High Notes, Dry Voice
Your Question
When I sing on a high pitch my throat becomes dry and feels blocked or choked. What should I do?
Answer
There are a few things that could be causing this issue.
Stress
Dryness can be caused by stress or adrenaline which can be due to a lack of confidence about what is going to come out of your mouth. I blogged about how life stress can affect your voice recently. And of course the more prepared you are for your performance, the less anxiety you’ll experience.
Allergies
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Vocal dryness can occur when you aren’t confident in what’s going to come out of your mouth[/perfectpullquote]
Also, allergies can certainly have an affect on the voice. If that feels like it could be the case – a simple over the counter Allergy medication that contains Fexofenadine Hydrochloride (basically an antihistamine – anywhere should carry it) could be a big help.
Talk to your doctor about how to help seasonal dryness. Most singers that I know in Nashville are on a daily allergy medication, but this requires a lot of hydration throughout the day. When I first moved to Nashville I realized I needed something for allergies right away.
Poor Posture and Breathing
Also, the foundations of posture, efficient breathing and an understanding of tone quality will help keep things open and free. I recommend our Breathing, Tone and Warm-Up or Singer set of CD’s or downloads.
An Exercise to Help Open Your Throat
One exercise you can try is to move your head from side to side gently as you sing; and in particular as you sing in the areas of your voice where you begin to feel blocked. This will ensure that your throat is ‘allowing’ you to do that freely. It’s a good way to make sure you are relaxed in the throat and neck area as you sing.
What Works for You?
There are a number of causes for vocal dryness, and it’s hard to cover it all in a blog post. Try my suggestions above and make note of what helps you.
A simple Voice Assessments can help you identify and prescribe for your personal vocal challenges. In and assessment, we analyze all areas of the voice and give some feedback and next steps for moving forward in vocal health. Check out all of these opportunities at our store
