Student Blog: Reclaiming My Voice: My Experience with Vocal Therapy

I've been having vocal issues off and on since March of 2020. At that point, the pandemic had just started, so I didn't do anything about it because I didn't want to risk exposure. However, this summer, I was finally able to visit an ENT. The scope came back mostly normal, apart from some mild discoloration. However, the ENT recommended that I go to a vocal therapist in order to strengthen my voice and help me sing more healthily. Going in, I didn't know what to expect. I was very nervous that I was not going to be able to make much progress in such a short time. However, I was able to learn about my voice and how to take care of it. This has allowed me to be way more confident in my voice.

The first session was mainly testing vocal function. The speech therapist had me hold out different vowels. I struggled a lot. I couldn't hold out the notes for very long, which definitely freaked me out. We also talked about my tendency to speak and sing from the back of my throat and ways to fix that. She helped me to identify where my resonance was and how to move it.

Most of the things she told me weren't new things. However, I am a very literal person, so I sometimes struggle to understand the metaphors and allegories given by directors and voice teachers. I love the fact that she used medically driven language that helped me understand the mechanics of my voice better.

The one thing that I knew nothing about before I started my vocal therapy journey was vocal massage. Vocal massage is exactly what it sounds like. It massages your vocal folds from the outside. It has been a miracle worker in terms of reducing vocal tension. It has allowed me to reach my upper register easier and not wear my voice as quickly. I had known that massage had helped reduce tension, such as stretching and massaging the jaw before singing. I didn't even know that vocal massage was an option.

There is this taboo thing with singers and performers in general when it comes to vocal issues. It is not really talked about, and if it is, we are told to push through. We take weird concussions of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and more, rather than going to the doctor or just taking a rest. We are just like athletes. Injury and issues are part of the deal. You'd never tell an athlete to play if they were limping. Why should we be expected to sing when injured? All this to say, get help if you need it. It will make a world of difference in terms of not only your singing, but your confidence. Vocal therapy allowed me to rediscover my voice in a new way. It allowed me to feel confident in my abilities because I no longer feel the need to push when I sing or speak. I am able to be better and easier, and it makes a world of difference.

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