Tongue Tie Release and Singing: What Changed for Me

Part 5 of a series

If you’re a tongue tied singer struggling with your voice — you’re not alone.

Tongue restrictions can absolutely impact the coordination of our voices- from how resonant your voice is, to how easily you manage breath, and how reliable your singing feels day to day.

I’m Gemma Milburn, an online vocal coach specialising in tongue-tie aware vocal coaching.

Below, you’ll find a video I recorded a few years ago, shortly after my own tongue-tie release.

It’s not a polished video, but rather a personal reflection from earlier in my journey — before I’d developed the approach I now use with tongue tied clients — but I’ve chosen to keep it here because I get a lot of messages from singers who have found it helpful.

Since then, I’ve gone on to deepen my training so that I can support singers navigating similar challenges — helping them build voices that feel more stable, responsive, and easier to trust.

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“I was severely tongue tied and ready to give up on singing. Other teachers noticed the tension, but couldn’t resolve it. Gemma understood the complexity of my voice and gave me tools that actually worked. I’ve gone from feeling fundamentally incapable to preparing for a new musical future.”

-Ben H

If you would like to learn more about Tongue Tie Aware Vocal Coaching. you can book a complementary discovery call with me here.

Personal reflection recorded shortly after my tongue-tie release

Personal Journey:

I discovered I was tongue tied in 2023, after years of struggling with my singing. In 2024 I underwent Myofunctional Therapy and a tongue tie release. This journey has deepened my understanding of how tongue restriction, tongue strength, mouth breathing and body alignment issues impact the singing voice, and I've since integrated these insights into my coaching sessions with great results.

Therapy and Release Procedure:

Myofunctional Therapy involves exercises to improve tongue function, which are crucial after the tongue tie release. The release procedure was performed by dentist Charlotte Van Bell in Gent, Belgium, and included releasing an upper lip tie and a buccal tie.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects:

Post-procedure, I noticed immediate changes: my tongue naturally rested on the roof of my mouth, I felt more relaxed, and experienced better lip seal and jaw movement. I also felt significant relief from chronic pain and tension in my neck and jaw area.

Singing and Breathing Improvements:

I observed improvements in my singing: easier high notes, natural vibrato, and better breath control. I am now a certified instructor in the Buteyko breathing method, finding it hugely beneficial for both myself and my students.

Ongoing Adjustments and Realisations:

Despite significant improvements, I acknowledge that my body and brain need time to adjust to the changes. I emphasise the importance of myofunctional therapy before and after the surgery.

I now help singers navigate these changes through gentle, holistic coaching. You can learn more about my Tongue-Tie Aware Vocal Coaching here.

Recommendations for Singers:

If you suspect or know that you are tongue-tied, you should get a diagnosis from somebody who specialises in Tongue Tie such as a Myofunctional Therapist or airways focussed Dentist. Myofunctional therapy is hugely powerful and I think all singers could benefit from it! I got about 90% of the improvements in my singing from the myo alone and the surgery was the icing on the cake.

Final Thoughts:

How I Help Tongue Tied Singers

As a contemporary vocal coach and Vocal Health Professional, I now specialise in supporting adult singers who want to sing with more ease, freedom and confidence before, during or after dealing with tongue tie–related challenges.

In our online sessions, we work gently and holistically- combining proven vocal technique with Buteyko breathing, to help you build a voice that you can trust.

If you’re a tongue tied singer and would like to work with a vocal coach who ‘gets it,’ book a call with me below.

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For many singers, restricted tongue mobility can influence breath coordination, tension patterns, tone quality and ease. Not everyone experiences the same challenges, but it’s absolutely common for tongue-tie–related habits to show up in the voice.
Many singers notice changes in ease, range, vibrato, flexibility and stamina after a release. Improvements usually come from a combination of myofunctional therapy, body work and vocal coaching to help your voice adjust to the new movement patterns.
Absolutely. You don’t need a release to benefit from tongue tie aware vocal coaching. Many singers work on awareness, breath, tongue coordination and technique first, and this can make singing feel easier whether or not surgery is ever needed.