Maintaining a singing voice...in ur 30's, 40's, 50's

[SusieP]

Your voice comes from how nature built you - your lungs, diaphragm, sinuses, nose, vocal chords etc and how they are built will determine what your voice will be like. It's up to you to hone it, perfect it and make the best of what you have.

In the "Rock'n'roll singers survival manual" the author Mark Baxter answers some questions - and someone asks, 'why is it some people are just natural singers?' and Mark says, in the same way that tall people make good basketball players. They are built that way.

The answer is look after your instrument and it will enjoy a long and healthy life.

Hey SusieP

Your comment about "how nature built you" is right on the money...all I could think of is Connie Francis - Her Record Co. made her get a nose job to appear "less ethnic"(!! )...

....and the result was devastating to her:

http://home.earthlink.net/~nuttbait/connie_francis.htm

"HER '60s LOOK: Ultra conservative, as per her strict Italian upbringing, Connie looked and dressed like the very parents some '60s rebels were rebelling against. She had thick, full, well-styled hair, lots of makeup, and a conservative attractiveness that was all safety and convention. In '67 she got a nose job, but she admitted it was botched and caused her to suffer permanent vocal damage. In the '70s she would have several operations hoping to repair her nose and her voice in an effort to regain the power and vocal range she'd had as a teen."

Didnt know that happened, Nora. Just goes to show, if nature gave you a big nose or a wide diaphragm.....DON'T BLOODY MESS WITH IT!!!!!

[brywool]

singing incorrectly for an extended period of time will fry your voice. Singing for an extended period of time (years) also seems to cause problems. There are great singers, who sing well that have had problems (Perry, Mercury, Streisand, Augeri, Andrews, Parton, Sting, etc.).
Booze, Coke, Smokes, speaking incorrectly, speaking too much, etc. can ruin a voice.

Sing in your range for the most part. If it hurts, you're doing it wrong, this goes for practicing especially.
Don't overwork your voice trying to warm it up. Don't sing before your voice is ready. Warm up before
gigs, warm down after gigs.

Supposedly, singing a little bit every day is good for the voice in building it up. Not sure if I believe that the
voice can be 'built up' or not. I've done it for 30 years and I find that the more I practice (scales, lessons,
warm ups, etc.) during the week, the worse I am at shows. However, if I'm just singing with a guitar all
week, then playing my weekend gigs, everything is dandy.

It's a crapshoot and everyone's voice is different.

McCartney, though his voice doesn't have the warmth that it did back in the 60s is still a great rock voice today and he's 65 friggin' years old. I saw him do Helter Skelter on his last tour in the original key and I was amazed that he could still pull it off. He doesn't take lessons or anything and was a big smoker and pot user for a long time.

I think a lot of singers, depending on where they most use their voices can burn out 'parts' of their voice. I did a show with Loverboy last year and it seemed that Mike Reno's middle voice was gone. He had lows. He had highs. But his middle range he was having difficulty with.

So, stay in school, don't do drugs...

[JH'sTXfan]

I'm really glad you explained that. I had no idea. BTW, you are an awesome vocalist.

Thank you for the compliment... I can only hope that I make the right connections and find the musicians and management I need to do what Susie is doing... making a living from her music...

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

You kinda snuck that link in there. Totally missed it the first time. Thank you for letting us listen to you, you are very good, ya know?

[Melissa]

Your "true" vocal cords are actually ligaments, but there are folds of mucous membranes that sit above them sometimes called "false" vocal cords.

Melissa, thank you for adding that piece... the ligament you're speaking of is called the 'Ventricular Ligament' and is not the entire vocal cord itself, rather a piece of it... here's another Wikipedia article to peruse...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_chords

(As posts over forums can sometimes be misconstrued, I meant this post in a serious conversational way and not to be demeaning or know-it-all...)

Please let me know if you have other information... I'm all abotu learning new things...

Just remembering what I was taught when learning how to put endotracheal tubes down people's throats, lol. That whole area is very complex & it's interesting to read how singers use their voices, thanks for the info

[JourneySinger]

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

I couldn't agree more Susie... that is why I have recently formed 'Chain Reaction - A Tribute to Journey'. The Tribute bands make a decent livign and you're right... compared to a 9 to 5 job, EVEN working in the Information Technology field (computers), I'd rather be singing...

It's good to know there are kindred spirits on these forums...

[JourneySinger]

Just remembering what I was taught when learning how to put endotracheal tubes down people's throats, lol. That whole area is very complex & it's interesting to read how singers use their voices, thanks for the info

Wow! Endotrachael Tubes?!?! Now that's a lot more fascinating than singing....

Are you a doctor Melissa?

[TRAGChick]

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

Understatement of the YEAR!! LOL

[JourneySinger]

Have you read the Mark Baxter book I quoted from? It's quite an interesting read.
A lot of it you'll know already but there are lots of bits about vocal folds and chords and all that stuff.
May be worth you having a look at it, if you aren't already familiar with it.

I haven't but you've peaked my curiousity... I guess I'm gonna have to hit Borders this weekend...

thanks for the info!

[Melissa]

Just remembering what I was taught when learning how to put endotracheal tubes down people's throats, lol. That whole area is very complex & it's interesting to read how singers use their voices, thanks for the info

Wow! Endotrachael Tubes?!?! Now that's a lot more fascinating than singing....

Are you a doctor Melissa?

LOL- nope, just a nurse

[SusieP]

I'm really glad you explained that. I had no idea. BTW, you are an awesome vocalist.

Thank you for the compliment... I can only hope that I make the right connections and find the musicians and management I need to do what Susie is doing... making a living from her music...

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

You kinda snuck that link in there. Totally missed it the first time. Thank you for letting us listen to you, you are very good, ya know?

Sneaky ain't I???

Thanks for the comments.

[SusieP]

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

I couldn't agree more Susie... that is why I have recently formed 'Chain Reaction - A Tribute to Journey'. The Tribute bands make a decent livign and you're right... compared to a 9 to 5 job, EVEN working in the Information Technology field (computers), I'd rather be singing...

It's good to know there are kindred spirits on these forums...

Oh the kindred spirits are here, and we eventually find each other.
That's why I'm still posting, because to me, this forum is about more than Journey. It's about getting to know people with similar taste in music and varied opinions about...well, everything!!!! And you learn stuff too. There's always somebody who knows something you don't.

Good Luck with the Tribute band.

[SusieP]

Just remembering what I was taught when learning how to put endotracheal tubes down people's throats, lol. That whole area is very complex & it's interesting to read how singers use their voices, thanks for the info

Wow! Endotrachael Tubes?!?! Now that's a lot more fascinating than singing....

Are you a doctor Melissa?

LOL- nope, just a nurse

HEY! What's with the "JUST"????
Saying you are "JUST a nurse" undermines what you do, and nurses are vital and very very important.
Don't play yourself down, Melissa. No no no no.

[JH'sTXfan]

Just remembering what I was taught when learning how to put endotracheal tubes down people's throats, lol. That whole area is very complex & it's interesting to read how singers use their voices, thanks for the info

Wow! Endotrachael Tubes?!?! Now that's a lot more fascinating than singing....

Are you a doctor Melissa?

LOL- nope, just a nurse

HEY! What's with the "JUST"????
Saying you are "JUST a nurse" undermines what you do, and nurses are vital and very very important.
Don't play yourself down, Melissa. No no no no.

No kidding. I have several friends who are nurses. I've seen what they studied when they were getting their degrees.
I admire it so much, the energy and empathy needed to carry out a job like that. Talk about underappreciated.

[Moon Beam]

Oh the kindred spirits are here, and we eventually find each other.
That's why I'm still posting, because to me, this forum is about more than Journey. It's about getting to know people with similar taste in music and varied opinions about...well, everything!!!! And you learn stuff too. There's always somebody who knows something you don't.

Well worded and I agree lady, glad you post here.

[JH'sTXfan]

I'm really glad you explained that. I had no idea. BTW, you are an awesome vocalist.

Thank you for the compliment... I can only hope that I make the right connections and find the musicians and management I need to do what Susie is doing... making a living from her music...

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

You kinda snuck that link in there. Totally missed it the first time. Thank you for letting us listen to you, you are very good, ya know?

Sneaky ain't I???

Thanks for the comments.

SusieP,
I checked your profile to see if you have a website, do have any other songs? Send us some more if you got 'em.

[larryfromnextdoor]

singing incorrectly for an extended period of time will fry your voice..................................................................... , speaking too much, etc.
can ruin a voice.
...

bry,, if this statement was correct then there would be very few women over the age of 25
that would still be able to sing in key,, ..AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHAHAHAHHAHa

[JH'sTXfan]

singing incorrectly for an extended period of time will fry your voice..................................................................... , speaking too much, etc.
can ruin a voice.
...

bry,, if this statement was correct then there would be very few women over the age of 25
that would still be able to sing in key,, ..AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHAHAHAHHAHa

That was too damn funny!

[SusieP]

Oh the kindred spirits are here, and we eventually find each other.
That's why I'm still posting, because to me, this forum is about more than Journey. It's about getting to know people with similar taste in music and varied opinions about...well, everything!!!! And you learn stuff too. There's always somebody who knows something you don't.

Well worded and I agree lady, glad you post here.

See what I mean and everybody is so nice!Thanks MoonBeam.
I enjoy reading your posts too.
Oh and BTW I was looking at that 'pics of us' thread and saw you 'all prettied up' as you called it, WOW!!! You look lovely!
Very glamourous indeed.

[JH'sTXfan]

Thanks for the comments.

SusieP,
I checked your profile to see if you have a website, do have any other songs? Send us some more if you got 'em.

SusieP,
You may have missed my previous post. So I'm resending it. Want more of your music...if you have some please post 'em.
Thanks,
Marie

[strangegrey]

I'm not sure this has been mentioned, but Genetics come into play here as well....and you'll see comparisons with baseball pitchers.

There are some singers that can drink and smoke their whole lives, eat whatever they want just before going out on stage, sing 5 nights a week for 20 years...and not have a single problem. There are other singers that need to maintain a strict diet, abstinence from smoking and drinking, not sing on anything less than a specific number of days rest...

Most singers fall into the middle of that. They might be able to smoke a little, drink a little, sing 4 nights a week, 5 if they're careful. Jon Bon Jovi has admitted to being a casual smoker and drinker...and his voice has held up over the years....with help from Katie Agresta, his singing coach.


I used to play with a guy that would literally, suck down a milkshake before he sang 3 sets. Although common practice is to avoid milk products prior to singing for some reason that I can't remember, he claimed that the milkshake coated his throat and let him scream without hurting himself. strange...

I used to play with another guy that would literally drink a tea, vinegar, honey and cough syrup concoction before each performance...and he would claim this particular crap would help his voice through the night. I thought he was full of shit...but hell, whatever works for ya.

[BobbyinTN]

Well, being a singer myself and having just turned 41, it ain't easy keeping it, especially trying to sound like you did at 20. I love how my voice has matured and gotten a little lower and little scratchier.

I think the biggest mistake that a singer can make is thinking they can sing 5, 6, 7 nights a week, full force and not affect anything. I honestly believe that's what happened to Steve Perry's voice and to Augeri's too. Too much touring will kill your chords.

If you know who John Farnham is, you'll know he's in his mid to late 50's and still sings INCREDIBLY well. Know why? He doesn't tour all the time. Ann Wilson is the same way. Heart tours a few months in the summer and that's it.

The lead singer of Air Supply, Russell Hitchcock, his voice has really changed, and I believe it's just too much touring.

Another thing singers should remember, you don't have to hit every high note in every song, and you definitely don't have to sing everything in the original key.

I have a MYSPACE page.

All the songs on that page have been recorded in the last few years, and while I may not be Steve Perry, by taking care of my voice, I've managed to keep most of my range and a lot of my clarity and the big notes.

Oh, I'm new here, so if we're not supposed to link to our sites, I apologize.

Peace!

[strangegrey]

Another thing singers should remember, you don't have to hit every high note in every song, and you definitely don't have to sing everything in the original key.

Given the challenge it is to sing the Journey catalog, it still baffles me that Augeri and Jeff either weren't allowed or opted to not sing this stuff just a 1/2 step down. Singing just half a step down over the course of a 5-6 year period could give a singer at least a few more years before damage sets in. There are *plenty* of bands out there that do it...no one except the bastards that have perfect pitch (can you sense the jealousy?) would ever know.

[SusieP]

I'm really glad you explained that. I had no idea. BTW, you are an awesome vocalist.

Thank you for the compliment... I can only hope that I make the right connections and find the musicians and management I need to do what Susie is doing... making a living from her music...

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

You kinda snuck that link in there. Totally missed it the first time. Thank you for letting us listen to you, you are very good, ya know?

Sneaky ain't I???

Thanks for the comments.

SusieP,
I checked your profile to see if you have a website, do have any other songs? Send us some more if you got 'em.

No website, sorry. But our Agent has one - this is for our current show which is mainly 80's at the moment. That's what sells here right now. http://www.bigwigents.com/entertainment ... _kaos.html Their vocal clip sounds a bit jumpy - but, you can hear that song from one of my links if you want to.

And I don't have many songs - but I will put up what I have for you - all Ballads really and all a bit similar, but I hope to have some more up tempo stuff recorded soon. I can 'rock' but for some reason I never got round to recording anything other than the so called 'soothing' stuff.
Some have been posted up before - so apologies to those who have heard 'em before.

I'll do 'I can't make you love me' again, too in case that link has expired.


Open Arms - http://www.mailbigfile.com/b8495c6f9f4a ... tFiles.php

Love Letters - http://www.mailbigfile.com/2b2f42074996 ... tFiles.php

Baby Can I Hold You Tonight - http://www.mailbigfile.com/73176c276fd9 ... tFiles.php

....and for those who missed it,
I Can't Make You Love Me - http://www.mailbigfile.com/1135fbdd09c2 ... tFiles.php


Hope you all like 'em.

[larryfromnextdoor]

You can hear my voice at http://www.myspace.com/bobbysmusicplace

dang dude,, you look like william peterson!!

[JH'sTXfan]

I'm really glad you explained that. I had no idea. BTW, you are an awesome vocalist.

Thank you for the compliment... I can only hope that I make the right connections and find the musicians and management I need to do what Susie is doing... making a living from her music...

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

You kinda snuck that link in there. Totally missed it the first time. Thank you for letting us listen to you, you are very good, ya know?

Sneaky ain't I???

Thanks for the comments.

SusieP,
I checked your profile to see if you have a website, do have any other songs? Send us some more if you got 'em.

No website, sorry. But our Agent has one - this is for our current show which is mainly 80's at the moment. That's what sells here right now. http://www.bigwigents.com/entertainment ... _kaos.html Their vocal clip sounds a bit jumpy - but, you can hear that song from one of my links if you want to.

And I don't have many songs - but I will put up what I have for you - all Ballads really and all a bit similar, but I hope to have some more up tempo stuff recorded soon. I can 'rock' but for some reason I never got round to recording anything other than the so called 'soothing' stuff.
Some have been posted up before - so apologies to those who have heard 'em before.

I'll do 'I can't make you love me' again, too in case that link has expired.


Open Arms - http://www.mailbigfile.com/b8495c6f9f4a ... tFiles.php

Love Letters - http://www.mailbigfile.com/2b2f42074996 ... tFiles.php

Baby Can I Hold You Tonight - http://www.mailbigfile.com/73176c276fd9 ... tFiles.php

....and for those who missed it,
I Can't Make You Love Me - http://www.mailbigfile.com/1135fbdd09c2 ... tFiles.php


Hope you all like 'em.

Hey, you can't help it, I twisted your arm. I've always wanted to hear a female vocalist do a Journey tune. That rocks!
Thanks for the links.
Marie

[JH'sTXfan]

You can hear my voice at http://www.myspace.com/bobbysmusicplace

I'm pretty busy right now, alternating between listening to Bobby and Susie. Good thing I'm on vacation this week.
Love you both! I'm impressed.
Marie

[SusieP]

I'm really glad you explained that. I had no idea. BTW, you are an awesome vocalist.

Thank you for the compliment... I can only hope that I make the right connections and find the musicians and management I need to do what Susie is doing... making a living from her music...

Like I say, look after your instrument and it will serve you well.
To make our living at it we had to go down the covers route, however, but, I made a choice, do a 9 to 5 job and be unhappy, or sing covers and be content.
I chose the latter.
Tougher to make a living at it when doing original stuff, though.

You kinda snuck that link in there. Totally missed it the first time. Thank you for letting us listen to you, you are very good, ya know?

Sneaky ain't I???

Thanks for the comments.

SusieP,
I checked your profile to see if you have a website, do have any other songs? Send us some more if you got 'em.

No website, sorry. But our Agent has one - this is for our current show which is mainly 80's at the moment. That's what sells here right now. http://www.bigwigents.com/entertainment ... _kaos.html Their vocal clip sounds a bit jumpy - but, you can hear that song from one of my links if you want to.

And I don't have many songs - but I will put up what I have for you - all Ballads really and all a bit similar, but I hope to have some more up tempo stuff recorded soon. I can 'rock' but for some reason I never got round to recording anything other than the so called 'soothing' stuff.
Some have been posted up before - so apologies to those who have heard 'em before.

I'll do 'I can't make you love me' again, too in case that link has expired.


Open Arms - http://www.mailbigfile.com/b8495c6f9f4a ... tFiles.php

Love Letters - http://www.mailbigfile.com/2b2f42074996 ... tFiles.php

Baby Can I Hold You Tonight - http://www.mailbigfile.com/73176c276fd9 ... tFiles.php

....and for those who missed it,
I Can't Make You Love Me - http://www.mailbigfile.com/1135fbdd09c2 ... tFiles.php


Hope you all like 'em.

Hey, you can't help it, I twisted your arm. I've always wanted to hear a female vocalist do a Journey tune. That rocks!
Thanks for the links.
Marie

[SusieP]

Well, being a singer myself and having just turned 41, it ain't easy keeping it, especially trying to sound like you did at 20. I love how my voice has matured and gotten a little lower and little scratchier.

I think the biggest mistake that a singer can make is thinking they can sing 5, 6, 7 nights a week, full force and not affect anything. I honestly believe that's what happened to Steve Perry's voice and to Augeri's too. Too much touring will kill your chords.

If you know who John Farnham is, you'll know he's in his mid to late 50's and still sings INCREDIBLY well. Know why? He doesn't tour all the time. Ann Wilson is the same way. Heart tours a few months in the summer and that's it.

The lead singer of Air Supply, Russell Hitchcock, his voice has really changed, and I believe it's just too much touring.

Another thing singers should remember, you don't have to hit every high note in every song, and you definitely don't have to sing everything in the original key.

You can hear my voice at http://www.myspace.com/bobbysmusicplace

All the songs on that page have been recorded in the last few years, and while I may not be Steve Perry, by taking care of my voice, I've managed to keep most of my range and a lot of my clarity and the big notes.

Oh, I'm new here, so if we're not supposed to link to our sites, I apologize.

Peace!

Bobby those clips are beautiful.
Very impressed. Thanks for sharing.

[tammy]

Maybe JSS or Jeremey can chime in here...How is it that some singers lose their voices and others don't as men get older?

Why don't you ask Peter?

LOL!

[BobbyinTN]

You can hear my voice at http://www.myspace.com/bobbysmusicplace

dang dude,, you look like william peterson!!

Well thanks. He's pretty good lookin'.