You want Surgery with that Fry?
Bad vocal habits can lead to long-term damage
According to reports, Grammy-nominated singer Adele is heading for basic vocal training at a medical vocal clinic in Seoul. She recently had surgery to remove benign polyps on her vocal cords – benign polyps that are the result of vocal abuse.
She isn’t the first and she won’t be the last.
There is a disturbing trend into today’s music world (well, there are several distrubing trends, but I’m not here to talk about the Beiberization of American pop music). I’m referring to Steve Tyler, Keith Urban, John Mayer and Adele – just to name a few performers who have undergone vocal surgery for the purpose of removing benign vocal nodes and repairing vocal cords.
Vocal nodes or polyps often develop as a result of poor or destructive vocal habits – improper use of breath, pushing the voice too hard or too low, fatigue and overuse are just a few of the things that can cause damage to the voice. There is one unhealthy trend however, that stands out – speaking in a “vocal fry.”
In vocal sense, the fry zone is the lower end of the register, where, as breath runs out, the voice starts sounding crackly or raspy. It’s also referred to as a “Glottal Fry.”
There has been a lot of speculation about the reasons behind this trend; many current female celebrities speak in the Vocal Fry range – Kim Kardashian, Ke$ha, Lauren Conrad, Lindsay Lohan – you can read more about it here, as well as hear some examples. (Or, if PopSugar isn’t your preferred source for news, you can read about it here ) This trend has actually been prevalent for a bit now, with Brittany Spears being one of the first of many young pop singers to employ it on a regular basis.
The Vocal Fry, when used frequently, is more than a good way to ruin your vocal cords, it’s also a great way to deflect credibility and send a signal that you are not to be taken seriously. We all use vocal fry occasionally but generally don’t make a habit of it. The Fry can drain words and thoughts of any vitality and weight. It’s a vocal ‘shrug of the shoulders’, if you will, and the newest way for women to express their opinion without being threatening. It has replaced “Valley Girl” (Ending every statement as if it were a question?) as the vocal trend du jour.
While the young women employing this effect may not require vocal surgery down the line, the Vocal Fry can still be damaging. As with any habit, overcoming it when you do want to be taken seriously or want your opinion heard – such as in the workplace or a relationship – will be difficult. These same women will begin to complain about not being taken seriously, being passed over for promotions or hitting the glass ceiling. Your voice is very much a part of how people percieve you.
How can you help your daughter avoid the Fry?
If you have a teen-age girl in your home the best thing you can do as a parent is demonstrate a strong, healthy voice. Your voice is part of the vocal environment your child is growing up in. Set an example of speaking in an appropriate manner in different situations.
Encourage your child to speak with their full voice. If you yourself have a habit of speaking in the Fry zone, be aware of it and began to change your vocal habits. Speak with a well supported voice, using your breath and the full range of the voice. Most likely, as you begin to speak in a stronger, more healthful manner you will notice a change in how people treat and preceive you. You may even get that promotion you’re after!
And don’t worry men – you’re not off the hook. Next week we take a look at Professional Whisperer, Alec Baldwin!
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