Vocal Music Advice

I’m an older soprano who has decided to attempt to sing again after taking about 30 years off (due to vocal ulcerations I developed in my 20s.) I received my B.M. in Voice Performance, started graduate school, but then had to stop because of chronic vocal discomfort (A laryngologist told me to rest the voice for a few months, but the soreness continued). So I’ve attempted a comeback every few years since then, but still encountered hoarseness and soreness, and have always stopped… fearful that I was doing serious damage.

Now at 59, I’d like to give it one more try, so a few months ago started singing in an excellent, professional-level church choir. This week, while practicing for an upcoming Christmas concert to be performed with a symphony orchestra (I’m one of five assigned first sopranos), I’ve again encountered terrible hoarseness and soreness. We have been rehearsing steadily, and the high soprano parts are sustained in the high treble clef (F5 – C6), a range in which I used to shine (once had a strong E6). But today I am so hoarse and sore (the concert is in two weeks, with more rehearsals upcoming) that I’m fearful I may have to drop out or “lip-sync” to avoid blowing out the cords all together.

This is very discouraging, but I’m resisting the idea that I have to finally give up my dream of singing again. My questions:

I’m not in a financial situation to afford private lessons at the moment, but wondered if you could recommend some gentle exercises I might do to relax the voice and stop damaging it (especially in the high range)? There is obviously some kind of tension that I can’t figure out.. or could it be that I’m just trying to do too much too soon (after 30 years off)?

I guess the real question is — is it even possible for a 59 year old to rebuild a voice to a professional (or good-amateur!) level after taking three decades off? Or maybe I should just get a grip on reality and stop trying for a come-back…?

ANSWER: Let me caution you that my answer will give you what is PROBABLE, not necessarily what is CERTAIN, because I have not heard you sing and have only what you’ve told me as a basis for giving you an answer.

1)  The fact that each time you have recommenced singing there has also been a recurrence of the problem of “hoarseness and soreness” suggests that there may well be some poor usage of the vocal apparatus.  ”Ulcerations” could be caused by bad vocal use … but would be surprising since you were a voice major in college. If this were the case, what specifically it is that you are doing I do not know since I have never heard you sing.

2) There is also the possibility that you suffer from acid reflux – a condition by which stomach acids come up to the esophagus and quite literally “burn” your throat.  What makes me think of this possibility is that “the soreness continued” even after several months of vocal rest.  The fact that there were “ulcerations” may also be an indication of acid reflux.  This would likely happen when you are having to breathe deeply and exhale thoroughly as happens when singing.  It is also possible to have had this condition for a long time without knowing it, and the hoarseness and soreness simply manifests the symptom when you sing.  I think there is a high probability of this second scenario being the cause of the problem.  A medical doctor can help you with this … it may require some alteration in diet, and learning to sleep with your upper-body slightly raised above your waste … at an angle rather than parallel to the floor.  Once this is taken care of … or dealt with in an ongoing way, your ability to sing without hoarseness and soreness is likely to be more probable.

3) At 59 it is also probable that your stamina to stay in the uppermost regions of your range will be less than it was even ten years ago, and definitely less than it was 30 years ago. Assuming that

a) there is no vocal-technical reason for developing a sore throat each time you sing, and

b) any acid reflux is not an issue,

you should be able to regain considerable stamina and enjoy singing in a fine choral setting.

4) One more thing, you should not be surprised if, at 59, your overall range has lowered, and you are more physically comfortable singing second soprano (though initially it may accost your psychological preference for singing soprano 1).  When you sing your highest notes in a choir, at no point should you feel as though you are “pushing” or “muscling” the sound … it should be comfortable just “floating” the notes.  If this is not the case, then beware … you are working too hard vocally, and probably inappropriately.

Regarding the possibility of singing inappropriately, certainly finding a good teacher would be helpful.  Regarding the possibility of acid reflux, a caring medical doctor (E.N.T.) will be able to tell you whether you have that problem … and if you have how to deal with it.

I hope this has been helpful and instructive.