Voice coaching

Many of the readers of our little blog know that I am privileged to host the Middle Tennessee Ministry Luncheon each month (side note: if you’d like to be included on the mailing list for these luncheons, email me). This month we were able to bring in a professional voice coach and speech pathologist. Her name is Karen Crabb and she and her husband live in Utah. We fed her through using Skype so we have both audio and video (I’d give the video a C+ and the audio was fine). If you are not a Skype user I’d recommend you look into that free program.

I’ve been preaching 30 years and there was a whole, whole lot I did not know. Funny thing is I didn’t know I needed this information, but I did. Being in a screaming rock band will damage your voice - who knew? Guess I’ll have to drop out of Bonnaroo this year Jason :)!

Protect your asset. I now want to know more!

I was busy trying to keep the technology running but my good friend Trent Wheeler took excellent notes and has agreed to share them. Thanks Trent, his blog is at www.contextualministry.blogspot.com (There’s you a free blog shout out for your time Trent :)).

I hope to put up either the audio or video soon from the meeting but until then - here ya’ go:

Hydration:
 
·         Water is the easiest on the system
·         Light colored urine is a sign of good hydration
·         Caffeine drinks are counter-productive (they dry the mouth and restrict blood flow).
·         Be careful of medicines, they too can dry your mouth. If you have allergies or sinus problems try a Netty Pot.
·         Avoid dairy products before speaking (especially milk, or liquid dairy. dj note here: she wasn’t too big on coffee’s affect either).
·         Menthol Cough Drops are not good for your voice.
·         Placing a stone, peppermint or other foreign object in your mouth will help produce saliva.
 
Using Your Voice:
 
·         Always warm up your voice
·         Hum Amazing Grace
·         Say MO with increasing volume and raised pitch.
·         Vibrate your lips up and down
·         Cough gently, don’t clear your throat.
·         When speaking keep tepid water nearby to drink. You have warmed up your voice, you don’t need cold water.
·         Breath frequently and deeply.
·         Allow time for vocal recovery after speaking.
·         Don’t read out loud.
·         Don’t whisper, the forced air dries out your voice.
·         Speak from the middle of your mouth.
·         Check out the tips at www.ncvs.org