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Shania Twain’s Vocal Comeback


In The Vocal Injury 101 Series, Megan Gloss shows how you can avoid vocal injuries that affect popular singers.

Case: Shania Twain
Diagnosis: Dysphonia

In the early 2000s, country superstar Shania Twain was at the top of her game.

She had four multi-platinum-selling albums and was ranked as one of the biggest selling female recording artists of all time, making and breaking records with hits like “Come On Over,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” “You’re Still the One” and “From this Moment On.”

And, she possessed one of the most > read more

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Good Speaking, Good Singing.


Why should singers be concerned with how they talk?

Speech-language therapist, Sue M. Jones, spends much of her time talking to vocalists about singing.

Actually, she is talking to them about talking – the impact of speaking habits on the > read more

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Why Singers Need Water


Make sure your voice is reaches its peak performance –says Shelagh Davies

Bright lights, dry air and hours of singing add up to one thing:

the need for singers to drink lots of water.

Shelagh Davies, a Speech-Language Pathologist, urges singers to be “well hydrated” and explains the special > read more

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John Mayer’s Vocal Challenge


In The Vocal Injury 101 Series, Megan Gloss shows how you can avoid vocal injuries that affect popular singers.

Case: John Mayer
Diagnosis: Granuloma

Vocal injuries aren’t always the result of poor singing technique, strain or fatigue.

In some cases, they can be brought on by trauma, irritation or result from other illnesses.

Such was the case when rocker John Mayer was forced to cancel two concerts in September 2011 and postpone the release of his album, “Born and Raised.” The cause: Doctors had discovered a > read more

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Adele’s Vocal Challenge


The Vocal Injury 101 Series: Megan Gloss shows how you can avoid vocal injuries that affect popular singers.

Case: Adele
Diagnosis: Vocal chord hemorrhage

The news broke in early October.

British songstress Adele was forced to cancel her 10-city, sold-out North American tour on the heels of wrapping up her tour in the U.K.

Renowned for her powerful vocal deliveries and live performances of soulful tunes like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You,” Adele was advised that this extended vocal rest period would help her recover.

For, doctors had diagnosed her with a > read more

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Has Adele Been A Bad Girl?


All gigging singers can empathize with and learn from Adele –says Kathy Alexander

She used to smoke. She has bad talking habits. Is Adele responsible for wrecking her own voice?

One thing is for sure: blaming the singer with aloof accusations can ignore the big picture.

Adele Adkins is, after all, a gifted and driven young artist who is paying a price for her high performance standards and a relentless schedule.

Even with perfect training and health, it’s a lot to > read more

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The Specialists You Need


“Would you ask an otorhinolaryngologist to teach you a blues riff?” –asks Kathy Alexander

No, your otorhinolaryngologist can’t teach you a blues riff, but she can tell you if there are nodes on your vocal cords.

Your speech-language pathologist can tell you if you put them there.

What about those cool riffs you want to learn? Try a vocal coach.

There are throngs of > read more

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Singing When Sick


The show can still go on – but don’t make singing when ill a habit -says Dr. Jahn

Dear Doctor Jahn,

When I have a bad cough and sore throat, I know I shouldn’t sing, but what if I have a gig I can’t get out of? What can I do to minimize harm to my voice?

-Steve

Dear Steve,

While there are many potential causes for a sore throat and another bunch of causes for a cough; when the two occur together, you most likely have an > read more

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Dream On – Switched Off?


Steven Tyler’s high impact singing reveals essentials about vocal health –says Megan Gloss.

In The Vocal Injury 101 Series Megan Gloss shows how you can avoid vocal injuries that affect popular singers.

Case: Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler
Diagnosis: Popped vocal cord blood vessel

Six months into Aerosmith’s “Rockin’ the Joint” tour in 2005, the legendary Steve Tyler’s distinctive voice fell raspy, shrill and hoarse.

Now Tyler was opened wide on a > read more

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Water is My Cure-All


Singing and ice-skating have something important in common –says Dr. Jahn

Dear Doctor Jahn,

Would you say that water is the closest thing we have to a “cure-all” when it comes to singing? I mean, I do a lot of singing in bars and clubs and I drink a LOT of water and I really haven’t had issues that other questioners have(hoarseness, sore-throats etc.)

-Gus

Dear Gus,

Since our bodies are over 90% water, it would make sense that staying wet will > read more

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