Avoid “Throat Squeeze” When Singing...

Question: ”Hi Guy Monroe, I am Danilo, I’m from Brazil and I have a doubt I’d like to solve. I started singing when I was 15, now I am 17.   Since then I began to sing with poor vocal techniques and now I notice I cannot hit higher notes easily. Even my lower notes are difficult to sing.

I also feel a tightness in throat sometimes. I can hit high notes only in certain moments in the day. I have not felt hoarseness or something similar. Could you answer me what I have if possible, because I’ve been very worried about this. What can I do to solve this problem?”

Answer: Danilo, Thank you for your question. I totally understand.  It happened to me too when I was first starting out.  You see, when you began singing at 15, you probably kept your neck muscles in a more relaxed state, so your highs and lows were easier to attain.  We must get you to relax your neck once again, while singing.  Today the lows and highs are difficult because you got in the habit of tightening your neck when singing. (pulling down when attempting low notes, squeezing hard when attempting highs).

You’re not alone.  I’ll show you how to get through it.  When we sing, we feel voice box movement in our neck.   We brilliantly assume that this is where the control is, and if I squeeze from there, I will get more control out of my voice. Unfortunately, this is a false notion.   If you squeeze from there, the tension you generate in your neck will make it more difficult to maintain and locate pitch.  Neck tension is not good.  It can really hurt, and if done too long, potentially damage the vocal cords.

How the voice works:   The vocal folds in the neck vibrate from air flowing over them during exhale.   The vibration they create becomes sound.  To insure they vibrate, squeeze from the tummy during exhale. Not the neck.  You are attempting to increase airflow pressurization from your neck.  Please stop.  You must do this from the belly.  The sensation in the neck is pitches being created.  So, forget the neck.  Go for the belly.

Neck Exercise: Place your hand gently on your neck, and gently turn your head side to side while singing. You should not feel any excessive strain in the neck when you sing. Add a tiny yawn at the back of the throat, and allow your jaw to slide forward while singing, this will open the throat more.

Breath Exercise: Lay comfortably on the floor.  Place your hand on your belly.  Inhale into your hand.  This is called “Belly” breathing.  We do it when we sleep.  It’s also referred to as “Abdominal” breathing and “Diaphragmatic” breathing.  Spend 10 minutes a day practicing “belly” breathing.  This style of breathing will eventually replace any shallow breathing habits you may have developed.

One of the reasons you may have gotten into the habit of throat gripping, was to add “edge”, “gravel” or “character” to your voice.  Great idea, just wrong place to do it.  To add “edge” you must go to the sinuses fro that.  Practice directing your sound into your nasal/sinus passages for that.

Sinus Exercise: Say “Hum”.  Watch a second hand on a clock and do this for 15 seconds.  The “buzz” will become rather annoying.  This is desired. Do 4 sets a day.  After your 4 sets sets sing a song, adding this “buzzing” sensation while you sing.  This effect is called resonance.  It comes from the latin word resonati, which means echo.  This is how we amplify our sound.  Not from squeezing from the neck, but by adding resonance. 

Practice, Have fun and let me know how it’s going. I hope this is helpful.  Sing with ease, power, grace and joy! – Guy