How to Get Rid of Throat Tension When Singing: Tips for a Free and Healthy Voice
Throat tension is one of the most common struggles singers face — whether you’re just starting out or have been training for years. That tight, strained feeling can limit your vocal range, weaken your tone, and even cause long-term vocal fatigue or injury if left unaddressed. The good news? Throat tension is not a permanent problem. With the right techniques and understanding, you can learn how to get rid of throat tension when singing and unlock a freer, more resonant, and powerful voice.
In this post, we’ll explore why throat tension happens when singing, how to get rid of it effectively, and essential strategies like diaphragmatic breathing, vocal tract shaping, and relaxation exercises that will help you sing with greater ease, confidence, and joy.
Why Do Singers experience throat tension?
Throat tension usually happens because of compensationsin technique. When singers don’t use their body efficiently – particularly their breath support and vocal tract – the smaller muscles in the throat overwork to produce the sound. Some common reasons include:
- Poor diaphragmatic breath technique
- Improper vocal tract shaping
- Tension in the jaw or tongue
- Lack of resonance in the mask area
- Overexertion and vocal fatigue
1. Master diaphragmatic breathing for singing
One of the biggest causes of throat tension is relying on the throat muscles to support the voice, instead of the breath.
Diaphragmatic breathing means that you breathe deeply into your lungs, allowing your belly and ribs to expand outward as you inhale. This provides steady, supported airflow for singing, which takes the strain off your throat.
HOW TO PRACTICE DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING:
- Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest.
- inhale deeply, aiming to expand your stomach outward while keeping your chest still.
- Exhale slowly, maintaining the expansion and controlling the release of air.
- Practice this while humming lightly or singing scales to build the habit.
Breath support is the foundation. Without it, tension will always creep in.
2. Vocal tract shaping: A game-changer for reducing throat tension
Vocal tract shaping refers to adjusting the size and shape of the space from your vocal cords to your lips — including the throat, mouth, and nasal cavities. How you shape your vocal tract dramatically influences tension, resonance, and tone quality.
When the vocal tract is too tight, too narrow, or rigid, singers often feel a “choked” sensation. On the other hand, when it’s open and flexible, sound flows easily and tension melts away.
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE VOCAL TRACT SHAPING:
- Think ‘tall vowels’ – imagine more vertical space inside your mouth when singing vowels, e.g. ‘ah’ and ‘oh’ sounds.
- Keeping a slight yawn feeling – a gentle yawn posture lifts the soft palate and opens the throat without force.
- Relax the tongue and jaw – your tongue should stay relaxed and forward (not pulling back into the throat) and the jaw should feel loose and mobile.
- Visualise singing ‘over’ the sound – imagine the sound travelling over a hill inside your mouth rather than being pushed forward through the throat.
Working with vocal tract shaping is one of the most effective ways to immediately reduce unnecessary tension.
3. relax the jaw and tongue
Tension in the jaw and tongue often translates directly into throat tension. If the jaw is stiff or the tongue is pulling back toward the throat, it can block airflow and cause extra strain.
SIMPLE JAW AND TONGUE RELAXATION EXERCISE:
- Jaw wiggle– gently wiggle your jaw side to side while breathing out on a soft ‘ah’ sound.
- Tongue stretches – stick your tongue out as far as it can go, hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
- Tongue trills – blow air through your lips or tongue (like a ‘brrr’ sound) to release unnecessary tension before singing.
Always check in with your jaw and tongue before beginning your singing practice — a relaxed jaw and tongue are essential for maintaining a tension-free throat. However, if you experience any jaw discomfort, restricted movement, or suspect you may have a condition like TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder), it’s important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before attempting these or any vocal exercises. Singing should never cause pain, and proper medical advice ensures you practice safely and protect your long-term vocal health.
4. Focus on resonance instead of power
Another key to getting rid of throat tension when singing is shifting your focus from ‘singing louder’ to ‘resonating better‘. When you focus on placingyour sound into the mask area (the space around your nose, forehead, and cheekbones), your voice will naturally project without needing to push from your throat.
EXERCISES TO BUILD RESONANCE:
- Nasal humming – hum gently and feel the vibration in your face.
- ‘NG’ sirens – sing on an ‘NG’ sound (as in ‘sing‘)while sliding up and down your range to find easy resonance.
- Lip trills– these help balance airflow and resonance without overloading the throat.
The goal is always effortless sound, not forceful sound.
5. Know when to rest
Overworking the voice is a major cause of throat tension. Just like any other muscle in the body, your vocal folds need time to rest and recover. Signs you need a break:
- Persistent throat tightness
- Hoariness or loss of vocal clarity
- Feeling like you’re ‘pushing’ to get your sound out
Schedule regular vocal breaks during practice sessions and prioritise hydration to keep your voice healthy.
Final thoughts: free your voice, free your singing
Getting rid of throat tension when singing is entirely possible with mindful technique, proper breath management, vocal tract shaping, and conscious relaxation. It takes time to retrain your muscle memory, but the rewards – easier singing, greater range, richer tone, and vocal longevity – are absolutely worth it!
Remember – singing should feel free, joyful, and effortless – never strained.
