From: john schweinfurth
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: vocal fatigue
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hi Jacqueline & Stephanie:


> I am a voice instructor, piano teacher, dancercize teacher,
> singer,writer and co own my own business with my best friend.
> Fatigue can happen to everyone. Currently we teach 6 days a week and run
our boutique/gift shop as well. I have approx. 50 private students as well
as classes in drama and dancercize which means that I have to use my voice
in one way or another for hours each day. I believe that
> the added talking on the phone or to customers in the store
> and the ordering of stock etc etc etc have begun to show.
> Jacqueline

I couldn't have picked a better example of someone who's at risk for vocal
injuries related to fatigue. The number one reason that performers get into
trouble is fatigue from overuse. Commonly, we see this in performers who
sudenly 'make the big time' and find that soon they are giving interviews
all day, singing on tour 5 nights/week, and talking after the show late at
night. For the vast majority of singers, there's only so much you can do.
It's true that there are 'iron larynges' out there that don't know the
meaning of the word, but for everyone else there's limits.

Everyone should know what their's are. Usually, when you feel fatigued,
it's time to stop. There are a few simple rules: Avoid talking after a
singing engagement, space out voice use so that there are spaces during the
day, and avoid high risk activities (speaking outdoors, in bars or noisy
places, in public without ampliication, on the phone for long periods).

The best (and most successful!) singers on tour are very 'religious' about
their voice use. Good examples are Celine Dion and the Cranberries (I can't
remember her name). They do not give interviews on tour and are careful
about vocal gymnastics during the show (screaming, grunts, growls, etc.).

Maybe too careful for some people, but you only have one voice!


John M. Schweinfurth, MD
Laryngology and Professional Voice Care
Assistant Professor
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
(615) 322-6180





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