any singers out there? how do you help your voices?

December 17, 2003

Check back thru the message archives... last year maybe or more we had a discussion on voice problems, etc... alot of good info as I recall.

Suzisupervixen08 wrote:

Hi all,I'm a singer, and I do several things to improve my voice range, tone, clarity, and control. I try to eat as alkaline a diet as possible (see the book "Alkalize or Die" by Theodore Baroody), because I think that kind of diet has a lot of merit and I do notice a difference.I also have lemons and a throat-soothers tea containing fennel and licorice along with other herbs before singing, and honey afterward.If anyone is a singer out there (or even if you're not but can shed some light anyway), does anyone know of any other tips/tricks/ways I can use to improve my voice? (I don't want to damage it, but rather preserve it and improve it.)

New Photos - easier uploading and sharing

December 18, 2003

Hi Jen,

I rarely post on the voice, because every person's instrument and

physical needs are different and can not be simply answered. There

are a myriad of vocal remedies out there, each addressing a different

issue. If you focus on keeping your physical body, mind and spirit

healthy, your voice will never fail you.

You mentioned in a previous post to me that you were studying to be a

chiropractor. Use your texts and get to know the anatomy and

physiology of the body from the vocal cords and outward. When you

finally begin your search for an instructor, talk with her or him to

discover whether or not s/he understands the anatomy and physiology

of the vocal instrument. If s/he does not, move on to another

teacher. Remember that someone may be a very fine performer but that

does not mean that they will possess the ability to teach.

I have found that the first signs of a physical or mental imbalance

are revealed in the voice. Therefore, since your are health minded,

you will want an instructor who is good at aural analyzation. If you

choose to sing in contemporary styles, find someone well versed in

vocal therapy (the contemporary style of singing uses the breath

incorrectly and places too much weight on the larynx - you will

require vocal warm-ups and cool-downs that massage the cords and " de-

stress them " ), if you choose classical styles, find someone well

versed in vocal building. Listen to an instructor's students...if

their voices all sound the same, you do not want to study with that

instructor. If the students complain of vocal problems, and did not

go to that instructor with the problem, you do not want that

instructor. Singing never hurts. Pain is a sign of bad training.

Remember that there is no licensing for music teachers, anyone can

hang out a shingle..so do your homework and listen to your body. A

good teacher passes on tools to their students that allow their

students to become good teachers to others. Think about that. And

always find an answer to your question(s) Whatever you choose to do

will take a lot of time and study to do well. Learning to sing well

takes patience and personal time investment. But it is a wonderful

gift to give yourself.

dolly

P.S.

Singing is my primary occupation, massage is my secondary occupation.

I've performed throughout the states, europe and canada. I am a

professional vocal instructor/coach and performance therapist (23

years and counting.) Various degrees and certificates in music. And

poor enough to prove it! (keep working toward that chiropractic

license Jen)

herbal remedies , supervixen08 wrote:

> Hi all,

> I'm a singer, and I do several things to improve my voice range,

> tone, clarity, and control. I try to eat as alkaline a diet as

> possible (see the book " Alkalize or Die " by Theodore Baroody),

> because I think that kind of diet has a lot of merit and I do

notice

> a difference.

> I also have lemons and a throat-soothers tea containing fennel

and

> licorice along with other herbs before singing, and honey afterward.

> If anyone is a singer out there (or even if you're not but can

shed

> some light anyway), does anyone know of any other tips/tricks/ways

I

> can use to improve my voice? (I don't want to damage it, but rather

> preserve it and improve it.)

> Thanks!

> --Jen

> (PS: I'm not in voice lessons yet ks I can't afford them right now.

I

> wish I could be! I'm just doing things myself for now.)

December 20, 2003

Dear Jen,

As an old pro in this area (I spent 4 - 5 years on the road), I think I can tell you the best way to go about this.

#1. Eat healthy.

#2. Stay away from the booze. ) No - Southern Comfort does not improve your voice. LOL

#3. Sing. Sing some more, and keep on singing. The voice is like a muscle and if it is being used daily and exercised daily, it will continue to sound better and better as time goes by. Bing Crosby just got better and better as the years rolled on by. The more he sang the better he sounded. Sing loud, sing soft. Find a lonely woods someplace and yell and sing at the top of your voice. If you get hoarse, well keep on anyway. You'll blow through this and come out the other side sounding like a Nightingale )

Like anything having to do with the body. Use it! Or, Lose it! ;o)

Love,

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington

-

supervixen08

herbal remedies

Wednesday, December 17, 2003 1:12 PM

[herbal remedies] any singers out there? how do you help your voices?

Hi all, I'm a singer, and I do several things to improve my voice range, tone, clarity, and control. I try to eat as alkaline a diet as possible (see the book "Alkalize or Die" by Theodore Baroody), because I think that kind of diet has a lot of merit and I do notice a difference. I also have lemons and a throat-soothers tea containing fennel and licorice along with other herbs before singing, and honey afterward. If anyone is a singer out there (or even if you're not but can shed some light anyway), does anyone know of any other tips/tricks/ways I can use to improve my voice? (I don't want to damage it, but rather preserve it and improve it.)Thanks! --Jen(PS: I'm not in voice lessons yet ks I can't afford them right now. I wish I could be! I'm just doing things myself for now.)