Voice/ throat care

Patricia Shanks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 6

OK. How many people want to know what's in Carnac's envelope?

Here is the link to the speech warm-up video clips. http://www.entnet.org/news/voiceday_warmup.cfm
I think the examples could be performed better. The cool down hum is sans buzz, which tells me that the hummer's tongue is somewhat retracted. But the basic concepts are good in these.

Silent Cough. Google-up "ENT silent cough" and you'll find some info. Hard to describe ... something like a breathy, unforced cat's "ack, ack, ack."

Morning voice can be attributed to MANY things. On the list: post nasal drip, acid reflux, voice abuse, voice misuse, incorrect habitual pitch, lack of coordination between breath and phonation, allergies, colds, flabby support muscles, hormones, mucous generating food and drink, dryness ...

The important thing is to NOT use your voice in the morning until it is awake and ready. Make sure you are speaking in the optimal pitch zone. Do the voice warm-ups and physical stretches. Light aerobics, maybe, to wake up voice and body.

Speaking a lot before the voice is ready will cause you to clear your throat more throughout the day and feel throat irritation.

Speaking a lot before the voice is ready may take away from the overall voice quality in the long run. If longevity and a clear tone are not concerns, then go for it.

I know what you mean about that morning voice having a certain something interesting about it. There are a couple of bits on one of my demos that need to be removed. They're interesting, but too low in pitch. I had some kind of a cold in both cases.

Especially on long form narrations about things that are not terribly engaging (until I have at them!), I often stop to check my optimal pitch, to make sure it hasn't taken a dive into the depths.

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

That was very interesting......but I still can't trill my tongue.... Confused

I don't know why that is so hard for me.

Patricia Shanks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 6

To get your tongue rolling ...

Repeat the Lone Ranger theme (speaking in rhythm or singing) quickly --> Ba-da-dum, ba-da-dum, ba-da-dum-dum-dum, etc.

(Of course, it wasn't originally the Lone Ranger Theme.)

Repeat the following, fast.

Pot o' tea, pot o' tea, pot o' tea ... (Pronounced more like pot uh tea, singing teachers use this to help singers pronounce the Italian word, parti.)

There are others. Those are the only two I can think of at the moment.

Have fun.

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

OMG......I finally did that....it only lasted 10 seconds.....but I FINALLY DID IT! I TOOK A WHOLE YEAR OF VOICE CLASSES AND NEVER LEARNED WHAT YOU JUST TAUGHT ME!!!!!!
THANKS

I must have a heavy tongue though....It takes a lot of air to do that for me.

Patricia Shanks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 6

It's all in how you take the breath and how you direct the breath. And you need to let the breath go as in a sigh, and not force it out with upper abdominal muscle.

I'm so glad you found your trill. Why does Blueberry Hill come to mind?

Scott Paxton · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 187

Thanks Patricia,

I have printed out your exercise. I am like Deby. Even with 4 years of vocal training, I never could roll my "R"s. Thanks for the tip. I finally did it after 20 min of practice. Wow!!!

Debbie Deutsch · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 1338

Debbie Deutsch · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 1338

My voice coach said to NEVER clear your throat...instead, swallow!
Clearing your throat is very stressful to the vocal cords too.

Bobbin Beam · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008, 21:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Thankfully, I have had only one occasion I had laryngitis on the day of a sesh. But I felt badly as the client booked a studio, etc.

I listen to all advice, and then follow my own and what works for me given the situation. If my throat is sore or I feel my voice is strained after a lot of v/o work, I rest it.

I warm up in the morning by humming, then reading aloud, along with other voice exercises. I love hot tea...not too hot. And when I feel slightly hoarse, I'll use Entertainer's Secret.