Vocalist.org archive


Date sent: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 05:30:06 EST
Subject: Coughing
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

COUGHING/CLEARING YOUR THROAT
A really weird question too is there a different way to cough that singers
use? An opera singer told me about 10 years ago that she opens her throat
and simply pushes air through making sure not to cough using a glottal
attack.. Is there any credence to this? Also, I have a dear friend that has
a beautiful lyric tenor voice but he habitually clears his throat (sounds
like he's saying "ahem", but not quite). Is this just a bad habit or does it
have no affect on your voice? I always thought coughing could "toughen" your
vocal folds and eventually have a detrimental effect on your long term vocal
sound. He has such a beautiful voice, I'd hate to think that habit is
actually hurting his voice, rather than just being an annoyance.

Thanks!