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28 Oct 03 - 02:23 PM (#1043302) Subject: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut Don't worry. I'm fine. It wasn't serious. Just that somebody bumped into me from behind when I stopped at a yellow light this morning on my way to work, and we both pulled over and exchanged information and I was really late for work but at least no injuries. It just was that it was on top of everything else. I teach music - I need to be able to sing and be cheerful, both - and it's been really hard to sing the last couple of weeks. The doctor got me on antibiotics yesterday for sinusitis and inflammed throat and vocal chords (one would assume the vocal chords were red, too), and put me on allergy meds, and I also had my flu shot, so I was achey and tired from that this morning too. But I got in the car after a couple cups of coffee and some Tylenol with the attitude that it's my job and it was too late to get a substitute teacher anyway. So, that's my day, and I'm cranky. Sometimes being a singer is difficult, eh? When you sing and you sing and you sing and you sing, and you think that that's why you can't sing well anymore, that you've just overdone it, and you deny the possibility that the cold you were fighting 2 1/2 weeks ago could possibly be lingering on after all this time, and then you find out you really actually ARE sick! You have an actual Reason to have that gravelly voice and not want to get out of bed in the morning. I think singing is such a fun job when you're on top of it, and so miserable when you're feeling gutterbound. And I think it's so difficult for a singer to judge one's voice and vocal health. So, singers, how is YOUR day going today? ~b.w. |
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28 Oct 03 - 02:29 PM (#1043304) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut P.S. This turned into a music thread by 'accident'! |
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28 Oct 03 - 02:37 PM (#1043309) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: Amos SOrry about your hard days, BW -- but if it is any comfort there are people having worse days! Out here we're breathing the remnant particles of thousands of acres of brush and trees and lost homes and destroyed lives. The air is thick like a nightclub, all across the county, with the particles of these catastrophes. Which also makes singing less comfortable. A |
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28 Oct 03 - 03:16 PM (#1043326) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: wysiwyg I know just what you mean, BW! And then for those of us who do songleading, there are the songs we lead that are in a good range for everyone.... except US, and it can get really tricky getting the NEXT one out of the neck properky, after doing one or more in a wrong range.... on Sat. nights we start with the ones in my range, then we do the ones that aren't, and then we close with a low croaker cuz that's all that's left! Oh well! And then the rehearsals-- teaching the song to the band and talking too much to explain things, and then getting louder (and using up MORE voice) cuz they can't HEAR me, and then trying to have a voice left to DO the songs WITH the band! Oh well! ~S~ |
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28 Oct 03 - 04:53 PM (#1043407) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: katlaughing {{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS for BW}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} take a few minutes for a deep breath and blow some of that stress out. Don't forget to swallow some sunshine each day.:-) I am glad you are okay, but be gentle with your neck and voice for a few days, eh? I was just talking to anudder Mudder the other night and we agree that women especially seem to ignore their body's signals, to think it's just a little thing that will go away, then their body suddenly goes full stop and they HAVE to pay attention! And, then they have to force themselves to slow down and let their bods heal up...otherwise they risk a relapse. I'm not saying men don't do this, too, but women seem to more and seemingly in different ways. Be well, my friend, kat |
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28 Oct 03 - 05:40 PM (#1043426) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: McGrath of Harlow Actually I think men are at least as likely to ignore the danger signals - it goes with avoiding going to see doctors. But once an illness is officially diagnosed or negotiated, I suspect men are more likely to drop everything and retire to bed regardless. |
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28 Oct 03 - 07:10 PM (#1043471) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut Amos, I certainly feel for everyone dealing with the fires and the smoke. Susan, you've identified some real voice issues that would be good to discuss here. Kat, thanks, and I agree that women can't sort out health problems very easily when we get too busy. Hugs back. McGrath, most men I am friends with will go to doctors when they are sick but don't take time away from work to heal and rest. I wonder if it doensn't take longer to heal because of that. Women do the same thing, mind you. Anyway, I am glad that the doctor and I are now seeing a pattern with my voice problems....we are thinking that it could very likely be allergies that develop into voice problems. We are thinking mould allergy, which is worse in the fall up here in Ontario because of the autumn leaves all over everywhere and rotting. I love autumn, with its colour and the freshness in the air, and I like to go for long walks and let my feet rustle the crunchy leaves. And I love taking my school work out into the garden on any day that's warm/sunny enough, but where there are lots of decaying asters and black-eyed Susans and maple leaves. I think that it is easier somehow to deal with something like an allergy, and take meds, and have hope for a solution to vocal problems, than it is to think (as I have over the years) that it was voice stress or life stress which is also common in the fall, being a teacher and all. ~b.w. |
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29 Oct 03 - 02:15 PM (#1043963) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut Wow! Medications are working! I could sing clearly this morning! And no car crashes today. At least not involving mine. ~b.w. |
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29 Oct 03 - 02:54 PM (#1043981) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: Don Firth Yeah, I can sympathize. Right now I think I could do a real good job of singing Old Man River, cuz I feel like I'm full of mud. I worked for eight years for the telephone company in a building that was all sealed up. Couldn't open any windows and every virus and every mold spore in the building got recycled. If one person came in with a cold or some other kind of plague, withing a week or so, everybody else had it too. When the phone company sold the building, the hotel chain that bought it found that, in addition to remodeling it for their purposes, they had to decontaminate the place. Sick building syndrome. I never had allergies before I went to work for Ma Bell, but I sure do now. Chronic cough, which the doctor says is caused by sinus drainage which, in turn, is caused by allergies. My wife works at the Seattle Public Library (downtown), and that's sort of like working as a steward on a plague ship. She doesn't bring much home (takes lots of precautions like washing hands frequently, etc.) , but every now and then she does. She came down with a sore throat about a week ago, and it developed into a cold. Now I've got it too. In this condition, I avoid singing if I can. But sometimes it can't be helped. I tried a few vocal exercises a few moments ago just to see how it went, and other than having to stop for a moment while I coughed up a lung, the voice itself sounded okay. Check out Alice's voice threads. She's got some good information there. If you have to sing over a cold or other vocal impairment, knowing something about good voice production can help you get through it without winding up hoarse or otherwise screwing up your voice. And knowing something about good vocal technique won't make you suddenly start sounding like an opera singer (lots of aspiring opera singers wish it was that easy). Take vitamin C. Drink lots of fluids. Gargle a couple times a day with Listerine. Hunker down and take it easy. Don (Cough!! Hack!!) Firth |
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29 Oct 03 - 03:34 PM (#1044014) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut I can hear you from here, Don!!! I agree with you about vocal technique. I take voice lessons from Eileen Smith who coaches performers at the Stratford Festival Theatre. She really knows voices. She helps one to find one's own best healthy voice. It's good. And yes, helpful when you have to sing for a living! Drugs too. Yum. I think I'll go hunker down now..... ~b.w. |
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29 Oct 03 - 04:11 PM (#1044037) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: katlaughing Glad to hear things are better now, b.w.! Hope you get to feeling better, too, Don.:-) |
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29 Oct 03 - 07:01 PM (#1044138) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: Bobert Wish I could help but being a blues singer, the worse the voice is, the better. My wife, P-Vine, is trained and also teaches music. Different story for her. She just hates me.... Figuratively speakin'... Bobert p.s. Jus' funnin'. Even blues singers gotta have their voice work properly... Jus' not as critical as trained classical folks who have greater range to keep in order.... |
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29 Oct 03 - 08:33 PM (#1044199) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut O Bobert, I love sexy gravelly blues singer voices! I was personally talking about being actually sick and getting laryngitis and soreness, which isn't the same thing at all, true 'nuff. Range isn't the issue with me. I'm primarily a folk singer and teacher, not a classical singer. But it's interesting that when you work on vocal health and technique (like keeping the engine running smoothly), the range increases, and also the fluidity, the stamina, and the control of pitch and tonal colour. I'm a beginner at taking care of my voice properly, after all these years, but the differences are noticeable. ~b.w. |
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29 Oct 03 - 08:42 PM (#1044206) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: Morticia I was in a car crash today too, must be the season. I am also fine although my car suffered multiple contusions and abrasions and would appreciate any good thoughts you can send him.Actually, having to deal with the insurance company and the other driver ( who wasn't looking and drove into the side of me and then somehow thinks it is still my fault), perhaps one or two of those good thoughts could be diverted my way after all, if you can spare them. I can at least sing, just don't feel much like it today. |
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29 Oct 03 - 08:54 PM (#1044214) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: Willie-O I think I'll just get out of this thread since it seems to invite accidents...Black Walnut and Morty, you and your vehicles get better, stay better, and don't do it any more! /W-O |
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30 Oct 03 - 08:37 AM (#1044448) Subject: RE: BS: Voice crashes and car crashes From: black walnut Oh, Morticia, I'm so sorry!!! Yes, go away, it must be the thread, W-O, that's it. .-) I have to drive a long way to work, right through the middle of Toronto, 3 times a week. It gets worse all the time. Drivers are insane. It's incredibly dangerous out there. Oh, for life in the country.....or even a smaller city! I do sing, though, in the car, both ways, along with CDs, unless there's a good interview happening on CBC. When I can drive through the city smiling and singing and bopping to a beat, I feel like I've spent an hour and a half of my day in a much better and life-enhancing way than the many drivers who are intent only on how to beat the next red. ~b.w. |