<p>Okay, if this question has been posed before, please guide me there because I searched through threads and still can't find an answer.</p>
<p>I'm a musical theatre singer, and have always been with my voice teachers. In July, though, I got a classically trained voice teacher who has really opened up my eyes to Opera and its technique. His technique has worked beautiful on my musical theatre pieces, but last night after buying a copy of La Boheme, I tried to sing the ungodly high notes on "Che Gelida Manina," which felt unusual, but (mildly) do-able.</p>
<p>I woke up today, though, with what felt a very tired voice. Not that I can't speak, but I can sense my voice telling me to not attempt any high notes today, or really to not sing at all.</p>
<p>My question is, are high notes like that something that PHYSICALLY needs to be worked through, or strengthened, or is this just a sign that I'm not a good enough technician to hit high notes without strain at this point? I never felt as though I was "pushing" the notes, but I'm SURE there was muscle tention SOMEWHERE (probably everywhere).</p>
<p>I don't know if that made sense, but I can't find the answer anywhere!</p>
<p>MisterChoi, I am sure we'll be hearing from this forum's experts on this question soon. In the meantime, why don't you ask your teacher. You should get some basic info on taking care of your voice and developing it carefully. When my son began voice study 2 years ago, I was taken aback by how much we did not know about the voice. For example, absolutely don't sing while suffering from strep throat and expand vocal range upward gradually and with expert guidance.
Did your teacher assign "Che gelida manina"? I am guessing not. I wouldn't have been able to resist singing it either (in a higher octave since I am soprano) but I have the luxury of not having a voice worth preserving!</p>
<p>Those high notes are a whole 'nother thing, and you can expect that they require a totally different kind of energy and approach. Even when singers know what they are doing, it can be physically exhausting to sing the dramatic high notes. You should consult with your teacher, and if he/she thinks this kind of music and singing is reasonable for you, let them escort you through the music, the vocal situations. Even when you know what you are doing, and it is appropriate for you to be doing it, it is NOT necessary to sing the high notes full throttle every day. THey use a lot of vocal capital, and you need to spend your vocal time and energy on your technique and co-ordination in the rest of your voice. </p>
<p>Do take it easy today, perhaps do some very light vocalises. The other important thing is that if you strained something, and it IS possible to over-stretch the vocal cords (too high, too loud, too much air pressure to gut it out....result, a permanent wobble), you do not want to be responding technically to something not the normal physical state. </p>
<p>Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>That's very interesting to hear that the vocal chords need to be "stretched" a little, or could be "over-stretched." While my voice teacher always says one should never experience vocal fatigue, but I just figured some stretching must be at hand to really get at those high notes.</p>
<p>If anyone has any website or book to push me in the right direction, that would also be helpful. I'm a student full of questions!</p>
<p>How old are you? I think Pavarotti was probably close to 30 before he did La Boheme so remember that tackling opera arias is best done with a mature voice. You can probably hear a more "poperish" version of it if Bocelli has done it - and I feel sure he has. Be careful with your voice and find out what your range is.</p>
<p>Vocal cords lengthen when the cartilages to which they are attached rock and the cords stretch and thin to achieve higher pitches, but there is a limit. The version of "stretching" to be wary of is when the air pressure pushes at the cords to get up to the higher notes. Your teacher should be able to answer your questions, and there are various books about vocal pedagogy and hygiene available. Good luck. Lorelei</p>