New Blog

Now working on a new blog:

Stop the Presses!

I'm discontinuing this blog and movin' on up to a new one.

Come on in to: douganderson.blogspot.com

Your Challenge

TODAY'S POLL:

What's the thing you'd like most to change about the way you sound?


http://www.yourvoicecoach.com

Spiders and Sloppy Messages

DAILY DISH:

I love the Google ads that run on your posts. I thought I'd try this service out. So I signed up and waited for the appropriate ads to appear. Well. I had written one post about nerves and stage fright - maybe that's what did it - but my ads turned to be about depression, suicide and supplements that make you want to hang on until 911 picks up. Uh huh.

Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow. Or should I just write "voice tips" 50 times in one post? Maybe that way the "spiders" that crawl the Net will get the point. Doesn't the image of "spiders" out there sucking up information creep you out a little? I keep picturing those mechanical creatures that attacked the ships in The Matrix...

DAILY TIP:

Tips when leaving a telephone message:

Doesn't it drive you nuts when you get a phone message you can barely understand? And not all of them are from people trying to sell you swampland in Peoria. So when you're on the other end, leaving a message, try to set a better example:

Slow down when you're leaving a message, especially if you have an accent. I find myself replaying some messages over and over until I get the intended information. And it might be a swampland salesman -- or else someone with good news.

When you leave your name make sure you leave it clearly, especially if it's something exotic like Mr. Mxyzpitlk. If that's the case, spell it, and maybe think about changing to one with a few less consonants.

Slow down when giving your number. Ain't that the worst? How many times do you get a message like this: "Hello, my name is (mumble) and you can reach me at 746-38(mutter,mumble)3." Doesn't that drive you bats?

Maybe leave a short sentence saying who you are, why you are calling.

Leave YOUR number clearly. They can't return the call if they don't have it. Don't make them look up Mxyzpitlk in the book.

Also, do not leave long messages or they will tune out and hang up before getting that important info you were saving for the end.

Make sense?

http://www.yourvoicecoach.com

Singing

Daily Voice Tip:

Singing higher.

Most people can go up a few notes until their voice breaks. Where it falls apart is in the transition from what's called "chest" voice into "head voice." Chest voice resonates in -- guess where? Put the flat of your hand on your sternum and sing. You can feel the vibration. As you go up the scale, the resonance shifts upwards into your head.

Voice training shows you how to go from chest to head without cracking or yodeling. Nothing can take the place of one-on-one coaching, but there are a few tricks to help you work on by yourself.

One is, as you climb higher, take it easy. Contrary to popular belief, PUSHING is not the way to sing the high notes. Use less strain -- don't let your throat tighten. After a while you'll feel the higher notes start to come more easily.

More tips later if y'all want them.

Any questions?

Daily Dish:

"So You Think You Can Dance" is on FOX. Oy. So you think you can keep me awake?

Open up. Do it!

Daily Tip: Yawn.

The throat needs to be open and feel wide in order to produce a bigger sound. Most of us speak from a tiny, shut down space inside the mouth and throat. Hence, a meek little squashed sound. What yawning does is give you a sense of expansion. It creates more room, and more room = more resonance.

Resonance is what moves the voice forward and gives it a kick. Not shouting. So open up your mouth, have a bit of a yawn, and then try speaking from the feeling of an open throat. It'll increase your sound immediately...

Daily Dish:

I come from hearty New England stock. Think Katharine Hepburn, jumping into the freezing ocean every day to do laps. (Although personally I think all that aquatic shock treatment is what made her head shake. Just a thought.) Cold I can deal with. Put a blanket on and shut up.

But this sweltering swamp of a Summer is rackin' up my electric bill along with my nerves.

I may have to go jump in the river...


http://yourvoicecoach.com

Ye Gods

Hottest Day in Human History.

At least here in Philly.

Ye gods.

I've parked my ass in front of the A/C and prayed for rain. A hailstorm. Anything cold.

It's Tuesday, so now that I've finished coaching a man from Burma on the phone, my mind leaps ahead to What's On Telly tonight.

It isn't Hell's Kitchen or Nanny 911 because they were on last night. And Six Feet Under was Sunday. Did you see that episode? I'm not going to spoil what happens in the last minute - but try and find it in a rerun.

Yes, Nanny 911. Or boxing. As some of you read from earlier posts, that's the bizarre gamut of my nightlife. Two men smacking each other in the ring, or triplets smacking each other in the crib.

You see why I've been single for so long? Well, no - I do have a meaningful relationship. It's a threesome, actually. Me, my TV and my VCR.
Anybody else feel like a shut-in at night? Not being a "bar person," I find it all too easy to crash and grab the clicker. Not that clicker. My universal remote. Lately I do feel remote, and I wonder: is it universal?

Ye Gods!

Nerves

No matter how many years you get up and speak, getting The Jitters always comes with the territory. Here are some ideas. Feeling nervous is natural but there are things you can do before you start to speak to help control your nerves and make you feel more relaxed.

Take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, before you begin.

Clench your hands and then shake them out. This helps to release tension and to control any shaking that can occur when nervous.

If you're giving a speech or doing a presentation, walk around the area before the audience arrives to help you to become more familiar with the space. When you start your presentation, you will look and feel more confident.

To reduce any tension in the face, practice chewing. Massage your cheeks and jaw.

Be positive. A good mental attitude is essential. To help achieve this, think of three reasons why your audience should listen to you and say these to yourself before you start. Focus on your message and it will help immensely.