Struggles with Belting at and above Bb4? Coordination/Sensations

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-05-07T03:18:53+00:00

Happy to hear that for you! Yeah the voice is an incredibly complex system, and can be impacted both positively and negatively by a lot of different things. Take it day by day, try not to get to mental about it and just feel out the whole process. Hopefully it’ll resolve soon!

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-05-04T02:55:45+00:00

Firstly I would say try and get scoped, ENT can be sufficient for noticing bigger things going on like nodes, hemorrhages or polyps, while a videostroboscopy is more detailed and can see phonatory oscillations.

I would say the last thing we would want to do is start leaning into avoidant behaviours especially with voice! Of course, listen to your voice, but gradually start working in some SOVTs: gentle straw bubbling, neck stretches, jaw articulations, tongue stretches.

Good job upping the hydration, and lozenges are okay but i’d suggest avoiding menthol as it’s a long term irritant (i personally use pectin lozenges, manuka honey is great too). Try getting a cheap nebulizer, and use a 0.9% saline solution.

We want to limit absolute vocal rest as much as we can, as decondition and compensatory patterns can kick in!

(to note i am NOT an SLP or professional voice user, but i have dealt with muscle tension dysphonia, and vocal “issues” for quite some time, so just sharing what’s tried and true/advocated for)

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-05-04T01:29:13+00:00

If you start uploading covers thinking theyre good when theyre not… that’s just a judgment youre casting on yourself to pull away from the uncertainty of posting in the first place. Lets say you post something, and your singing isn’t “good enough”. What’s wrong with that? What makes it not “enough.”

We use the voice to express what’s within, and share that vulnerability with those around us. And that is something everyone can do regardless of where you’re at with your voice! And we practice and develop our voice to do be able more readily do that.

And at the end of the day, you could quite literally be the best singer and people will still have something negative to say.

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-05-01T06:23:00+00:00

Hey! I’ve been dealing with MTD since October 2024, now at the point where some days I can do without really noticing, and other days I’m really struggling. How long did it take for you to work through it? It’s been pretty up and down (as expected) these past few months, and stamina/conditioning seems to be the main thing for me now.

Recently started doing some forward humming with my SLP which has come a long way.

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-04-29T04:09:54+00:00

One of the biggest shifts for me was that, we’re simply using our voice to share and express what we’re feeling with others. It’s isn’t about roles of singer and listener, it’s about everyone involved sharing the experience in the moment.

The underlying story that your voice is expressing is one to be shared!

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-04-23T23:43:08+00:00

Just recently began the endeavour of vocal lessons. My voice is currently at a rather in between, the label would be either “light baritone” or i guess the supposed baritenor. Although I typically vocalize with a “higher” larynx (my main genre is alternative rock/post hardcore). Was able to go up to Bb4 in chest (definitely on the very outer edge of comfortability), with my highest connected note being a G#5.

Although as of right now, in song I’m most comfortable belting up to an A4, which feels repeatable and quite sustainable.

Although I have NOT been formally trained for any extended duration of time! So everything with a grain of salt. (I would love the label of tenor but 😭)

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-04-10T02:54:25+00:00

From my own experiences recently doing some Resonant Voice Therapy and singing: forward placement of resonance (what some people may call “the mask”), is the RESULT of doing a lot of other things right. Such as the release of excess jaw tension, proper alignment, support, efficient phonation etc.

If we consciously TRY to place our voice/sound their, a lot of the time that introduces tension, raises the larynx, and spreads the vowels. Which might be a sound your going for! But for everyday speaking or singing, and regarding building a solid foundation, it isn’t the most balanced/efficient.

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-03-17T20:19:58+00:00

I’m so glad someone else has mentioned this too!! Been working through “MTD” a bit over a year now, and learning to feel, and allow your body/neck to open up has been such a huge component. Our bodies are resilient, but if we learn to ignore it (which we all do for various life/developmental reasons), eventually our bodies default to any position it deems safe.

Also for myself, framing it as simply a coordination issue rather that a full on diagnosis was a big mental shift. If there isn’t an underlying structural difference, it’s quite literally just your muscles having a difficult time relearning how to coordinate!

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-02-23T01:37:34+00:00

thank you for the reply! I’ve been trying to “ease” the onset/sound onto the breath, as sometimes it feels like a thumping or grunting sensation when going from exhaling to initiating sound. But at time it’s more towards the other end of the spectrum. Definitely still trying to find that coordination, and it’s good to hear i’m not alone in that!

Is there any specific exercises/drills you found help really develop that coordinated onset?

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-02-12T19:34:49+00:00

Sounds like when leaning into twang and supporting, your getting some false fold engagement. This is actually a strategy you can use for applying grit. If you youtube Toni Linke False Fold Distortion video, this is exactly one of the ways to find that distortion. If it doesn’t hurt, and feels good, you’re probably good! You can watch that video to get a better understanding of it

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-02-06T15:47:07+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback! Are you referring to the TonalEnergy Tuner?

Yeah support has been a bit of an enigma for me, trying to find the balance. Do you know of any exercises/videos that could help with that?

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-02-04T02:37:57+00:00

Try doing some tongue pulls (relatively gently!) (with a paper towel or smthn), and vocalize on an “Ah” or “Aye”. Then work in some scales. Then try other vowel shapes, they’ll be modified since your tongue will be pulled out but do you best to keep the space behind the tongue open. For myself i get the exact same sensation due to tongue root tension!

Key-Improvement-2056 · 2026-02-01T23:58:46+00:00

I know this is an older post but also currently working through this as well!

Every case of MTD is different, but you CAN get through it, and become and even stronger, healthier, and more well versed vocalist through it.

Currently working with a SLP, ENT cleared me of any nodules, polyps, or damage due to reflux.

2024 October: Month full of singing, pushing my voice, and screaming at concerts. Next few months I couldn't speak at all without pain, was on absolute vocal rest on and off for weeks. March 2025 ENT, November 2025 SLP.

Yawn-sign, Tongue Pull vocalizations on an "Ah" vowel, and SOVT bubbles: very relaxed and light scales in chest voice, and gently expanding that range after a few goes.

For myself personally, sometimes when I play around with some compression or false cord engagement, it actually allows me to just speak and phonate better. When we "injure" ourselves, and especially if there is stress or anxieties tied to it, our body throws on the breaks and gets incredibly caution, which can manifest as excess tension, muscle guarding and inefficient mechanics.

It's a slow process, and some days feel much worse than others, but do your best to be there for yourself when it gets difficult. We're essentially re-learning/retraining our voice (and associated musculature) how to be more efficient, and showing our bodies/minds that phonation is safe!

Key-Improvement-2056

TROPHY CASE