Why Does My Voice “Flip” Whenever I Sing Higher? (Is My Voice “Broken”?)

The short answer?

No. 

Your voice is not “broken”.

But your vocal folds might be hangry for some steam, hydration, and a little bit of compassion.

Let’s break it down.

A brilliant singer (hi, Andy 👋) recently asked inside the Singing / Straw™ App:

“If my voice flips kind of to head voice when I go higher, should I let it flip? Sometimes it feels like I can only avoid flipping when I force it… which also doesn’t feel good.”

Ahhh yes… 

A question that lives rent-free in many singers’ minds, usually around measure 37 of a song you swore was in your range until suddenly it wasn’t.

So let’s talk about the ol’ ‘flip or force’ dilemma… shall we?

What’s actually happening when your voice flips?

When your voice flips into head voice (especially in a warm-up or higher phrase), it’s not "abandoning" you.

It’s transitioning.

Like a gentle handoff between two coworkers at a Target shift change.

If you try to force it to stay in one register just to avoid the flip? You’re essentially screaming at Greg in Sporting Goods to hang onto the register even though his shift ended ten minutes ago.

Don’t be that singer.

Let. The. Flip. Happen.

Especially when you’re doing semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (like straw work), allowing the register shift earlier — and more frequently — helps train the voice to glide through that passaggio instead of crashing into it like a toddler on a slip-n-slide.

Why does it feel harder when your voice is dry?

Because it is harder when your voice is dry.

Your vocal folds are like the divas of your body:

They require just the right amount of moisture, sleep, air pressure, and attention… or they will shut the whole thing down.

So if you’re dehydrated, tired, slightly inflamed, or it’s Day 4 of leftover cinnamon rolls and wine… yeah, the transition’s gonna feel clunky. (That’s normal.)

Spend more time on the straw when your voice feels off.

Drink some water. Steam your face. Hum into your hands. Draw yourself a warm bath. 

Whatever it takes to remind yourself: you are not broken. You’re just a human with vocal folds, not a keyboard.

So what’s the fix?

1. Let it flip.
   Seriously. Especially when warming up. Let the voice shift. Don’t strong-arm it into staying in what many singers refer to as their “chest voice” just so your voice can sound more "powerful." Because 9 times out of 10… you’ll only end up hurting yourself. 

2. Hydrate like it’s your job.
   Water. Steam. Some Slippery Elm’s Throat Coat Tea with some honey. (Oh, and do avoid licking batteries or sucking in dry hotel air if possible.)

3. Use your straw more.
   On the days when your voice feels “off,” that’s your signal to spend more time bubbling, not a reason to skip.

4. Forgive your body.
   Your voice is a living, breathing, sensitive instrument. Not a robot. It’s allowed to have off days.

Want to go deeper on this?

Next month, we’re kicking off a 10-Day Reset Challenge inside the Singing / Straw app.

The first 7 days are totally free. 

After that, we’ll wrap it all up with a live group coaching session where you can jump in the hotseat and ask me questions just like Andy did.

No questions are too silly or “dumb” even if you feel like you already know the answer! Ask anyway. (You may find out you’re not the only one thinking of asking it!) 

And if you’re still shopping for yourself under the guise of “self-gifting”? Our end-of-year sale is still happening through New Year’s.

Use code NEWYEAR to save 25% off all Singing / Straw sets, warm-up bundles, journals, and more!

Because your vocal folds deserve one last treat before the year ends.

(And because “new year, new resonance” has a nice ring to it.)