From Effort to Ease: A Client’s Journey to Finding Joy in Their Voice Again

"I’ve always LOVED singing, but now I can see why and how people actually do this for a living!"

This was a statement made by a new client during his second lesson with me last week. It was an aha moment that had me curious to dive deeper into his journey.

He shared that for the past few years, singing, lessons, and practice had only equated to discomfort, effort, and a constant battle with vocal fatigue. Despite his love for singing, it hadn’t brought him true joy in quite some time—instead, it felt like a constant struggle with pain, strain, and the stress that came with it. But because we love it, we push through, convincing ourselves that this discomfort is just part of the gig. Maybe it’s normal, right?

This client had aspirations of pursuing a career in musical theatre, but he was beginning to doubt his ability to succeed. The idea of singing a song more than 2-3 times felt impossible to him. And meeting the demands of an 8-show week? Unthinkable. In fact, he had started exploring other avenues within the performing arts, unsure if a singing career was truly attainable.

But then something shifted. During just our second lesson, we began to uncover inefficiencies in his vocal system that had been holding him back. As we started addressing these, his reaction was one of pure amazement. “It’s almost like there’s nothing there!” he said, referring to the sensation of his larynx feeling completely free as we worked together. This is exactly the moment when a singer realises that vocal ease is not only possible, but should be the standard. And though he had a hard time believing me at first, that’s how effortless singing can and should feel.

Key Concepts from Our First Two Lessons:

• Lesson #1: The Tongue and Laryngeal Freedom
  In our first lesson, we focused on the surprising impact that the tongue can have on laryngeal freedom. Holding his tongue gently with gauze while singing a phrase revealed an immediate shift—he felt instant freedom and ease in his sound. This was our first clue that tension in the tongue was part of the issue.

• Lesson #2: Breathing and Laryngeal Constriction
  By our second lesson, it became clear that his breathing habits were contributing to the tension. At the start of each breath, his larynx was being recruited to handle breath pressure, which contributing to laryngeal constriction. By directing attention to rib buoyancy, engaging the transverse abdominis gently, and focusing on a balanced, smooth onset, we began to release that tension. This shift was crucial in helping him find the vocal freedom he had been missing.

What’s the Takeaway?

As much as I’d love to say this is the magic formula to solving every vocal challenge, it’s important to remember that we’re all different. What works for one person may not be the solution for another. Every singer has their own unique vocal habits and tendencies, and it’s important to seek expert guidance when vocal discomfort becomes a persistent problem.

Building new habits takes time and patience. As I continue working with this client, we’ll focus on reinforcing the changes we’ve made and ensuring consistency. Breakthroughs like the one he experienced are exciting, but they are only the beginning. True vocal ease comes through continued training, attention to detail, and practice. There are no quick fixes—just the joy of discovery and the empowerment that comes with understanding your instrument.

A Final Word for Those Who’ve Accepted Vocal Discomfort:

Here’s the main reason I’m sharing this story: I want to encourage those of you who have accepted vocal discomfort as “normal” to reconsider that mindset. You do not have to live with pain or strain in your voice. If you’re experiencing discomfort, it’s not just part of the gig—it’s a signal that something isn’t functioning as efficiently as it could be.

I urge you to seek professional help from a trained, voice professional. Sometimes that means looking outside of your current circle or studio, and that’s okay. Your voice is a precious instrument, and you deserve to be heard without discomfort, anxiety, or fear. Different teachers have different toolkits, and what works for one singer may not work for another.

So, if you’re ready for change, remember: Speaking and singing are allowed to feel EASY.