I've noticed over the last couple years I have had more and more trouble singing on key. In fact I very often no longer can. Its like I can hear what the note is supposed to be as I usually can but when I try to sing it it comes out as the wrong note entirely.
I am a trained singer and the career I'm pursuing is as a singer songwriter. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Could it be due to Lyme? I'm freaking out and afraid I will never be able to sing again.
(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
posted
Wow... I have not heard anyone say that before. Have you seen an audiologist about it? Maybe it's a problem with the ears?
So sorry to hear this!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bluelyme
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posted
My ears are a ****show ,and voice is changing due to biofilm voice box buggs yes ..record while you can ...my diaphragm has gotten weaker too...i miss music
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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Brussels
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posted
Sorry to know about that... Lyme affected my way of listening to music, profoundly.
Since I was a child, I loved Bach or the Barroque music, I don't know why. It caused me a profound impression, and the feelings I had with many Bach compositions were almost like nirvana.
Since I caught lyme, my relation to music changed completely, without my consent or knowledge.
I didn't know the change happened, as it happened slowly. Only when it vanished, I realized it.
I just lost the feeling to music. Lost my inner connection, the energy that reverberates inside that made me so happy before.
Nothing. I heard the same compositions, but felt nothing, or next to.
When lyme went dormant, I was listening to a Messe from Bach, ironing clothes. Suddenly, I realized the WHOLE world of Bach, feelings, intention, harmonies, everything was BACK to me again.
The deep feeling, the emotion, the intention, intonations, beauty... All was again as clear as the sun.
But during all the years I was very ill, there was no sun in music.
I realized I needed ENERGY to appreciate music, in its totality. During lyme, I had barely energy to stand up, so music was lost, literally. And I even didn't know.
I wonder what happens to our brains during lyme or bad chronic diseases. I was so thankful to have gotten my music back, talking to me like before.
In fact, that feeling was so strong and clear that it marked the exact moment I KNEW lyme had definitively left me. That BAch Messe.
Until today, more than 7 years after that, I think that was really a sort of sign of how disease can affect our relation to the arts.
You need energy to sing, and you need emotions to sing. Besides, lyme affects the brain, so it could be something either physical (vocal chords being affected) or neurological (you listen something, but can't process it well and something out comes?). Just some guesses.
But the good thing is that I do think that most of these damages are reversible, if treated in time. Even the brain.
I hope you solve the problem back.
Here in lymenet, there were musicians who said they got on playing their instruments, in spite of neuro lyme and all.
They couldn't learn many new things, but as far as I understood, they could keep their abilities well.
Long term memory for them was no problem, so they kept still playing, some even composed (even though, when I see what they composed, I see their limitations due to disease...) At least, that has been my impression.
Problem was short term memory though. Hard for everyone...
I hope someone can come with their experiences.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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Brussels
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posted
Just to add something else: we think singing is more mechanic than anything else, but there is a lot of BRAIN work necessary for singing!!
And if you sing professionally, the energy, concentration is even more demanding (to the brain).
Concentration was something I didn't have during lyme. It was EXTREMELY difficult to concentrate, like my brain had been dissolved in acid...
Fortunately, I got my concentration back after lyme, so it was not lost forever.
I wonder if it does not have to do with lack of concentration?? Just another guess...
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Do you have hyperacusis to any degree? And degree of balance issues or vertigo, nausea or eye nystagmus / degree of dyslexia (often any of this can be brought on with lyme and also with some of the ototoxic Rx.
That would involve a more detailed reply if I could even accurately put words together. Some links to explain what I'm talking about, though, even if I'm not sure I can explain why those vestibular symptoms
(that "sounds out" right but it looks wrong - phonics usually save but not sure with that word . . . looked it up and I think I've been spelling all wrong for years!). So, if you have that sort of thing happen to you, too, that can be due to vestibular issues as well. Nice that I could just have an example happen when I needed it.
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS
Ototoxic drugs, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Now, vestibular issues also interfere with cognitive function, big time.
Yet, vestibular might be just part of what could be affecting ability to sing on key . . . others' thought and also some muscle control issues, nerve spasms, BREATHING / diaphragm strength, too.
Endurance, I guess, is likely the major culprit as fatigue can clobber is unexpected ways. If fatigue is the major issue, do NOT push. You might have to consider this "forced voice rest" in some way.
Still LISTEN as best you can to the kinds of music you would sign and "sing in your mind" as that actually can still work out your brain in some regard.
And try to breathe with it, too, standing with proper posture and all at least some times during the day as you "sing along in your mind" - such visualization has helped athletes with broken limbs which required long rests.
A vocal coach who would be EXTREMELY lyme literate might be in order. If they are not, seriously, they can do more harm than good.
Still, with proper treatment and excellent liver support (to also help protect ears), many have regained various abilities.
One thought, too, is that other lines of notes at the same time you are singing, such as other voices in harmony or instruments playing other than just the melody might be too overwhelming for the brain.
You may find that, as you treat lyme/ TBD you have to stick only to the melody of your vocal track and not have the others to confuse your brain.
TOMATIS would be well worth looking into for sound / ear training if AFTER lyme / TBD are in remission you still need some discernment training.
think it may not work as well as long as the causes are still to be worked on so don't get your hopes up too soon, just explore what that is and see how it feels to you. It's very costly yet well worth learning about.
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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Topic: NATURAL SLEEP & ADRENAL SUPPORT . . . Endurance support. - -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Oh, FELDENKRAIS METHOD of body awareness, breathing might be of interest.
TAI CHI or QIGONG might also help in ways that I cannot explain but know from experience with my voice.
Also - if you sing unaccompanied, it may help to play a guitar or autoharp or even a good quality piano keyboard as you sing. Or sing along with recordings. Just allow yourself training wheels.
I could never sing on key until I learned to play guitar. Just the basics like the G - C - D - Em - Am chords will be enough and are easier. And with a capo, you can change keys.
You can avoid the F chord with a capo and transposing the key - as that F chord is just really hard on the hands. And for Bm, D6 is a decent substitute, easier on hands. Or just skip ones that are too hard.
However, the sad thing is that for many (myself, included) even light simple guitar holding / strumming can be very hard on wrists & finger. So, then a simple piano keyboard may work best and even if you just know your right handed notes / keys, that will work fine just for melody or your vocal line.
HEADS UP helps somewhat. for links / video, Google:
heads up guitar strap -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Being a trained vocalist myself, I can understand your frustration and angst. I have no answer other than to say Silver and I will keep in mind and heart.
I lost the ability to play the guitar (couldn't make chords - fingers would not cooperate) for over 3 years and it was not only frustrating, it hurt in my heart because of my love of playing and singing.
Hopefully it will come back - and soon.
-------------------- I have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 665 | From Lost Wages, NV | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I guess I'm lucky - have not lost my ability to hear pitches.
Am wondering if there's any digital machine you could get that shows the frequency of the note, like concert A being 440 times/sec, etc, and you could work to raise or lower the numerical pitch to the correct frequency number, aka how biofeedback works.
Also, about forecasting the future - do you think you would benefit from a lot more Lyme treatment? Because if so, that might change your brain and improve things.
I thought I would never alter a brain chemistry - a high prolactin count - and it's been dropping with each bloodtest I get. I do mostly natural anti-inflams like turmeric, mangosteen juice, noni juice, grapeseed extract.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Keebler
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