Less talking - Shorter Vocal Range?

Question

Due to a severe allergy, I had what appeared to be a "cold" (mainly coughing, and it wouldn't get better). That lasted for about a month, but after that my throat was never the same. The doctor said I had mucus going in a cycle between my nasal passage and throat. I'm taking some medicine now, but I haven't seen much improvement.

But the main problem is that I've noticed my vocal range isn't as good as before. I struggle to hit notes I could easily reach before. Could this be because of the aforementioned condition? Or it could also be because I talk considerably less during summer vacation. I haven't really spoken that much over the past two months.

I'd really appreciate any advice, or answer to my questions. Thanks~ : )

Answer 1

I can't address the medical issue of your question, but one voice class that I took stressed talking in a higher voice to train your voice to sing higher.  She suggested that we read aloud (in privacy if necessary) in a high voice.  As I have aged, my speaking voice has become lower and lower, but my singing voice has become higher.  She also stressed singing THROUGH the vocal cords, not letting the  note hang up there, which causes tightness and squealing.  

Answer 2

How serious are you about singing? If you are, see if you your health plan will allow a vocal scope to be done.  I was having problems a few years ago where I'd lose my voice while speaking, but be fine to sing.  I have a vocal scope (where they send a small camera down your nasal cavity to look at your vocal chords/flaps) and realized my allergies were causing phlegm to develop and irritate my vocal chords.  My voice technique teacher at NYU even stated that every singer should have a vocal scope done...it might be something you'd want to look into.

Also - what medication are you on? There are some medications that will dry out your system, which isn't good for singers as well.  Note that coughing reeks havoc on your vocal chords  - try to only cough when necessary.  If you have phlegm, take a sip of water to lessen the irritation.  

Answer 3

I also cannot address the medical issues involved in your condition.  It would be extremely helpful simply to ask your doctor if your condition should affect your voice in such a manner.

However, I can say that the voice is like any other muscle in the body; it requires constant exercise to remain strong or it atrophies rapidly.  It would be the same if you were a runner and then all you did was walk occasionally for a couple months.  If your speaking/singing decreased extensively for an extended period of time, it makes sense that your voice is quite weak now.  This is especially true for the upper range; the upper range of the voice requires constant exercise to remain strong.  If you haven't used it for two months...then it'll be weak.

My advice to you would be to consult your doctor on whether any kind of vocal exercise would affect or aggravate your condition.  If he/she says no, then you should begin working on scales with regularity (preferably for about a half hour or an hour each day).  Assuming that you are singing correctly, once you hit the upper range and you feel any tinge of pain or discomfort, stop immediately and rest.  After a few minutes, try to hit the same note again; if you again feel pain or discomfort, refrain from singing that high for that day.  As your voice becomes progressively stronger over the days, weeks, months (it may take just that long for your voice to strengthen), you'll most likely recover you previous range.

Answer 4

Hello Roxy,

I will try to answer your question, but before that i'm really sorry for my answers don't satisfy you much.

May i know something, are you a singer? What kind of singer, pop singer? or maybe you are a choir singer just like me?

I think that one of the reasons why your voice range isn't good as before is because of that "cough". After you cough you feel your voice like hoarse, right?  that cause your vocal cords distort a lot.

I have some suggestions for you, roxy:

1. It will be better if you try to drink warm water since now, because it will make your vocal cords more ellastic than before. I have an experience, when i drink cold water my vocal cords just like freez and i need effort to warm up my voice to make it ellastic so i can ready to sing. And it's really bother me.

2. When people much in "normally talk" actually they warm up their voice and make their vocal cords more ellastic than before. But you have to be careful, i said 'in talk' not 'in laugh'. When you much in laugh, you distort your voice just like when you cough.

When you just get up in the morning, do you feel your voice is very low?It's because when you sleep, your voice rest and your vocal cords too.

Low notes make your vocal cords thick and high notes make your vocal cords thin, remember the guitar string?

I suggest you not to push your voice in high notes. You can try to humming in low notes and then try to up your voice step by step.

I have a friend that her vocal range has changed after she got a bad cough. Before she got cough she's a Soprano but after that sick she's become a Mezzo Soprano.

3. Try to sing some simple songs, like Three Blind Mice, Kookaboora, Calypso or another children songs, it will help you to refresh your voice from heavy repertoir music.

I hope your voice will be better soon Roxy,

and hope this suggestions can help you.

Regards,

Ran