Singing Through Allergies

[@teodorgochev3455]

Mark, I just want to tell you I love you. Ever since I started watching your videos, not only do I have a better voice, but also I have so much better understanding of what singing is about. I love your videos, your method of explaining everything and just the way you inspire and motivate people to chase their dream. Thank you. Thank you with all my heart.

[@Ytchannel02]

This is the most helpful video I’ve ever watched. I’m glad you didn’t just tell me to drink tea

[@voicelessondotcom]

Hahaha - that seems to be the solution for everything!

[@SufiSakib]

Even in 2022 people like me is getting benefited from your videos . Thank You for sharing your knowledge

[@voicelessondotcom]

Allergies will never go out of our lives - unfortunately !

[@neilbonavita8623]

Mark, again I want to say, "Thank you" for another video. I'm 71 and didn't start singing till I was in my 30's. I joined a local choral group and took lessons for about 6 years. Then, I just gave up. My allergies were getting in my way (along with other things) and I totally stopped singing till a year ago, effectively starting over again. I continue to have allergies but this video gives me a lot of hope in managing them and to not give up. I love working with your videos and also love how available you are. Thank you so much.

[@voicelessondotcom]

I have allergies too! That's why I was determined to sing around them!

[@DarioDazz]

Epic video!!! Every word you said is completely true and my own experience would confirm that. I would add this vocal troubleshooting for all my fellow singers that are forced to deal with this curse. 1 - Warm up early in the morning when you perform in the evening. 2 - start vocalising with I and U , this will help to expand your head resonance. Yawning and crying will help a lot because it will stretch your vocal chords. 3 - Never ever try to increase or force volume. If the voice breaks, cracks or scratches let it go, it really doesn't matter. Keep your volume low, you will develop connection through maximum relaxation. 4 - Find your twang ( this is a delicate step, you'll be tempted to force if you have a stuffy constipated nose). Vocalize with low volume using NG sound, NEY, GNE, NOU. You'll experience days where your twang will sound crappy. Unfortunately there is nothing magic you can do about it. 5 - When your voice feels weak, practice singing with microphone and amplification, this will help prevent to push or strain. Keep in mind that when you have to deal with itchy throat, runny nose, rhinitis your resonance will be inevitably affected. Amplification will help to compensate your lack of resonance. 6 - If you play loud music, never perform live without the aid of in ear monitors, or you'll end up belting out all night long, spitting out your larynx down the stage. 7 - Do not give up singing. Study a lot, developing the right technique and vocal confidence. 8 - Keep a positive attitude. 9 - Don't try to forget vocal warm up. This will affect not only your vocal performance , but your voice tone will be worsening day by day and you will sing with a lot vocal compensation that will end up with fatigue ,strain and it will shorten your range. Good Luck singers!!!!!

[@rachelkennedy8819]

Wow this video took some planning. Bravo!

[@DocReinhart]

Mark, I came across this video and I want to sincerely thank you. I didn't know what was wrong with my voice for years now. I thought that I was doing something wrong because 8 or 9 months out of the year I couldn't sing well at all. Then all of a sudden, I would be able to sing for a couple of months with ease. I thought it was stress, improper technique, or something beyond my control but you really broke it down in a way that made me understand what was happening with my voice and how to fix it. I was allergic to a lot of things that were causing the fluid to build up on my chords and I needed these light warmups that really did clear it away. I was literally going to quit singing because I thought my voice just wasn't resilient enough to be a professional singer. Thank you so much.

[@voicelessondotcom]

Glad to help! You're not alone - many struggle singing through the effects of allergies. I sure did.

[@codymyersofficial]

The ultimate vocal coach: Mr. Baxter

[@jasonstallworth]

Thank you for these tips! I’ve been suffering from allergies and it’s killed my voice and range!

[@voicelessondotcom]

I've learned these tips the hard way!

[@jasonstallworth]

@@voicelessondotcom Dude, I feel like I'm still learning the hard way at times. I've never considered myself a real singer and have a limited range. But I gave vocals a shot on my last album and I also perform solo acoustic gigs so I'm now singing every weekend, sometimes 2x a week. Absolutely love it and just when I thought my voice was making some real progress, I came down with a cough (about 2 months ago), and that 'thing' in my throat has yet to fully go away! Very frustrating!!

[@voicelessondotcom]

@@jasonstallworth Completely agree! That's so frustrating. Extend your warm ups by starting super light until that lump goes away - then proceed as usual.

[@sophiebcat]

Thank you for this! I've considered giving up singing because I'm pretty much never symptom-free, but I'm going to give this a try.

[@jashngill9323]

Did it work for you ?

[@dessertray]

Wow, three seasons...great job and great info. Thank you so much!

[@birgithade5022]

Brilliant Mark 💗

[@voicelessondotcom]

I hope it helps!

[@itsdaeyonglim]

Quality of these videos are just amazing Thank you sensei

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're very welcome!

[@bluesrockchannel6293]

I LOVE your Lessons. Your practical explanations make it really easy to understand , well done and THANK YOU :) PLUS now I can breath through my nose again after following your instructions on the singing with a cold 1,2,and 3

[@voicelessondotcom]

+Bluesrockchannel You're welcome! Glad you can breathe again!

[@coolwater3545]

I like how simple you keep things. Thank you for these videos.

[@JuanAlvarezMusic]

Thank you so much Mr. Baxter. Your videos are incredible. Love your Book too!

[@christallbaby]

Hi Mark, only just found you! Thank you for this! My name is Michael Leavy Jr (I am signed in using my wife's KZbin account so that I can comment) I am a professional singer from England but living in Tenerife (Canary Islands) and performing across Europe. Over the last year or so, I have been having vocal difficulty and it has been driving me crazy! I have to work 3/4 shows per night 6 days a week and one night my voice is great, flexible, playable and strong, I am singing Marvin Gaye songs and stylistics, the next I can barely get through Barry White and George Benson! I am very raspy in the mornings and it is taking me longer and longer to warm up before shows. Some nights my range is dramatically restricted and I completely lose my falsetto. (Sometimes it tends to loosen up after singing for an hour or so) I have recent been to a private voice Dr and had a camera down my throat to check my vocal chords and fortunately there was no sign of any permanent damage, like nodes/nodule

[@christallbaby]

Continued... However my vocals cords were red and I had some swelling. The Dr suggested 5 days total vocal silence, and gave me a saline solution nasal spray, some anti inflammatory medication and some cortisone injections (to get through the shows I had until I could take a break) after 5 days rest and the medication I felt brand new, I was able to hit whistle notes and my falsetto was clear and bright again. I was back to singing things like "it's a Shame" Detroit spinners etc... However within a week or two my voice was going again. I believe that from watching your video and Ronny my research I may have allergenic Rhinitis. I have always had allergies, I am alway full of mucus and have asthma and hay fever like symptoms all year through. Antihistamines dry me out, and it's really effect my work and my living. I used to love my job, but lately I am dreading going to work, getting on stage and being superman without my powers! Please please help! Thank you very much. Much respect

[@voicelessondotcom]

+stephanie christall Like I state in this video - hydrate like crazy to thin the mucous and then extend your warm up with low volume high notes (falsetto) It doesn't matter if they break up at first - don't push to fix the sound. Instead continue vocalizing very lightly to bring down the swelling and return your folds to flexibility before singing.

[@christallbaby]

+Voice Lesson.com thank you Mark. I've been vocalising like crazy! For ours very softly at a low volume. I look like a nutcase in the supermarket. It definitely loosened things up. I had three shows last night, the early spot was an hour of chilled out easy (sort of 1st gear songs) I concentrated almost exclusively on not opening up too aggressively, staying disciplined on my technique and backed off a lot. My wife was an operatic (well classical under 30 years old) singer and really made me pronounce my vowels and correct my mouth position. Then I had a spot at 10 o'clock in a soul club, again I felt OK, warm and reasonably lose but still even being less aggressive my vocal stamina goes quickly, notes that I could hold forever are breaking, my transition from middle to high (arpeggio is it) was stalling on me, and my falsetto is the first thing to go. I had my 3rd show at 11 and by 11:30 I was struggling! I still really tried to be disciplined and by 11:45 I still had an hour and...

[@christallbaby]

+voice lessons.com ...a quarter to go! At this point I would normally push it out and get the party started and passion it out. I know that's wrong "I've watched almost all of your videos and I'm making sure I'm not "spent"! But it was a struggle. When I finished k felt disheartened. The response I got was great, but I have 3 more shows tonight and I'm dreading them. I'm on stage in an hour (been vocalising and using your warm ups) just really need my voice back. I have 4 small children and you know as a professional singer of we don't work we don't earn. I need my voice back. Thank you so much for your help sir. 👍🏻

[@StephanieStevviAlexander]

This was GREAT! Super informative. Thanks Mark!

[@leezee3675]

Wonderful tips. Will try them all.

[@AaireBabe]

I am being transitioned from alto to soprano... And my falsetto is just about shot right now...my allergies for the part 2weeks have been hell.... I've been hoarse and because I have to sing like every other day, my voice gets no rest... I'm about going to try this today before my rehearsal.... I really need my full voice for this soprano.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Thanks very much Mark. I needed that...tonight!

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome!

[@briannabell7922]

Thank you thank you thank you !!

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome!

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

I humidify my bedroom in the winter and it helps keep my sinus cavity and mouth moistly balanced while sleeping.

[@stevencyrilonline3914]

Wow this is awesome! thank you for sharing these great tips!!

[@mrwifi1206]

Wow, great video. Thanks for the info :)

[@voicelessondotcom]

You're welcome! Take a look around the channel - there's tons more info on all things voice.

[@babeyangel266]

you're a very good teacher!

[@rickskehan4146]

Thank you Mark!

[@Soprano375]

Thank you for this video! Lots of important info. I have a question if you don’t mind taking the time to answer. I’ve been experiencing a lot of allergy-like symptoms this summer, plus it’s been a very dry summer. I’ve been taking a break from singing because my voice continuously cracks and sounds raspy. On better days when my voice sounds more normal I try to sing, but when I sing higher notes, my vibrato seems to get stuck. I can tell my voice is able to hit these notes but my vibrato doesn’t sound as fluid and natural. This is very disheartening because I usually never have this issue. What can I do about this?

[@voicelessondotcom]

The cause of the unresponsive vibrato is the extra muscular effort you're unconsciously employing to sing. The allergies (and dry air) will swell the walls of the vocal tract. So the instrument is not the same as you're used to - which means the usual approach won't work. The cracking and raspy sound means your normal technique is causing turbulence around the vocal folds. It's easy to associate this with mucus from allergies but it's really just a disagreement between what you're asking for and the behavior you're enacting. In other words - your voice won't sound raspy when suffering from allergies if you adjust your behavior to the current condition. Instead, we tend to force our voice to behave as if the condition is unaffected - and bemoan the result. So flip the script. Focus on the result (the sound you want) and allow your behavior to calibrate towards that goal. Let the sound lead your behavior (verses than the other way around). Vibrato is a result of freedom. When it get's stuck it's always an indicator of load. The muscles of the larynx are working too hard. You may not feel it - but that's what your body is telling you. The cracking and raspiness does not harm your vocal folds, so don't be afraid to explore your voice when things sound bad. As long as you remain comfortable - it's OK to sound bad. But it's not OK to try and sound good at the cost of irritating those internal tissues.

[@davidradevic6354]

i will quit antihistaminic but what about corticosteroids? and also, what about see whater nasal spray to irrigate? i dont have that thing you mentioned 😂

[@WENNTERTAINMENT]

Another great vid. thank you

[@davidradevic6354]

Because I'm allergic to dust mites, should I do this routine everyday of the year? first 'brrr', then 'worring about vocal demage', and 'singing with a cold 1 2 3' ? :D

[@voicelessondotcom]

As I say at the end of this video - you should vocalize every day to get an assessment of your voice. It won't need the same attention every day - so your routine doesn't have to be exactly the same. The end result is what matters: Are you able to access your voice with comfort and control? Keep vocalizing until the answer is yes!

[@SurajitB]

Singing for 25 to 30 yrs. 2 years back got 2 vocal nodules. Went to the doctor, aslo some voice therapy. Now trouble getting the higher notes. And voice is breaking a lot while humming. Pls. help...

[@SurajitB]

And somerimes feels like chocking

[@voicelessondotcom]

@@SurajitB Back off the push and let voice break up as you ask for better coordination. The breaking doesn't hurt your voice but the choking (to fix it) does. It seems you didn't get surgery two years ago but things got better with therapy. Return to those exercises!

[@SurajitB]

@@voicelessondotcom Thankyou Mark♥️. Also suggest me some exercises..

[@voicelessondotcom]

I recommend you do the exercises your vocal therapist gave you because he or she watched your behavior. Those would be better than the general stuff I suggest because I've never heard you.

[@SurajitB]

@@voicelessondotcom ok thank you again

[@teavucak]

Amazing video! :D Thank you! :D

[@Ilovetosingem]

Well Mark, thanks for the content, the best I've seen on the net, so thanks for that. I was actually searching for: Why am I able to produce lower notes when I sing with a cold but can't produce them normally. My bottom note is usually F and today I can go to Db. Any info would be great. Thanks again.

[@voicelessondotcom]

The reason you have lower notes when you have a cold is because of swelling. the same way my glove filled with water in the video your folds become larger when they swell. Look inside a piano or at a guitar and you'll see the lower strings are much fatter then the high strings. With range - size matters. So when your folds are temporarily enlarged due to swelling you can get in touch with your inner Barry White! But once you get healthy it's back to normal.

[@memphislulu]

thanks

[@maryamzahid5149]

Hi Mark,a quick question: you said acid reflux causes folds to swell. Does burping cause swelling too, I mean burping too often ???

[@voicelessondotcom]

It depends WHY you're belching. If it's due to a build up of acids - then yes.

[@voicelessondotcom]

[@carahunter1039]

I am having constant throat issues...itchy throat raw throat and feels like super dry and little lubrication. I also have sinus headaches several times a week. I sing professionally for about 5 to 6 hours a week so I need help. I take antihistamines on some days when I don't sing and I think think may be worsening it. Is there a product out there that I could take up on stage with me or take before a performance to aid in lubrication?

[@voicelessondotcom]

No - there's no product I'm aware of to keep you lubricated when singing. Lot's of things will lubricate before hand but as soon as you start singing the air pressure and muscle tension overwhelms the area. It seems like you're dealing with a combo of terrible allergies and an aggressive singing technique (most likely because of those allergies). If you haven't already, I recommend you doing the routine I outlined on my video titled "Singing With a Cold." You best bet is to vocalize your voice into a better condition before singing and then be very mindful of not pushing when performing.

[@broadwaypixie1983]

Hello, i love your videos! would you have any suggestions for me? I have to work in a bar and i am exposed to a lot of second hand smoke on a regular basis I have some voice damage (from that, coughing and losing my voice a couple times when i was sick). i would like to start singing again soon. How can i get my range and strength back? Is there anything that can help? I cant quit my job yet, but is there anything i can do to help protect from smoke? thanks!

[@davidradevic6354]

my nose is stuffy often, mostly my right nostrils. I can't breathe nicely and that disturbs my singing. it is not a deviation and allergy is undefined. it annoys me so much, can you give me some advice? is it a problem if I breathe in my mouth often?

[@voicelessondotcom]

It's better to breathe through the nose but if you can't then you don't have a choice.

[@Ilovetosingem]

Oh I forgot to mention. As the folds close then surely I shouldn't be able to produce lower note as far a I'm aware the more the folds vibrate the lower the note. Just as if a double bass vibrates, they are very low notes. Thanks again.

[@voicelessondotcom]

Low notes are "slow" vibrations. High notes are fast. So an A above middle C is 440 vibrations per second. The first A on the piano is only 27.5 vibration per second. It takes a lot of mass to vibrate that slowly - that's why bass strings are so thick.

[@Ilovetosingem]

Voice Lesson.com Yes I totally agree with you and it's the basic principle of size and pitch. But I was thinking that if the folds swell then the gap between them closes and therefore less sound, less air and less vibration and therefore less lower notes. Very interesting.

[@voicelessondotcom]

Ilovetosingem The gap between the folds is constantly calibrating based on the quality sound we're seeking. As you know each vibration equals one open and closing motion. But there is wiggle room in the duration of each phase of the cycle. On the same pitch - a longer open phase creates a breathy sound and a longer closed phase a clear sound. The slow vibration of a low note is less compromised (aided actually) by the enlargement of the folds due to swelling because your folds will adjust the opening and closing of the folds according to the sound you 're seeking. The reason I suggest low volume high notes to "de-swell" the folds is because the sound requires your folds become thin. So it encourages coordination that will stretch and reduce your folds quicker than resting will.

[@Ilovetosingem]

Voice Lesson.com Open and closed phases, I'm not quite sure what this actually means. Maybe a better word for me would be a cycle and therefore, half a cylcle, let's say in the closed position and the other half in the open position. Have I got it? maybe not. But this is great stuff. Cheers.

[@voicelessondotcom]

Ilovetosingem Yes - you've got it right! A cycle is the same as a sound wave. Each time you open and shut your hands it's called a clap. So one clap has two movements. Clapping is many of those in secession. Whether you're clapping with bare hands or big thick gloves - your brain will make a calibration so you clap the same. The opening between the hands will be the same. That's what happens between your folds when you're swollen. You unconsciously apply more force to sing. Reducing the swelling (with high notes at a low volume) is like taking the gloves off.

[@Bestudiovocal]

so how can you tell if your vocal folds are swollen if you can't feel them?! What is it that hurts when you push your voice if it's not your vocal folds? thanks!

[@voicelessondotcom]

This video explains how you can tell if your folds are swollen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4TKmGWPiql6fpY What hurts are the muscles surrounding the larynx.

[@electron7659]

I have a question. I am a gifted tenor. I used to sing songs by air supply and journey with power and clarity. I never ever scream. All my loud and high notes were clear notes. Then gradually, things began to happen. My lungs within a period of time began to feel slightly irritated when breathing deeply. Then sometimes when I sang high and long notes, I would get a tickle in my esophagus and made me have to cough. I don't know why. Now, I struggle to hit certain mid-high notes, but what's weird is that I can still effortlessly hit the really high notes. It's hard to explain. For example, my low notes are easy to hit. Then my mid notes sound weak and it feels like my voice has no strength. But then if I hit the really high notes, I hit them with ease and with power. But then when I do that, that's when I cough. (Ex. Last note of "Alone" by heart) I don't understand. Can someone please explain??

[@voicelessondotcom]

+Ask me Ask me You have forced your voice to sing loud and clear - and that has caused a lack of coordination between vocal registers. Reverse your thinking and discover what behavior allows those middle notes to be clear and resonate. That's how you should sing.

[@electron7659]

But how do I discover what behavior allows those middle notes to be clear and resonate??

[@voicelessondotcom]

By making the notes sound clear and resonate. You are stuck in your behaviors. Lower the volume of your voice and notice that the notes that are usually troublesome are fine and the notes that are fine can be troublesome. So choose a much lower volume than you normally sing and explore how your voice responds. Then choose another volume - and so on.

[@juilzbird1476]

How bout ur nasal system? Can you avoid a stuffy nose by singing with different technique? Or do i just do my best with it?

[@voicelessondotcom]

Juilz Bird Great question! Many times it's not allergies at all creating a stuffy nose - it's putting too much pressure (and sound) up into the nasal cavity. A balanced singing behavior should allow only a tiny bit of resonance (5%) up there. Too much and the membranes in the nasal cavity can become irritated and swell - making it sound like you have a cold. So hold your nose (like something stinks) when singing scales on any vowel and make sure you feel no vibration in your nose or sound change.

[@juilzbird1476]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@HelloImMatt]

How do you balance nasal resonance then?

[@voicelessondotcom]

***** The same way you balance your body all day: by allowing your behavior to calibrate. When you're already nasal because of allergies the same singing behavior you usually use will put you into hyper-nasality. This is why it's so important to not get caught in a rut with your singing technique. There needs to be some swing room in how much pressure you create and where you place your voice. Practice your options when your healthy and you'll reduce your misery when sick.

[@HelloImMatt]

Voice Lesson.com Excelent reply, thanks a lot I really appreciate it!!

[@Freefromthehive]

U kinda look like red from that 70s show

[@MarilynFayeDizon]

Can you just be my teacher? Haha :)

[@voicelessondotcom]

Of course! Just set up a bed room for me and supply the meals and I'll be your in-house teacher. It will be great until you discover that - unlike my videos - I can't be turned off! So to avoid you getting sick of me talking voice voice voice all the time it's best we leave it like it is. I'm here when you need me.

[@nectariosgeorgiou]

What you have to say about nasal polyps ? My nose is always blocked ( not diagnosed yet but i have a chronically blocked nose) , most of the times i have trouble breathing through my nose and speaking at all. It feels like a heavy obstacle its blocking my resonance , i can hear it in my tone too.For example , i can sustain a bright nice vowel with zero nasal resonance but when it come to putting it together with words , my blocked nose makes it a marathon!. I know its different from allergies but i would like to know if you have any knowledge on the topic. Maybe ways to soothe it until i solve my problem?

[@voicelessondotcom]

Everyone I have worked with that had the surgery is extremely glad they did. Until then - back off your pressure when singing. It's incredibly tempting to push more when you feel blocked - but it's psychological. Air doesn't stream through the nose when singing.

[@kathleenmckenzie6261]

You may have resolved your issues by now, but another possibility is swollen turbinates, the spongy tissue inside your nose. Surgery can correct this as well.

[@subharoopghosh7611]

@Nectarios do you face issue while talking or raising voice due to polyps?

[@nectariosgeorgiou]

@@subharoopghosh7611 It's been five years... So I don't even remember what I was talking about.... As general conclusion though, I'm pretty confident the problem I was refering to was due to general strain (throat, tongue etc...). Also, I've noticed that nasality is easy to handle if you got a correct vocal approach, meaning that you can easily get away of a nasal sound if you are not strained, and being nasal now and then is not a bad thing if you are not being locked into it due to strain.