Health Corner: On That Note by Lydia Harris, RN CCM DTM Protecting Your Sound: How Melodious Vocalists and Wind Instrumentalists Can Prevent Injury
Being a career vocalist or wind instrumentalist requires strength, stamina, and care to express emotion through sound. In addition, singing and playing wind instruments can impact the body of a professional entertainer, positively and negatively. Vocalists require a wide vocal range and volume, but if done incorrectly or excessively, they can experience vocal fatigue, soreness, and damage to the vocal cords. The proper vocal technique involves adequate posture, breath, and projection. When singing, it is essential to stand or sit with a straight back, with the shoulders relaxed and the chin tucked in, slightly. During inhalation, the stomach should expand, and the chest should rise, and during exhalation, the stomach should contract, and the chest should fall. Proper vocalization uses comfortable vocal register, pitch,
volume, and diction. In addition, a vocalist must use articulation, vibrato, and phrasing to add emotion and expression to the sound. The wind instrumentalist risks physical strain on the neck, shoulders, and arms due to extended periods of practice and the potential for developing carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive motion injuries. While playing an instrument, physical movements require coordination, dexterity, stamina, strength, and attention to posture that may lead to fatigue and muscle soreness from physical strain and repetitive injuries to the neck, shoulders, and arms from extensive practice. Incorrect technique or excessive practice can injure the muscles and joints of the neck and the upper body can be overworked and strained. Proper instrumental technique for brass and woodwind musicians requires adequate posture, breathing, and embouchure. When playing, it is essential to stand or sit with a straight back, with the shoulders relaxed and the chin tucked in, slightly. For proper breathing, you must inhale through the mouth, fill the lungs with air, and exhale through the nose. The embouchure is how the lips and mouth are positioned to produce a sound. It should be relaxed and consistent. Proper technique involves correct fingerings, articulation, and dynamics to create a desired sound. Exercises include arm circles, shoulder rolls and shrugs,
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neck rolls, deep breathing, and stretching the neck, shoulders, and arms. Vocal exercises include lip trills, breathy hums, mouth yoga, lip buzzes, and scales. To minimize the adverse effects of singing and playing woodwind and brass instruments, learn and execute proper vocal and instrumental techniques, take regular breaks, and avoid overplaying. It is essential to practice in a comfortable environment, with good posture and technique, and to warm up and cool down with exercises and stretches. Finally, avoid straining the voice that can lead to permanent damage. Vocal cord injury is diagnosed in a physical exam of the throat, head, and neck, in imaging tests, your medical history, and listening to breathing and vocalization sounds. Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs provide detailed images of the vocal folds, allowing for a precise diagnosis. Healthcare providers, specifically, otolaryngologists (ENT – ear, nose, throat doctors), examine the vocal cords and their vibration by Laryngoscopy and Stroboscopy. Both involve the insertion of a tube through the nose and mouth to visualize the area. Normal vocal cords comprise two bands of muscle and vibratory tissue inside the larynx or voice box. The edges of the vocal cords come together when a person produces sound, creating vibration and resonance. Lesions (nodules, polyps, cysts) on your vocal cords can change your voice, making talking or singing difficult, or even painful.
