What do vocal nodules/nodes feel like?

[Darren]

I'm afraid that I may have them. My voice doesn't sound particularly hoarse, and my chest voice sounds fine, but when I try singing above the break my folds...come apart I guess. It goes from a smooth sound to squawking. In addition, my folds often have a rough feeling even when speaking or singing lower notes. The problem hits specifically above F4 and at "hee" sounds. The rough feeling in my throat has me worried, although I sound fine for the most part. Maybe it's sickness/dryness?

[Jens]

Or maybe it's your passagio? You know most guys who are not trained singer experience the break/crack/voice being all over the place above f4

[Darren]

It's not the passagio break. It's usually a few notes above it that I lose control.

[Nicogratouille]

The problem hits specifically above F4 and at "hee" sounds.

The 'h' makes you want to blow more air, thus making it hard to keep your cords together.

Nick

[Validar]

If you strongly suspect you have nodes, you would be better off seeing an ENT doctor than asking questions here. No one here can diagnose you. So, make an appointment. You may very well not have them, and having it confirmed by the doctor will give you peace of mind.

[ronws]

It's not the passagio break. It's usually a few notes above it that I lose control.

How do you know where your passaggio is?

And, on the rough feeling at low notes, which low notes would that be?

[Darren]

My passagio is around f4. It flips around here if I let it, although I can manage a good g4 some days. When I'm not warmed it I can flip as early as e4. That e-g range is always problematic, but I'm talking about a4-b4 in particular, well above passagio. These notes are where I fall apart with Ys and Hs. It's not so bad when I'm not trying to sound strong, but I just can't maintain proper vocal tract shape, good support, and the consonant at the same time.

The lower notes are anything in chest voice. I'm not completely hoarse, but it feels like the air isn't passing through properly, giving it a rough feeling.

It's been getting better since yesterday, but I've had this strange problem many times already.

[srs7593]

A4-B4 or even C5 is not exactly in the clear. That's where my voice tends to crack a lot. Your "problem" sounds very familiar to me and probably most of us on TMV.

Speaking strictly for myself, I personally view the passaggio as being able to occur anywhere between D4 and Bb4. I can "belt" up to Bb4 (avoid this), so I know that I may still be quite actively coordinating TA and CT in that range. At C5, it's either head voice, falsetto, or not C5. But A4-B4 is funky.

Also, most singers don't use "hee" sounds in that range in pop or rock. Generally, "ee" vowels get modified to "ay," "ih," or "eh." There are exceptions, but usually it's not totally a pure "ee." Perhaps experiment with modifying this vowel. Vowels aren't always "this-or-that."

[Validar]

Generally, "ee" vowels get modified to "ay," "ih," or "eh." There are exceptions, but usually it's not totally a pure "ee."

Here's one of those exceptions at the 0:47 mark. On the word "dreams". Not the most pleasant sound in the world, but I dig the song.

[srs7593]

Here's someone who sings the ever-loving *snot* out of them. (I consider this to be a pure "ee"). The singer from Vain either has the back of his tongue too high or his soft palate too low on them imo.

But this is a little off topic. To bring us back, Darren, do you form your "ee" vowels more like Carl Anderson or Davy Vain? The vowel shape itself will make a huuuuge difference if it is not currently cutting it the way it is.

[Darren]

The vowels are no problem. But when I add consonants, I lose coordination and the sound can be terrible depending on the word.