Reasons behind not stuttering when singing

[zerocool79]

Hi to all,

I wanted to get your input about the fact that most stutterers do not stutter when they sing. I play the guitar and enjoy singing because it is the only time when I do not worry about stuttering because it just hasn't ever happened. I wanted to take a closer look at this. Why does this happen? Is it because we exhale when pronouncing the words more, is the reason in the breathing or is it more in the head. Maybe it is the fact that we are not talking to someone directly and therefore it is not a social action. If the reason is because of our breathing then I think we have the answer to avoid stuttering by just trying to copy the technique but without actually singing. However I think it is because we are not "talking" directly to someone just like when we talk to pets or when we are alone. Anyways, maybe there are stutterers that do stutter when singing. Any input?

[ronshor]

Even when singing directly to someone, stuttering will not happen- guaranteed !!!

The reason for not stuttering while singing is the prolonging of the syllables

You can try for yourself - just talk while prolonging every syllable and there will be no stuttering (actually no one in this world will stutter while talking this way )

Only problem... you can't talk like that to people.
But it could be a good method if you want to practice to improve your speech ( a lot of people do it on a daily basis)

Stuttering only occurs when you command your muscles to pronounce the letters faster then they are trained to do

That's it ... so simple and yet, so hard to understand why we can't talk faster while others can

[Adrian]

It's like comparing apples and oranges. Research has shown singing is an entirely different brain process then speaking. Different areas of the brain are activated when we sing. It would make sense that we can be completely fluent when singing.

[dream431ca]

The brain processes talking and singing differently. It's really, really weird.

[Dude]

naa it cant be cause of the prolonged syllables, because it doesnt happen during fast rapping

[Jeff99]

airflow, when you sing your as pushing air past your vocal cords.

when you block and stutter there is no air flow so nothing going past the vocal cords

plus i think your letting go having fun relaxing etc not stressing an doing the whole crap i'm going to stutter etc

[jack]

Hi to all,

I wanted to get your input about the fact that most stutterers do not stutter when they sing. I play the guitar and enjoy singing because it is the only time when I do not worry about stuttering because it just hasn't ever happened. I wanted to take a closer look at this. Why does this happen? Is it because we exhale when pronouncing the words more, is the reason in the breathing or is it more in the head. Maybe it is the fact that we are not talking to someone directly and therefore it is not a social action. If the reason is because of our breathing then I think we have the answer to avoid stuttering by just trying to copy the technique but without actually singing. However I think it is because we are not "talking" directly to someone just like when we talk to pets or when we are alone. Anyways, maybe there are stutterers that do stutter when singing. Any input?

This topic also sits alongside my top 3 of why i don't stutter under certain circumstances:confused:

I also play guitar and sing - as well as play to small audiences, and it beats me to why i can't string a sentence together, then get up and belt out a dozen tunes no problem with no hint of a stutter.Check my myspace music page out at the bottom and the proofs there, it's unreal!!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=428962304

[Charlieb]

airflow, when you sing your as pushing air past your vocal cords.

when you block and stutter there is no air flow so nothing going past the vocal cords

plus i think your letting go having fun relaxing etc not stressing an doing the whole crap i'm going to stutter etc

I think you're spot on here, if you think about it, when we sing we have a complete change of state, We go from uncomfortable, anxious, overloaded, to feeling free, Confident, cheerful, excited. Could you imagine if you could feel these emotions when you speak? The truth is that we can if we choose to do so, Its just a matter of breaking habits and making new ones.

I believe that the reason we can sign fluently is in addition to airflow and the phyisicallity of it, we "Expect" to be fluent when we sing, so therefore we are. When we speak we "hope" we will be fluent. There's a huge difference!

Charlie

[Penelope]

I think it's because the brain processes the language and other instructions required for singing in a different way to that required for straight speech. Presumably that other process uses pathways in the brain that aren't "damaged".

Psychology will play a part of it, because experience tells us that we won't block when we are singing, but being realistic, most people are much more scared to sing in public than to speak in public so I don't think it can be as simple as "nerves".

[ATRIANACPA]

Stuttering is a learned process. You have learned to block under normal speech pattern/airflow pattern. You have not learned to do so while singing.

However, if you get self-concious enough and are willing to learn to block while you sing then blocking will happen. Your airflow will freeze and not a single word will come out.

Morale of the story is not to learn to block any other way since we have enough issues while talking normal.

Stuttering is so hard to overcome because it depends on vocal cord muscles and airflow muscles that are trained to work spontaneously and cannot be brought under direct conscious control. It is sort of similar to ual response in humans.

[vastsands]

We have discussed this similar issue years ago in Chinese forum.I have see a person who stuttering when singing.

I found a interesting phenomenon years ago.After I watch several hours story video,I can speak more fluently.

My method: when nervous,speaking little or speaking no

[Thecoherentman]

Stuttering is so hard to overcome because it depends on vocal cord muscles and airflow muscles that are trained to work spontaneously and cannot be brought under direct conscious control. It is sort of similar to ual response in humans.

This is true, if you must control speech you must block. On the ual response analogy I would say that some fluent speakers after they pound on you with their quick and witty tongues and after they are through with you, you feel like you have been rapped. I have a friend that keeps me on the phone for an hour and does with me as she pleases. She is a feminist and environmentalist. I have seen this in religious people also, specially Moslem clergies. Silence is a golden gift sometimes.

[Thecoherentman]

My method: when nervous,speaking little or speaking no

This is only correct if you empower yourself to be silent in your own terms. For most people choosing silence is not practical, with work, family and school obligations. But if silence is practical for you and if you are the master of your silence, then you are brave, and you are cured already.

[nerrad]

I think it is because we use a combination of fluency enhancing techniques when singing. We breath slowly, talk slowly, prolong words, and light contact. I'm sure I'm missing some but you get my point. I've always had a fear that if I got up and sang infront of a crowd, I'd block up. I don't know why.