A Quick Guide on How to Stop Scratch and Crack When You Sing
When You Sing Singing with a scratch and crack when you sing is frustrating.
Especially when you can’t control it If you suddenly crack when singing, it’s embarrassing. If your voice is scratchy it can ruin the smooth delivery you’re hoping for. I’ll give you a way to solve this problem so your singing is consistent and predictable.
Scratch and Crack sounds like a couple of bandits don’t they? If they create havoc and uncertainty with your singing they are bandits. Bandits who steal your confidence and diminish your great performance. There may be other ways to stop scratch and crack when you sing If scratch and crack is caused by colds, viruses, flu, allergies, reflux and other illnesses, your only resort may be to get well before you sing. But what about when you have scratch and crack when you’re healthy? This is when you feel fine but suddenly as you start singing, it starts to be scratchy.
Perhaps you’re singing the high note and you suddenly crack. This is often caused by the rising larynx. When the larynx starts moving higher, a scratchy sound or a sudden break can start without any warning. It’s frustrating and can be embarrassing. Here’s one exercise that I’ve used many times to stop scratch and crack.
It’s called the “dopey gee”. Put your hand on your Adam’s Apple (which is the top of your larynx) and say “duh”. The larynx probably doesn’t move. Now say it again, this time adding a cartoon character “dumb” or “dopey” sound to the “duh”. With the dumb sound, the larynx should move lower as you say the “duh”.
Does it? If not, you aren’t adding enough dopey sound Exaggerate the dopey sound. Now say “gee” with the same dopey sound. You can remove the scratch and crack with this “dopey gee”. If you’re singing and the scratch starts happening, use the dopey gee instead of the words
For example, I’m currently performing in Camelot and have a solo toward the end of the show. Suppose it sounded like this. To remove that I’ll use the dopey gee instead of the words. This will lower the larynx. After doing that several times, now I’ll just use dopey words to see if I can keep the scratch out of my voice.
Notice it’s almost completely gone. The same can be done with the crack. Now use the dopey gee instead. If it holds without cracking, I’ll use dopey words. Once it is holding I’ll gradually take away the dopey sound.
Now I can do it without scratch but this time without the imposed larynxjust my normal voice. The larynx is staying down which takes the scratch and crack away.
