What is a vocal nodule? How can singing cause them? What if you have one?
Nodules can be prevented. Inside this video I’ll explain what they are, how you get them, how to avoid them and what to do if you think you have one.
What is a nodule? How did it get there? and what should I do about it? How can I prevent it?
What is a Vocal Nodule – Definition of Nodules
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines nodules.
Nodules are most frequently caused by vocal abuse or misuse.
- allergies
- smoking
- tense muscles
- Singing (Incorrectly)
- coaching
- cheerleading
- talking loudly
- drinking caffeine and alcohol (dries out the throat and vocal cords)
Nodules on your vocal cords interrupts the free vibration of the vocal cords. Imagine doing bubble lips with two bumps on your lips, one exactly opposite each other. It’s very hard to get your lips to continue bubbling. [Demo]
With the vocal cords, if you can keep them vibrating, you can hear the sound of air escaping because the nodules cause an air leak as they bump together.
It’s like a callus on each cord bumping into each other. You feel hoarse, scratchy, breathy.
Here’s a youtube clip of Loucey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDVYpu6pXcc
Here’s another clip of a young female singing with nodules.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQ3rRPR9Ns
Here’s the Scope of a 15 year old female. You can see the nodules on the edges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBfohkGQQbw
If the nodule is soft, vocal rest and rehab will usually heal the cords and eliminate the nodules.
If the nodule is hard, surgery is often required.
How can singing give you nodules?
Generally it has to do with singing incorrectly. [Demo]
Professional singers on tour with heavy schedules are especially at risk. They sing until late. Up early to be interviewed at the radio. The voice get’s tired and overworked.
If they have poor vocal technique combined with physical and vocal fatigue, it’s possible to develop nodules. Chronically Pulling Chest Voice, screaming, yelling, singing too loud; any one of these bad vocal habits can cause nodules.
Also, singing sick can give you nodules.
In singing technique, what’s the most important thing a singer can do to prevent nodules?
One, learn good technique. Sing with a balanced voice. Learn to bridge. This means to sing from chest to head and back without pulling chest voice and without the larynx rising. This is done with an ideal balance between the air and vocal cords.
By learning to sing in and through the bridges of the voice, your vocal cords will make the proper adjustments as you transition between between chest, middle and head voice. There will be little or no external muscle tension. The vocal cords will develop their own intrinsic power.
Two, don’t sing sick
Pulling chest voice means that you are reaching for the high notes and squeezing with a rising larynx. It’s very common because too often that’s the way we learn to hit high notes. But it can lead to real problems with the voice. For example, I’m just going to do a scale incorrectly.
[Demo] Correctly would be more like this. [Demo]
Pulled Chest – High Larynx is one of the vocal types. Do you know your vocal type? Go to PowerToSing.com and take the vocal test, which I call the PowerTest.
Take the quiz and discover your vocal type. Then visit the Knowledge Center and watch the videos about your vocal type.
Download the free exercises for your vocal type and start improving your voice today.
What if you have a Nodule?
If you think you have a vocal nodule, go see the ENT doctor ASAP. Don’t keep singing.
I’m not a doctor and I’m not qualified to give you a diagnosis nor medical advice. See a doctor and find out for sure what’s going on with your voice. They’ll be able to help you.
Once you’re diagnosed and released by the doctor to begin rehabilitating your voice, then I can help you.
I’m Chuck Gilmore with Power To Sing. You can sing higher with beauty, confidence and power. I’ll see you inside the next video.
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