My singing voice is gone!

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Ok, here's the deal. I used to sing ALL the time, and could hit high notes like Steven Tyler (well, long story short, Tyler and my father had the same singing teacher, at the same time).

Well, for the past 2 years, I haven't sung, and today I tried, and man I suck very badly.

Any advice for getting my voice back? I want to get serious into recording my own music, and my voice is gone.

I tried singing, now I have no voice period, I can't talk well.

Singing is basically a form of exercise. It involves using muscles differently from the ways in which they are normally used. If you don't do it regularly, your voice will get out of shape. If you over-do it after a long break, you will get a sore throat and maybe even lose your voice temporarily.

As with any exercise, it is best to start slowly after a break. When I've taken some time off from singing, I start by singing for about twenty minutes the first day, then sing for thirty minutes the next day, then take a day off, then sing for forty minutes or so, etc. Taking a day off every couple helps to prevent sore throats. Drinking a lot of water helps too. If you sing on a regular basis for a week or two, your voice will start to sound a lot better. Singing scales will help to expand your range.

Yeah, if you don't use it, ya lose it....it's true...and practice makes perfect is also true...
I find after not singing for awhile and my voice gets less limber, and loses some of it's range, that if I take it slow and just sing along with my favorite vocalist for a few days, that my voice steadily improves...
I think it's just the one in a million people who have some type of extraordinary gift like singing or playing a musical instrument seem effortless...
The rest of us have to practice, practice, practice to make it appear that it is effortless....
Warm up your vocal chords before you scream like Steven Tyler, work up to that during each time you practice singing or you will damage your vocal chords and get something called "nodes" on them...which will make you lose your range...

Work slowly. Don't push yourself. Whatever you do, do NOT attempt to sing high notes. Find the lowest comfortable note in your range and work in that range, then gradually expand your range.
If you push yourself or extend past your current range you will do damage to your voice. Not only is your range gone, but your voice is weak. You need to build those muscles again. if you do, you can regain what you used to have.

I had to recondition my voice over the past few weeks. I had been taking a break from performing. Then someone contacted me and asked if I'd like to do a couple gigs. Of course I agreed. I sounded horrible when I started practicing, but after a couple of weeks, I sounded ok again. The first show was last night and it went surpringingly well!

Okay, I have plenty of advice to give here, but I have to ask - what the hell have you been doing over the last two years that you can't even TALK well any more?

I've never heard of a voice deteriorating in such a way. I shall return later with further advice.

karaoke.

Practise your "scales".
Thats what I do daily. No, I am not a perfermer, nor have lessons [used to]. I just like singing for the sake of it

When I used to have lessons I was a good singer. I used to have three octaves. Now, I don't even have two and can barely stay in tune.
All you can do is practise...no other way to do it.
Maybe try recording yourself and them playing it back. That way you know where you need to improve.

Gargle (or drink, if you prefer!!) apple cider vinegar. And do it every day.

It heals the throat, lubricates the vocal cords, and makes your voice stronger.

If you're ever sick and lose your voice, 3 sips of this stuff and you'll have it back, guaranteed.



(Got this tip from one of the top vocal coaches to Australasian opera singers, so it's a known and proven one!)

I might try the gargling idea. I used to be able to hit the notes - no trouble. Then I got asthma - it's disappointing. It is good fun to practice whilst listening to the radio.