You want your voice to work at its best no matter the time or season. However, life has surprises and sometimes your voice may experience some difficulties. There are days your voice feels like an ice block and other days, it’s easy to go with the flow and you don’t need to put any effort.
Although all these things happen when you least expect, there are certain factors of irritation that could be messing up your vocal chords. The air you breathe could impact your vocals. As a singer, your voice is the most powerful tool. That’s why some singers are confused to some degree about how they should breathe.
How Breath and Voice Connects
Your breath affects the ability to hold a note for a long time. It can also interfere with the voice’s quality and tone. Furthermore, you could have a difficult time trying to reach the needed pitch ranges.
The diaphragm is what controls all breathing. Located at the bottom of the ribcage, the diaphragm separates the visceral cavity from the lung cavity. The minute you inhale, the diaphragm contracts. This causes the air to rush into your lungs.
It’s essential to note that when breathing, the contraction of the diaphragm releases and goes back to its normal position. Air is then pushed out from the lungs. Nonetheless, when singing, the vocal chords are blocked, and this prevents the air from getting in. You’ll need to use the upward pressure to push the cords, which leads to a vibration.
Vocal Irritants
The air you breathe can have an impact on your vocals. Studies conducted link certain environmental factors to respiratory stress and voice problems. When you think of inhaled substances, smoking is one of the things that come to mind. Nevertheless, other inhaled substances may harm your voice. Good examples include fumes of chemicals like air fresheners, bleach, or painting. Dusty, moldy, or dry air could also create an unfavorable environment for your voice. Extreme pollution can take a toll on your vocals if exposed for a long time.
Although air could be one of the factors that affect your vocal chords, there are other reasons why your voice may not work as expected. These include vocal disorders like vocal cancer, vocal cord paralysis, and laryngitis. Drug and alcohol if ingested excessively. Substances made within the body like bronchitis, allergies, and acid reflux.
Your voice as a singer is an essential tool that you use to express yourself. Air can affect the quality of your tone as well as the range the voice can reach. Talk to your doctor if you suspect that other disorders could be affecting your vocal chords.
