Comments on: Everything Affects Your Voice… Including 11 That Might Surprise You

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:50:16 +0000

Greasy chicken, eh Ron? I say whatever works for Pavorotti!! You're so right about the need to be careful with lozenges though, they can be dangerous. The weirdest foreign object in throat story I have is when I was performing an outdoor concert somewhere in Kansas, during the locust season. As I'm singing and playing, the grasshoppers are flying into my fingers and face. We were a lively band onstage that day for sure! One flew into my mouth on a high note… I spit it out, trying not to freak out, and finished the show somehow. We were plucking dead grasshoppers from our instrument cases for days afterwards! I think locusts might be worse than lozenges. I'm with you on the chicken fix!

By: Ron Calabrese

Ron Calabrese — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:42:58 +0000

Hi Judy. I never realized my good fortune being a male singer and not contending with that impressive list of female hormones! It was difficult enough worrying about the post nasal drip that is the scourge of all singers. One trick I learned from talking to Pavarotti after one of his Lyric Opera performances, was to nibble on greasy chicken between acts. Luciano would eat oily chicken to eliminate mucus and lubricate the throat, and I’ve been doing that before important singing ever since. Now, I won’t vouch for this chicken fix for everyone, but what was good for Luciano seemed like a good idea to me. Besides, any excuse to eat works for an Italian! Sometimes, he would also have a lozenge in his mouth while singing. Of course, you’d better have a large size throat for that fix, and Luciano’s was like a deep cave. You don’t want that object moving around the back of your throat at the moment you attack a high note.

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:08:13 +0000

So true, unknown!! Yes, dust and chemicals as well as ash in the air from badly damped fireplaces, smoking anything, and from wildfires … all those particulates are voice saboteurs! Thanks for that addition to the list!

By: Christina Taylor

Christina Taylor — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:03:16 +0000

Are you a woodworker? Saw dust and chemicals are terrible for the voice too! Also if you are allergic to dust don't do a bunch of house cleaning before singing!

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 21:31:18 +0000

Dear Gladys and Elizabeth… I'm thrilled that you see the use of these concepts for the speaking voice as well… and yes, even the writing 'voice' is affected by everything! Thanks so much to both of you for the kind comments!

By: Elizabeth H. Cottrell

Elizabeth H. Cottrell — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 21:29:06 +0000

This is fascinating, Judy, and I'm amazed at how many of these concepts apply to a speaker's voice as well as a singer's. And even if you get less physical and consider your "voice" in writing, many are still applicable. Thank you!

By: Gladys Strickland

Gladys Strickland — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:53:01 +0000

So many things are moving to audio and video, so these tips are helpful to me even though I don't sing. Thank you!

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 21:50:59 +0000

Denise, your voice is SO valuable – I'm thrilled that you enjoyed this article! Yes, it's funny how the voice and life have so many parallels in what works:) Thank you for letting me know!

By: Denise Wakeman

Denise Wakeman — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 20:57:27 +0000

I'm not a singer, yet every article you write is filled with fascinating info and I always learn something that I can apply to my life. Thank you, Judy!

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Sat, 30 May 2020 12:06:19 +0000

I am honored that you find this blog useful! You've had a long career of making hits, and I'm so glad you continue to love what you do!