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Vocal/Singing Help Needed.

O

Osama_Spears

Jan 7, 2003
4,266
1
37
Baltimore,MD
#1
Don't know if this is Off Topic,because it doesn't deal with Bass ; or Misc,because it deals with Music/"Instruments".

Alright...

My Vocalist/Singer of my band often 'complains' of losing his vocals/ becoming very tired vocally after a few songs. Now, He screams often in songs/covers and he gets worn out quickly. I know this isn't "natural" for vocalist because I know of some who 'grunt' for like 2 sets and have no complaints what-so-ever.

Now,I know this isnt the best place to ask...but can you give me some insight on how he could achieve a healthy and proper technique as a vocalist?

Thanks in advance// no "OMG WHY SCREAM?!" posts.
 
#5
If your singer lacks vocal "endurance" it could be one of at least two problems. One, if he is a heavy smoker, has asthma or other similar bronchial conditions, he may not have sufficent lung power to sustain himself over more than a few songs.

Another problem may lie in the vocal cords themselves. He could have nodules from improper singing technique and excessive long-term strain or outright damage to the cords.

I suggest that he either see an ears/nose/ throat specialist for an evaluation of his throat and vocal cords and also that he consult a vocal coach who can quickly determine if his technique is faulty or damaging. Such a coach could also correct his technique and help him develop greater vocal stamina.

However, if he has nodules, he must first have that condition corrected. If he smokes, he must STOP and if he has asthma, he needs medication to control it.
 
#6
Nodules don't make you have poor vocal endurance. But overuse and misuse/abuse can give you nodules. If he has nodules, he will have a very breathy or harsh/strangled voice from the get-go, not just after singing for a few minutes.

There is no right way to scream. It is very damaging to the voice and you can't practice or get "training" to do it "better." I'd strongly second the Otolaryngologist (ENT) consult followed by some professional help to get back on track the right way. I wouldn't let him in front of a mic before he went to go see a doctor about this. Don't have him to do any of the exercises in the other thread. He could end up doing more damage. Get him to an ENT.
 
#8
Big Joe said:
Nodules don't make you have poor vocal endurance. But overuse and misuse/abuse can give you nodules. If he has nodules, he will have a very breathy or harsh/strangled voice from the get-go, not just after singing for a few minutes.
Click to expand...

I used to have vocal cord nodules and I couldn't have sung even one song. In fact, it was difficult for me to talk. It got to the point that I didn't even want to talk, because it was such a strain. It took six months of rest to begin to recover the ability to converse.

I did see the specialist who put a tube up my nose to check out my vocal cords. I did have nodules. He said to try resting my voice and if that didn't help, surgery would be the next step. I definitely didn't want to go that route.
 
#9
Boplicity said:
I used to have vocal cord nodules and I couldn't have sung even one song. In fact, it was difficult for me to talk. It got to the point that I didn't even want to talk, because it was such a strain. It took six months of rest to begin to recover the ability to converse.

I did see the specialist who put a tube up my nose to check out my vocal cords. I did have nodules. He said to try resting my voice and if that didn't help, surgery would be the next step. I definitely didn't want to go that route.
Click to expand...

Yeah surgery is not something you want to toy with, especially head and neck surgery. There are SOOO many nerves running through every little part of your head and neck that even the best ENT cannot guarantee he won't nick something and that could potentially mean your voice is gone forever and that your swallow is no longer functional and you could need to be on puree foods and thickened liquids or even need a feeding tube because anything you put in your mouth will go down the wrong pipe and into the lungs... That could lead to pneumonia and worse. Not a fun way to go.

It's not a matter of endurance though if there is actually a nodule. It's a matter of dysfunction. Your endurance will be decreased if you sprain your ankle. You heal the ankle and then rehab the muscles to prevent it from happening again. The more the cords bang together, the more swollen they get and you'll start off hoarse. You then compensate by over using your cords to get stronger voicing. If it happens enough to form a callous, you'll get a nodule. If it keeps happening, the nodules get harder and larger and will be harder to remedy with non-surgical means. It takes more than just resting the voice... If you rest the voice and then resume the damaging behavior, they will return and potentially get worse each time.
 
#10
Big Joe said:
It takes more than just resting the voice... If you rest the voice and then resume the damaging behavior, they will return and potentially get worse each time.
Click to expand...

Quite right. I have to be very careful...needless to say, I don't sing. If I laugh too hard in a funny movie or watching Jay Leno, I am hoarse all over again the next few days. This has gone on for several years.

If I see singers straining their voices with rock screams and high-pitched Steven Tyler tones, I wonder how long they will go on before they are in a similar situation to mine.
 

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