Singing question?

Question

I'v just been practicing some very sharp and high notes with my voice and now I feel that as though there's something stuck in my throat. I am also coughing a lot too. Is this bad for the voicebox?

Answer 1

Yes! You should always warm up by singing scales etc before singing especially strenuous notes! If you're coughing then don't sing, you could damage your vocal chords.

Answer 2

You're probably experiencing what most of us go through to get into the upper range: fear.
since nobody ( well, ok Robin Williams when he does his funny high voices) speaks way up high, we all get a little upset by the sensations in our heads when we get into the upper registers of our voices. Slow gentle practice from the mid register upwards, until the notes are as comfortable and easy as the ones in the middle! Trying to hit high notes hard and fast without warming up to them is like trying to run the 100 meter dash without warming up- dangerous.
Pay attention to your breath support. As the notes go up, the feeling of stability in your middle will have to increase. It's a little like watching the box of the elevator go up, and also watching the counterweights and cables going down at the same time ( the notes are the box, the weights the breath support)
If you find yourself stuck and coughing again, better take at least an hour's break to give the delicate tissues in your throat a chance to calm down from their stress. Drink something warm, not hot, to help regulate the moisture content.
Do you have a teacher? Go look for a good one.
Good luck, and keep at it patiently.

Answer 3

that happens to me too, you also might be singing pretty loud! Drink room temperature water before you sing, although not a ton. A moist pallet helps keep your voice from splitting off into two.

I choke too when my throat is dry and I'm singing hard.

Answer 4

you shouldnt be singing from your throat, it does not sound good at all. you should be singing from your diaphragm.

Answer 5

yes...honey might help