Why does my voice get tired? Voice fatigue in singing
"I used to be able to do a two hour set and now I start feeling tired or strained after an hour"
One of the most common issues that bring singers into the office is loss of vocal endurance and their voice feeling fatigued. This could be a sign of an underlying vocal efficiency issue or injury.
Why does my voice fatigue?
When your voice tires quickly, it is likely due to either muscular or anatomic issues.
Muscular issues: voice fatigue can be caused by how your muscles are working. The actual vocal folds function normally, but:
Your breath support may be weak
Tension may be building in the neck or shoulders
Your vocal technique might be inefficient
You may be pressing, using secondary vocal muscles
Over time, small imbalances in muscle activation can result in vocal fatigue, especially for professional voice users.
In voice medicine, we often call this muscle tension dysphonia, where surrounding muscles overcompensate for vocal demands. This leads to effortful speaking or singing, and exhaustion after routine use.
Anatomic issues: laryngitis or vocal injury will result in inefficiency, causing you to push harder and fatigue faster. If fatigue persists after muscular issues are addressed, it's critical to get a videostroboscopy while injury may still be reversible.
How to Know It’s Time for Help
Ask yourself:
Do you feel vocally “tired” earlier in your routine?
Do you need to clear your throat frequently?
Do you feel like you're “pushing” your voice?
If so, a stroboscopy exam and evaluation from a laryngologist can identify whether your vocal folds are healthy but your system needs tuning.
You Shouldn’t Have to Push
At the Center for Vocal Health, we help identify subtle mechanical inefficiencies that lead to quick vocal burnout—and give you tools to rebuild efficient, sustainable voice use.
