Q: I have sung for almost 20 years and about 2 years ago I started playing gigs (both solo and in a band) at bars, clubs, and other social venues, many of which were filled with smoke. At first, I didn't think much of it. I would increase my fluids and rest my voice the next day, and I would be fine. However, now I have a permanent hoarseness in my voice that will not go away, no matter what I try. It sounds as if there is my voice, and then an airy background to it that is only there when I sing, but always there. Will your method help (or fix) my predicament? I sing pretty much everything, from classical to rock, and I am also
in a choir

A: Yes, I work a lot with singers and speakers with these kinds of issues.  Any time we get discomfort, surrounding muscles compensate. For example, when you hurt your foot you start limping when you attempt to move forward - i.e. other muscles compensate.  When you experience discomfort, pain, strain, or hoarseness in your voice, other muscles compensate in an attempt to produce sound.  If we don’t do things to create balance, the condition becomes worse and it takes more and more effort to produce sound until it is chronic. The key is to rebalance, strengthen and free the muscles so you can create free resonating sound again with less effort than before. My Sing With Freedom home study course deal with these issues extensively too. Also see the article on hoarseness :  Why Your Voice Gets Hoarse

Q. hello mr.bristow i just would like to know if it is natural when u first let your singing voice be free that it cracks and breaks and what do I do to stop it and what are some warm up techniques for your voice.

A. Yes, it is as natural as it is to fall when you begin to walk as a child.  And just like when you were learning to walk, you need to develop muscles and balance so it soon becomes easy.  And to use the same analogy, it’s not the warm-up, but the overall balance, strength and coordination that enables you to walk without falling. Once you got it, warm-ups are of course important.

Q: Can I learn to sing if I am tone deaf?

A. Yes, you train and then you very soon realize that you are not tone-deaf at all – just untrained.  Very few people are really tone-deaf, although the expression is often used. The fun question to ask someone who says he is tone deaf is:  How do you know? You will find that the person is very well aware that he/she doesn't sound great? In fact, he probably hears very well. There is probably nothing wrong with your hearing. To be able to sing on key you have to be able to create vibration (sound) without restrictions.  The beauty is that you can develop this much faster than most people think. However, if you practice via singing scales I can guarantee that it will take much longer than necessary.  Also see the article on “How To Sing On Key”

Q. Do you teach classical singing?

A. I don’t claim to be a vocal coach for classical or opera singers, because if so one needs to be very familiar with the repertoire.  I am indeed focused more on contemporary styles of singing (I have  however been trained in classical singing myself).  Classical singers benefit from my method because it focuses on awareness and freedom rather than style.  Many classical singers also use far more effort than needed, so we make sure to train the functionality of the voice. This also helps the singer to express with greater freedom and authenticity.