Help! Major Job-dependent Vocal Issue

Hi everybody!

I've been a professional singer/piano player for 20 years.

Currently, for nearly the past 2 years, I've just been doing a 2-night steady at a small bar venue, which has been great.

Recently, though, during the past few weeks, I've started to experience some vocal issues that I've never experienced before --and my job is on line.

Please understand, I've had several years of vocal training and take VERY good care of my voice (even right down to what I eat/drink and when), and I'm HUGE hydrator --plus, 2 nights a week, should not be that big of a burden on my voice since there's 5 days of rest in between.

I always start my nights with very mellow, low-range tunes as a means of warm-up and go from there --that's always seen me though these 20 years --but what's been happening NOW, though, is about 5-6 songs in, I'll start feeling like I'm really having to push to get sound out.

I use a personal monitor and have had to CRANK it to try and take some of that pressure off.

It hasn't really affect my range per se (although today I tried to practice one of my higher range tunes and it was very difficult), although there have been a few cracks during this period --and my head voice, thus far, is intact.

For lack of a better description, it feels more surrounding muscular than the actual cords themselves --and there HAVE been a few nights where I had some pain at the end of the night.

And it definitely isn't laryngitis because I'm not getting hoarse at all (not yet at least)

I have a GREAT vocal doctor (ENT who specializes in singers), but she happens to be out of town till next week some time.

Would GREATLY appreciate any input because I'm really freaking out here (as a result, I've now put myself on total vocal rest).

Perhaps you are getting tired after 6 songs. Sometimes I drink juice in between songs to keep my energy going.

I've got a similar problem. I play drums and there is a lot of ambient noise on stage..my support is good but I am straining on simple stuff and feel like I'm out of breath all the time, and have had more embarrassing pitch breaks than I've had in years.

I just started my first voice lessons in 30 years and we're going to work on this, singing more easily up into my mask without having to belt so much.

Maybe you could use a little refresher too, after you see your ENT.

You description sounds odd. You are feeling PAIN, yet you are not hoarse at the end of the night. You are starting to crack notes in the higher range.

One thing I can suggest if you feel it is difficult to get your voice out, is exercise. Cardiovascular exercise. Even walking at a brisk pace for 40 minutes every day will help with your physical conditioning. It will improve your lung capacity.

It could also be a medical problem. I know of one singer that started having problems with his voice and it turned out to be a growth in his voice box. I sure hope that is not what it is in your case. Don't take any chances, see your doctor ASAP.

Mike T.

Don't freak...take it down to a whisper for a few days, you need to rest.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I actually DO fairly intense cardio 3-4 times/week.

Yeah, from what I've read on the web, everything is pointing to fatigue --which again is weird considering I only sing 2 nights/week.

I sang again last night and it wasn't pretty --the SIDE of my neck hurt after I was done --which again tells me this is more muscular in nature.

Again I AM not hoarse --so I don't know.

My ENT is not back in office till Thursday, at which time I highly doubt she'll be able to see me on short notice --which means it'll be yet another weekend of singing before I'll get to see her the following week!

Funny thing is, though --and I don't know if this is coincidence-- but this issue actually began right after the last time I saw her for just a check-up. She had shoved 2 different scopes down me at the time and wonder if perhaps she may have injured something??

Singing again tonight --haven't spoken since last night and I will be going on STRICT vocal rest for the rest of the week --which includes bowing out of a family July 4th event tomorrow:(

It's possible that your neck muscles are tensing up. You said that you exercise a good amount. Do you do a lot of heavy weights as well? That could contribute to it if that's the case.

Just check with your ENT to rule out any throat issues.

Do you have any "lump sensations" in your throat? Like difficulty swallowing.

How much sleep are you getting? Uninterrupted sleep? If you are physically tired, you will not be able to hit the higher notes, and if you try it will be ugly. You can also strain your vocal chords. Even if it means sleeping in a different room where you won't be disturbed, you have to have rest to be at you best.

It is good to hear you exercise. That is almost as important as enough sleep.

Mike T.

Not sure of your age but believe me when I say, as you get older things

change. It might be time to move some of them songs down a half step.

Well last night, it finally started to give out altogether --which I knew would be inevitable since I'd been tempting fate (and wouldn't you know it to happen on a night when I have the best crowd ever!).

Along with it giving out, there were times when it actually physically hurt to sing --mainly on the side of my neck (which, although doesn't hurt as much now, is still tender to the touch) --amazing though, my head voice was still there loud and clear

No problems swallowing or is there any lumpiness or coughing

Again, my speaking voice is fine --although I've put myself on strict vocal rest now-- at least till I get in to the ENT this week.

As well, I'm letting the proprietors of the bar know that I will not be able to sing at least for next weekend --and if that means me either just playing only or replacing me altogether for those 2 nights --but no matter what, at the end of the day, this all just could be my body telling me to give it a rest --and I think more and more this is all fatigue related.

Sleep is great btw --except when I wake up in the middle of the night in a panic over this.

Thanks again for the input everyone!

Just wanted to let you all know I saw the ENT today and after shoving TWO different scopes down my pie hole, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary (as well checked my throat/neck and nada).

Certainly good news, BUT still doesn't explain my very real issue, which I don't want to SEE cause any damage (felt like it almost did Saturday night).

His guess was either the huge amount of mucus down there, or -dare I say- stress (which may or may not account for the side of my neck hurting).

Is there mucus there or is it his guess there's mucus? If it is mucus that doesn't sound right. And you shouldn't have pain in your neck. I'm no doctor but it sounds serious and all I can do is wish you the best at a quick solution. If an ENT can't find anything then I'm not sure where to go next.

Do you have a family doctor that you trust? If you do, explain the problem you are having and have him/her recommend the best doctor for you. I have the same GP for 25 years. I had some trouble with my feet a few years ago and he recommend a GREAT foot doctor. The man was extremely intelligent and wasn't afraid to tell me what I needed to do.

My GP will not bad mouth a doctor but when I asked him for a referral but he will tell me who to go too for the problem I am having. He has never failed me. I hope you have a GP that can point you in the right direction.

Mike T.

have you made any changes to your rig ergonomics? do you work off fake sheets. If so are you putting yourself at an odd angle? I know i was having alot of wrist issues ,,, I bumped my keyboard up one notch with the stand and they went away. Sometimes little stuff that doesnt seem related can make a difference.

The video from the 2 scopes showed a significant amount of mucus.

The ENT I saw specializes in vocal cord disorders so I would like to think he would know.

I am hopefully getting a second opinion today.

The second opinion concurs with the first: nada.

Great news, of course, but still doesn't explain this very physical issue:(

I know it's been over 2 years, but I'm back on this forum for another issue and wanted to let everyone know what ever happened regarding this issue, with the hopes that anyone suffering a similar condition might benefit.

It turned out to be, of all things, a DIGESTIVE issue! --and was cured in less than a week with, of all things, homeopathy!

Hope this may help someone else.

Thanks again for all this great input

How very thoughtful of you to return after two years just to help others!

There is yet hope for humankind.