October 2014 Your Voice: find it, keep it - Hants

with

Philip Bliss Voice Care Network Uk

Your Voice:

find it, keep it

... and explore the tones that

build a positive learning

environment

NQT Conference

Hampshire October 2014

© Yvonne Morley 2010 5

Professional Voice Users?

Actors • 3 years training

• learns a script

• rehearses (weeks)

• repeat performances

• Luxury profession

Teachers • little / no training • no script: (improvise)

• no rehearsal • no 2 days the same

• ESSENTIAL profession

© Yvonne Morley 2010

Why is voice so important?

voice is your key

communication asset

you are professional voice

users

your voice can help or hinder

learning....


Incorrect tones


• Are a challenge to listen to

• Do not gain respect

• Students become

• irritated

• frustrated

• bored

• resentful

• “Impedes learning”

Dr Andrew Curran


Transforming the tone for:


• Inspiration

•Respect

•Enjoyment

• teachers

• pupils

•Positive atmosphere ...

for learning


“Hello…” what’s my tone?

•Neutral

•Can I help you?

•Dismissive

•Surprised

•Scared/Desperate!

•Gosh you’re gorgeous!

Experiment!

26


.... part of the challenge

“It isn’t what you say .....

......it’s HOW you say it.”


Physical Presence and Impact

Physical

Presence


Visual impression and status: Open? Tall?

Balanced?

Physical Presence –

Making an Impact


Physical ease -

unhelpful Tensions

Unhelpful tensions and stress undermine vocal range

and tone:

Shoulders

Neck

Jaw


Ease and Authority

Ease

and

Authority


Breathing


Re-Training your breathing

“Corset on or off?” ... take it OFF!

The aim: expansion in lower abdomen

NOT IN YOUR SHOULDERS!

(or risk losing volume,

power and stamina !!!)

Breath for…?

Making voice.

Balanced thinking.

Butterfly busting.

Life!


Voice: expression, range and tone

Voice


The Vocal Tract

Are You At Home In Your Range?

Ng… (pitch glide)

Mmm… good!

Ah……….!

Lovely to see you today!

Warming the Voice

Tone Exercise

Friendly

Polite

Angry

Assertive

Joking

Pleading

Sarcastic

Indifferent

Urgent

Confident

Afraid

Relaxed


Clarity

Clarity


Lips, face and tongue

• Unique New York

• Mixed biscuits

• Red leather Yellow leather

• Three free theatre seats (..... make up your own .....)

Word power... from the speech gym


Factors affecting clarity

Tension

Diction

Health

Acoustic

Lack of

knowledge

12


Communication Bridge

Communication

Bridge


Finding Clarity and Variety

Mr. Jeremy stuck his pole in the mud and fastened the boat to it.

Then he settled himself cross-legged and arranged his fishing

tackle. He had the dearest little red float. His rod was a tough stalk of

grass, his line was a fine long white horse-hair, and he tied a little

wriggling worm at the end.

The rain trickled down his back, and for nearly an hour he stared at

the float.

"This is getting tiresome, I think I should like some lunch," said Mr.

Jeremy Fisher.

Five Keys to Vocal Variety

Pitch

Pace

Pause

Pronunciation

Power


vocal health hydration (2 to 3 litres daily)

avoid dehydration (caffeine, alcohol)

steam if tired or ill

avoid shouting, pushing (damages voice

and impedes learning)

use alternatives to gain attention

dairy (milk, cream, butter, yoghurt) can

“clog”

sweets, chocolate, cake make it “sticky”

(and can lower the immune system)

avoid throat lozenges (use honey or throat

pastilles instead)

REST your voice ... through the working day!


To smoke or not to smoke...?

horrible illnesses

increased risk towards loss of limbs

diminished bank account

not as nice to KISS!


PROBLEMS! - Early Warning Signs

Breaks in the voice

Changes in pitch or volume

Changes in vocal quality

Changes in the body

Increased effort

Recurring loss of voice

Sensation of ‘lump in the throat’

©Voice Care Network


Seeking help

Go to GP

Referral to ENT

In a VOICE CLINIC

ENT takes case history and visualises larynx with endoscope or laryngeal mirror

If nothing sinister, refer to SLT for further assessment & advice


Vocal health to vocal wealth

Check diet

Environment

Warm ups

Hydration

Voice rest

Steaming

Relaxation/exercise

Non medicated pastilles

Report problems

Seek help

©Voice Care Network


maintain a healthy voice

• warm up daily

• practice vocal variety

• develop breath support

• keep clarity in thoughts and in words

• retain physical alignment and ease

• choose to reach the other side ..........

You CAN be heard if you ...


It isn’t just what you say .... it is how you say it.

Voice Care Network UK

[email protected]

www.voicecare.org.uk

mailto:[email protected]


Voice Care Network UK

www.voicecare.org.uk e.mail: [email protected]

01926 864000

http://www.voicecare.org.uk

Documents

October 2014 Your Voice: find it, keep it - Hants