| A
female
,
anonymous
writes: Dear Cupid,Ever since I was just two years old, I have absolutely LOVED to sing. I was basically BORN with a love of music and singing, and it's pretty much my life. Well, not TOTALLY my life, but it's a big part of it.Well, recently, I've noticed that whenever I try to hit really high notes and stuff, my voice just seems kind of...strained. My throat doesn't hurt or burn or anything; it's just become difficult for me to stay on key when I try to hit high notes...and sometimes even when the notes aren't all that high. I've heard that teenage boys' voices change, but what about teen girls? I'm going to be fifteen in a little over four months, and I've never had this problem before. My uncle suggested that maybe my voice is just changing. Is he right? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.Sarah Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 August 2006): Women's voices definitely do change as they age. For example, the vebratto in a women's voice increases as she ages; it's the result of the aging process and the way your vocal chords change. It's one reason opera singers are never in their teens -- they haven't come in to their full vebratto yet. The register of a woman's voice, and the character of the sound, will also change as she ages. Listen to a 7 year old girl singing, and you'll notice the difference. It's not just that she may be less experienced or have less training -- her voice is different because she is 7.
As you go through puberty, you may find out that you're not a soprano like you thought, but actually a mezzo- or second-soprano -- maybe even an alto. Your classification as a soprano/alto/etc. isn't based on what part you CAN sing -- it's based on the specific point in your vocal register at which your tone changes. Start by singing a middle C pitch and work your way up the scale (do re mi style) methodically. At some point, you'll notice that the way you're pushing the air through your throat changes slightly. That's the break. It's not something you can change, realistically. THat said, you can learn to use your developing voice in new and interesting ways. Take advantage of this and see it as an opportunity -- don't get too hung up on not being able to comfortably hit the notes you used to be able to reach. Be sure to warm up before you start trying to hit high notes, and don't strain too hard, b/c you don't want to damage your vocal chords.
Do you have any serious vocal training? If you do, you should take this up with your director/coach/teacher -- they can evaluate you more specifically.
Good luck, and happy singing
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