How do I remedy throat-singing?

Question

I am a natural singer, but I have now found that I sing from my throat, due to having been pushed beyond my capabilities as a singer in middle school. I also have extremely tense neck muscles and thick mucus. The throat-singing is causing my throat to hurt after singing in class and show choir rehearsals, so I am wondering as to how I would best remedy this, as my choral directors have never noticed it.

Answer 1

As a more quick fix for throat pain, gargle luke-warm salt water twice a day, drink LOTS of water and tea with honey throughout the day, and suck on cough drops. But if this has gotten as bad as it sounds you should do either one or both of the following things:

1. Get some private voice lessons with a teacher who can show you what you're doing what causes the throat problems and neck tension.

2. See an Eye, Nose, and Throat doctor. He or she can assess the damage to your throat or vocal chords and may have additional medicines or lifestyle changes to suggest.

Answer 2

Ditto on finding a good teacher. It's really the only way. They need to see and hear what you're doing. Tightness in the throat, i.e., throat singing, can be the sign of several things, 1) improper breath support, 2) poor technique, 3) unnecessary tension, 4) singing outside of the proper range, 5) a tight jaw, 6) a tight tongue, etc.

In the mean time, you can reduce the neck strain by slowly turning you head a little bit to the left and the right when you sing. It doesn't have to be a big or fast movement, just a little bit and nice and slow - it should help you from tightening the wrong muscles. (This isn't a fix, but a way to help until you can get to a professional voice teacher.)

Also look up diaphragmatic breathing (also popular in yoga). A good teacher will teach this (or a variation), so you can get a jump start on the process.

Answer 3

NOO... Milk and honey will clog up your voice, making it harder to get a clear sound/hit high notes. If you have a humidifier try misting. Basically get some water vapour (from either a humidifier or just put ur face over boiling water - not touching though :P) and inhale it through your throat. This is very calming and soothing for your voice. If you're actually singing proper way, then your throat shouldn't really be hurting. However, to take a bit of weight off your throat try to imagine your sound coming from your stomach up (for support) instead of just from your throat. Drinking water does help a bit, but don't rely entirely on it. Good luck at the auditions !

Answer 4

If singing is your passion no one can stop you from becoming world-class singer. The voice is god-gifted but singing is a skill that can be learned.

If you can't afford a vocal coach the best option is to attend an online program.

This is the best-selling site that teaches how to reach new heights with massive control. It's a collection of tips, tools, video tutorials that will really help you to improve your singing voice.

Here is the link: http://howtosing.toptips.org

Answer 5

I would get myself to a good vocal coach if I were you, and if you want to continue singing. So many potentially good singers' voices are pushed while they are young. Your throat should NEVER hurt after singing! Don't be afraid to speak to your choral directors about it and ask for a reference to a good vocal coach who would be able to remedy this problem for you before it goes any further. If your neck muscles remain tense for prolonged periods it means that the blood supply is being constricted. You might even want to find someone who teaches the Alexander Technique, a wonderful method for singers, actors and and musicians to learn how to use their bodies in ways that support their craft. It's even called "the right use of the body."

Good luck!

Answer 6

You may need to first off figure out which correct voice range you are. Also - i am sure that you know this already, but try to sing with your head voice. You want to feel the vibrations of your singing near your nasal area in between your eyes. A good way to do this and keep your voice higher in your body is to make your focal point slightly above eye level. Before singing, make sure that you warm up....massage your throat, your sinus area, your neck, etc....also - might want to start drinking hot water with honey and lemon in it during rehearsal and such....good luck! Just make sure tha tyou are singing and not straining your voice because you're going to ruin your voice otherwise.

Answer 7

Singing is something that everybody can learn and improve. Of course, some are more naturally skilled than others, but even a poor voice can be overcome by dedication, practice, and more practice. Even if you're content to sing in the shower, there are some things you can do to improve your voice. This is probably the best online course to improve your singing skills https://tr.im/jaSVf
Your golden voice will be ringing out in no time!

Answer 8

it would be best to take a voice lesson and have your teacher help you learn to get on breath and sing from the diaphragm. but in the mean time work on not oversinging or pushing from the throat

Answer 9

In singing you have to be relaxed. obviously you are singing the wrong way because you hurt your throat. and it's good that you know this because you are asking for a remedy. if you are a singer you are not to abuse your vocal mechanism. that is the first thing you have to keep in mind. your voice is not your tool. it is your life. and singing is not "just singing". you have to be prepared when you sing.

Drink lots of water - make it a habit to drink water (without anything in it like fruit juice or whatever).

when you sing you have to relax your internal and external muscles.

massage your face from the forehead down to your jaw until you feel your facial muscles relax. when you sing never wrinkle your face. it contributes to the tightening of muscles inside your face and in your vocal mechanism.

massage your neck. head exercise also helps. bend your head forward and turn from left to right.

when you sing open your mouth. when you throat-sing you feel that your jaws are tired after singing. that is because they are tight. you have to relax your jaws. open your mouth wide when you sing.

your tongue should be relaxed. stick out your tongue and if the tip is "pointed" it is not relaxed. a relaxed tongue is rounded.

the soft palate. raise your soft palate to make the passage broader. imagine a sharp pencil trapped inside the throat and you are to avoid your soft palate from touching the tip of the pencil.

keep your throat relaxed. massage the adam's apple area of your neck and if it clicks it means that it is not relaxed. if you're a girl you will have to find that area by swallowing and feel it with your finger. when you sing keep your soft palate raised up otherwise your throat will tighten.

square shoulders. proper posture is important in singing.

expanded ribcage. expand your ribcage by deep breathing. while doing this your ribcage has to remain expanded even when you exhale. deep breathe repeatedly. your shoulders should not move after you have expanded your ribcage. if you feel them "rise" when you inhale, it means your ribcage is not expanded. this gives your lungs more room for air to support your voice when you sing.

The force must come from your diaphragm. i assume that you know this area because you already are singing in a group. this is the only area where your muscles contract. your muscles from your chest up should be relaxed.

breathe using your nose AND your mouth.

Feet. do not "lock" your knees. locked knees contribute to the tightening of other muscles in your body. place one foot slightly forward.

Never force your voice to hit the high notes and dig the low notes. if while singing you feel uncomfortable there must be something wrong. it's either the note is beyond your vocal range or you are doing it the wrong way.

vocalize regularly and before you perform. observe the mentioned tips above while vocalizing. it will help you perform better. try vocalizing while lying down on the floor. if you find it difficult or uncomfortable you're doing it the wrong way.

ask for help from a professional. you have to be heard by a pro so s/he can help you with your problem...

Answer 10

You need a private teacher to help undo the damage; you don't have the expertise to correct your own technique. See a specialist about the mucus; you may have acid reflux.