SINGING TIPS
A mirror will help you see any signs of unwanted tension in the lips, jaw, eyebrows, shoulders, etc.
Be aware of any little bad habits that are pointed out to you by the teacher, don't get hung up on them ,but knowing what they are is the first step towards their demise.
Correct practising means consistent improvement.
Hoarse throats shouldn't be neglected - if they continue for more than a few days seek medical help.
Hormonal changes in the body can affect the voice as well as being: over tired, drinking alcohol, being subject to smoke, dust, chemical fumes etc, and eating too much dairy produce.
If the lip trills are hard for you it maybe due to too much tension in your lips or that you are squeezing your rib cage so that the air flow is trapped. Try half a yawn, (the air that goes in is inaudible and you can feel the ribs expand), then, straight away without holding the breath, just release the air through your loose lips making sure you are making the right sound as instructed by your teacher.
Keeping a regular fitness regime of at least 30 minutes a day and eating a healthy diet without too many refined foods gives you positive energy.
Revitalise yourself and wake up in the mornings by following your warm shower with a cold one.
- Singing requires discipline to become effortless!
- Slow practise make fast progress!
- Talk to yourself...tell yourself YOU CAN!
- Vocal fry exercise can help a tired voice.
Warm damp towels round neck and inhalation of steam may give temporary relief of voice strain but training or re-training of speaking and singing habits can cure the cause.
Your voice is a barometer of how you feel and sometimes it's hard to disguise when you are feeling low. Some exercise, rest or doing something you enjoy can get that positive feeling back. Stick with the practise and don't be judgmental on yourself.
Lynne is a member of the British Voice Association
WORLD VOICE DAY APRIL 16th
Celebrated annually on April 16th is World Voice Day. Originating in Brazil, it is a day to reflect on how absolutely amazing the voice is. A day to educate us to the fact that your vocal cords (or folds) approximately no bigger than the size of your big toe nail, can vibrate and produce a voice big enough to fill a large concert hall.
It is a day to seek out more knowledge of your voice because there is nothing more debilitating or annoying than losing it. For instance did you know that stress and hormone problems affect the voice as much as tiredness, smoking, constant clearing of the throat and shouting does? That not wearing a mask for those dusty or chemical fume jobs may lead to throat dryness, uncomfortable swallowing and even loss of voice? That singing off pitch and not being able to sing high notes quietly can be due to vocal strain? Did you know that if you ‘warmed up’ the voice with a few exercises daily you could keep it sounding younger?
As a voice technique tutor passionate about voice health I would urge anyone to take care of their voice and if it is raspy and difficult to talk for more than a few days ask your doctor for an appointment to see an ENT specialist. Check out World Voice Day
www.britishvoiceassociation.org.uk
