Maybe some of you singing teachers here can help me understand what's causing this catching in my throat and voice.

I can't help noticing that this has been happening for the past month since my mom died. Could deep emotions be causing this? I've been bursting into tears every day. Could this have been irritating my throat?

Hell yes. Deep emotions definitely affect the voice.

I'd guess you're holding an extreme amount of tension, which would be inhibiting your voice's freedom. Have you seen someone like a grief counsellor since she died? It sounds to me like you're trying to hold it in and erupting when you can't anymore. Might help to talk to someone about it. *hugs*

Helen

Thanks, Helen. I suppose that catching in the voice when you sing can be the same as the voice catching when you speak. There have been some times when I've sung a song that has a passionate crescendo, and have started to cry when the crescendo builds. I let the tears start as the crescendo builds.

My dad and I are going to a grief support group meeting this afternoon. That may help to let out some of our grief.

RE holdng tension: when I sing, I can definitely feel a tension in my throat. I can feel this affecting my vibrato, and even I can hear this tension wobbling the pitch. I have to remind myself, "Let the throat and shoulders relax.". The catch in my voice and throat almost makes me want to cough.

*hugs* Just keep breathing. And if the tears come, let them.

Helen

I wanted to post this comment before the thread got too old.

It reeently occured to me that the catch in the throat may be caused by my trying to inhale while my throat is extremely tense. Could that be another thing besides the deep emotions that is causing the catch in the throat?

Is it still occurring consistently? Did it start just after your mother's death?

Yes, there could be a physiological cause for the catch, but it doesn't rule out the emotions. It could be one causing the other (emotions causing the physiological symptoms), or physiological symptoms that are drawing up emotions during an activity that relies on a confidence and relaxed demeanor.

Yes, it did start just after mom's death. It's getting easier now and is not consistant, but is still occuring. I guess it's still going to take some time to completely relax the neck, shoulders, and jaw, and gain complete confidence. It can be done, though, by applying Helen's advice to maintain deep, calm, rhythmic breathing.