Most singers in my studio have complained, at one time or another, about neck tension. The neck is a very complicated area and the muscle arrangement and the proximity to the larynx (which is the source of the sound) makes the neck quite a popular topic of conversation in an vocal studio. Many singers suffer from tensions in the neck and rock singers are especially susceptible to this kind of problem. Since the style of music is pushed and the singer has to work so hard to accomplish the style, often he or she will put an enourmous amount of strain on the muscles of the neck in order to get the kind of sound desired.

Last month I talked about massage and the face. The neck, of course, is connected to the skull and the clavicle and any tensions in the face usually spill over to the neck and vice versa. When massaging the face, you must then move on to the neck as well or your face will quickly tighten up again.

There are so many muscles in the neck; the very superficial muscles, the deep muscles anchoring the skull and the cervicle vertebrae, the deep muscles of the back and neck and the intrisic muscles of the larynx and the tongue. Since all these muscles are in the main area where sound is produced, it is vital that they be relaxed and free from the tensions that can inhibit the best of singers. Massage, exercise and wet heat are the three best remedies that I know of to fix a tight and ailing neck.

The two muscles I hear the most complaints about are the Sternocleidomastoid and the Trapezius muscles. The sternocleidomastoid is an important muscle in the rotation, flexing and extension of the head. This muscle is a key structure. It separates the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck. The critical carotid arteries, internal jugular veins and vagus nerves run deep into these muscles. This muscle is the big muscle right back behind your ear which crosses down the side of your neck and attaches in front to the top of the sternum, right at the front of your neck below your chin.

The trapezius muscle is the big muscle which is attached to the base of the skull in the back of the head and to the clavicle at its base. These two big muscles must be relaxed through stretching and massage in order for the singer to sing with any kind of flexibility and freedom. So often the rock singer's neck turns blood-red with veins popping and muscles bulging so that the performer looks as though he or she is having a stroke! I find this very difficult to watch as a member of the audience. Although some of this kind of forcefulness looks exciting on stage, it is very hard on the singer and can be a detrimental element, keeping the singer from accomplishing the full extension of the range of his or her voice.

In trying to release tension in your neck and face, you can use any of the hand massagers that are available in department or drug stores. These are very valuable. They bring blood and oxygen to the muscles, which is fuel for them. This restores energy and relaxes otherwise tense muscles.

Muscles which are not stretched will contract and if this continues, releasing the muscles will be quite painful at first. Getting a massage from a prfessional or even from a friend will benefit you and help to free your voice. Tension in any one of the big neck muscles sets up a chain reaction and it is almost impossible to have a tense neck and/or face and have a free larynx. Since the larynx must oscillate (tilt, move) in order to make pitch, it is highly unlikely that it can do that in a tense, tight environment.

Some singers get severe headaches while they are singing or after they are done with a performance. This can be relieved by a good massage or a nice hot bath. It amazes me how many singers never take a bath in the bath tub. A shower is, of course, a wonderful way to clean yourself, but a bath means you have to lay down and that, in turn, means you are suspended in the water, relieved of the pull of gravity on your spine. This gives your body a rest and gives your neck some relief from holding up your head. The average head weighs in at about 17 pounds. That is quite a load on the muscles of the neck. All that muscle contraction has to get relieved somehow. Lying down in a hot bath can do wonders. Of course many people say they have no time for baths, but that is nonsense. Even baths of five minutes are beneficial if the water temperature is hot enough.

Stretching exercises for the neck can be as simple as turning the head from side to side, looking from left to right in a rhythmical movement. Moving the head through its many available postures, rotating it in a circular motion, extending it forward and backward are all ways to relieve tension in the neck. This, along with the hot bath, the facial massage and the hand massage will certainly help you.

The kind of coordination neccessary for singing consistently with no neck tension is a tool of the craft which takes quite a bit of study to master. But both the highly skilled singer and the beginner benefit equally from the aids to relaxation which we have been exploring here. Well, have a relaxed month! See you next time.