Fran Montignani

If your singing voice still doesn’t feel quite right after illness or stress, here are some first steps for you:

• restore moisture
• give the larynx space
• avoid whispering
• begin gently in the middle of the voice
• notice whether things are improving — or whether you need more specific support

In this short video, I talk through some practical first steps for singers whose voices feel tired, guarded, unreliable or harder to access after illness or stress.

Recovery is not about forcing the voice back into shape.

It is about restoring balance and healthy function.

I’ll also be exploring this more fully in my live online session, Regain & Maintain a Healthy Voice, on Friday 17 July, 12.30–1.30pm.

This session is for anyone whose voice has been feeling tired, strained, unreliable or more difficult to trust — whether after illness, stress, overuse, or simply a busy few months of speaking, teaching, singing or presenting.

Link in comments to book or find out more.

More beautiful video production by Lianne Amanda Anderson 💖

Aarrgghh! Where have my high notes gone?

If your high notes have mysteriously disappeared, your voice may not be “broken” — it may be protecting you.

You see, the larynx is not just there for singing. One of its most important jobs is to help protect the airway. During illness, stress, tension or recovery, it can become a little guarded or squeezed, and your vocal folds may become dry or swollen. Not to mention the essential lubricating mucus becoming sticky, or the mucus channels becoming obstructed. Yes, the larynx is a complex little instrument!

For higher notes, the vocal folds need to stretch, thin and vibrate quickly. If they are irritated, dry, swollen or held in a protective pattern, those notes can suddenly feel much harder — or as if they have disappeared completely.

The answer usually isn’t to push harder.

It is to reset, create space, allow the voice to recover, and help the larynx feel safe again.

In this video, I explain why high notes can become more difficult after illness, stress or vocal strain — and what may be going on when your top notes feel unreliable.

Resources mentioned in the video:

1. How Your Voice Works And Why It Goes Wrong video:
https://youtu.be/usg7mzUVebk

2. Voice Recovery After Illness or Stress — a practical online course to help you understand your voice, with step-by-step exercises to support voice recovery:
https://www.franmontignani.co.uk/courses/voice-recovery-after-illness-or-stress/

More beautiful video production by Lianne Amanda Anderson 💖