Tire and Fatigue

[Silentfallacy08]

Hi, my name is Danielle. I'm new to the forum, and I found this site to be of a lot of help. I've been reading questions that others have posted, and I have learned a lot of new techniques. I've been singing for about seven years, and four with instruction. I am looking for any way to improve my technique and build upon what I've already learned. My first question is this:

Occasionally when I sing for extended periods of time, I feel air coming out of the back of my throat. This prevents me from being able to support the air coming out. I believe this has something to do with my epiglottis not properly shutting. I was wondering whether this was due to muscle fatigue, or something else. This also happens occasionally when I play the saxophone. Whether this is muscle fatigue or something else entirely, I was wondering if there was any way to correct this.

Thank you,

Danielle :)

[Steven Fraser]

Occasionally when I sing for extended periods of time, I feel air coming out of the back of my throat. This prevents me from being able to support the air coming out. I believe this has something to do with my epiglottis not properly shutting. I was wondering whether this was due to muscle fatigue, or something else. This also happens occasionally when I play the saxophone. Whether this is muscle fatigue or something else entirely, I was wondering if there was any way to correct this.

Hi, Danielle!

First, its not likely that your epiglottis involved in this. Glottis... maybe yes, epigottis... no.

Your comment about the saxophone may be a clue. To play a wind instrument, the soft palate has to go up to shut the velopharyngeal port, at the top of the back of the throat. If the soft palate drops in singing or playing, it changes the path the air takes out of your body. This might be what you are describing.

One way to test: say a 'p' consonant, like which begins the word 'pop'. If the dropping of the soft palate is the issue, you will have trouble saying the word.

Another possiblity, but just for singing or talking, is an issue with adduction... the bringing together of the vocal bands. If the adduction is incomplete, the singing will become very breathy. However, this motion has nothing to do with playing the sax... in fact, when you play, your vocal bands will not be together... your glottis will be wide open.

To correct... when you get tired, and this happens, take a rest. :)