my voice cracks when I sing

Q: I try so hard to get my voice back the way it used to be, when it really worked. But it cracks and it hurts when I sing, and sometimes I cough. What am I doing wrong?

A: The most important thing you need to do is to stop trying to make your voice be something else. People try to imitate the stars they love, or they try to make their voice do something they imagine is good. And all they do is strangle their voices. You see this on American Idol auditions all the time.

Your voice is like a dog you are trying to get to jump through the hoop. You can't make the dog jump through the hoop, it has to jump on its own. Even if you lift up the dog, you can't make it jump. You simply hold out the hoop and invite the dog to jump through it. You have to invite your voice to be with you.

Your voice is cracked and strained because you are trying to make it 'be' something. You need to accept it for exactly what it is. Even if you plan to work or train, you must always work with what you have, and trust that it will progress.

Voice is a funny thing. the harder you try to make it 'be', the further away you push it.

Sing music that suits your voice in keys that fit your range. Don't imitate other people. In addition - this is very important - always look for quality, not quantity. Sing songs you like, but sing them as yourself. That's all we really have anyway.