Comments on: Reading Aloud 8: Vocal fatigue http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/ The daily journal of a puppeteer and SF author. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:21:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-12765 Mary Robinette Kowal Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:59:10 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-12765 I'm afraid that the answer to your question is "it depends." Usually I try to stay hydrated in general, which I guess would be your light but steady scenario. I also drink water during the performance. I’m afraid that the answer to your question is “it depends.” Usually I try to stay hydrated in general, which I guess would be your light but steady scenario. I also drink water during the performance.

]]> By: David Loftus http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-12764 David Loftus Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:55:17 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-12764 I had a question about your experience with the timing of such measures. I've experimented with drinking lots of water an hour or half-hour before a performance -- stage, reading, or recording -- but there's a physical need that comes with it: having to empty one's bladder! So I also try to remember to take a bathroom break at the last possible moment before showtime. The parameters are going to be different for each type of performance (e.g., you can usually take whatever drink and pee breaks you need, whenever, during a recording session; you can drink at any time throughout a reading, but need to time your bathroom break; you may be able to go to the bathroom and drink occasionally during a stage production if you get significant off-stage breaks -- or neither at all!). But have you developed any sense of the optimal time to "tank up" with liquids before a performance (maybe even optimal amount, given the inevitable pressure down below)? Or do you drink lightly but steadily throughout many hours before a performance? (By the way, I think the word you wanted was "phlegmy" or "phlegm-y". . . .) I had a question about your experience with the timing of such measures. I’ve experimented with drinking lots of water an hour or half-hour before a performance — stage, reading, or recording — but there’s a physical need that comes with it: having to empty one’s bladder! So I also try to remember to take a bathroom break at the last possible moment before showtime. The parameters are going to be different for each type of performance (e.g., you can usually take whatever drink and pee breaks you need, whenever, during a recording session; you can drink at any time throughout a reading, but need to time your bathroom break; you may be able to go to the bathroom and drink occasionally during a stage production if you get significant off-stage breaks — or neither at all!). But have you developed any sense of the optimal time to “tank up” with liquids before a performance (maybe even optimal amount, given the inevitable pressure down below)? Or do you drink lightly but steadily throughout many hours before a performance?

(By the way, I think the word you wanted was “phlegmy” or “phlegm-y”. . . .)

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1664 Mary Robinette Kowal Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:44:04 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1664 True on both counts. Milk and chocolate will make you sound flemmy. I avoid them before performance. True on both counts. Milk and chocolate will make you sound flemmy. I avoid them before performance.

]]> By: Josh English http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1662 Josh English Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:22:55 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1662 What is your opinion of milk products or chocolate? I remember being told before a concert to avoid these, because they coat your throat. What is your opinion of milk products or chocolate? I remember being told before a concert to avoid these, because they coat your throat.

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1296 Mary Robinette Kowal Sat, 23 Sep 2006 20:21:35 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1296 Glad it helps. I only learned the pineapple trick in the last couple of years, and am astounded at the difference it makes. I was always going the hot water, honey and lemon juice route, and would get coughs that stuck around forever. Not anymore. Glad it helps. I only learned the pineapple trick in the last couple of years, and am astounded at the difference it makes. I was always going the hot water, honey and lemon juice route, and would get coughs that stuck around forever. Not anymore.

]]> By: Melanie http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1295 Melanie Sat, 23 Sep 2006 20:17:15 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1295 Well, this post is a really good help for me, thanks for that. I'm a singer, but I don't use my voice as my capital... Ok. but that's another story. So, now I can understand, what my voicetrainer means, when he said to me, that water is the best thing to quench thirst and keeping the voice supple. The tip with the pineapple juice is good. i will try it, when a cold strikes me... Well, this post is a really good help for me, thanks for that. I’m a singer, but I don’t use my voice as my capital… Ok. but that’s another story. So, now I can understand, what my voicetrainer means, when he said to me, that water is the best thing to quench thirst and keeping the voice supple. The tip with the pineapple juice is good. i will try it, when a cold strikes me…

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1280 Mary Robinette Kowal Fri, 22 Sep 2006 17:08:22 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1280 Why thank you, ma'am. And you'll notice that I've got them listed in the menu now, so they are all grouped in one neat place. Why thank you, ma’am. And you’ll notice that I’ve got them listed in the menu now, so they are all grouped in one neat place.

]]> By: Maggie http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1278 Maggie Fri, 22 Sep 2006 17:01:52 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1278 Another great entry. Another great entry.

]]> By: Jason Erik Lundberg http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/comment-page-1/#comment-1275 Jason Erik Lundberg Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:50:03 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/reading-aloud-8-vocal-fatigue/#comment-1275 Great pointers, Mary. I had on idea about the orange juice! Great pointers, Mary. I had on idea about the orange juice!

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