Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 9/10/2010

Question
I am a mezzosoprano, so I have a naturally low to medium-pitch voice. I auditioned for the role of Lina, and I figured out how to sound like her, but my throat hurts very bad after trying to "Lina-ize" my voice. The callbacks list will be posted on Saturday, and if I am on the list, I will probably need to "sing" What's Wrong With Me? and do some dialogue.

I don't want to lose my voice (I sing in choir a lot and musicals are my life), but I want to try out to play Lina since I can't dance very well. lol

Any tips to creating that nasally, high-pitched voice she has without spraining a vocal chord? Thanks!

Answer
Hi there, Mariah...And thanks for writing.

First, congrats on the audition.  

Regarding your voice, the reason that you are having trouble is that your technique to make a nasal voice is not correct.  You are using your throat and your chest to try to create the sound and your vocal chords.  Instead, you should be placing the sound in your nose.

I would do the audition (if you called back) as yourself.  I know that she usually has a nasally high pitched voice but have the attitude rather than the sound because that is more important and right now is better for you.  Here's why:

I actually prefer to recommend that you not take on this role until you are able to do this technique safely and properly. You will damage your voice if you do (you are already having throat problems).  There are very serious results from pushing a voice too hard and from improper technique.  You don't want to have this happen to you.  Sometimes it can result in surgery.  Sometimes it can result in damaged chords that are not repairable.  Sometimes it can result in a loss of the ability to sing or to perform.  

Instead of pushing yourself to have this role, it would be better for you to practice at home once in a while putting the sound in your nose and speaking.  Rather than having the pressure of getting a role prepared for a show, this would give you the chance to not hurt yourself and to get the technique down more.


Does that help?

Wanda