You CAN fix your shaky voice!
If your singing voice suddenly starts shaking like an elderly church choir soprano , don’t panic — you’re not broken, cursed, or “just not meant to sing.” (Yes, I’ve heard all of those, and NONE of them are true!)
“Why is my singing voice shaky?” is one of the top questions singers type into Google — and I totally get it. As a vocal coach, I see this all the time. The good news? There’s always a reason, and it’s always fixable. Yes, always! So without having heard you, let me give you my thoughts as to why your singing voice may be shaky.
Let’s break down what might really be going on.
1. 😬 You’re Tense or Nervous (or BOTH!)
When you’re nervous, your whole body tenses up — shoulders, jaw, even your tongue (yep, it’s a thing). Your breath gets shallow, your throat and neck muscles tighten….and let’s just say your sound is less than ideal. You may have noticed this happening to you when you’re performing!
Try this: Before you sing, massage your jaw, roll your shoulders, some head rolls, and exhale slooooooowly.
Then take one calm, VERY deep breath and release it. You’ll instantly sound AND feel steadier — promise. Creating small, simple habits are the way to go!
2. 💨 You Don’t Have Enough Breath
This is a big one!
If your air supply isn’t steady, your sound won’t be either. Think of your voice like a balloon — no consistent airflow, no consistent tone. No conistent sound in general! Consistent breath= clear tone and steady sound.
Try this: Sing one note on a soft “zzz” or “sss.” If your sound wobbles, your airflow might be uneven. Practice holding it steady for 10 seconds. Then try building it up a little longer if that goes well.
This builds the strength your voice has been begging for!
3. 😴 You’re Vocally Tired Out!
Been singing for hours? Talking all day? Or yelling over a crowd? (Looking at you, concert-goers and theater teachers.)
Your vocal folds might just be tired. And tired folds don’t stay steady. They’re tiny, so treat them with serious care!
Try this: Rest. Seriously. Hydrate. Don’t push through — your voice will thank you for it tomorrow. Oh, and if you NEED to tell someone something at that loud concert or game or party? PLEASE don’t yell- not worth it!
Simply tap them on the shoulder and get them to speak elsewhere, where it’s quieter. Or send them a text!
4. 🎶 You’re Overthinking Your Vibrato
This one’s sneaky. Some singers mistake natural vibrato for a “shaky” sound — then try to control it, which actually makes it worse. When I say “control”, that could mean either stopping it from happening, OR completely manufacturing vibrato , as in forcing it to happen!
Your vibrato should feel easy, and be an unforced, natural result of good vocal technique.
A few more of my thoughts on vibrato: some singers have a quicker vibrato, some slower. Some not much at all! And that is normal. You may notice vibrato (“healthy” voice shakes, if you will!) is more pronounced on classical singers than pop or rock singers. They don’t tend to use a whole lot as an artistic choice .
Try this: Focus on good body balance , steady air and relaxed throat. Let your body do the work — not your brain! Yeah, you can MAKE vibrato happen, but I would definitely not advise it!
5. 🩺 There Could Be a Medical Reason
If your voice shakes even when you’re calm, rested, hydrated and if you’re using proper technique, it might be time to check in with a laryngologist or voice-specialized ENT. There are physical or neurological conditions that can cause vocal tremors, and knowing the root cause helps you find the right fix.
Bottom line is that sometimes, there are things a vocal coach are not equipped to fix, so you’re best headed to a medical professional. Don’t panic, they are there to help you find a solution!
💡 The Main Idea Behind Shaky Voices
A shaky voice doesn’t mean you’re a bad singer!
It usually means your body’s sending you a message — about tension, breath, or fatigue. Once we figure out why it’s happening, we can smooth it out.
If your voice keeps shaking and you’re ready to get to the root of it (without guessing or Googling in circles), that’s exactly what I help singers do.
If you’re trying to figure it all out by yourself, it can be stressful, and you need another set of eyes and ears!
Let me be that person, and we can say buh-bye to shaky voices . Schedule a lesson with me, Vocal Molly, right here!