Is strain a normal part of singing?

In short – no! Strain should never be normal in singing. Allow me to briefly explain why.

In some genres such as metal, rock, and pop, screaming and pushing your way through a song for more strength, grit, and power may be expected. After all, some of the greatest singers in these genres have had vocal issues and still survived to go on singing successfully, right?

Well, perhaps yes – for now. Their actual reason for recovery may be a private vocal crisis prompting a change of course in their technique to sing in a more supported way. Or perhaps they are still “getting away with it” due to being younger. 

However, let me assure you that sooner or later (whether immediately or at some future point in time) the cost of strain on a singer’s voice – regardless of their singing style – will certainly show up if not corrected. This is not about scaring singers or instilling a sense of fear if you currently push your way through songs, but it is a call for a reality check.

Strain should never be a badge of honour or a rite of passage for singers. Ever.

If you listen – and I mean really listen – to the voices of singers who have strained for years, you can instantly hear that they do not sound well. Their voices are gravelly and the wear and tear of many decades of unhealthy, unsupported, pushed singing is painful and sad to hear. Whether talking or singing, the gremlins in their voice appear to be wreaking havoc.

If you are a young singer you may think that you can keep cruising along with a strenuous approach to singing. Your mind may have convinced you that there is plenty of time, and you can worry about a healthier technique later. But to this I say no! It does not work that way! 

Why not pursue a strong and healthy voice now that will last a lifetime? Wouldn’t you like to sing well into your old age knowing that you laid a great foundation for your voice using a tried and tested methodology used for hundreds of years? 

Even for older singers who strain, there is still time to reverse the strain ship!

Regardless of your age, do yourself a favour and investigate a better path for your voice. In my view and personal experience, that path is Bel Canto.

Let us play a short game together.

Take the ‘A’ vowel, pronounced as ‘AH’. I would like you to sing this ‘AH’ according to how you currently sing – forwards oriented and ‘out’ in front of you to an imaginary audience. Pause and try it now. How did you feel? 

Now do it again, but this time take a moment to intentionally think, inhale, and sing ‘AH’, imaging that your audience is behind you. The sound is not ‘out’ but coming in towards you. Pause and try it now. Did you feel anything different this time?

Strain is not the answer. There is a smarter way. I speak about this further in my Is Strain a Normal Part of Singing? video. Ask questions if you want to be a better singer, and seek answers with an open mind and heart.

Come and learn Bel Canto with me and with consistent, dedicated practice – together with a curious and open mind – I am confident that you will experience the magic of effortless singing. Invest in your voice, because you are worth it!

You are most welcome to register for a Free Discovery Consultation, peruse ways you can learn at Be Free To Sing, and ask questions to begin your Bel Canto journey. Make strain a thing of the past! I would be most happy to guide you through this process.

Until next time, always remember to...

Be Free To Sing,

Yvonne