Vaping affects voice?

[webmiztris]

I read about the effects of vaping on a singer's voice on ECF a while back, and basically what it said was that once you start vaping, you sing better than you would if you smoked analogs. This made sense to me because I'd expect analogs to be way more harsh on the lungs, vocal chords, etc. However, I'm noticing the exact opposite effect for me and it's definitely bumming me out! I sing and play acoustic guitar and I'm noticing that my voice is just terrible since I've started vaping (as well as quit smoking). This is honestly the only downside I've run into with vaping. I'm finding that I can't sing higher notes anymore, that my singing voice crackles and 'gives out' on me and just sounds bad overall compared to before. It's not like I was some Mariah Carey before, but now I'm sounding more Bob Dylan. 8-o Sucks because I thought when I quit smoking, my singing voice would get sweeter. Oh, and it's not in my head, because I have recordings of myself from prior to vaping and I had a much prettier voice. LOL Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Uma]

I did both. The straight PG is a bit dehydrating, which naturally crackled my voice. Once I forced myself to drink more water (pure water, not coffee or soda) my voice returned... but it returned better than when I was smoking. Then I tried a mix of pg/vg and the crackle went completely away and... yes!! The voice can finally vocalize itself!!

Drink more water...
Mix your pg with vg ...
Drink more water...

Also, you will crackle after every "cleaning" session your body goes through. The vocal chords become irritated from coughing up tar. Hang in there. Pretty soon you'll be singing like you've never sung before. (since you started smoking anyway)

 

[mostlyclassics]

There's another possibility.

While you were on analogs, your lung function may have been somewhat impaired. So you over-compensated a bit by taking deeper breaths. You were expanding your lower ribcage and dropping your diaphragm, and this led to better vocal support, especially for higher notes.

Now that you've regained whatever lung function you may have lost, you're taking shallower breaths. This has led to less vocal support and whittled down the top end of your range.

If you're classically trained, you already know all about breath support and breathing exercises. They're among the first topics covered. If you're not classically trained, I suggest you get with a classically-trained vocal coach for a few sessions to learn how to support your voice properly. Yeah, it'll cost you a few hundred bucks. But the training and knowledge you gain will pay off for a lifetime.

 

[webmiztris]

I hope you're right. I haven't been coughing at all recently, so I don't think it's that. I didn't a TON of coughing for about a week after I quit smoking, but that was all over a month ago. I never smoked much to begin with (half pack a day or less). I'd think my voice should have improved by now. I do vape a PG/VG mix and feel I drink enough water and green tea that I should be OK. Only time will tell, I guess! I'm hoping this changes soon.

 

[DMF]

I was low alto prior to quitting. I'm noticing a higher tone to my voice now. Miss my alto voice though!

 

[wdave]

I read about the effects of vaping on a singer's voice on ECF a while back, and basically what it said was that once you start vaping, you sing better than you would if you smoked analogs. This made sense to me because I'd expect analogs to be way more harsh on the lungs, vocal chords, etc. However, I'm noticing the exact opposite effect for me and it's definitely bumming me out! I sing and play acoustic guitar and I'm noticing that my voice is just terrible since I've started vaping (as well as quit smoking). This is honestly the only downside I've run into with vaping. I'm finding that I can't sing higher notes anymore, that my singing voice crackles and 'gives out' on me and just sounds bad overall compared to before. It's not like I was some Mariah Carey before, but now I'm sounding more Bob Dylan. 8-o Sucks because I thought when I quit smoking, my singing voice would get sweeter. Oh, and it's not in my head, because I have recordings of myself from prior to vaping and I had a much prettier voice. LOL Has anyone else experienced this?

Get a different juice that doesn't irritate your throat. Use pure PG.

 

[webmiztris]

I've used pure PG and it's super harsh on the throat. I would assume you mean try pure VG since that is the kind that's smoother. Regardless, I tried pure PG and PG/VG mixes and so far, nothing is helping. I wouldn't use pure VG because I need some throat hit plus it would clog my cartos. My throat doesn't feel sore at all. I just have a crappy singing voice now.

 

[tommy2bad]

t's not like I was some Mariah Carey before, but now I'm sounding more Bob Dylan.

I prefer Dylan anyway.

 

[webmiztris]

LOL, agreed. I can't stand Mariah. But damn, I'm a girl....I don't want to sound like Dylan either!

 

[Anarchy in Bedrock]

I've had the same problem. Smoking actually gave my dull voice a bit of character (I didn't start smoking until I was 20). My voice feels stronger but seems to die out quicker. I haven't had an analog in 6 months though so I think That I need to just keep it wet. That seems to be the big fix.

 

[webmiztris]

I've had the same problem. Smoking actually gave my dull voice a bit of character (I didn't start smoking until I was 20). My voice feels stronger but seems to die out quicker. I haven't had an analog in 6 months though so I think That I need to just keep it wet. That seems to be the big fix.

Oh man, bummer to hear that! I'm wondering if smoking was giving me my character too! I sound quite terrible when I sing now. So bad, in fact, I'm tending to just sing half a song and STOP because I can't stand the sound of my own voice anymore! It's sad though, because singing and playing was very enjoyable and relaxing for me.

 

[Str8V8ping]

Prefer bob Dylan lol Have you been to a dylen concert lately . His voice sounds like a screeching crackling crkhead now . Check his latest reviews . His die hard fans wont even go see him anymore and say he should have quit years ago . Im a fan of his songs but not live .

 

[wdave]

I've used pure PG and it's super harsh on the throat. I would assume you mean try pure VG since that is the kind that's smoother. Regardless, I tried pure PG and PG/VG mixes and so far, nothing is helping. I wouldn't use pure VG because I need some throat hit plus it would clog my cartos. My throat doesn't feel sore at all. I just have a crappy singing voice now.

I had the opposite experience. PG is much easier on my throat and stomach than VG. Although my stomach problems with VG could very well be because of the thicker vapor produced by VG. Thicker vapor is caused by more moisture in the vapor. Meaning more juice goes to the stomach. This is true for both PG and VG. So my best recomendation to avoid stomach problems is to avoid thick vapor.

 

[Semiretired]

I am no expert in this realm, but if you are vaping LR carts/atomizers - they run hotter which would increase the TH and possibly increase your throat irritation which is where your voice box is. I prefer the 3.0 ohm atomizers because the vape is cooler. The liquids you are vaping can also make a difference if you are vaping tarty flavors - I love the brandy and cherry accenting my tobacco flavors, but if I vape them to much my throat does get a tingling to it. I switch to tobacco enhanced with coffee (my morning brew) and the tingling goes away after a while, but I am not giving up the brandy and cherry accent yet - I like the tingling sometimes and the tartness helps my craving spot for my analogs.

Not sure how correct all this is, but it makes sense to this noob with his limited experience...

 

[wdave]

I am no expert in this realm, but if you are vaping LR carts/atomizers - they run hotter which would increase the TH and possibly increase your throat irritation which is where your voice box is. I prefer the 3.0 ohm atomizers because the vape is cooler. The liquids you are vaping can also make a difference if you are vaping tarty flavors - I love the brandy and cherry accenting my tobacco flavors, but if I vape them to much my throat does get a tingling to it. I switch to tobacco enhanced with coffee (my morning brew) and the tingling goes away after a while, but I am not giving up the brandy and cherry accent yet - I like the tingling sometimes and the tartness helps my craving spot for my analogs.

Not sure how correct all this is, but it makes sense to this noob with his limited experience...

Right on.

Hot, dry vapor = more throat irritation, less stomach irritation.

Thick, moisture-laden vapor = you may as well drink juice straight from the bottle.

For me the best answer is to keep the nic level HIGH, not low, so there is less vaping of any kind. I experience less symptoms of either forms of irritation.

HTH,
Dave

 

[Anarchy in Bedrock]

Do not let his bum you out. Keep pushing through and maybe you will find a new voice that you prefer. Don't forget to keep it wet. That is really important. You might need to approach songs in a different manner but it's all about bringing it and giving all you have, Music is one the most important things in my life and as a guitar player for sixteen years you could cut my arms off and I'd find a way to make music. lol Just keep your chin up and keep kicking .... That's what music is about. Kicking ...!

Edit: Warm tea with loads of honey will do wonders for your voice. I always have a huge cup of Honey tea with me when I record vocals. It coats your throat and the warmth opens up those cords. A tried and true vocal trick for the pros. I guarantee it.

 

[wdave]

Do not let his bum you out. Keep pushing through and maybe you will find a new voice that you prefer. Don't forget to keep it wet. That is really important. You might need to approach songs in a different manner but it's all about bringing it and giving all you have, Music is one the most important things in my life and as a guitar player for sixteen years you could cut my arms off and I'd find a way to make music. lol Just keep your chin up and keep kicking .... That's what music is about. Kicking ...!

Edit: Warm tea with loads of honey will do wonders for your voice. I always have a huge cup of Honey tea with me when I record vocals. It coats your throat and the warmth opens up those cords. A tried and true vocal trick for the pros. I guarantee it.

If you aren't doing something extra to cut the mucous, then I also suggest mucinex.

 

[Bdbodger]

PG is a know irritant that is not to say it is a really harsh irritant but it is one none the less . Chain vape some PG for a long time and see how it irritates your throat and lungs . Drinking water will sooth that irritation and well as help with any dehydration . Adding some VG will also help as it isn't as irritating as PG . Not sure if VG is considered an irritant or not really .

 

[webmiztris]

I think you all may be right. My voice is simply changing since I quit smoking. It seemed plain bad for the first month or so after quitting, but now I'm adjusting to it...and some things I can actually sing better now. I guess it's just an adjustment I'll need to get used to. Thanks for all of the input!

 

[wdave]

PG is a know irritant that is not to say it is a really harsh irritant but it is one none the less . Chain vape some PG for a long time and see how it irritates your throat and lungs . Drinking water will sooth that irritation and well as help with any dehydration . Adding some VG will also help as it isn't as irritating as PG . Not sure if VG is considered an irritant or not really .

VG is also a throat irritant. As are nicotine and many other ingredients in juice. Try pure PG.