VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

COURVO · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:10 pm Post subject: Whadya think?

From left field:

Does singing help or hurt the speaking voice?

I don't mean should you sing to get the cords in shape before recording voice work -- I mean, does it help mature and broaden your range overall?

I'm a baritone sometimes struggling to sing bass in the choir...it can make me hoarse afterwards, but vocal cords are a muscle, no? Ergo, exercising them by singing should make them stronger in the long run? And wouldn't it help with better breath control, too?

Dave C.
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Charlie Channel · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject:

Music helps the voice. Singing is an expression of muzik. Ultimately, I think it is inner control of emotion that makes the voice work. Music serves as a vehcile to release emotion. So, singing is good. Every voice has a place. What would you do if i sang out of tune? There's nobody I know who sings that like Joe Crocker.

The voice is a bundle of muscles. And, it exhibits the characteristics of any muscle. Use preserves it. Lack of use can result in minimishing capacity. So, I think it's fine to scream every now and then, to get tired vocal chords. I've got to watch myself at concerts.

Here's what I've learned. First, it's OK to screm, and to be there. That's why I came. Secondly, try to control myself by not screaming too much. But, if I scream, try to do it in such a way that doesn't totally wreck my voice for more than 3 days. Drinking water (hydration) is what puts it back together, fastest for me. And, I don't expect to sound the same for 3 days. Thus, no gig's -- unless they want whatever I sound like at that moment in time.

I find that singing, often, not only frees up my emotions and facilitates concentration building -- not to mention memorizing words to songs, but it also enables me to have a more consistent sound than screaming.

Now that you mentioned it, I think it's time for me to do some practicing.

cool

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donrandall · Guest

Screaming is good. If ya got kids, ya don't even need to pay all that money to some overpaid sports team.

billelder · Guest

I think singing is good! Dave, I do the choir thing too. Another benefit is it teaches you to "play well" with others. <g>

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:29 am Post subject:

I've sung all my life and always had dandy relative pitch, which made me a good alto to have in groups or musical comedies.
However, I never had any mature quality or real "presence" until recently-- like in the last 5 years or so. I think concentrating on vocal placement every day has made my equipment more responsive.
That, and I'm getting older.

I have people come to me for scream coaching.
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Frank F · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:11 am Post subject:

I have requests for my singing all of the time... "Please, sing 'way out on a mountain'... way, way, way out...."

However, with all the requests... "I still can't carry a tune in a bucket". But, seriously, as long as you do not strain your voice while singing, it's a good voice/vocal exercise.

Remember 'The Carpenters' song: "Sing"?

"It don't matter that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear, just Sing, Sing a Song"...

Keep up the singing, and maybe we will hear YOU on the radio...

Frank F

Bruce · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:19 am Post subject:

Singing is great for the voice...limbers you up, increases your range. Just be sure you're singing correctly and not straining the vocal cords. If you're not sure ask your choral director or a trusted singer to evaluate your technique.

I often use vocal warm-ups and singing to loosen the chords on the way to an early morning session.

B

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:57 am Post subject:

I agree that singing does help - it helps with placement of the voice and it helps with breath control - again, with the caveat that you are singing correctly. As a matter of fact, an acting teacher of mine, years ago, suggested I take singing lessons for those very reasons.
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