Build up the basis of your vocal health

Introduction

Whenever you experience any vocal difficulties, you must go back to the basics of vocal performance.

If you woke up and could hardly speak, had to clear your throat in the middle of a conversation, or have a rough, unpleasantly sounding voice, you most likely suffer from some hoarseness.

Usually, hoarseness involves unpleasant and occasionally painful sensations. It may ill-affect the performance of vocal professionals.

Usually, it can be cured easily and quickly. If your hoarseness persists, you must treat it.

Causes of chronic hoarseness

• Vocal cords diseases, such as warts or polyps
• Acid reflux or phlegm in your larynx
• Incomplete or asymmetric closure of the vocal cords

Symptoms

• Sound-making difficulties
• Usual speaking or singing performance difficulties.
• Discomfort and sensation of pressure during basic vocal cords functions.

Treatment

• Vocal exercises

Chronic hoarseness results from vocal strain. This, in turn, results from excessive use of pressure on your voice box. Once you notice any vocal difficulty, you must learn the basic vocal exercises from start.

Once you train yourself to pressure your vocal cords, every time you speak or sing, you will use excessive pressure, even unconsciously.

It is easier to train your body to move correctly in the first place, than un-train it to move incorrectly.

It is most important to practice effortless and gently contact with your vocal cords, using minimum force for pushing the cords towards each other.

Gently straining and relaxing your vocal cords is essential, to relieve the vocal stress and help them recover.

It is most important to practice these vocal cords movement repeatedly, in order to embed your vocal system with a muscle-memory of correct vocal performance. In other words, practice the gentle movement of your vocal cords, until you perform it automatically.

These exercises also serve as warm-ups before a major vocal effort and make your vocal cords more resistant to pressure.

• First, practice the pronunciation of vowels. For example, practice the pronunciation of basic vowels, such as “a”. “i”, or “u”, using minimum pressure, at the required intensity.
• Practice vocal cords closing with minimum pressure, both outer and inner one.
• Only after you master these elementary functions, start practicing the pronunciation of words, since the pronunciation of words requires a stronger pressure of the air on the cords, and of the cords against each other.
• Exercise humming, lip rolling and gargle water.
• Use TMRG disinfection and lubrication solutions.In case all these measures fail to relieve your hoarseness, practice vocal exercise using the TPV device. The major point is, you must train yourself to use minimum pressure on your vocal cords during a vocal effort.So keep safe and sound! (pun intended)Talya

  A TMRG voice specialist