Hey Denise! Good to hear from you.
I SO know the hoarseness problem that comes with teaching. I have many friends who are plagued with it. Regarding singing: Yes, you can damage your cords by over-using when you're already hoarse. If the ENT said you looked only inflamed, that's a good thing - good in that you don't have vocal nodules, which are a huge problem among teachers. I'd be curious to know if your hearing is OK - very often people with hearing loss speak louder than necessary without realizing it. A good way to take a barometer reading is to ask your teaching colleagues to tell you honestly if they think you speak too loud - for instance, can they hear you teaching from down the hall? Another thing I had no idea about
until I went to this particular ENT is that certain medications can cause hoarseness. I'm on beta blockers for heart palpitations. He looked up the one I was one (inderal) and bingo one of the side effects is hoarseness. I think I also mentioned the long term asthma inhaler - Advair - that caused yeast on my vocal cords which was making me hoarse. Google any meds you might be on to see if that could be the problem, and if so, is there something else your doc could substitute? If you've got bad tree allergies, you're probably on anti-histamines which are very drying. Make sure you stay well hydrated. When I was teaching I had a water bottle that I just kept refilling all day long. When it comes to hydration for hoarseness, room temperature water is the best.
Unfortunately, teachers do not receive any vocal training and they should. Not so much to learn how to sing, but how to breathe. Any stage actor will tell you the importance of being able to project "on the breath" rather than "from the throat." Your problem could be as simple as that. This is also my guess as to your problem, and this one is very easily fixed. Do you have a college or university near you with a good music program? I'd go to their website, look up the chair of their vocal department, email and tell him or her your problem - also mention that you've been evaluated by a doctor and that another singer told you this could be the problem. Ask them if they would be able to help you with your problem or recommend one of their students to do it. Usually the chair of the dept won't have the time, but you might be surprised. And a few voice lessons under your belt would get you on the right road to good vocal hygiene.
Email me at
[email protected] and I can give you some "non-verbal" things to do with your kids that will help take away some of the demands on your voice at work.
Regarding your piano, I'm sorry to tell you that a Baldwin Acrosonic is not a bad little instrument, but not worth much. You would probably get more with a tax write-off than you would selling it. Depends on which works best for you. If you've had it on Craig's List and it hasn't moved, chances are it won't. I think your best deal would be to contact schools or churches in the area and offer to donate it - then let THEM take it off your hands. Then let them give you a letter for your taxes. Also, you could ask your tuner if he knows of anyone who might be looking to buy it. But I think offering it as a donation would get it off your hands quickly. Especially if you tell them that your tuner has certified it.
I feel really good about
being able to off YOU some help and advice for a change. And when you email me, tell me where you live. I've got ALOT of vocal music connections and may even know someone near you who'd be willing to help.
Margaret