Chapter Summary: As a voice teacher it is important to understand the many vocal problems that may occur, so that you can prevent them. The main proponent of vocal pathologies is hyperfunction (too much). It is important to keep both speaking and singing voice healthy.
Characteristics of Hyperfunction: singing too loudly, using the voice too long, pushing with breath, straining for high notes, squeezing for low notes, tension in the shoulders, posture too rigid, breathing too high, breathing too low, tension in neck muscles, tension in muscles of articulation, distortion of facial muscles, carrying low voice too high, too much overall use of voice, faulty speaking habits, imitation of poor voice models, trying for too much sound with young voices, and trying to sing difficult music before technically ready.
Characteristics of Hypofunction: not enough breath to finish normal phrases, tone lacks carrying power, the breathy quality can actually be heard(like whispering), notes give out in the middle of the range, excessive breathiness in high tones, excessive breathiness in low tones, loss of air in consonants, psychological factors.
Laryngitis can become chronic with poor voice usage. Edema is a swelling of the tissues covering the surface of the vocal folds due to retention of excess fluids, Polyps and nodules can be compared to blisters or corns on the VF's. We must be careful with young singers to develop healthy voice habits so they don't develop voice pathologies. There are many other vocal problems that can stem from hypofunction or hyperfunction. These pathologies shouldn't be diagnosed by a voice teacher, but rather they should be referred to a physician.
Key Terms: hyperfuntion, hypofunction, edema, polyps, and nodules,
Key Concepts: Over use or under use of the voice can cause many vocal problems. It is important to have knowledge of these so that as teachers we can recognize them and identify characteristics of them.
Making Connections: I am memorizing the hyperfunction list so that I can be aware in my practice, of not making things happen. I need to focus on think, let, trust.
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