Hello everyone!
I normally sing 2nd or 1st soprano. I can mostly get the high notes, but sometimes find it very exhausting to sing the high E for even two bars! the problem is that I sing in a quartet and all the other parts are much lower, so they can't understand that it hurts soaring up there sometimes. So sometimes I end up singing way more than I want to! Can this damage my voice and how can I find out if does? I'm always singing and don't want anything to happen to my voice!
Thanks for any advice,
Charlotte

Singing should never hurt. Have you a teacher? They will know if you are pushing yourself too hard, and teach you the right technique.

Hi again Charlotte

From your previous post I know you are planning to do some singing grades without going to a teacher, but you do sing in choirs. And my initial piece of advice from that conversation still holds good now - have a chat with your choir director!

"Damaging" your voice sounds rather drastic, but certainly you should be able to sing the E a twelfth above middle C without too much difficulty if you are a soprano. It sounds like your technique could do with a bit of help.

The following are just points for you to think about, but a teacher would help you a lot more if you were to decide to go to one.

Firstly, do you warm up before you sing? You shouldn't ever go full belt into your songs without warming up.

Secondly, how much effort do you make when you sing? Singing should not take any more muscle power than talking does. If you are putting too much muscle in, this will stop you making the best notes you can, and will make your throat uncomfortable.

And finally, however unpopular it makes you with the other three of your quartet, if your throat and voice feel wrong STOP the session!

Hope these help

Cheers

Katyjay

have you considered the idea that you might be better off singing alto? it's never a good idea to sing if it hurts!

Even if you don't want to start long term with a teacher, how about treating yourself to half a dozen lessons just to help you with the problems you are experiencing, and to help ensure you're heading in the right direction?



Amber
x

Thanks for all your advice! I think I will go to a teacher now - it does seem to be the best idea!!!