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December 2004 Table of Contents
Your Voice For God
Disruptions to Good Singing and Their Solutions, Part 2
By Chris Beatty
Disruption 1: Clearing Your Throat The Wrong Way
Clearing your throat the wrong way can literally cost you your voice. Does that statement sound a bit extreme? It's not. If you make a rough, grinding sound while trying to get rid of thick mucus in the throat area you are doing damage. In addition, using a grinding clear often causes the mucus to stay right where it is and get thicker and thicker, enhancing the problem. It doesn't clear anything! But fret not. There's an easy, effective solution.
First, consider this:
- Babies and young children never clear their throats with a grinding clear (unless they are imitating parents). It's not natural.
- Animals don't do it.
- Speakers and singers who clear their throats often during the day are more likely to have rough voices. They also tend to fatigue quickly when singing.
- Those who regularly clear their voices the wrong way often have a limited range and strained vocal sound.
The solution is found in moving the mucus up and away from the larynx. This is done by exhaling on a squeezed HAAAA sound, like you are trying to sound spooky. (Be sure you hear only air escaping and not vibrating sound.) As the mucus moves up and away from the larynx you simply swallow and it goes down the esophagus. If you are in an appropriate place you can also choose to spit it out. Either is fine. Now you have actually cleared the throat and not abused the vocal folds. In the beginning you may need to do it several times. In the days and weeks to come it will become natural and you will do it without thinking.
And here's a bonus: Learning to clear the throat the right way often results in more vocal strength and stamina. It can also lead to a higher range and more consistent, predictable tone. That's a lot of benefits from just changing the way you clear your throat.
In summary, stop clearing your throat the wrong way right now. Ask the Lord to alert you when you are about to do it the wrong way so you can correct it. Finally, be vocally aware all day, every day. The voice is an amazingly powerful tool of ministry and communications. It's worth preserving.
Disruptions 2: Knowing When NOT To Sing
I recently received this question from a singer: "I was scheduled to perform this weekend but I got sick. Sore throat, coughing, sneezing, the works. Is there anything that I can do so I won't have to cancel or should I go ahead and reschedule my performance?"
The key words in this question are "sore throat." A normal cold with runny nose, a bit of sneezing and even sinus problems can often be sung through. But a swollen, sore throat is a different issue. Why? The sound is initialed in the larynx. If there is swelling on the leading edges of the vocal folds you will have to push to make the folds vibrate. The more you push, the worse the problem gets. This can cause more damage and may result in long-term, even permanent damage. Severe laryngitis, or pain when swallowing, is a good indicator that your voice needs rest and healing. Not more singing and speaking.
So, if you have a cold, drinks lots of water, rest, warm up carefully using lip trills (bubble sound) and common sense in limiting the use of your voice. Also, breathe steam to help keep the vocal tract clear. If you do have laryngitis or a sore throat, your voice needs prayer, rest and healing.
May the Lord bless your singing as you bless the Giver of Song.
For Vocal Coach
Chris Beatty
Christopher Beatty–Training the Singers of Today and Tomorrow! Workshop or product information:
Vocal Coach, P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood, TN 37024.
615-331-1080 / www.vocalcoach.com
chris@vocalcoach.com
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