For many many years (decades) I was a guitar player who never sang. Then I wanted to perform some of the songs I wrote, so started singing them. I got out and performed a fair amount, played a couple of festivals, had a weekly gig, played in lots of places, recorded a fair amount - and realized I wasn't really singing as well as I should. So I started to learn how to sing 'properly.'
Took lessons in person, via skype and online courses. Got better projection (still not great but better), sang in tune more consistently, a lot more knowledge about getting better tone, breathing, and things were improving.
However I could no longer sing more than about once a month. Every time I sing, I wind up not being able to sing well for a month.
I'm not really pushing (I have at times because of bad PA, loud band, etc) and I'm trying to do the techniques I've learned and spent many many hours practicing.
The more I warm up, the less time I can actually perform. I'm down to about an hour and a half now, when doing well.
I've had my throat checked - it's fine, but did find out I have low level allergies and swollen nodes in my nose. But anti-histamines and nasal irrigation really don't help.
I did make progress with a really expensive (to me) vocal coach from New York, but doing the exercises he gave me doesn't seem to help - I guess I'm just not doing them right without more coaching. Over the last couple of years I've probably spent upwards of $2000 to 'fix' my voice - but no joy that lasts for more than a day. And I'm out of money for any more lessons.
I've been told a lot of things by people who have never had to deal with an issue like this - and none of it helps, most makes it worse.
And even when I can sing well, I still don't have a 'commanding' voice like a lot of singers I've worked with, I don't have the projection or the tonality that people seem to want to hear. The most compliments I've gotten were when I was doing solo and was singing in a more breathy way - and I was able to sing a lot more back then. Now, it's just bland singing that is technically a bit better than when I sang (non breathy) before but not as interesting. I can't seem to get back there and I'm certainly not thriving trying to go forward.
I formed a band a while ago and finally decided to have someone else sing my tunes - great singer, except he wouldn't or couldn't sing many of my songs, and the nature of the band changed because I was 'no longer in charge' and we wound up breaking up last week.
I know this is a long ranting post, I'm sorry for the novel.
I guess what I'd like is to hear from someone who's had a similar situation and what helped them.
Neil
PS - This video is one of my favourite at least in a tonality perspective, projection was good for me, but kind of flat performance though.