Many singers believe if they do not perform regularly they do not need to worry about vocal health and singing "properly." Unfortunately, just like an unexpected fall out of a tree can cause a broken bone that aches when it rains the rest of your life, one impromptu karaoke performance and improper vocal belt on that high note can cause irreparable vocal damage. A more common condition and resultant situation, however, is Vocal Hyperfunction and Muscle Tension Dysphonia, or hoarseness. .
Vocal tone is created when air bursts through the cleft created by our vocal cords and vibration occurs. To create a clear sounding tone, the vocal cords need to come together solidly and completely. If the membranes or surrounding tissues are swollen (or contain lumps or tears), hoarseness will occur. While the damaging effects of infrequent hoarseness are not usually permanent, hoarseness is a sign of significant vocal abuse or fatigue and should not be ignored.
Breathing Exercises.
One of the cornerstones of learning to sing is knowing how to breath correctly and learn to control your breathing so that it is used to optimum effect when you sing. .
When we are born our breathing is naturally correct, babies can breath, yell and scream with optimum effect because they use their lungs without conscious thought. As we grow older, some people become lazy in their habits only using the upper part of the lungs, taking a shallow breath instead of a normal one. .
To understand how correct breathing and breath control works, first you need to understand the process that it uses to operate. .
Surrounding your lungs is a muscle system called the diaphragm which is attached to the lower ribs on the sides, bottom and to the back acting as an inhalation device. When you breath in the muscle lowers displacing the stomach and intestines. When you breath out the diaphragm helps to manage the muscles around the lungs (abdominal muscles) control how quickly the breath is exhaled.
