Why Did The Years Take My Voice??

[jamro217]

Some of this can be mitigated by transposing to a lower key, singing alternate melody lines in the trouble spots (many aging vocalists do this successfully), or getting some foxy backup singers to take the pressure off and enhance the performance (remember, we're entertainers). I feel for you, though. Always envied vocalists. Personally, I've benefitted from the aging process. What was an annoying nasal whine back in my 20's is now a gruff baritone much more suitable for vocals (despite a limited range). Don't give up, just build up slowly so you don't damage your voice, and use what you have to its full advantage. Find material that lends itself to your new range. This will also expand your catalog and consequently make you a better bassist. Hope this helps.

 

[Liam Wald]

Age may be a slight factor but it is more a "use it or loose it" thing.
With work you can get most of it back.

 

[john_g]

Geddy, is that you?

 

[Aberdumbie]

Geddy, is that you?

Eh??

 

[john_g]

Eh??

Take off!

 

[bassstrangler]

I'm thinking it had something to do with the pipes.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Granted.... I left the stage full time a quarter century ago. And I had pipes. I got tapes. I know I had pipes....A thousand times I sang Born On The Bayou. And did it well... I got tapes!.... Tonight I am driving home and the song comes on the radio. I turn the radio up and dive in. Suddenly I am choking, coughing.. Feel like my vocal chords are shredded.... Man, is it just that I haven’t used my pipes or have the years robbed my former skills for eternity? I am mildly disturbed here...

Sorry to hear this. There are so many issues at play here that is impossible to offer anything other than to go see a Doctor that specializes in this area, and don’t waste time doing it.

That said, I’ve worked with a lot of vocal bands over the years that have aged into their 60s and 70’s most have lost at least some of what they could do in their 20’s. Mostly a loss of range, some falsetto loss, some more than others which is part of the normal aging process. What you are describing sounds little more disturbing.

 

[Woolber]

Granted.... I left the stage full time a quarter century ago. And I had pipes. I got tapes. I know I had pipes....A thousand times I sang Born On The Bayou. And did it well... I got tapes!.... Tonight I am driving home and the song comes on the radio. I turn the radio up and dive in. Suddenly I am choking, coughing.. Feel like my vocal chords are shredded.... Man, is it just that I haven’t used my pipes or have the years robbed my former skills for eternity? I am mildly disturbed here...

That would be cool to hear. You don’t have any tapes do you?

 

[JRA]

i'm appreciating all the ways some are suggesting to 'revive' your chops (lots of great advice!) and to also compensate for any lack thereof (lots of great advice!). IMO: as we age = we need to do both. but to think we can nail the exact same chops we had in our youth is probably futile (whole different physical system). on the other hand: i think we can get smarter, more efficient, and develop new (and better) ways of accomplishing same/similar tasks.

a dear drummer friend (in his 60's when he said this) once stated: "i may not be as fast as i used to be, but i'm not as slow as i once was!"

whatever you do...don't despair!

 

[buldog5151bass]

A lot is continuing to use, and not over-use, what you have. I never try to force anything - when in doubt, sing easy.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Granted.... I left the stage full time a quarter century ago. And I had pipes. I got tapes. I know I had pipes....A thousand times I sang Born On The Bayou. And did it well... I got tapes!.... Tonight I am driving home and the song comes on the radio. I turn the radio up and dive in. Suddenly I am choking, coughing.. Feel like my vocal chords are shredded.... Man, is it just that I haven’t used my pipes or have the years robbed my former skills for eternity? I am mildly disturbed here...

Yeah your voice is produced by a muscle, if it doesn’t get exercise it it goes. I always thought I was a terrible singer but continued to sing anytime I’m alone in the car and got better. Now I sing backup. So far I’ve gotten nothing but compliments.

 

[LBS-bass]

Same problem here; I have been rehabbing my voice after sticking it on the shelf for quite a few years. It's a shame because I used to sing a lot and even made a few recordings as a vocalist, but man, that stuff goes away if you don't use it and have the audacity to get old.

That said, I've been working out the vocal apparatus a few times a week since the summer, trying to get it back into shape. I truly believe it can be done. I may never get back 100% of what I had, but I feel like I'm at about 70% now and I know that there's more I can do. Keep at it, breathing exercises, abdominal muscles, arpeggios and wider intervals, then octaves, all using different vowel sounds, working toward pitch precision. You and I and all the other old farts can get there. I want to believe!

 

[BurnOut]

I used to be able to hit some pretty high notes back when. I've been working with a vocal coach for about 6 months now, it has brought a lot of it back, and then some.

 

[Steven Ayres]

When I was young I sang in D. Now I sing the same things in C or Bb.

 

[Tom Howland]

Lack of use.
Smoking.
Drinking.
Bad diet.
Over-weight.

 

[Only Onus]

Granted.... I left the stage full time a quarter century ago. And I had pipes. I got tapes. I know I had pipes....A thousand times I sang Born On The Bayou. And did it well... I got tapes!.... Tonight I am driving home and the song comes on the radio. I turn the radio up and dive in. Suddenly I am choking, coughing.. Feel like my vocal chords are shredded.... Man, is it just that I haven’t used my pipes or have the years robbed my former skills for eternity? I am mildly disturbed here...

I'm with you brother! Back in the day I could sing just about anything(Boston, and Queen included). Like you I have been out of the circuit for a while. Recently I have started to try and get back into the scene. When I first started I SUCKED, and I mean bad! But; with some constant practice it's coming back. I am sure it will for you as well.
Just remember not to put too much volume(that is why we have microphones) into it and relax.
Start slow(songs that won't over stretch your current limits) and sing softly. Don't try and be loud!
It will come back, maybe not to the point that you were back in the day(we are older) But you never know.
Keep the faith, Keep trying, I am a believer that if you could do something once...You can do it again, no matter how "rusty" you are.
Good luck
Only Onus

 

[Fender_Bender]

I’m wondering if the drop in testosterone that starts in the mid 30’s (andropause) has something to do with it. This condition naturally leads to muscle wasting. You don’t see too many seniors out there who are jacked or ripped.

 

[jsolberg]

Now in my early 60's, my singing overall is much better than it was when I was in my 20's, but as many have stated, the high register stuff is gone. Back then, when I'd push the result was a sore throat. Now, the result is just nothing. I can feel the muscles just fatigue and won't stretch the vocal cords any tighter. Man I used to do a killer Fogerty!

 

[Anders Barfod]

Try a lower pitch... Verdis suggested A4= 432Hz is dead Easy for singing. I hum naturally on G3 when A4 is tuned at 432Hz. .singing the major scale from G3 to G4 crossing the second passaggio feels natural and easy when i tune A4 to 432Hz. There is Nothing natural about modern 440-443Hz tuning for my voice and for a lot of other voices. Former european pitch at A4435Hz was a good comprimise which slightly lift the chest notes without shifting the passaggios to far up.