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One of the most difficult problems for the middle-aged teacher is having enough voice to get through the day. While it most often effects those in their 40’s and 50’s, I am seeing it in younger teachers as well. Described as chronic hoarseness, a persistent sore throat, or even loss of voice, vocal abuse will not go away on its own until you stop what is causing it. Often the teacher will see an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist who may discover polyps or nodes on the vocal cords. What is more common, however, is that the doctor finds nothings physically wrong with the cords aside from some redness. And that is the problem because the teacher does not know what to do to stop the discomfort. Unfortunately, until you are able to take the pressure off your throat and vocal cords (folds), the problem will not end; and, in most cases, it will continue to get worse until permanent damage occurs. So, how do you take the pressure off your throat and voice box in speaking when you consider how important those 2 resonators are in the production of voiced sound? - Learn to power and amplify your voice by means of your chest cavity. All great speaking voices are produced in this manner.
You have 5 resonators that are responsible for the production of voiced sound. In addition to the throat and voice box, you also use your mouth and nasal cavities. The one that is missing for the majority of people is the largest of the resonators, your chest cavity. When you allow your chest to power your voice, you will not only eliminate the vocal abuse but you will also discover a richer, warmer, deeper sound. Another benefit is that you will be able to increase your volume without shouting. You will be amazed at the difference in your energy level as well. Pushing your voice from your throat and voice box all day long is tiresome and saps your energy. When you learn to use your chest as your primary sounding board, however, you will discover more energy by the end of the day as well as more voice. With this type of voice training, you will need to change your breathing habits. Instead of relying on your upper chest muscles for respiration, you will be using your diaphragm to support your air which means you will begin breathing more deeply (just like classically-trained singers and newborn babies). The benefits of breathing in this manner are numerous indeed but one of the greatest rewards will be your ability to eliminate more of the stress in your life. Find your ‘real’ voice, eliminate your vocal abuse, and you can return to school in September with a voice that will last all day – and then some! The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. Visit Nancy's Voice Training site at Voice Dynamic and discover The Power of Your Voice or watch as she describes in more detail The Truth About Vocal Abuse. The Voice Lady, Nancy Daniels, offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as the Voicing It! the only video training on voice improvement. If you would like to see a wonderful improvement in volume control and diction, watch Mohammad's ‘before & after’ video clip at Nancy's Voice Training website.
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voice training, vocal abuse, chronic hoarseness, teaching voice, voiced sound, loss of voice, real voice, the voice lady, sore throat, voice placement,
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