A performance is coming, and your voice doesn’t feel right. It may be hoarse, tight or tired, and you’re wondering what to do.
Two different questions are tangled together here. Is it okay to sing? And how do I sing it better? They need different people to answer them.
The first question: is it okay to sing?
A voice coach can’t answer this. A coach can’t look at your vocal folds, diagnose a problem or tell you that a voice change is harmless. An ENT doctor can examine the larynx (your voice box) and look for possible causes.
See a doctor if you notice:
- hoarseness that lasts more than about three weeks, or is getting worse;
- a serious change in your voice that lasts more than a few days;
- pain when speaking or swallowing;
- difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood, or a lump in the neck;
- a complete loss of voice lasting more than a few days.
The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders advises seeing a doctor if your voice has been hoarse for more than three weeks, especially if you haven’t had a cold or the flu. Mayo Clinic suggests an appointment if hoarseness lasts two to four weeks, and medical care right away for trouble breathing or swallowing or coughing up blood.
Performing tomorrow and hoarse today?
An approaching date makes things feel urgent. It doesn’t turn a singing lesson into a medical check.
- Don’t test your voice repeatedly. Running the whole programme again or trying the highest note over and over adds more voice use.
- Tell the organiser. Simplifying a song, lowering a key or shortening a set is a reasonable request.
- Get medical advice if you notice any of the warning signs above.
- If it’s mild and clearly linked to a cold, many people simplify and rest. If you’re unsure, or it isn’t improving, ask a doctor.
What about a tight throat?
A throat that feels tight can have many causes. If it’s new, painful, getting worse or lasting, get it checked first. A coach can’t tell by listening whether the cause is medical, which is why we ask for an ENT all-clear when a voice sounds dysfunctional.
When coaching can help
If a doctor has no concerns, or none of the warning signs above apply and your voice only tightens in particular situations, voice coaching can work on:
- a throat that tightens at the same note or phrase;
- a crack at the move between chest and head voice;
- a voice that works at home but not on the day;
- turning a change that helped in an exercise into something you can use in a song;
- preparing a festive performance in a way that suits your voice.
A coach listens for what changes: the task, the room, your effort, your breathing, your attention and how you prepared.
What a coach won’t do
At Vocalogy we don’t diagnose or treat medical voice disorders, and we won’t ask you to sing through pain or unexplained hoarseness. When something belongs with an ENT or a speech-language therapist, we say so, and we can work alongside them. Our guide Vocal Coach vs Speech Therapist: Who Do You Need? explains who does what.
What to tell your teacher
Mention how long the change has lasted, whether there’s pain, and whether you’ve been checked. A good teacher will ask, adjust the work and recommend medical assessment when it’s appropriate.
Where to start
- One-to-one: Explore 1:1 coaching once any medical concerns are addressed, or ask us on WhatsApp which teacher suits you.
- Small-group workshops: If your trouble is a tight throat or a crack at a specific spot, and none of the warning signs above apply, see our upcoming workshops, including the Voice Crack Workshop on Saturday, 23 January 2027.