Singing Teachers Should Continue Voice Lessons

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If a teacher has a concern about the vocal health of their student, it is never too early to suggest they get a check up. This may require a serious conversation with the student about investing extra time and travel to seek appropriate care. Singing teachers are responsible for the voices in their studio and can be placed in a challenging position if a student refuses or delays getting an evaluation. The decision is the teachers as to if they should continue voice lessons. If the singer is jeopardizing his or her vocal health, or the teacher's reputation, then the teacher should consider ending their lessons. Teachers often ask when they should refer a student to a specialist. They should not put off getting help is they have a significant …show more content…

If teachers hear something of concern in the singing or speaking voice, or if they are not hearing changes as a result of technical adjustments, then they should refer to a voice doctor. Most singers experience voice issues and do not reach out for help, sometimes waiting a year or more. Multiple studies suggest that roughly 30-35% of singers experience voice injury at some point in their career. Professional singers Adele, Sam Smith, and John Mayer have revealed a vocal injury (Hansen, 2012). Understanding voice hygiene, vocal health, and the need for medical evaluation is not just for the professionals. A singer in high school choir with an upcoming performance can also be experiencing voice issues. Whether the concern is a lasting voice problem following a cold or a long term voice concern, seeking medical care is always the smartest course of action. The sooner a singer gets proper evaluation and guidance, the better the chances of preventing …show more content…

Adolescents form vocal habits that they will carry with them for years to come all the way into adulthood. This is why it is so important that their teachers understand their gradual vocal development and how to prevent damaging habits. These habits, overtime, can damage the voice and cause vocal disorders later in life. Certain styles of singing appear to have a higher rate of development of vocal nodules. Styles such as rock, jazz, gospel, and most popular music where the singing is basically shouting. Vocal nodules are formed by excess pressure on the vocal folds. There have not been many studies on how different singing styles affect the adolescent voice. The most frequent disorder for middle school, high school, and adolescents is the development of vocal fold nodules. Even though they are small, these bilateral growths appear on the external mucosa and can result in a breathy and hoarse voice, and can become chronic over time and can not begin to heal until the abuse stops. It is also incredibly important that this is treated by a professional since mistreatment can result in even more damage. The most dangerous time for vocal development is during the "growth spurt" between the ages of 10-18 in females and 12-20

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