Is There a Cure for the "Wobbles"?

Q: Help! Is there anything I can do to reduce excessive vibrato when I sing? ~60 Years Young

A: In some cases, unwanted vibrato is related to a pathologic issue, like paresis (muscle weakness) in the larynx. Trying to compensate for that weakness can create a wobble. More often, a problematic vibrato is related to poor vocal conditioning, ineffective technique, inappropriate tension in the vocal system or a combination of the all of these.

More efficient and consistent breath support, and singing with a better balance in the resonance (forward "mask" resonance verses "back space") are helpful, but it is often essential to get guidance in how to apply those techniques. If you love to sing and you have a vibrato that's getting worse, then you need to work with a teacher.

What do I mean by "voice conditioning"?

Voice conditioning refers to the strengthening and coordination of muscle groups as well all body systems related to voice production. This means work on breath support, appropriate relaxation and posture, finding a balanced resonance and applying it all to scale and music. You can't really accomplish that by singing just once a week. In the same way that you would not expect your tennis or golf game to improve without regular practice, your voice also needs more regular exercise.

The "use-it-or-lose-it" concept becomes even more real as we get older. We need to work to stay in shape. You can accomplish this with daily vocal exercises on your own at least three or four times a week. Voice lessons can also be a tremendously helpful.

It's important to remember basic vocal hygiene, particularly hydration and sleep. The more sleep you get and the better hydrated you are, the easier it will be to sing.

How can I recognize tension in my voice?

That's a tricky question because singing involves muscle engagement. So where is the line between enough muscle engagement and too much? With the help of a teacher, a singer can develop a kinesthetic awareness of when there is unwanted tension in the throat or anywhere in the body while singing. Being able to self-monitor areas of unwanted tension is essential to having a long and enjoyable singing life. But this is really more quickly learned through one-on-one work with a teacher.