I got invited to speak on the "Your Voice Unlocked' podcast about tongue ties and singing.

I got invited to speak on the "Your Voice Unlocked' podcast about tongue ties and singing.

Gemma Milburn

Gemma Milburn is a contemporary vocal coach based in the UK, offering online sessions to clients worldwide. She specializes in helping adult singers overcome vocal tension, fatigue, and the challenges posed by conditions like tongue tie, providing tailored support to improve both technique and vocal health. Her personal experience with tongue tie has profoundly shaped her coaching practice. Having undergone Myofunctional Therapy and a tongue tie release herself, Gemma understands the unique difficulties singers face when tongue function is impaired. This journey has given her a deep empathy for her clients and inspired her to develop specialized techniques to help singers unlock their full potential. Gemma’s holistic approach addresses the whole singer, blending proven vocal techniques with insights into alignment, posture, and breath management. She is passionate about helping singers achieve resonance, flexibility, and stamina while reducing strain and tension, ensuring a sustainable and joyful singing experience. Whether you’re an experienced performer or just starting your vocal journey, Gemma’s adaptable methods empower singers to build confidence, overcome limitations, and rediscover the joy in their voice. www.gemmamilburn.com

Myths about breathing for singing

Myths about breathing for singing

Gemma Milburn

Breathing is an essential part of singing, but many singers find it confusing to master. In this post, I break down some of the most common myths about breathing for singing, such as the idea that it’s the same as everyday breathing or that belly breathing is best. Discover how developing adaptable, mindful breathing habits can help you find more ease, power, and control in your voice. Curious to learn more? Read the full post and find out how better breathing can transform your singing!

How to Choose the Perfect Online Vocal Coach: How I use my skills to Help You Sing Your Best

How to Choose the Perfect Online Vocal Coach: How I use my skills to Help You Sing Your Best

Gemma Milburn

Choosing the right vocal coach is essential for your growth as a singer. In this blog, I discuss how my top 5 CliftonStrengths—Empathy, Adaptability, Connectedness, Developer, and Positivity—shape my approach to online vocal coaching. Discover how these strengths help me connect with, inspire, and develop my students, creating a nurturing and effective learning environment.

Read more to see if I might be the perfect fit for your vocal journey.

The Benefits of Buteyko Breathing for Singers: A Vocal Coach's Journey

The Benefits of Buteyko Breathing for Singers: A Vocal Coach's Journey

Gemma Milburn

As a certified Vocal Habilitation Professional, my passion lies in working with singers who don't quite fit the conventional mold. My journey in vocal coaching has always been intertwined with a deep interest in health, especially given the complex backgrounds of many singers I work with. Training in the Buteyko Breathing Method has been incredibly rewarding and transformative, both for my students and myself.

The Buteyko method has filled in many gaps in my understanding of breathing for singing, providing invaluable insights into common health issues such as asthma, sleep disorders, allergies, and anxiety. It offers concrete ways to evaluate breathing habits and track improvements, providing a sense of structure and clear goals for singers who thrive on measurable progress.

On a personal level, I’ve experienced significant improvements in my own vocal abilities, including better vocal fold closure, reduced performance anxiety, and a more grounded connection to my voice. This transformation has fueled my enthusiasm for sharing these benefits with my students.

Part 4- My Favourite Myofunctional Therapy exercises (so far) as a tongue tied singer.

Part 4- My Favourite Myofunctional Therapy exercises (so far) as a tongue tied singer.

Gemma Milburn
Tongue Tie

Before I show you the exercises, I want to be clear that I’m showing them for entertainment and curiosity purposes. Please don’t copy me—contact a professional who can assess your unique situation and assign you appropriate exercises.

One thing I’ve learned is that myofunctional therapy is not just about the tongue. Some exercises are for the lips, face, and jaw. For example, many tongue-tied people mouth breathe because their tongues rest on the bottom of the mouth rather than the roof, leading to a weak mouth seal. This means some exercises target strengthening the lip and face muscles. My jaw was also quite restricted from compensating for my tongue, but it has improved. Now, let’s get into the exercises.

Part 3- My Tongue Tie Journey as a Singer and Vocal Coach- I've started treatment!

Part 3- My Tongue Tie Journey as a Singer and Vocal Coach- I've started treatment!

Gemma Milburn
Tongue Tie

My focus on this is primarily to solve long-standing issues and insecurities with my voice. Since my full myofunctional assessment with Breathe First Speech and Myo in Manchester, I've learned a lot. Emily, the specialist, did a thorough assessment of my tongue, jaw, and body, including posture and chewing/swallowing patterns. She noted that I use compensatory muscles for swallowing, which impacts my singing flexibility. I've also learned about my narrow palate and restricted jaw motion, which could affect my ability to have tongue tie release surgery.

PART 2- I'm a Singer and Vocal Coach and I have a tongue tie.

PART 2- I'm a Singer and Vocal Coach and I have a tongue tie.

Gemma Milburn
Tongue Tie

I've received a bit of skepticism. When I spoke to my dentist, he said he didn't... I think he was looking for an anterior tongue tie, which is fair because that is what, as a non-trained person, I (and I think most people) expect to see. He was uncertain and said he had heard the term "posterior tongue tie," but he didn't really believe that it was a thing. And that's okay; we're allowed to have our own belief systems.

I've had a consultation with one now and have been told ‘yes’ I have a tongue tie! My tongue is tied in the middle and posterior of it, so the front part is not tied, but the rest of it is basically. So it's really, really nice to be told, and that sounds a bit weird, but to be told for certain yes, you do have one. I now can make steps to get treatment.

Part 1- I'm a Singer and Vocal Coach and I have a tongue tie.

Part 1- I'm a Singer and Vocal Coach and I have a tongue tie.

Gemma Milburn
Tongue Tie

If your tongue can't move as much as it's supposed to, it will cause some issues. As a singer, I'm curious about how my voice might change with treatment. I've always felt that singing is harder for me than it is for others. I can do bits, but when I have to join the bits together, it suddenly gets really hard. I'm joking that I'll be the next Whitney Houston after this!

I've also had random aches in my throat for about 15 years, which might be linked to the tongue tie. Additionally, I have an overbite and performance anxiety that might be related to this condition. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help others who might be going through the same thing.

Why don't we ask for help when we really need it?

Why don't we ask for help when we really need it?

Gemma Milburn

Most of the vocalists I work with come to me at a point where they are really struggling with something. Many of them tell me of the months and even years of strain, cracking and vocal fatigue that they have fought against. Some have turned down work, others have taken extensive amounts of time off from singing and others have quit entirely. Most of them are worried and frustrated, and very few of them have ever sought help from a vocal coach

The Secret Ingredient to Empowering Singers

The Secret Ingredient to Empowering Singers

Gemma Milburn

It is my personal mission to 'get' every singer that I work with. When someone feels listened to and understood they are more able to be creative, take risks and make valuable mistakes. This in turn helps me to understand what they really need from me, and the direction that they want their voice to go in.

This is why I don't do YouTube singing tutorials...

This is why I don't do YouTube singing tutorials...

Gemma Milburn

I love YouTube. I can often be found obsessing over Zoella’s current favourites, seeking business inspiration from GaryVee, weeping over a TED Talk and occasionally getting involved in the odd piano tutorial. YouTube is awesome. However when it comes to singing, I don’t believe its an effective way of learning, and this video that I filmed Live on Facebook last year explains why.

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