January, 2004    

In This Issue

"And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche."

Geoffrey Chaucer - The Canterbury Tales

Tips & Tricks

Tips
& Tricks
  
This month we focus on ways and means to keep yourself and your voice healthy, warm and hydrated...

I found a new tea that worked great for my chest congestion during the flu - once again it's by Traditional Medicinals, the folks who brought you Throat Coat.  This new tea is called Breathe Easy - it worked wonders and contains fennel, the ubiquitous licorice, eucalyptus and Bi Yan Pian. More info is at the TM site.

The definition of Vocal Hygiene: "The use and care of the human voice required to keep it healthy" (per the Lion's Voice Clinic). Check their site out for more info on vocal hygiene.

Here are some vocal warmup sites  that may have some exercises that work well for your voice:

Leanne Hoad Singing Studio- Warm ups & Info

British Theater Guide
- Warm up

Berklee Music - Warm up

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."                                Aldous Huxley _____________________________

Performing with
Passion
Part of the monthly workshop series, Performing with Passion
is being held in Portland, Oregon on February 29th, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Please note there is a $5.00 discount for all past and present students for the workshop.  If you're currently working on relaxing, releasing and letting your voice out, this is the workshop for you!

Vocal Hygiene

Keeping your voice healthy is a constant process.  Singers put their voices through quite a bit, and  without consistent attention to vocal hygiene the quality of a voice suffers.  Here are a few ideas from the UNR School of Medicine's Speech Pathology and Audiology Department that are helpful.

• Avoid odd laryngeal sounds and excessive throat clearing.
• Keep the speaking voice at a low intensity.
• Avoid talking and singing over loud noises.
• Blow away tension before talking or singing.
• Rest the larynx when not using it.
• Reduce vocal demands.
• Avoid smoking and second hand smoke.
• Avoid using an unhealthy voice.
• Avoid mucosal-drying agents such as caffeine and alcohol.
• Maintain mental health and manage stress.

For those with a schedule that  demands daily singing, please schedule in rest times, especially on performance days.  Remember - no matter how tempting, singing with a sore throat is simply extending the time you are not able to sing properly.

              

Warming Up

Singing has been called by many an "athletic event".  Since our instruments are our bodies and singing is an incredibly physical process, it stands to reason that our bodies must be warmed up fully before we sing. 

Warming up the whole body is the first step.  Slow is the key here; yoga, tai chi, gentle stretching or any activity that gets the entire body relaxed and stretched.  You want to get your blood flowing but not get your breath ragged.
Warming up your diaphragm and lungs is the next step.  Breath evenly and deeply, feeling your breath fill your lungs.  Engage and release your diaphragm, noticing the condition and strength of your support. 
Warming up your larynx (vocal cords, vocal folds) is the next step.  Start with simple scales - and start the scales near the mid/upper area of your range and go down first.  Do a run down, then up, without pushing your range either direction.  Do another run down and push your low range, do another run up and push your high range.  Repeating  "ha" on the 1-3-5 of a chord is good to add.
Warming up your mouth is the final step.  Opening and close your mouth with controlled energy. Rub your face, your jaw, and in front of your ears.  Do a few tongue twisters - and you're ready to go!

Check with your voice teacher for individual warm up exercises.  Also, there are a few sites listed in Tips & Tricks that may guide you to warm-ups that work well for your voice.  Remember - warming up your voice will keep it healthy and strong for years to come.

"When you can't laugh at yourself life becomes dreary."

Maria Callas - Sacred Monster
_________________

is a monthly newsletter
for fellow singers, students and teachers.  Vox  is created and edited by Pamela Zero.  If you have any submissions, questions, or comments, please feel free to contact Pamela.

Pamela Zero is an award winning composer and vocalist based in the Pacific Northwest.  She's Composer in Residence for Discord Aggregate and divides her time between composition, singing, and teaching.

This newsletter has been sent to you as you are a fellow singer, student or teacher of Pamela Zero
 or have contacted her in the past in regards to music. 
Please e-mail Pamela at alemap@discord-aggregate.com if you would like to be removed from the mailing list.

Vox - January 2004  Created & Edited by Pamela Zero  Copyright 2004   Pamela Zero