Vocal performers, actors, television personalities and motivational speakers, all belong to this elite group known as, " THE PROFESSIONAL VOCALIST ". Your voice is your business, your career AND your living. Vocal talent is everything you are. INFACT, your voice is the measure of your of well-being.
SO... How does a person protect the longevity of their communicative talents? There are so many factors which dictate to vocal disorders. Smoke, dust, environmental allergies,noise, stress, anxiety, medications, improper diet and POSTURE to name a few.
Let's start with basic knowledge in the area of body alignment. Believe it or not, body language and posture, dictate the sound of your image and vocal tone. You exhibit a positive or negative body stance which inturn is duplicated into your voice blueprint. This is what the audience sees and hears as your vocal artistry.
Frederick Matthias Alexander, was a Shakespearean Actor, who developed the loss of his voice ( laryngitis symptoms ), early in his career. Unsuccessful visits to the Doctor prompted Alexander to practise, self-discovery and observational techniques.
He sat, infront of a mirror, meticulously, recording his posture, various movement patterns and their direct relationship to his head and neck.
Mr. Alexander noted that an improper body alignment was creating his personal, chronic vocal dilemma. Through his long years of study, " THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE " was developed. It has successfully been utilized in European countries since the late 1800's.
Recently Canada and the United States have recognized its invaluable contributions to vocal health and instituted the Alexander methods into universities and health centres.
You may be interested to read, " THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE WORKBOOK " by Richard Brennan, a qualified and world reknowned teacher of the Alexander Technique.
Often, student arrive at the studio, bent over, with their shoulders hugging their ears...TENSION...TENSION...TENSION... GET RID OF IT.
RE-read my " SINGING OM " article and roll your shoulders, forwards and backwards, roll your head and neck, slowly around, then reverse and continue to extend your head and ears to the shoulders.
Conclude by LIFTING YOUR CHIN to the left and to the right, rolling eyes to the upper back of your head. It gives you a wonderful sense of release... WHOOSH
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