Am I damaging my vocal cords?

Question

I had my first singing lesson last week Saturday and all we did was talk and place my voice. She said I had an exactly one octave range starting at low C to Middle C. I wanted to expand my range (The notes I couldn't get were in my passaggio, my passagio cover about one hole octave). So for the past two days I have been practing for about 20 mins. trying to go up higher little by little. I tried and it seemed impossible to sing a D. But now it is gradually getting easier to go higher and higher. When I practice going higher my vocal cords do feel a little stressed for about 15 mins. after. Am I damaging my voice or is this just stress from stretching.

when I say practicing I mean just trying to slowly go higher or lower. We only had one lesson and she hasn't taught me anything yet.

Answer 1

EEE! Be careful! Expanding your vocal range does take patience. But if you are feeling discomfort STOP and rest your voice. Discuss with your vocal teacher about safe exercises you can do at home to help. Alot of it has to do with breath control. Since you've just began lessons, I would say it's wise to learn the proper singing techniques in the range you have now. Then when you try to expand you will know and be able to apply those techniques and you'll lower your risk of damaging your voice.

Answer 2

Actually, your teacher DID teach you something. Correct placement and utilizing the things she was talking to you about (which likely was correct singing technique, breathing, etc.) are the things that will, eventually, with time, help you expand your range. Learning to sing is a slow process & you have to practice steadily. Good rule of thumb: If it hurts, don't do it. If your voice is tired (you are starting to feel kind of hoarse) - STOP, you have done too much. Follow your teacher's instruction. Don't be impatient. Singing takes time. Most great singers have studied for years & years. So, ask your teacher. She will tell you what her plan is for your voice. She may want you to perfect your placement and breathing in the one octave range that you have and THEN start stretching once she knows you can sing properly, so as not to damage your voice. Good luck & be persistent - give your teacher and your voice time!

Answer 3

Be very carefull. I am not sure what you mean by "stressed". Don't rush anything. Don't try to go up (or down) too fast. Support, support, support! OPen your throat as wide as you can and never, ever force yourself to sing higher. Let your voice teach guide you. You will feel a little strain from getting the vocal chords to vibrate at the high level, but if the feeling of "stress" ever lasts for more than that 15 minutes, stop! And don't try any more.

Answer 4

You're not doing any serious damage yet, but you need to slow down, and let your teacher work with you more. For now, sing within the comfort zone until you've worked with her enough to venture into higher territory. A rule of thumb I tell my students: When in doubt, stay in the middle range. I also tell them that early on in the lesson process they should concentrate more on practicing their breathing. She probably did some breathing exercises with you- until your next lesson work MORE with the breathing and not with the range. Range is a process that comes with time and REQUIRES proper breathing. So first thing first: Get your breathing right and the rest will follow.

Answer 5

When you say "practicing", do you mean just trying to sing higher, or do you mean using techniques that your voice instructor specifically taught you in order to sing higher?

That's the key.

It takes quite a while to learn how to safely increase your range (more than a couple of notes) without damaging your vocal cords. Talk to your voice instructor about your interest in a great range, and work with him/her to get there.

Answer 6

It sounds as though you are trying to go too fast. You need to start by following your teacher's instructions, and practice as she told you to do. You will expand you range gradually by learning proper singing techniques not by trying everyday to go higher and higher. What you are doing is not beneficial to your vocal chords or to your vocal range.

Answer 7

If you are feeling a strain on your cords while singing, you need to support better. If you can support down in your diaphragm, it will take the tension away from your throat. I don't know if this will work for you, but I always support by making it feel like there's a fist in my abdomen that is trying to punch its way down and diagnally out. If that doesn't work for you, see what else you can do, and ask your voice teacher to help you with the support. You just need to get the tension away from your cords!!

Answer 8

As was said previously, your voice may have changed a little over the years. But as was previously stated you also could have strained your voice to some degree. It probably would be a good idea to rest your voice. Maybe even try some throat lozenges or throat spray. If worse comes to worse you could even consider seeing a doctor...