What causes strain or damage to the vocal chords?

Question

I'd like to know what they are so I can avoid strain or damage. I'm a singer and I can't afford to strain or damage my voice.

Answer 1

Some good answers above.  Please remember though, that this is not necessarily a bad thing!  That's one thing the classically trained vocal teachers don't tell you.  The most wonderful singers on the planet, for my money anyway, Etta James, Ray Charles, had/have that grit in their voice from abusing it a little.  It sounds good!  A little character imparted from some straining is not a bad thing, in fact it can be great.  Remember that classically trained teachers won't tell you that... but they live in museums, make their living teaching people (who then go off to teach), and secretly fantasize about bringing the house down and turning people on with an improvised, sexed up,powerful R&B vocal performance.  In music school, the jazz and funk guys worked the hardest.

Answer 2

Hey Aru-bis

Lie on your back and put your hand on your stomach. The hand has to go up and down as you breathe and that is the way you sing....through the diaphram, not the throat.

When you speak, so you sing the sing way because that is the correct breathing technique. When you need volume and power, push with your diaphram (stomach) and not the chest.

If you do this correctly, you can sing for 8 hours, 7 days a week and you won't have a sore throat. If you do, it is because you are not breathing and using the diaphram. There is no other technique involved.

Answer 3

Continual shouting or continual speaking at full volume.  No, I think it is not permanent unless these episodes of laryngitis occur over and over..................

Did you notice Hillary's voice near the end of her campaign?  She was struggling with hoarseness.

I had a friend who was a cockswain for a crew team in college.  She had to continually yell commands.  She, too, was always struggling with hoarsenss.

Smoking, too, but I am sure you don't do that.