Sustaining Your Voice

Perhaps you've wondered:  Is it proper technique to clear your throat?  When presenting or singing, is it OK to bend over towards the audience?  How do you pronounce the articles a and the?  Is it, Give me a (“ay”) break, or Give me a (“uh”) break? 

Here are the answers:

Avoid Clearing Your Throat

Avoid clearing your throat (audibly).  Audibly clearing your throat is detrimental to your vocal cords.  There is a way to clear your throat called "the silent cough" where there is no sound made while clearing your throat.  It’s a mix between swallowing and clearing your sinus passages—at the same time.  Another safe way to clear your throat is by drinking water.  

Keep Your Body Erect

Refrain from bending at the waist, which is a no-no in singing.  It constricts the diaphragm.  And, with all of your movement on stage, be sure that you are rooted and stabilized in your diaphragmatic breathing.  You want to be breathing from that core area, not your chest. 

Diction:  “A”

In this sentence the a is an article.  The article a is pronounced "uh", as in duh.  (This also pertains to the phrase, “a lot”).

Example:  There is a (uh) cat.

The letter in the alphabet a is pronounced "ay", as in day.  

Example:  The alphabet begins with the letter a (ay).

Diction:  “The”

If it comes before a consonant it’s pronounced “thuh”, as in duh.

Example:  The (thuh) dog is running.

If it comes before a vowel sound, it’s pronounced “thee”.  (This also pertains to the silent “h” as in honor).

Example:  The (thee) elephant is sleeping.

These are a few of the major points of vocal technique to get you started.  Look for more information in the future! : ) 

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Is Your Voice Sustainable?

     These days the term “sustainable” is used in many contexts.  And, I admit that there are some instances that I don't know what "sustainable" would actually look like.  But, recently I heard Michael Pollan define it so well.  I am paraphrasing, but it goes something like this:


                                            We cannot continue this way.  


     Whether it's regarding energy, farming, manufacturing, or any other practice, we want to know that what we're doing can be replicated, over and over, with an endless supply, without causing harm.  


     So, in light of this, have you ever considered your own voice--your vocal chords?

     My background in music includes several years of vocal training.  I have been singing since I was a little girl.  And, in college I minored in vocal performance.  My primary objective in doing so was to protect and preserve my voice.  


     To some I may have appeared persnickety or taking myself too seriously.  But, my instrument, my voice, was something to be cherished and nurtured.  And, thankfully, along the way I encountered people like myself who thrived on best practices of the profession and went to great lengths to take care of their voice.


    In my singing circles there were firsthand accounts and urban legends about strange events involving the human voice.  There were stories of unusual feats, quirky abilities, and---(gasp)


damaged vocal cords. 


     For instance, have you ever wondered if it's possible to shatter a wine glass only using the sound waves of a voice?   Well, I'm here to tell you that, yes, it's possible!  A first soprano from my church did it.  --A shout out to Barbara!  --You know who you are! 


     In the 90's my friends and I were obsessed with Mariah Carey's unorthodox range.  At the time she was rumored to have SEVEN octaves.   Many believed that report, but those familiar with the abilities of the human voice know better.  It's impossible!  I recently looked it up, and according to Wikipedia, she apparently had (perhaps still has) a FIVE octave range.


     There was a guy in my college singing group who told us about the time he was singing and burst a vocal chord--with blood spewing (projectile) out his mouth.  I suspect that it was caused by his constricting his vocal chords and powering from his chest.  --The neck and face must be relaxed to produce a quality, safe sound.  And, the sound must also be powered from the diaphragm, not the chest.


     The most impactful stories were those of the singers who had developed--(gasp, again) nodes.  


     Even today, I shudder at the thought of it.  I remember hearing true stories about the singers who got nodes, and their voices were forever changed.  When I was in high school, I heard that Contemporary Christian artist, Trace Balin developed nodes.  And as a result, her voice became deep and raspy.   


      There are tips and techniques that professionals employ to prevent damage.  If you suspect a problem, keep in mind that pain and change in voice quality could mean overuse, damage, and illness.  


     Here are some simple things to get you started on protecting and preserving your voice. 

#1 No Pain
     The first thing to keep in mind is that using your voice properly shouldn't hurt.  If any part of your throat, neck, or face hurts during or after using your voice, there's a problem.  The root of the issue could be lack of hydration, tension, constriction, overuse, etc.  


#2 Hydration
     Keeping your voice well-hydrated is a great proactive step.  The vocal cords are two folds facing each other.  By hydrating them, you prevent them from rubbing against each other and becoming damaged.  Because everyone's body is different, there is no set amount of how much water to drink.  However, I was told in a college music class that one hour of talk equals one glass of water expended.  And, proper vocal management means that you always want to be sufficiently hydrated.  That's why I continue to drink water throughout the day and night to ensure there are no deficits.


#3 Warm-Up
     It's good to gradually warm-up your voice when you wake-up in the morning, as well as other times during extended periods of non-use.  This is especially true when you are about to teach, give a presentation, etc.  Although there are different methods of warming-up the voice, simply speaking in a gentle, natural manner for several minutes is a good way to prepare for non-singing, speaking activities.  After doing this for a few minutes, gradually project louder, moving in various ranges, as it is comfortable. 


#4 Avoid Sneezing and Laughing Loudly
     I'm not saying, don't sneeze and laugh.  But, I am saying that you should keep the noise down because doing so loudly can cause damage.  Have you ever sneezed or laughed so loud that you felt discomfort in your throat?  That's the sign that it was too loud.


     Your voice is a precious resource, and I want to help you steward it well.  Look for upcoming posts with more vocal management tips! : )

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I'm Going to Carolina--I Mean, ISRAEL--in My Mind

     In just a few short minutes my friend, Donna, and her husband will touch down in Tel Aviv, Israel.  This will be their first visit among many, I predict.  My husband and I have had them constantly in our conversation this past weekend as we counted down their arrival.  And, all morning I have been preoccupied with the sights and sounds that await them as I remember what it was like living there ten years ago.  And, today part of me lives vicariously through Donna and her husband.


     I have to admit that up until now, I've had a hard time rejoicing with those who went to Israel, either to visit or live there.  That's terrible, I know!  But, it's only because I missed Israel so much, and it broke my heart to have to leave.  If you've ever lived there, or even just visited, you understand what I'm talking about.  And, for me, there is no where else like it; no other place can, or ever will compare to its lifegiving essence.  Sadly, since my departure, an unrelenting sorrow has laid heavily on my heart; its remedy has eluded me.


     Yet, this time I truly rejoice with my friends.  It's a little bit like that James Taylor song, "Going to Carolina in My Mind".  But instead, this Carolina girl is going to Israel in her mind.  And, today it feels as if a heavy blanket has been lifted off my heart.


     A funny thing about my friends' visit is that it is a direct result of their coming in contact with me.  It was just over a year ago that Mr. McCormick, my career counselor, referred me to Donna.  He felt she'd be an encouragement to me.  I didn't think much about it at the time, but that connection became a live wire.  And, its sparks perpetually burn and wildly fly, extending all the way around the world.  Perhaps one day I will tell you more about that connection.  It's a divine one, indeed. 


      There is a saying in Hebrew that regulates my life, "Tikkun Olam".  It translates as "repairing the world".  I believe that it articulates in our lives as a passion, a drive that we know comes from God.  We know He put it there, and we know He stewards it in us. 


     We don't always know who sees, who gets it, and who it's for.  But, today God gave me a gift, like a precious rose that continues to open and release its fragrance.  He's telling me--no, showing me, that it's not in vain.  Carrying this torch, this flame, is not in vain.


     There are many things that are at the heartbeat of God.  As believers we've all been given a mission--a calling to carry His flame.  Mine includes Israel.  


     According to the sages, God poetically hides Himself, waiting for us to find Him.  For me, as I sought Him, I encountered Israel (and the Jewish people).  And, in them was He.  Matter of fact, He showed Himself to be more brilliant and illuminated than I ever imagined.  


     And, from there I began to develop a more firm, stable foundation for my faith to stand.  And for the first time in my life as a believer, I saw the Root that holds me (and this whole universe) together and gives us all life.  And, of course, I've never looked back.


     Tonight my heart sends out a Psalm to Donna and those who travel with her.  It says, "Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good; how blessed is the one who finds refuge in Him."

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A New Life, New Town, & New Landscape Part II

     It’s been over three months now that we’ve been living in our new part of the world.  We are so grateful to be in such a lovely place.  Since we’ve been married the mountains have been calling to us.  We love the mountains not only for the dry, cool air and dramatic rolling hills, but also the pioneering spirit that resides there.  

     We spent our first year of marriage in Southern Mississippi near the Gulf of Mexico, and on our first year anniversary we moved to the Piedmont region of North Carolina.  For the past year and a half my husband and I have been in limbo, not knowing where we would put down roots.  We have been like nomads, living out of boxes, never really feeling a sense of permanency.
  

     Since my last post we’ve added a beautiful barn cat from an elderly couple that owns a farm.  Her previous owners named her “Michelle”, but we’re calling her “Kitty” for now.  She has a gorgeous, shiny black coat—the shiniest we’ve ever seen.   She is a sweet, smart cat who knows how to defend herself, which has been priceless in our neck of the woods. 

     There are foxes and several dogs that roam onto our property including a male bulldog next door that, when not pinned-up, spends his day marking his territory and looking for scraps.  He’s a good dog, but he has difficulty resisting peer pressure from friends (e.g., a coon dog, a hound dog, a boxer, and a German Shepard).  And, the first thing on their agenda is to terrorize our sweet Kitty.  But, Kitty quickly puts them in their place and sends them on their way!

     From day one, even as a kitten, Kitty has shown herself to be a valiant girl.  Whenever her tail-wagging foes arrive, she arches her back and shows her teeth with the hiss of a tiger.  It’s comforting to know that she can take care of herself out here in the country where, for animals, it’s a little bit like the Wild, Wild West!

     And, really, Kitty’s biggest nuisance—her most present threat—is, and may always be, her own tail.  I’ve tried to help her make friends with it, but so far, nothing has worked.  I’ve put her in front of a mirror, held her tail up, and tried to introduce it to her.  


     But, my efforts have been fruitless.  She still fights it with fury. 

     I walked outside this morning, and the dry, windy air reminded me of where we are now (in the foothills of the amazing Blue Ridge Mountains) and where we came from (the humid, flat coastal plains).  Sometimes it’s hard to believe how quickly our lives transformed.  My husband loves it so much up here.  He says that going to work every day in the mountains is like being on vacation.

     Tonight, at the closing of the Sabbath, I stopped to take in the view of the sun going down over the Brushy Mountains in the distance.  I was reminded of how hard we prayed to get here.  And, I realized that my prayers had been answered far beyond what I could have imagined.

     Finally, we're home.

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