[music is life]

Hey everyone!!

I have recently been in my first musical and plan to do more musicals in the future. I am an alto and can go pretty low for a girl and somewhat high, like a low mezzo. I have not taken any singing lessons and am not that familiar with the singing terms, but I have taken piano for almost a decade (so I know some of the terms).

So, I was wondering when I sing, I sometimes feel like I'm singing from the throat and not the diaphram. And I know that certainly cannot be healthy. Like, when I hold a note for awhile, afterwards my throat feels a bit strained and I need water than I'm all good. So, does anyone know how I may change that? And not sing from the throat.


Thanks!!

[musicallover09]

that seems normal for me... you have to push from the diaphram but you dont necissarily sing from there... you have to push the air up around your vocal chords to make them vibrate your voice throat may feel strained because you are either singing below or above your range... i know it sounds weird but you can sing lower than your range and higher... thats how you strain your voice... i might be wrong but i think that is what is happening with your voice...

[Salome]

if your throat seems tight as you sing..you are singing wrong. best advice...take vocal lessons from a good teacher.

[shaynaleahy]

Hello,

As a trained opera singer and Broadway belter, I can say for certain that singing should not hurt your throat. Even belting, which is a more throaty/chesty feeling, can be done safely if you have the proper breath support and muscle relaxation. If you are serious about continuing to sing in musicals, voice lessons with a qualified instructor are really a necessity. Otherwise, you will quickly run out of voice as you keep straining the muscles to make the sounds needed.

You can often find a relatively inexpensive instructor by contacting the Music Department of your local college. Many advanced students offer lessons, and some faculty participate in no-credit class offerings.

Shayna