When someone tells me that they “sing from my throat” it’s because they’re concerned about their singing and they feel that this is the problem.
How I Responded When I was Less Experienced
In my first 10 years, (maybe 15), or so of teaching singing I would have felt it was essential to reassure the singer that of course they feel like they’re singing from their throat. Your throat holds your larynx, (voicebox/ Adam’s apple), and so if you feel like you’re singing from your throat that’s fine. You are. No worries. Problem solved.
I would reply and say “Me too. I’m also singing from my throat”.
I guess if I’m being pedantic it is still correct and there is no need to worry if you feel like you’re singing from your throat. It is where your voice is made, so you are, in fact, singing from your throat.
But that’s being dismissive of what the singer is trying to say and it’s not really paying proper attention.
What Singers Might Mean When They Say “I’m Singing From My Throat.”
Over time I’ve realised that singers can mean loads of different things when they say that they are singing from their throat. It could be a feeling that too much is going on in their throat or it could be that their throat feels tense.
I’m sure there are other reasons. If you can think of any, do let me know.
Possible Reasons For The Singer’s Concern
Sometimes singers are worried because they are working harder than they feel like they should be working and they can feel the sensation of the “hard work” in their throat.
This might be completely fine.
Perhaps they’re not used to the sensation of committed singing. They might find feeling the vibration strange. If that’s the case they may just need some reassurance.
They may be singing in a new way Perhaps they’re singing in a more classical style, or belting or mixing when they’re not used to doing that. If you go from singing close-to-the-mic-style jazz to belting your face off it will feel very different in your throat. It could be that they are singing in a manner that involves more effort in the throat than they are used to so the whole experience feels too “throaty” to them.
Again some checking and some reassurance may be all that’s needed.
However they could be right to be concerned.
The feeling of singing from the throat can be an indication of many things. It could well be telling you that someone is out of balance.
Often singers get in touch with me because singing that used to feel easy now feels like more work. If this is the case I would ask them to be seen at a voice clinic to write off any concerns of any medical issues. When they have the all clear to work on their singing then we would expect to work on any or many of the following:-.
- Disembodiment below the neck leading to overworking in the throat.
- Throat tension
- Gripping in the abs
- Unhelpful alignment
- Pushing the voice
- Sending an inappropriate amount of air for the song
- They could be dealing with unhelpful tongue or jaw tension
- They might have had a cold and decreased sensation and then started to over work and that has got stuck as an unhelpful habit.
- Not knowing where in their body to put the required effort
- Any number of other possible reasons.
We are always looking for the easiest and laziest way to accomplish the job in hand. I can’t outline a formal process because how I work will be led by the singer in front of me.
If you feel like “Help! I Sing From My Throat” relates to you do get in touch now to explore whether there is a way to make things feel easier for you. I offer a free chat or you’re welcome to just jump in and start working with me.
Check out these stretches to see if they help you
And other free resources on this page https://rebeccaschwarz.co.uk/free-singing-help/
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