I am a vocal student, but I lost my voice sometimes and my throat is not fully opened. What should I do?

Question

I have an allergy, but not very serious.

Answer 1

I used to lose my voice all the time when I was younger, right around performance time. I had the lead in my senior year in South Pacific and the 2nd showing I lost my voice in the morning but it recovered just enough for the evening performance.

1. DO NOT TAKE CLORESEPTIC! It will only fool you into thinking that you have a voice and then you will over work it.

2. Gargle with luke warm salt water OR Alcamol. Either or, never both.

3. Yawn, Yawn, Yawn. The most relaxing thing you can do for your throat is yawn.

4. Don't push your voice too far. If you feel like you are stressing your vocal chords STOP and Yawn.

5. You can also sigh. Sigh vocally up and down with your mouth wide open.

6. You can meditate. It is very soothing and relaxing.

7. My best vocal coach taught me a very important lesson about singing. It's not just about breathing right and pushing from the diaphragm. It's also about relaxing every muscle in your body from your little toe to the top of your head. Concentrating with every ounce of your being and just letting the voice flow out of you.

8. And try not to stress around performance time. This was my worst enemy. I got so nervous around fall and spring shows that I would literally lose my voice from the stress.

9. Massage your head and throat. Gently around the adams apple push back and forth. If your adams apple clicks it means your voice is stresses. I have to repeat to do this very very gently. Massage starting at your temples, work your way down to your jaw and then to your throat. And see if someone will work your shoulders for you.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

There are so many things you could be describing, and there's no information about your gender, age, experience, what you sing, or how much you sing. Mild allergies should have little or no influence on whether or not you lose your voice. You need to seek out a voice instructor who can hear you, and they should be able to determine if you have a problem due to your vocal technique, or if you need to see an ENT or possibly a speech pathologist. If you have a voice teacher and they are unable to come up with a solution or somebody to refer you to, then you need to seek a more experienced and professional teacher.

Answer 3

Drink a lot of water, and rest your voice for a few days. If it still persists, see an ENT doctor. That's my advice.

Answer 4

See a doctor.

Answer 5

Peppermint tea should help, or anything with peppermint in it, like candy canes!