Singing myths - BUSTED!
Oh hi there! Glad you stopped by to read about some singing myth busting! There are so many myths surrounding singing, what the voice is and what vocal damage means for a voice user.
I talk to people every day who are so afraid they've lost the ability to sing or will lose the ability to sing. It's a terrifying prospect and Google, YouTube and so much online content has convinced them that it's the end of their singing world.
And so it's necessary to bust these myths because it's upsetting people! I don't like people being upset! Or hurting! That's not nice. It just ain't right!
So here I am, and here you are, and together we're gonna explore the busting of the myths! Win! Together we’re going to see how vocal damage does not equate to permanent loss of voice.
Before we begin I think we need to understand some small wordy things and some big wordy things that you'll see on a lot of online content:
Vocal cords: these are two pieces of muscle tissue inside your Adams apple (the lump in your throat). They touch each other really fast as your breath passes in between them.
Vocal damage: could be any kind of pain, strain or raspy feeling, which stops you from speaking, singing or making any kind of noise, or makes you afraid to because of how it feels. It’s usually some kind of inflammation you’re feeling: from allergies, a cold, misuse of your voice (screaming at a concert anyone?!), or yelling too much. It’s the feeling and the sound of your muscle tissue saying “bro, stop. I’m too tired”. And when they get super tired and like crazy, crazy sore, this is when a little blister may have appeared on that muscle tissue. These are called Polyps or Nodes (but you need to confirm this with a medical professional like an ENT and have a laryngoscopy).
Does singing from “the wrong place” cause vocal damage? Is my singing and loud speaking and having a fun time over if I do get serious vocal damage? Is vocal damage permanent?
Let’s check it out:
MYTH 1
Once you get nodes or polyps it's over.
Nope. Sorreee (or not sorry! This is actually great news)! It is not over. The node or polyp is on muscle tissue. Human body stuff. And human body stuff heals. It just takes time, aaaaaaaand rehabilitation. Which means…exercises! Ew. Nobody wants to do exercises to get stuff done! In addition, unfortunately, and this one is actually the hardest thing, vocal rest.
When I damaged my voice in 2011 I was unable to sing a simple [la] or speak for longer than 3 minutes. I was on the way to developing a polyp but not quite there yet. I took 8 months off singing, and only fully recovered once I'd commenced my Music Degree in 2014. That’s a long time. I know. But perhaps it could have been quicker if I’d understood how the voice worked.
I’m here to say: you CAN reduce the inflammation. You CAN strengthen the muscle tissue. You may require surgery, but that one is in consultation with an ENT. Just take comfort knowing that rehabilitation is possible.
Please don't give up.
MYTH 2
If I get a tumour, or cancer on my vocal cords or have surgery on my vocal cords. That's it. It's over.
It's not.
I am deeply sorry for anyone who has experienced such trauma. Our voices are vital in expressing our emotions, our thoughts, and for so many of us, it's how we relate to our loved ones. As a singer it's devastating. The fact that you sing is how you fit into the world. It's your identity.
I have worked with students who have either lost their voices from vocal paralysis and their muscles simply don't work. Others have physically had their vocal cords cut to remove cancerous tumours, and others have chronic reflux causing chronic laryngitis, intermittent voice loss and breathing difficulties. There is always a way forward. Our bodies heal.
You may be missing part of your range (that's just how strong your muscles are with the speed of the breath passing through them), but you build the strength back up.
MYTH 3
You must STOP singing from your throat!
What? Why..how..wha? Your voice is literally manufactured THERE. You will feel your voice from there. Sure, yes, support with your belly area (diaphragm). But it’s actually super okay to feel your voice and to feel like you’re singing “from” your throat.
MYTH 4
SOVT exercises are the GOAT.
Yea. Actually. They are pretty good. They are actually just singing exercises with a sciencey heading. Any Singing Teacher or Vocal Coach has been doing them for hundreds of years (yes I have singing instruction books from over a hundred years ago. I am a voice nerd).
Ignore the acronym and just know that it means slightly closed vocal cords/vocal folds: your "voice box"; the two pieces of muscle tissue that touch each other as breath goes through them.
Don't want to ignore the acronym?
Semi - a lil bit
Occluded - to close / to block something
Semi-occluded: a lil bit closed
VT: Vocal Tract - where and how your voice is made
It's a neat and tidy way of saying " exercises to strengthen your voice muscles" (yes there is more to it but dun worry!) SOVT exercises are just exercises to help you get a stronger voice. Not everyone calls them SOVT. So don’t worry, your coach/teacher is probably doing them.
Now there are so many myths but I don’t think anyone wants to read for that long. It’d be a book. Well there’s an idea - I am a giant huge massive voice nerd who is consistently researching the problems my students and clients encounter, so I probably could write a book? Not right now though. I will sign off for now. And the next time I have 3 solid weeks of students and clients encountering the same issues I may write a blog about it.
If you’re still feeling a bit apprehensive about going ahead with singing, or using your voice, get in touch, or chat to your previous teacher / coach and see how they can help you. If you are actively in pain and you are having difficulty using your voice it’s probably a very good idea to speak to your GP.
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