When talking to other musicians about shedding (practicing), many drummers, percussionists, and horn players tend to brag about being in a room for 6 to 8 hours straight with their instrument. However, as a vocalist, there have been very few times for myself where I practice more than 2 hours of singing because once you damage your vocal cords, you not only damage your singing voice, but your speaking voice as well.
Common Problems That Result From Overuse or Misuse
As stated in a blog post on themusicorum.com site, misuse of the vocal cords and overuse (or not resting and practicing too much) results in "Overuse Injuries, a term used to describe injuries that can present as anything from decreased range of motion to pain." For singers, this manifests in several ways:
1. Laryngitis
When you get a viral infection, you can lose your voice or become hoarse. Vocal cords swell and vibrate differently, resulting in laryngitis; the remedy is to drink lots of water and REST your voice. Even worse problems can occur if you don't rest (which is why singers shouldn't sing when they're sick).
2. Vocal Nodules, Polyps or Cysts
These bumps or lesions can also lead to hoarseness; vocal nodules can be cured with vocal therapy, as well as vocal rest to remedy the damage. Polyps or cysts, however, could possibly lead to minor surgery along with therapy and rest.
3. Vocal Cord Hemorrhage
When you suddenly lose your voice after shouting (or possibly straining your voice while singing) a blood vessel could rupture on the surface of one of the vocal cords, resulting in the tissue of the cord filling with blood. This is considered an emergency and you should consult a doctor immediately.
4. Other Problems
Vocal Paralysis (a rare problem) is usually a neurological condition which can sometimes go away within months.
This information is not here to scare you, but to make you more aware. Since we also use our voices to speak, we need to make sure we are extra careful when singing, whether practicing or performing. If you feel any pain or discomfort when singing, stop immediately and seek medical attention.
Prevention is Key
The way that we prevent injury is by learning proper technique and learning how to take breaks when practicing. Make sure to seek out a local vocal instructor or coach when learning the basics: proper breathing technique, proper posture, good vocal exercises, etc. Learning how to release all tension from your body, breath properly, and stand properly can prevent injury and problems such as the ones listed above. Also, knowing and listening to your own body can help you know, not only where you need to improve, but when to slow down or rest.
Did this information help? Have you experienced any other types of problems when practicing too much or straining your voice?
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