you checked with your doctor to rule out any chronic things that might affect the voice... ear infection, sinus problem, etc?
In terms of singing technique it's hard to help without seeing you. It could be that the typical 'apprehension' we all feel when approaching a performance is manifesting itself physically in ways that you are so used to you aren't aware of it.
If you're singing with a mic, make sure the mic is located beneath you and reaches up to your lips, so you don't have to lift your head. Also, make sure you are not pushing the voice for volume... phrases should be initiated gently, on the moving breath.
Keep all your words within the frame of an open 'oh' vowel - try to avoid singing in shapes that are wide & flat, sing in shapes that are tall and round. Looking for a 'round' sound focuses the tone and has less affect on the vocal chords.
My doc told me singers need to drink 8 glass of water per day to thin the mucus. Also avoid coffee & some teas.
If possible, have a couple of sessions with an Alexander Technique practitioner. I'm of the opinion that, excluding medical conditions, your problem is caused by residual tension & (sorry) incorrect singing.
One thing you can do right now is sing the 5 or 6 songs you plan to start with -- all on 'boh, boh' boh', looking in the mirror to be sure your shoulders are down/relaxed, that your head is in a neutral position (chin not lifted), that you are pursing the lips slightly in a round 'o' shape. The 'b' helps move the voice forward, the shape helps focus the tone, your observation in the mirror helps you become more aware of your typical habits. In particular, do this on the phrases that go up to the high notes that you speak of -- I'll bet you dollars to donuts that you will see yourself stretching.
When going 'up' to a note, you need to 'picture' it beneath you, not above you. Practice this by singing the phrase on 'boh boh boh' with a good shape and BEND YOUR KNEES as you travel up to the note. Also work on singing more 'legato' - with a sense that the PHRASE is fluid & the pitches are part of that fluidness (sing like you imagine a violin or cello would play the line), and the energy you sing it with never slows... a good way to practice that is to walk forward with purpose as you are singing up the scale. Too often we slow the energy by going up steps, closing the jaw, and stretching.
I hope that helps a little.
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3 comments:
I recently started singing again, after a few years of stopping and i'm finding that when i hit a note, my voice starts to sound shaky and i can feel almost like a constant buildup of perhaps flem on my larinx.. have you ever heard of this before? I can hit the note properly for a second and then it goes off almost like the lion from the wizard of oz! its very frustrating because i've never had this problem before and i have no idea what to do. plz.. help!
Hi - sorry for the late reply. In answer I can only recommend what I have posted -- firstly & most importantly, see a doctor. If the voice is flemy & shaky there could be a physical cause. Acid reflux could be an issue, as well as some kind of inflammation in the ear/nose & throat. Ensure that you drink 6 to 8 glasses of water/liquid a day to stay hydrated. Next is to look at how you are singing - poor posture, excess tension, glottal beginnings, pushing the voice, lack of good diction, could also be culprits. But if you've sung well before, and this is new, then the doctor is the first line of defence.
HTH
Vikki
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