Q&A for How to Avoid Getting Cracks in Your Voice When Singing

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  • Question
    How can I stop my voice from shaking while singing?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a vocal therapist and singing voice specialist. Amy is a licensed and board certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try taking a deep breath down into your ribs while holding your rib cage out. This can help stabilize your breathing, and therefore your voice, while you're singing.
  • Question
    At what age should I stop singing?
    Community Answer
    There isn't an age at which you should stop singing. Many professionals continue singing until their final days. If it begins to cause you a large deal of pain to sing, you may want to see a medical professional. Otherwise, sing on!
  • Question
    How to avoid cracking while singing high notes?
    Community Answer
    Take a deep breath before you sing and imagine the sound flying to the back of your head. Open your mouth and relax your voice. Good luck!
  • Question
    What's the best way to clear my voice?
    Community Answer
    Water, water, and more water!
  • Question
    How can I keep pitch?
    Community Answer
    You can keep pitch by thinking of the notes before you sing. Listen to the song and practice matching the notes. You can also get a handheld, electronic tuner, to help you practice staying in tune.
  • Question
    Is olive oil good for my throat?
    Community Answer
    Yes, this helps to lubricate your throat and voice. Honey and water work for this, too.
  • Question
    How do I keep my voice clear while singing?
    Community Answer
    Make sure to move your lips accordingly. When singing a consonant, for instance, keep track of the movements that your lips make, and when singing vowels, open your mouth and create the shape of each one.
  • Question
    Can cold water adversly affect singing?
    Community Answer
    Yes, cold water isn't the best for your voice -- choose cool or lukewarm water instead.
  • Question
    How does someone realize that they can sing?
    Community Answer
    Generally, people realize that they can sing by just doing it in front of someone else and being told they sound good. Of course, pretty much anyone can learn to sing. It just takes practice, practice, and more practice.
  • Question
    I was a regular smoker, now I have stopped. I can easily sing high notes but when I sing lower notes I have experienced voice cracks, any tips for damage repair?
    Community Answer
    It really just takes time. Your lungs are still healing and low notes can take a bit more air. I would drink more water, especially before a performance so you experience fewer voice cracks.
  • Question
    Do I need to warm up my voice every time I'm about to sing?
    Community Answer
    If you're really serious about avoiding cracks in your voice, yes, I would do it every time.
  • Question
    What do I do when my voice goes shaky and I have a voice crack during a performance?
    Community Answer
    That may mean that you are very nervous during or before the performance. Try taking deep breaths before the performance starts, and instead of cold water, drink warm water or lukewarm water instead.
  • Question
    How do I improve my singing skills?
    Community Answer
    Other Wikihow articles like this one on how to improve the quality of your voice have great tips for improving your singing.
  • Question
    How do I keep my voice from cracking when singing a high pitch?
    Community Answer
    The best way to so this quickly is by willingly changing registers when you need to. Instead of straining to reach a high note while staying in that loud, deep, chest voice, allow your voice to switch to the lighter, softer head voice. To fix this problem over time, practice scales completely in head voice and then completely in chest voice. Widening your vocal range in these registers will prevent cracking and make your transitions smoother.
  • Question
    If my voice is cracking because of puberty, what should I do to stop it?
    Community Answer
    If you are going through puberty, you will not be able to stop your voice cracking. Just accept it; it won't last forever!
  • Question
    How can soprano singers strengthen their voices?
    Community Answer
    Warm up your voice and practice scales, going higher each time. This will strengthen your voice and increase your range.
  • Question
    How often should I rest my voice while singing?
    Community Answer
    If your voice starts hurting, it's probably a sign that you should stop singing and drink some water. Take a break for about 45 minutes without screaming or yelling.
  • Question
    How can I sing super high as a boy going through puberty?
    Community Answer
    When you are going through puberty, do not focus on singing high, as this may adversely effect your voice, causing it to develop cracks. Sing at the pitch you are most comfortable with.
  • Question
    What do I do if my voice only cracks if I am singing in front of people?
    ELIZABETH KAYSER
    Community Answer
    Try to remember that this happens to everyone, even some of the greatest singers. It has nothing to do with the actual quality of your voice. Give your voice time to rest and remember that this one moment doesn't define you.
  • Question
    I'm going through puberty right now, and every time I sing a high note, it sounds rough or it just cracks. How do I keep my puberty voice from getting in the way of singing?
    Community Answer
    Cracking of the voice during puberty is normal. Wait for until everything gets normal. Avoid screaming, and just be patient.
  • Question
    What can I do if the cracks in my voice are due to puberty?
    Dakota Doty
    Community Answer
    Nothing, as this is natural and cannot be stopped. This change just takes time before eventually stopping.
  • Question
    I'm a boy, but why my voice sounds like girl while speaking in microphone or on a phone call. Why?
    Community Answer
    Your voice may not have changed yet, or you may simply have a higher voice than other guys.
  • Question
    Why can't I sing shortly after I wake up in the morning?
    Community Answer
    When you first wake up, your throat is often dry, and your vocal chords aren't warmed up yet.
  • Question
    Can I eat any oily food?
    Community Answer
    Yes, just try to keep a balanced diet.
  • Question
    Is hot water good for my voice?
    Community Answer
    You should not drink scorching hot water/tea. Ideally it should be just a little hotter than lukewarm.
  • Question
    Is black seed powder something I can use to improve the clarity of my voice?
    Community Answer
    Not really. Things that can improve your voice clarity are honey, warm water and lemons. Try your hardest to not clear your throat in order to be a good singer but instead drink lots of water as it is the main priority when it comes to singing!
  • Question
    Can I avoid getting cracks in my voice by having decaffeinated tea?
    Community Answer
    Before and during a performance, you should drink a lot of water (room temperature, not hot or cold). Avoid soda, alcohol or even tea.
  • Question
    I folded my vocal cords. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    To heal it breath moist hair. Get a humidifier, rest your voice a lot, avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages, moisten your throat, avoid clearing your throat and avoid whispering.
  • Question
    How to I sing higher?
    Anne Ilak
    Community Answer
    Taking a note by note approach can help. Get the help from an instrument like a piano, press a note, sing it, press the note above it, sing it and repeat until you reach your optimum range. Now practice on reaching the note next to it and go on this way until high enough. You will develop a good pitch faster this way.
  • Question
    What is the best food to eat to avoid cracks and how does one heal cracks?
    Δ Finn Δ
    Community Answer
    Cracks in your voice don't heal. They aren't literal cracks, they're something that happen when your vocal muscles tense or loosen, and when they do so too quickly your voice cracks (going high then low quickly).
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