What I've found with the aging voice is this: first, I need to practice now everyday (just a 5 minute drill will suffice) and second, my low notes are much stronger and richer-- whereas I used to "whisper" a low g now I can sing with full voice. And yes, I can still maintain high notes with regular practice. So keep singing🎵
There is no reason why age should hinder anyone from singing as long as they took care of the voice in their younger years like, not smoking, yelling or screaming of talking loud, alcohol. If you sing still sing as I have seen women who have awesom voices in the church belting out gospel songs and they do it because they love it and look at Tony Bennet in his 90's. Practice is key.
I am 67 and I sing every day because it helps me to be heard...singing or talking ~~~!!! When you said use it or lose it I was like ALRIGHT~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!! You get it! Thank you!!!
This video topic is huge for me. I'm 63 and began weekly voice lessons three years ago. During that time, I have been confused as to what I could reasonably expect to achieve as a newbie older singer. Your comment regarding 'managing one's expectations' is spot on and having some perspective with the physiology of the aging voice (especially in one who is just starting out) will help me keep perspective and not give up, which I have been tempted to do. Thanks Dan!
I too just started voice lessons in my later years. I'm 53 and started taking lessons a year ago and I can say my voice is already 100 times better than I ever imagined. But Dr. Dan's video helps me to see why somethings are as they are. Good luck on your journey.
@Love to Learn I teach all ages virtually or in person. Finding a teacher who is skilled, experienced, and that you connect well with may take some trials. Try a few different teachers until you mesh well and find someone you trust.
This video is so valuable Dr. Dan! Older people (I’m 65), directly confront the problem of the meaning of life. Singing offers the deepest insights, the most profound experiences, the greatest gifts. If you don’t sing ... start now!
Did at 60, but it's so hard to be an old beginner! My teacher teaches children. Imagine the difference it must be for her listening to my slow progress. Still. Can't stop singing, and I like the science of it all. Fascinating. Just need to not lose courage.
I'll be 60 in May and just starting a much more active singing career. I'm not noticing any loss of tone or power but am recognizing the need to care for my voice more meticulously because I'm singing much more.
I would have given up singing if didn't come across this mind blowing information. Now I know I can sing with a bit more care.Thanks for the information Dr.Dan
Since I'm living in America, I don't have access to your "one-on-one" suggestion for helping older singers (I'm 77yrs. young, approaching 78) I've just started singing and I've been told I have a beautiful voice (I hope that's true) even though I've never sung previously in my life...(well, maybe in the shower when nobody was home). I have some problems on occasion with my voice cracking as well as issues with register. Although I enjoyed your video on aging singers, you didn't address HOW TO CORRECT some these issues. Would you do a video on this, pretty please with sugar on it? I sincerely want to become an excellent vocalist.
LOVE THIS, Dr. Dan. Thank you. I'm developing a kind of a specialization of working, as a singing instructor, with older singers and am now one myself at 52! I've been looking for great resources and will be purchasing the Manual of Singing Voice Rehabilitation.
I am 72 and have never done any kind of formal singing. I noticed my voice seemed to be weakening and closing up. I was getting crocky. I decided to purchase some inline singing exiercises (sorry Dr. Dan, didn't know about you at that time.) My experience of taking up singing at my age is many folded. 1 - speaking voice is definitely improving as is sing voice. 2 - having the goal and joy of singing brings new interest in my health (diet, exercise, etc.) 3 - Singing not only opens the throat it opens the heart and brings new energies into your life. I find that enjoy perfecting the singing exercises almost as much as singing songs. (That's probably unusual) I doubt you'll ever see me on a stage, but I do intent to record songs (also learning to play the piano). One of my projects, which I've wanted to do for a long time, is take well know pop tunes and improve the lyrics. By 'improve' I mean make them more relevant to my life and experience. All just for fun, but fun is often the missing ingredient as we age. Singing has a very high benefit to cost ratio. I recommend anyone so inclined to give it a shot, regardless of your age.
I too have started to sing later in life. I sing in a semi -professional church choir specializing in all types of music and the classics. I look forward to rehearsal each week along with the social interactions of all ages. A true gift, glad I did it!
I have played guitar and sung for a living since high school days. I took instruction in college. I am not a classic style singer. I am pop / country etc. I am 74 and still gig about 4 days per week. The only physical change that is a bit of a problem is increased phlegm or mucus during long songs. I seem to need to drink more water during performances. Performances are usually 1 1/2 - 3 hours. (On my feet the whole time & still having a blast)
Thank you so much for this video. Since hitting menopause, i seem to have lost a lot of vocal stability. I guess i need to look at finding a vocal specialist for some serious vocal rehab. Comforting to know there are others out there experiencing similar. I thought i was the only one.
Interesting to hear some of the facts on this. The voice has to change over time you can hear it, but it seems a lot of people can keep going well. I watched Barry Gibb playing Glastonbury on Sunday at 70 years old! You could tell he's not a young guy anymore, but giving a good performance, with that repertoire still hitting all those notes pretty much, open air venue on live TV, just shows you really!
I love that so many of the singers from my younger days in the 60's are still around. Mick Jagger -- now in his mid seventies -- has tremendous power and energy in his voice and performance: Dolly Parton -- still giving amazing performances in her 80s; Petula Clarke recorded an album at 81 years old and she sounds as sweet as ever! So inspiring! And of course there is Paul and Ringo -- still performing although their voices are quite low now. But still great to hear them.
Hi Dr. Dan, I am enjoying my subscription you your RUclips channel! As an over 50 singer, who had "gotten off the horse" for the last 10 years, was surfing the net for exactly the kind of information you are providing to prepare for a an important singing event. I studied voice seriously as an undergrad and had sung semi-professionally for many years. I so appreciate the fact that you are so specific in describing the physiological aspects of using one's voice as part of your instruction--and am grateful that I can actually absorb and utilize it! This video in particular has given me a fresh perspective on the reasons I may have halted my singing endeavors---my whole body was changed and the lack of stamina as well as some non vocal health issues I was experiencing caused me to lose hope. I know this is a long comment but want you to know I now feel very hopeful about renewing my commitment to using my voice again. So thank you for your work. I think you are an awesome teacher!
Dear Dr. Dan, I have developed my highest singing voice after the age of 55. I cycle 8 miles in the morning to work and back and these two moments, I so look forward to because I use them for singing and practicing my vocals. I have developed a special breathing exercise that I termed " the bellows effect ". You see when u do this exercise, I feel as if my chest has become enlarged like a Goldsmith's bellows and with that tool, I feel I can register any note below the female soprano. I can sing well into the sixth octave from a whisper to power belting and I will start to record my songs I had always wanted to record. You see I had always wanted that voice that I was hearing in my head since I was a youth but I did not develop it for whatever reason. However since I developed this exercise, I feel I can sing and match voice with any male on this planet except Dimash of course. I will listen to your video because I'm learning a few things and hope you can give me some advice on how to maintain my voice until I'm seventh five and still singing....
Hi Dr Dan. You may remember I am an advocate of yours now and I have just watched this video and found it enormously helpful and interesting. I am "no chicken" (!) and so was very interested when I found the link. I believe in the adage too that you mention ("use it or lose it") and I sing every day. To reiterate, I am Mezzo but can sing the Phantom songs easily and can still reach the top notes although I never abuse my voice, even though I do push myself, but I "know when to stop". I have been listening more of late by which I mean, watching your vids that give advice, before I do my body, facial and vocal warm ups. At the start of this video, I was hoping you were not going to say, over 50, OK, sing less, or something of that sort, but you have given me confidence to continue as I am doing. So I want to thank you AGAIN, and I hope my comments here inspire others.
Yes, waiting estrogen has made my first soprano upper range less reliable and has serious affected whistle range. I love my whistle and I don’t want to lose it. Yes, my tonality has also become less consistent.
So glad someone is discussing the aging voice. I am post menopause and have experienced awful changes in vocals. I would love to sing beautifully again. My middle range which used to be my sweet range is even difficult to maintain. I have spoken with two voice coaches and was not given satisfactory information. Please help...by the way I am 56 years old.
Scottlyn, yes, this can be a difficult time for some women. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with your voice. My approach would be to re-discover some muscular balance within the voice followed by strengthening the adductory (closure) action of the vocal folds. I hope this helps in some small way.
Thank you for responding Dr. Dan. How do I apply your recommendations: rediscovering muscular balance and strengthening the adductory action of the vocal cords? Which of your CDs do you recommend. I'm ready to get back to work rather than giving up. Thank you so much for this video on the aging voice!
Sorry Dr.Daniel I don’t want to alter. My expectations are manage them. I want to meet my expectations despite being almost 60. I am a trained opera singer, but I love to sing popular music I especially love the dynamics of building and growls and whistle ranges like combining all of that. But the past six months I’ve been having a lot more trouble doing that.
Breaking in my voice is what I'm experiencing. I hadn't sang in a very long time, besides with the radio, in the shower, I actually sing all the time but to myself, once I joined a choir and started singing out loud I realized this cracking in certain areas. I am practicing and vocalizing regularly the break has gotten a little better. I had my vocal chords checked the dr. said they looked fine. I want to believe with continued practice this cracking will go away .
I am getting there to 50! 😎 I do not bother with too many high note songs (Bee Gees, Dimash, a-ha, et al) anymore.😖 Not stated but important. Hearing loss due to ageing + other factors. 🙄
I didn't start singing lessons until 65 years of age, after I heard enough people compliment my speaking voice, and encourage me to take lessons. My range is, as my current coach describes it 'weirdly broad' I prefer 'wonderfully wide' Any recommendations for particular exercises for a senior citizen new-ish to singing? I am now 69.
Hi, Trevor Norris. You may find my online singing course helpful - www.voiceessentials.com.au. Feel free to check it out sometime. The first module is free to preview!
I'm an "ageing" singer and have had to push singing to the back during COVID. I'm trying to get back to doing live shows again, but I've all the issues you have outlined in this video. In addition, I'm have literal cramps in my throat and tongue even though I feel like I'm hydrating properly. WTH? What can I do?
Hi, Raven Laurendine. You may find my online singing course helpful - drdan.co/onlinesinginglessons. Feel free to check it out sometime. The first module is free to preview!
I'm 53 and I have trouble with high notes now too. But I have developed asthma which I didn't have before. So I have two challenges at one time. So now I'm trying to find where my "new range" is if this is the case. I try to hydrate with a lot of water and this seems to help too. Luckily I still have a strong voice which I learned to develop with breathing from my diaphragm instead of from just my lungs. And yes, I'm on a lot of medication. So the dry mouth thing is a problem. This really is very informative and educational.
I am 61 years old and female. All that you've described has happened to me. I am interested in working with a voice specialist who understands the aging voice. Do you offer sessions via Zoom? Thank you if you can help😔
Lost my falsetto in the last 5 years of not using it. Can’t get it to work at all. I’m 45 now. Even my natural voice sometimes doesn’t “strike” at first and the first words I speak will be silent and I have to start over. Sorta like a stutter but it’s my voice failing and just air comes out. If I sing like Louis Armstrong (I do a good impression) it seems to lap the cords together and resolves some of this, and used to give my natural voice a lot of range (like Chris Cornell) but it makes me wonder if this is harmful, and I don’t know how to mimic this for the falsetto if it won’t work at all. Any ideas? Great video thank you 👏👏
Hello, I am a retired RN. I took up voice classical training & piano lessons 10 yrs. ago. I sing with a chorus & a community orchestra. I am to be 67. I am a second soprano & am having trouble with upper range. Several of us put a tiny bit of gum in mouth to aid saliva production, while rehearsing. My new vocal coach will not allow same. He feels voice " too chesty". We use pine bros. honey & gerthers pastilles. I feel AC as drying as winter heat. What humidifier, if any, do you recommend? I use a personal steamer. Have you any advice to increase saliva production, if not gum? Thank you, Jeanne
Hey Dan how do I know my my passagio is? Because my voice mainly cracks at d4# and f4# but sometimes my larynx gets jammed and my voice can't go above e4 unless I add more volume. I've watched videos about passagios but I still have no clue.
I'm 53 and have asthma. I could reach high notes much easier when I was young. But I'm not able to do it as easy as I could before. I try to be careful so I don't damage my voice. Thank you for this video. I need all the help I can get! LOL!
@Dr Dan's Voice Essentials Does the aging of the jaw bone affect the vocal track and placement? I have witnessed many older singers having problems with diction in songs that they performed flawlessly in their younger days.
Not always true though, Dan. Listen to Shirley Bassey- (eighty years young and she still sounds amazing!) Tony Bennett- (ninety, and the notes he still hits now are just something else!) Both sound better than a lot of eighteen, nineteen and twenty-odd-year-olds who are knocking about in the hit-parade now. They're absolute legends! o.o
Dr. Dan is correct. I'm 55 and have been a singer all my life. I vocalize regularly to be able to sing above E flat and E above high C. These notes were once a breeze. My voice is now, actually....warmer....thicker.....bigger, but I exercise regularly to keep my high end.....it's definitely "use it or lose it."
I deffo agree with the "use it or lose it" bit. I'm thirty-eight, and notes what I used to be able to hit, no problem whatsoever when I was in me early twenties are now bloody hard work at times. o.o
I've not sung much in the last 5 years. Now age 53 , my range is curtailed and vocal stamina is not good. How much can you regain with regular exercise and practice?
Then she's one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately medications, health issues and other things can affect others. Someone like Shirley evidently has great health issues and genetics.
Im older and like to sing, but I find that I have some flat or sharp notes here and there. But I also have hearing problems. One is muffled and the other a bit crispier. Does that have anything to do with notes not being accurate at times, Dan?
There might be a bit of imbalance in your tune perception caused by the ears...but I would like to think you can still sing with a bit of perseverance. Perhaps the following video about pitch will prove helpful - ruclips.net/video/faKl9IqRPOo/видео.html
Janet, it might simply be a technical area you need to work on. This being said, it might also be a functional issue that requires further investigation. Have you considered visiting a Laryngologist for a full voice assessment?
How about as a MAN gets older?? We age some, too, not because of hormones, just because of TIME. Maybe post up one for MEN? Some folks dont have enough time to sing every day, until they can finally get loose form their lousy jobs..I bet someone over 50 can be the best, ever, if they do it correctly..
Can you post one up also, just for us men, not just describing the conditions, but also what to specifically do to prevent possible vocal problems? Thanks.
Hi, Victoria Semenenko SEO. You may find my online singing course helpful - drdan.co/onlinesinginglessons. Feel free to check it out sometime. The first module is free to preview!
What I've found with the aging voice is this: first, I need to practice now everyday (just a 5 minute drill will suffice) and second, my low notes are much stronger and richer-- whereas I used to "whisper" a low g now I can sing with full voice. And yes, I can still maintain high notes with regular practice. So keep singing🎵
There is no reason why age should hinder anyone from singing as long as they took care of the voice in their younger years like, not smoking, yelling or screaming of talking loud, alcohol. If you sing still sing as I have seen women who have awesom voices in the church belting out gospel songs and they do it because they love it and look at Tony Bennet in his 90's. Practice is key.
I am 67 and I sing every day because it helps me to be heard...singing or talking ~~~!!! When you said use it or lose it I was like ALRIGHT~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!! You get it! Thank you!!!
This video topic is huge for me. I'm 63 and began weekly voice lessons three years ago. During that time, I have been confused as to what I could reasonably expect to achieve as a newbie older singer. Your comment regarding 'managing one's expectations' is spot on and having some perspective with the physiology of the aging voice (especially in one who is just starting out) will help me keep perspective and not give up, which I have been tempted to do. Thanks Dan!
I too just started voice lessons in my later years. I'm 53 and started taking lessons a year ago and I can say my voice is already 100 times better than I ever imagined. But Dr. Dan's video helps me to see why somethings are as they are. Good luck on your journey.
How do you find someone to teach an older newbie?
@Love to Learn I teach all ages virtually or in person. Finding a teacher who is skilled, experienced, and that you connect well with may take some trials. Try a few different teachers until you mesh well and find someone you trust.
I just finished watching a video of Frankie Laine singing at 92 years old. He was such an inspiration that I will try to re-learn to sing at 80.
This video is so valuable Dr. Dan! Older people (I’m 65), directly confront the problem of the meaning of life. Singing offers the deepest insights, the most profound experiences, the greatest gifts. If you don’t sing ... start now!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Bill Ogilvie. Thanks for watching.
Did at 60, but it's so hard to be an old beginner! My teacher teaches children. Imagine the difference it must be for her listening to my slow progress. Still. Can't stop singing, and I like the science of it all. Fascinating. Just need to not lose courage.
I'll be 60 in May and just starting a much more active singing career. I'm not noticing any loss of tone or power but am recognizing the need to care for my voice more meticulously because I'm singing much more.
Good to hear you're using your voice! Keep singing!
Thank you so much for responding to my questions about the Older Voice. This video was really helpful. I've shared it with my facebook friends!!
great video darling Dr Dan!! 😊
I'm happy to say my voice has never been better, thank God.. I would say "use it or lose it" (a lot) has much to do with it for me.
I would have given up singing if didn't come across this mind blowing information. Now I know I can sing with a bit more care.Thanks for the information Dr.Dan
Reassuring, helpful, and hopeful! Thank you! Music adds such positivity and joy, would hate to loose this wonderful part of my life.
This video is for me, I'm over 60! And ... still singing.
Ossy Gumelar me too & got paid 20.00 for singing 1 special song for an anniversary couple.
Hasn't happened to me yet & I'm 63.
My voice has changed since menopause. It's awful. I've been looking for help in this area. I want to keep singing but I don't enjoy it anymore...Help
Since I'm living in America, I don't have access to your "one-on-one" suggestion for helping older singers (I'm 77yrs. young, approaching 78) I've just started singing and I've been told I have a beautiful voice (I hope that's true) even though I've never sung previously in my life...(well, maybe in the shower when nobody was home). I have some problems on occasion with my voice cracking as well as issues with register. Although I enjoyed your video on aging singers, you didn't address HOW TO CORRECT some these issues. Would you do a video on this, pretty please with sugar on it? I sincerely want to become an excellent vocalist.
Funny how this pops up when I am thinking about the topic! Glad to hear all hope is t lost.
LOVE THIS, Dr. Dan. Thank you. I'm developing a kind of a specialization of working, as a singing instructor, with older singers and am now one myself at 52! I've been looking for great resources and will be purchasing the Manual of Singing Voice Rehabilitation.
I am 72 and have never done any kind of formal singing. I noticed my voice seemed to be weakening and closing up. I was getting crocky. I decided to purchase some inline singing exiercises (sorry Dr. Dan, didn't know about you at that time.) My experience of taking up singing at my age is many folded. 1 - speaking voice is definitely improving as is sing voice. 2 - having the goal and joy of singing brings new interest in my health (diet, exercise, etc.) 3 - Singing not only opens the throat it opens the heart and brings new energies into your life. I find that enjoy perfecting the singing exercises almost as much as singing songs. (That's probably unusual) I doubt you'll ever see me on a stage, but I do intent to record songs (also learning to play the piano). One of my projects, which I've wanted to do for a long time, is take well know pop tunes and improve the lyrics. By 'improve' I mean make them more relevant to my life and experience. All just for fun, but fun is often the missing ingredient as we age. Singing has a very high benefit to cost ratio. I recommend anyone so inclined to give it a shot, regardless of your age.
I’m 73 and love BTS. I have “improved”the first two lines of Permission to Dance:
It’s the thought of being old
When your heart feels uncontrolled..
I too have started to sing later in life. I sing in a semi -professional church choir specializing in all types of music and the classics.
I look forward to rehearsal each week along with the social interactions of all ages. A true gift, glad I did it!
I have played guitar and sung for a living since high school days. I took instruction in college. I am not a classic style singer. I am pop / country etc. I am 74 and still gig about 4 days per week. The only physical change that is a bit of a problem is increased phlegm or mucus during long songs. I seem to need to drink more water during performances. Performances are usually 1 1/2 - 3 hours. (On my feet the whole time & still having a blast)
Thank you so much for this video. Since hitting menopause, i seem to have lost a lot of vocal stability. I guess i need to look at finding a vocal specialist for some serious vocal rehab. Comforting to know there are others out there experiencing similar. I thought i was the only one.
No I'm there and hoping to regain some of my losses.
Interesting to hear some of the facts on this. The voice has to change over time you can hear it, but it seems a lot of people can keep going well.
I watched Barry Gibb playing Glastonbury on Sunday at 70 years old! You could tell he's not a young guy anymore, but giving a good performance, with that repertoire still hitting all those notes pretty much, open air venue on live TV, just shows you really!
I love that so many of the singers from my younger days in the 60's are still around. Mick Jagger -- now in his mid seventies -- has tremendous power and energy in his voice and performance: Dolly Parton -- still giving amazing performances in her 80s; Petula Clarke recorded an album at 81 years old and she sounds as sweet as ever! So inspiring! And of course there is Paul and Ringo -- still performing although their voices are quite low now. But still great to hear them.
Hi Dr. Dan,
I am enjoying my subscription you your RUclips channel! As an over 50 singer, who had "gotten off the horse" for the last 10 years, was surfing the net for exactly the kind of information you are providing to prepare for a an important singing event. I studied voice seriously as an undergrad and had sung semi-professionally for many years. I so appreciate the fact that you are so specific in describing the physiological aspects of using one's voice as part of your instruction--and am grateful that I can actually absorb and utilize it! This video in particular has given me a fresh perspective on the reasons I may have halted my singing endeavors---my whole body was changed and the lack of stamina as well as some non vocal health issues I was experiencing caused me to lose hope. I know this is a long comment but want you to know I now feel very hopeful about renewing my commitment to using my voice again. So thank you for your work. I think you are an awesome teacher!
Love your channel and tutorials Dr. Dan! I share them with my students/audience as well. You give educated, accurate and sound advice - fabulous!
Dear Dr. Dan, I have developed my highest singing voice after the age of 55. I cycle 8 miles in the morning to work and back and these two moments, I so look forward to because I use them for singing and practicing my vocals. I have developed a special breathing exercise that I termed " the bellows effect ". You see when u do this exercise, I feel as if my chest has become enlarged like a Goldsmith's bellows and with that tool, I feel I can register any note below the female soprano. I can sing well into the sixth octave from a whisper to power belting and I will start to record my songs I had always wanted to record. You see I had always wanted that voice that I was hearing in my head since I was a youth but I did not develop it for whatever reason. However since I developed this exercise, I feel I can sing and match voice with any male on this planet except Dimash of course. I will listen to your video because I'm learning a few things and hope you can give me some advice on how to maintain my voice until I'm seventh five and still singing....
Hi Dr Dan. You may remember I am an advocate of yours now and I have just watched this video and found it enormously helpful and interesting. I am "no chicken" (!) and so was very interested when I found the link. I believe in the adage too that you mention ("use it or lose it") and I sing every day. To reiterate, I am Mezzo but can sing the Phantom songs easily and can still reach the top notes although I never abuse my voice, even though I do push myself, but I "know when to stop". I have been listening more of late by which I mean, watching your vids that give advice, before I do my body, facial and vocal warm ups. At the start of this video, I was hoping you were not going to say, over 50, OK, sing less, or something of that sort, but you have given me confidence to continue as I am doing. So I want to thank you AGAIN, and I hope my comments here inspire others.
You're welcome Diane Shepherd. Thanks for watching.
Yes, waiting estrogen has made my first soprano upper range less reliable and has serious affected whistle range. I love my whistle and I don’t want to lose it. Yes, my tonality has also become less consistent.
So glad someone is discussing the aging voice. I am post menopause and have experienced awful changes in vocals. I would love to sing beautifully again. My middle range which used to be my sweet range is even difficult to maintain. I have spoken with two voice coaches and was not given satisfactory information. Please help...by the way I am 56 years old.
Scottlyn, yes, this can be a difficult time for some women. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with your voice. My approach would be to re-discover some muscular balance within the voice followed by strengthening the adductory (closure) action of the vocal folds. I hope this helps in some small way.
Thank you for responding Dr. Dan. How do I apply your recommendations: rediscovering muscular balance and strengthening the adductory action of the vocal cords? Which of your CDs do you recommend. I'm ready to get back to work rather than giving up. Thank you so much for this video on the aging voice!
Thank you for this video, and thank you for helping me regain my voice!
When I took progesterone my whistle range was unbelievable.
Sorry Dr.Daniel I don’t want to alter. My expectations are manage them. I want to meet my expectations despite being almost 60. I am a trained opera singer, but I love to sing popular music I especially love the dynamics of building and growls and whistle ranges like combining all of that. But the past six months I’ve been having a lot more trouble doing that.
I'm only 35, but I learned a lot. Think you.
Very encouraging! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Breaking in my voice is what I'm experiencing. I hadn't sang in a very long time, besides with the radio, in the shower, I actually sing all the time but to myself, once I joined a choir and started singing out loud I realized this cracking in certain areas. I am practicing and vocalizing regularly the break has gotten a little better. I had my vocal chords checked the dr. said they looked fine. I want to believe with continued practice this cracking will go away .
Great video. Does aging affect the passaggi locations?
I am getting there to 50! 😎
I do not bother with too many high note songs (Bee Gees, Dimash, a-ha, et al) anymore.😖
Not stated but important.
Hearing loss due to ageing + other factors. 🙄
I used to have an awesome falsetto. Can I ever get it back? All it does is crack, lol.
I didn't start singing lessons until 65 years of age, after I heard enough people compliment my speaking voice, and encourage me to take lessons.
My range is, as my current coach describes it 'weirdly broad' I prefer 'wonderfully wide' Any recommendations for particular exercises for a senior citizen new-ish to singing? I am now 69.
Hi, Trevor Norris. You may find my online singing course helpful - www.voiceessentials.com.au. Feel free to check it out sometime. The first module is free to preview!
Thank you for this, useful for me.
I'm an "ageing" singer and have had to push singing to the back during COVID. I'm trying to get back to doing live shows again, but I've all the issues you have outlined in this video. In addition, I'm have literal cramps in my throat and tongue even though I feel like I'm hydrating properly. WTH? What can I do?
Hi, Raven Laurendine. You may find my online singing course helpful - drdan.co/onlinesinginglessons. Feel free to check it out sometime. The first module is free to preview!
I'm 53 and I have trouble with high notes now too. But I have developed asthma which I didn't have before. So I have two challenges at one time. So now I'm trying to find where my "new range" is if this is the case. I try to hydrate with a lot of water and this seems to help too. Luckily I still have a strong voice which I learned to develop with breathing from my diaphragm instead of from just my lungs. And yes, I'm on a lot of medication. So the dry mouth thing is a problem. This really is very informative and educational.
Amy P, the following video about singing with asthma may prove helpful - ruclips.net/video/HsDVe4SSfTY/видео.html
Im 50. So far my high soprano notes are still easy but my lower chest range is furry sounding. I am on medications.
So what do you do about the clogging sensation in the throat
This is an interesting video. It has very well put information. I mean I've heard of people being a tennor then baratone.
First of your videos I watch. I found the title very misleading! It should be "Should older women still..."
I am 61 years old and female. All that you've described has happened to me. I am interested in working with a voice specialist who understands the aging voice. Do you offer sessions via Zoom? Thank you if you can help😔
Hello, Tammy. Yes, I do offer online sessions via Zoom. You can book your lessons here www.djarts.com.au
Lost my falsetto in the last 5 years of not using it. Can’t get it to work at all. I’m 45 now. Even my natural voice sometimes doesn’t “strike” at first and the first words I speak will be silent and I have to start over. Sorta like a stutter but it’s my voice failing and just air comes out. If I sing like Louis Armstrong (I do a good impression) it seems to lap the cords together and resolves some of this, and used to give my natural voice a lot of range (like Chris Cornell) but it makes me wonder if this is harmful, and I don’t know how to mimic this for the falsetto if it won’t work at all. Any ideas?
Great video thank you 👏👏
Orbital Jellyfish, the following video about developing falsetto may prove helpful - ruclips.net/video/x5-QoU4RlhM/видео.html
Hello, I am a retired RN. I took up voice classical training & piano lessons 10 yrs. ago.
I sing with a chorus & a community orchestra. I am to be 67.
I am a second soprano & am having trouble with upper range.
Several of us put a tiny bit of gum in mouth to aid saliva production,
while rehearsing. My new vocal coach will not allow same. He feels voice " too chesty".
We use pine bros. honey & gerthers pastilles. I feel AC as drying as winter heat.
What humidifier, if any, do you recommend? I use a personal steamer. Have you any advice
to increase saliva production, if not gum?
Thank you,
Jeanne
J
I'm only 42 but due to refux I have so many of these symptoms. 🥺
Ariel Mera, the following video about reflux may prove helpful - ruclips.net/video/XAwsteNLH3s/видео.html
Hey Dan how do I know my my passagio is? Because my voice mainly cracks at d4# and f4# but sometimes my larynx gets jammed and my voice can't go above e4 unless I add more volume. I've watched videos about passagios but I still have no clue.
I'm 53 and have asthma. I could reach high notes much easier when I was young. But I'm not able to do it as easy as I could before. I try to be careful so I don't damage my voice. Thank you for this video. I need all the help I can get! LOL!
Amy, perhaps the following playlist of videos will prove helpful - ruclips.net/video/8I0rYkHSls4/видео.html
@@DrDanRobinson Thank you. Every little bit will help!!! I appreciate your response.
@Dr Dan's Voice Essentials Does the aging of the jaw bone affect the vocal track and placement? I have witnessed many older singers having problems with diction in songs that they performed flawlessly in their younger days.
What about cracking in the older voice? I perform often and I seem to be cracking and getting tired while singing near the high part of my range.
Dr Dan's Voice Essentials I'll check it out. Thanks!
Not always true though, Dan. Listen to Shirley Bassey- (eighty years young and she still sounds amazing!) Tony Bennett- (ninety, and the notes he still hits now are just something else!) Both sound better than a lot of eighteen, nineteen and twenty-odd-year-olds who are knocking about in the hit-parade now. They're absolute legends! o.o
Dr. Dan is correct. I'm 55 and have been a singer all my life. I vocalize regularly to be able to sing above E flat and E above high C. These notes were once a breeze. My voice is now, actually....warmer....thicker.....bigger, but I exercise regularly to keep my high end.....it's definitely "use it or lose it."
I deffo agree with the "use it or lose it" bit. I'm thirty-eight, and notes what I used to be able to hit, no problem whatsoever when I was in me early twenties are now bloody hard work at times. o.o
I've not sung much in the last 5 years. Now age 53 , my range is curtailed and vocal stamina is not good. How much can you regain with regular exercise and practice?
Then she's one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately medications, health issues and other things can affect others. Someone like Shirley evidently has great health issues and genetics.
Im older and like to sing, but I find that I have some flat or sharp notes here and there. But I also have hearing problems. One is muffled and the other a bit crispier. Does that have anything to do with notes not being accurate at times, Dan?
There might be a bit of imbalance in your tune perception caused by the ears...but I would like to think you can still sing with a bit of perseverance. Perhaps the following video about pitch will prove helpful - ruclips.net/video/faKl9IqRPOo/видео.html
I hate aging -- let's find a cure for this disease.
For some months now, I find it very difficult to pitch high and my voice is low and heavy. What can I do? Am just 40yrs . Thank you Dan
Janet, it might simply be a technical area you need to work on. This being said, it might also be a functional issue that requires further investigation. Have you considered visiting a Laryngologist for a full voice assessment?
Yes I did sometimes last year, she told me that I need to rest my voice that there's nothing wrong with my vocal cod
You got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them. Especially when your vibrato sounds like an old parrot. It's okay to sing in the shower
Diet!!! What about that?
I'm glad you asked....We're looking at that diet in a new view next week. Stay tuned...
How about as a MAN gets older?? We age some, too, not because of hormones, just because of TIME. Maybe post up one for MEN? Some folks dont have enough time to sing every day, until they can finally get loose form their lousy jobs..I bet someone over 50 can be the best, ever, if they do it correctly..
Can you post one up also, just for us men, not just describing the conditions, but also what to specifically do to prevent possible vocal problems? Thanks.
Yeah, MAN, you do that.
Im 15. Why am i here?😂😂😂
Perhaps this video about voice and puberty will be more to your liking - ruclips.net/video/fV-0EEiPZhs/видео.html
Now you will be way ahead on information and look smart. You may possibly help elderly people with some good advice!
Dr Dan's Voice Essentials thanks
I`m 46 and still keep to my teenage dream to develop my singing abilities
Hi, Victoria Semenenko SEO. You may find my online singing course helpful - drdan.co/onlinesinginglessons. Feel free to check it out sometime. The first module is free to preview!
thank you for not promoting that shitty like dangerous medication