any singers? Voice changes?

[Jeannemrm]

Once upon a time, I used to be a first soprano in chorus etc...and I've been out of practice. My daughter, who loves to sing, has been bugging me to do karaoke with her....but I've had trouble with hitting the notes I once could. I suddenly realized that my 'comfortable range' has dropped down to low alto/tenor! Suddenly, instead of being in the Olivia Newton John range, I'm comfortable singing Hoobastank! Has anyone else had such a drastic change in their voices due to hormones?

Jeanne

[oOoGEMoOo]

my voice changed because of acid reflux...but i've always been low...
maybe your vocal chords need exercised...
i can hit higher notes when i work on it for a while...

[Jeannemrm]

I can hit higher notes..but it's only in headvoice..I've never been able to hit the lower notes with any strength, and now it seems like that is where my voice is strongest.
J

[~LilyBelle~]

I have been singing tenor since I was in middle school. I was in choir and sang tenor there. I have never been able to even sing alto, and I can even sing bass if I really want to.

[4Sunshine]

Hmm, interesting thought. I was also a first soprano in high school and am now an alto 1 when I'm in practice and an alto 2 when I'm not. I just chalked it up to age. Maybe it's not just that.

[Ella831]

I too once was a 1st,high soprano. Now though hitting those notes seems impossible. I never thought it was from the hormone change.I just figured it was b/c I got out of the habit of doing voice lessons,singing alot each day and exercising my vocal cords. Maybe it has to do with both.I am definitely in the alto range sometimes 2nd soprano.Which I hate the alto voice parts. I would love to be able to sing 1st soprano again and hit those high notes. I wonder if I do voice exercise and sing more regularly if I could......

[obuphio]

mine changes after bad bouts with bronchitis (I have chronic) and such. But after working it for a few months it goes back.

[~*Heart*~]

I noticed the very same thing! Higher notes can be a bit more difficult for me to hit now, whereas before I had no problem whatsoever! I mean, I'm still really good, it's just different. I find myself singing songs by different artists than I did before because it's more comfortable. I haven't really exercised my voice since I married, either. But I did watch my bridal shower video about a month ago, and there's a DEFINITE change in the pitch of even my speaking voice. I notice too that when I'm PG with a boy, the high notes are very difficult for me to hit...with DD, no problems lol. Must be that testosterone!

[Chelsae]

same thing happened to me. I used to have a great range, now I have like 1/2 an octave. My ENT said that I have vocal scarring from months of puking with my dd.

[joyblack]

Once upon a time, I used to be a first soprano in chorus etc...and I've been out of practice. My daughter, who loves to sing, has been bugging me to do karaoke with her....but I've had trouble with hitting the notes I once could. I suddenly realized that my 'comfortable range' has dropped down to low alto/tenor! Suddenly, instead of being in the Olivia Newton John range, I'm comfortable singing Hoobastank! Has anyone else had such a drastic change in their voices due to hormones? Jeanne

It's the result of high testosterone levels. Actually testosterone causes almost all girls' voices to drop a little at puberty, but it's usually very minor, compared to what happens with boys. However, when testosterone levels are very high, it has the effect of lengthening the vocal cords (leading to a drop in pitch) and sometimes the creation of an "Adam's Apple." But listen carefully to other women speaking and you'll rapidly realise that there's a considerable overlap between the male and female speaking range that's also there in the singing range.

[mommymel0921]

Last summer I gained over 60 pounds in less than 6 weeks. I have severe PCOS and my body (thinks) & looks pregnant...so my doctors say. I lost an ovary last Thanksgiving to this syndrome. I also sing and completely lost my voice during all of this. No acid symptoms or nasal symptoms - just no voice. When my voice decided to come back I realized I was no longer able to hit above a high D. Oh, the wonders of Hormones!

[Jashobeam]

My voice changed in 6th grade like a boy's would It has never been the same since. I have not been picked for a choir since and I refuse to sing in choirs now. I wish PCOS had at least left that part of me alone! DH has an amazing voice and I hate not having at least a descent one.

[joyblack]

My voice changed in 6th grade like a boy's would It has never been the same since. I have not been picked for a choir since and I refuse to sing in choirs now.

All girls' voices drop a bit at puberty, but it's not usually the dramatic drop that most boys have. If your levels of testosterone are high enough a girl's voice drops just like a boy's -- it's just one of those things that's rarely talked about. Quite a few girls develop a prominent "Adam's Apple" at the same time.

[Jashobeam]

All girls' voices drop a bit at puberty, but it's not usually the dramatic drop that most boys have. If your levels of testosterone are high enough a girl's voice drops just like a boy's -- it's just one of those things that's rarely talked about. Quite a few girls develop a prominent "Adam's Apple" at the same time.

My very old music teacher had never heard such a thing and humiliated me in front of the whole class. She scolded me and told me to stop singing. It was very sudden, and I've never heard of a girl's voice doing that drastically before.

[Cynlu]

Hm, thankfully this is not a problem I've had. I sing high soprano, sometimes I can coloratura, but I have to keep my voice in shape to do it.

I do notice that in the summer months when I am off regular rehearsals, my voice tends to weaken on the top high notes, but after "getting back to work" I regain my range. While I don't doubt that testosterone levels can have an effect, perhaps working with a vocal coach will help those of you affected to regain at least part of your higher range.

My mother was a soprano as well but hasn't sung regularly for years, and now I really don't like to hear her sing anymore because it is harsh and strident when she does manage to hit some of the higher notes.