Vocal Tip: Listen to your Body

How do you know if you are over-singing?  If you are singing too much or with poor technique, your body will tell you. There are a couple of signs to watch.  The most severe is if it hurts.  If it does: stop singing!  Your throat/vocal cords should NEVER hurt.  Singing is natural and most of the time it shouldn’t really feel any more strenuous than talking.

1)If the strain on your voice is more subtle, the first sign is a little tickle. A tiny little scratch that makes you swallow or clear your throat.

2) Another sign might be you feel your throat.  When your voice is 100%, you probably don’t feel it when you swallow or when you sing. It might feel scratchy or sore or swollen.  These are all signs that you should take a break from singing.

3) Your range seems smaller.  Notes that seemed within your reach, you aren’t able to hit.  Or when you hit them as you have in the past, they crack or don’t come out.  This is especially the case with high notes.