Tongue-Tie–Aware Vocal Coaching for Adult Singers

Singing can feel very different when you’re tongue tied.

Even if people tell you that you sound great, there can be a niggling sense that something isn’t quite right- that you’re working harder than other singers, or simply that a piece of the puzzle is missing.

Many tongue-tied singers describe being asked, “Why can’t you just do that?”- even when they’re trying their hardest to get their voice to ‘behave.’

If you already know or suspect that you’re tongue tied, this page will help you understand how these patterns can show up in your voice- and what gentle, tailored support can look like.

Challenges Tongue-Tied Singers Often Experience

These aren’t always easy to name. Tongue tie is something that people are born with, so there is no way of comparing or knowing what’s “normal.” Despite this, there are patterns that show up again and again, even in singers who sound great from the outside.

Vocal fatigue

Feeling tired sooner than other singers— as though singing takes more effort than it should.

Difficulty with agility

Runs, quick transitions, onsets, or fast musical phrases feel harder to coordinate than they seem for other people.

Range feeling limited at both ends

High notes may feel tight or unreachable; low notes may feel unstable, breathy, or lacking clarity.

Tone feeling either overly breathy or overly pressed

It can be difficult to find a balanced, comfortable sound without slipping into one extreme or the other.

Challenges with breathing and “not feeling what you’re supposed to feel”

Many tongue-tied singers don’t experience the sensations teachers describe — like ribs expanding, abdominal engagement, or the belly moving on an exhale. Some even notice the opposite patterns.

Struggling to achieve the “ease” others describe

Even with good technique, warm-ups, or years of lessons, singing still feels like it requires more effort than it should.

A sense that something isn’t keeping up

Many singers describe a feeling that no matter how much they practise, some part of their voice feels unresponsive, slow, or stuck — even when everything “should” be working.

How Tongue Tie Can Influence Singing

Tongue tie doesn’t just affect the tongue itself- it can influence how the whole singing system behaves. The tongue is part of a network of fascia and muscular connections that extend from the tongue, through the diaphragm and all the way down to the toes. When movement in one area is limited, the body adapts elsewhere to keep the voice functioning.

Here are some of the ways tongue-tie-related patterns can show up in singing:

The tongue can’t shape sound as freely

Even if you’re not aware of it, limited movement in the tongue or the surrounding fascia can affect how easily vowels and resonance spaces adjust. This can make certain sounds feel less achievable.

Other muscles work harder to compensate

Because the tongue and its fascia connect through the floor of the mouth and into the jaw and neck, those areas often step in when the tongue can’t move as needed. This can lead to jaw involvement, lip tension, or neck strain, even when you’re ‘trying to relax.’

Breathing can feel confusing or out of sync

The tongue sits on top of the airway and influences how breathing patterns develop over time. Tongue-tied singers often have long-standing habits like shallow breathing, mouth breathing, or paradoxical breathing, which can make traditional breath cues difficult to sense or achieve.

Coordination feels slower or inconsistent

When several areas of the body are compensating, the system may respond differently day to day. Some sounds may feel more effortful or unpredictable, even with good technique.

Post-release changes take time to integrate

For singers who have had a release, the fascia and muscles involved may need gentle, consistent work to adapt to the new freedom. With the right support, the voice can develop new habits.

If you’d like to read more about my own tongue-tie journey, you can find it here.

How I Support Singers Who Are Tongue Tied

Singers who are tongue tied often need a different approach — one that respects the ways their voice has learned to adapt. My work focuses on creating ease, stability, and freedom without pushing the voice or overriding the body’s natural patterns.

A coach who has been where you are

As someone who was tongue tied myself, I understand how these patterns feel physically-the fatigue, the compensations, the “why doesn’t this work for me?” moments. That embodied experience means I won’t ask you to force shapes or sensations that your body simply can’t access yet.

Experience with myofunctional therapy and complementary approaches

I’ve been through myofunctional therapy and understand how the tongue, jaw, breath, and airway are trained in that process. I work in a way that complements this work,..

Tongue-tie-aware vocal pedagogy

I use gentle, anatomically informed exercises that support the tongue, lips, jaw, and breath to work together without strain. The aim isn’t to push your voice, but to help your body discover coordination that feels natural and sustainable.

Working compassionately with long-standing patterns

Many tongue-tied singers have relied on compensations for years. We approach these patterns with curiosity, not pressure, building new habits gradually so your voice doesn’t feel overwhelmed or unstable.

Integrating functional breathing and Buteyko principles

Breathing patterns can be deeply shaped by tongue posture and airway behaviour. When helpful, I blend gentle breath retraining into the work — especially for singers who have never felt the sensations that standard breathing cues assume.

Pre-release, post-release, and no-release support

Whether you’re preparing for a release, integrating changes afterwards, or not planning a procedure at all, the focus is on your voice, your body, and your goals. There is never any pressure to make medical decisions.

A personalised, singer-led approach

Every tongue-tied singer’s experience is different. There is no single pathway or sequence. We move at the pace your body feels safe with, prioritising ease, stability, and the joy of singing.

Ready to explore this with someone who understands?

If you recognise yourself in these experiences, you’re welcome to book a Discovery Call. It’s a relaxed conversation where we can talk about what your singing and whether working together feels like a good fit.

What Working With Me Looks Like

Working together is gentle, collaborative, and tailored to the way your voice and body respond. There’s no forcing, no pushing, and no expectation that you should already know how something is “supposed” to feel. The aim is to build ease, confidence, and coordination in a way that feels grounded and sustainable.

Here’s what you can expect:

A detailed exploration of how your voice behaves

We look at your tongue posture, breathing patterns, resonance, tongue–jaw relationship, and the ways your system has learned to adapt. This isn’t about finding faults — it’s about understanding what your voice has been doing brilliantly to make things work.

Identifying helpful and unhelpful compensations

Together, we gently notice which habits support your singing and which create extra effort. This creates clarity and helps us choose exercises that truly match your needs.

Tailored exercises that respect your anatomy and stage of the journey

Everything we do is chosen specifically for you — no one-size-fits-all drills, no generic scales, no pushing into shapes that feel unsafe. We move at a pace that feels doable for your body and nervous system.

Support that integrates breathing, resonance, and whole-body coordination

We work with the entire singing system — the breath, the tongue, the jaw, the ribs, the soft palate, the facial muscles — helping everything coordinate with less strain and more ease.

Pre-release, post-release, and no-release guidance

If you’re preparing for a release, we can lay foundations that make the transition smoother.
If you’ve already had a release, we support integration and coordination without overwhelming the system.
If you’re not planning a release at all, we focus on freedom, stability, and the best possible function with the anatomy you have.

Optional collaboration with other professionals

If you’re already working with a dentist, OMT, SLT, or other clinician, I’m happy to work alongside them so that your singing support fits naturally into the rest of your care.

A coaching environment grounded in safety and autonomy

Your voice leads.
Your sensations matter.
Your boundaries shape the work.

My role is to guide with empathy, expertise, and curiosity -never to override what your body is telling you.

 For Singers and For Professionals

Singers who are tongue tied benefit from support that understands how their specific anatomy shapes the way their voice behaves. My approach is designed to respect those needs while also fitting smoothly alongside any therapeutic or clinical care a singer may already be receiving.

I support adult singers at every stage of their journey- whether they’ve had a release, are preparing for one, or aren’t planning a procedure at all. Because I was tongue tied myself and have been through myofunctional therapy, I understand both the physical sensations and the learning process from the inside.

For those working with clinicians such as SLTs, ENTs, dentists, OMTs, or other voice professionals, my role is to complement that work- never to replace it. When appropriate and with the singer’s consent, I’m happy to collaborate so that the support they receive feels consistent and connected.

If you’re ready for your singing to feel easier…

You don’t need to figure this out on your own. Whether you’re tongue tied yourself or a professional exploring options for a client, I’m here to help you understand what’s happening and what’s possible next.

A Discovery Call is the best place to start.