Knot in throat

Hello,

I've been feeling like a knot in my throat (on and off) since I've been practicing singing. It's not painful, but it's there. I actually feel it more when I'm not singing. It diminishes when I do a yawn-style inhale, but then comes back fairly quickly.

So I've got two questions really:

1. Should I take a break? As it's not actually hurting I've not been too worried.

2. Does it suggest I put too much tension on my throat when singing? I'm quite careful about keeping my jaw relaxed. I know I've sometimes been using my throat rather than my abdomen to make sounds come out - last couple of days I've been trying to pay more attention to that too. Anything else I should lookout for?

Thanks :)

Alice

Oh and maybe I should have specified my throat doesn't feel sore - there's tightness but no pain. (And I'm pretty sure it's not Covid-19 either!)

Glad you asked, Alice! Sounds like you're experiencing what could be called "globus" (a feeling of a lump in the throat). Feel free to read this article: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets/Head%20and%20Neck%20ENT%20Globus%20feeling%20of%20lump%20in%20the%20throat.htm

Since it came on with the start of singing, we can assume it's probably due to using those muscles in new ways (and putting more stress on your throat as a result). 

My best advice is to find the exercises that feel the most gentle on your throat and give you no "heavy" sensation there. My favorite is singing on a light, quiet "NG" (an open mouthed hum). It immediately takes all pressure off of my throat and helps me "reset" into light, easy coordination. You can use an NG as first and then open up to a vowel (like NG-EE). 

If you're using too much "vocal effort" or "pressed phonation", the above coordination should help. 

Please keep an eye on it, and let me know how it goes! (And of course, I'm not a doctor; so if you're concerned at all and/or the issue persists, please check in with your primary care doc.)

If you feel pain that is your body giving you a warning sign so good thing you recongized it. I suggest doing easier

exerices that do not cause pain. The lip trill which is the most widely accepted singing exercise amongst vocal coaches. Also try the hum and or mum exercise. These are all great daily exercises that ultimately are structured to be easy on your vocal chords while still helping you develop your voice.