Why Does My Throat Hurt When I Sing?
Ever wondered “Why does my throat hurt when I sing?” You’re not alone. This is one of the most Googled questions about singingand for good reason. Pain is a sign something’s off, and in singing, it’s often a technique issue.
Here are a few reasons your throat might be hurting when you sing:
1. You’re singing from the wrong place
A lot of beginners mistakenly sing from the throat, especially the back of the throat, where tension builds fast. But great singing actually happens in the mouth and forward resonators, not deep in the throat. You want your sound to feel lifted and resonant in your face, not strained and stuck low in your neck.
2. You’re not using breath support
If you’re forcing sound out with your throat muscles instead of using solid breath support from your diaphragm, it can create tension and even vocal damage over time.
3. You’re skipping warmups
Warming up helps stretch and prepare your vocal cords. Without it, you’re jumping into movement that your voice isn’t ready for.
4. You’re trying to hit notes that don’t suit your current range
Pushing too high or too low without the right technique will strain your vocal cords.
5. You’re dehydrated or tense
Your voice needs hydration to stay smooth, and tension in your jaw, neck, or shoulders can tighten everything up.
Quick tip: Try singing on an “NG” sound (like in “sing”) to feel the buzz in the front of your face. This helps shift your resonance forward and out of the throat.
If you enjoyed these tips, check out our Beginner Vocal Course for a complete step-by-step program to transform your voice!
Learn more about Lydia Urbina and her vocal coaching at
