Hello!
I know this is a really daft question, but how do you make sure that you can manage your voice during a training session?
2 days seems to be my breaking point before I turn into a squeeky ridiculous sounding mouse... Doesn't help credibility... Any trick would be greatly appreciated!
Many thanx
natalie descheres
5 Responses
Keeping your voice silky soft
Hi Natalie I think this is a common problem amongst people in our profession.
I use pastilles called Vocalzones which are available from all good chemists. They are brilliant for when you have a sore throat or if you’ve been shouting too much. I always find my voice weak after a night out in a noisey smokey nightclub (I can’t imagine why!). Pure Orange juice is also good during an event as a lack of vitamin C can also affect your voice.
The other alternative is to look at the techniques that Actors and singers use to project, strange as it sounds you may well be using the wrong part of your throat to talk.
If all else fails use a more facilative approach and talk less!
Hope this helps
Andy
voice management
Having a glass of water handy helps – keep having a sip to keep the vocal cords oiled! Also chewing gum has helped (I know it’s not very professional) but I’ve mastered the art of chewing it without chewing!!!
Sanderson’s Throat Specific
As an ex professional singer, I swear by Sanderson’s Throat Specific – it tastes disgusting, but is absolutely fantastic.
I must confess, however, that since giving up singing I have never had any problems with losing my voice when training, no matter how many days I am delivering. This might be due to the voice projection techniques I now use as a result of my singing training. I had not thought about it until I saw your comment.
Don’t even know if you can still get Sanderson’s but if you can, it is worth it.
Jooli Atkins
Voice Training
One of the main problems is how people use their voice. It sounds as if you are straiing it. The way we get over this is that we have a professional Actor who specialises in training executives in how to use their voices properly when making presentations.
I works very well. Happy to supply details if you so wish.
Protecting your voice
Voice loss among teachers is becoming more recognised as a health hazard and there has been at least one sucessful claim to have voice problems recognised as an occupational hazard.
The main preventatives are those mentioned by other respondents namely
1. drink plenty of water
2. learn to control your voice by using the diaphragm not the throat.
There is an organisation called the Voice Care Network set up by a voice called Roz Comins to help teachers to take care of their voice.
If you need help learning to control the voice from the diaphragm a voice coach or Speech Therapist should be able to help. I have benefitted from such help at the college where I work.