VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

KaraEdwards · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject:

I was once addicted to caffeinated sodas myself. I quit after I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A small gift from my late father. They said diet changes wouldn't helped- but I still knocked a few things from my diet. Sodas? Gone. Minus the occasional ginger ale for a queezy stomach (which I get thanks to the blood pressure meds...go figure!). I do drink tea- but try to stick to non-caffeinated when possible. I also indulge in one cup of glorious coffee on the weekends. Otherwise, it's water, tea, and a bit of juice.

Dairy usually doesn't bother me- although many VO's don't touch it. I have all-natural cereal or oatmeal every morning. Actually, I don't watch my diet at all before sessions...foods just don't mess with my voice much.

I do try to do some pilates stretches and excercises most mornings...it gets me going and opens up my lungs. There's a great 10 minute pilates DVD sold at Target- that's about as long as I can handle! It helps with the heart palpitations that can sometimes take my breath away (yup, thanks again dad).

I also subscribe to the singing theory. Fortunately, my husband is at work when I get up- so he doesn't have to suffer through my terrible renditions of whatever is in my head that day. I sing loud and I sing proud!

Finally, I brush my teeth before recording...every time. It helps with mouth noise. Plus, my dentist said I was plaque-free this last go around and wanted to know my secret! It's a win-win!

My weakness is CANDY! I DO NOT want it in my house!!! My husband speaks to school groups and they always give him baskets full of CANDY! I have forbidden him from bringing them home. When he does, I make him take them straight to the church for the youth groups! That stuff is going to kill me...seriously!

And of course, I read all posts by Philip- not only do they expand my vocabulary, but they make me laugh...or sometimes they just make me have to think really hard...which isn't a bad thing!
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bobsouer · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

CarynClark · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

these are great tips... I'll try that vocal exercise... we have a piano, so it's do-able. Do I know how to play? No. But I know where middle C is. Smile

I'm actually copying/pasting that into Word and printing it out. I hope I can do it.

And, Kara, thanks for the tips... I bet stretching does do the body good.

I do stay away from dairy. I got enough crap in my throat... I don't want to make it worse.
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DaveChristi · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 5:07 pm Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:36 am Post subject:

Plenty of room, ISDN "wee huttie", beach, fresh seafood, butteries, a local Post Office full of Orkney Fudge, Mars Bars, Flakes, Puddleduck Patch for Cullen Skink or full Scottish breakfast platter, best single malt whisky, fabulous beers ...... It's hell but worth a try.

louzucaro · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:

Hey Dave, unless you REALLY want to live with Banksey, you can just bop over to the World Market store near you (63455 North Highway 97 Bend, OR 97701) as they carry a lot of Cadbury stuff, including Flake and my personal favorite, Crunchie (as well as the Aussie equivalent Violet Crumble). And yes, Hob Nobs as well.

It's cheaper than moving to Scotland, but there's likely nobody there with Banks' pipes, so really it's a toss-up.
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Chrissy · Guest

I agree with Joe concernig singers. I sang professonally, and continued to take voice lessons for at least 15 yrs. It definitely has helped in the VO area. I still sing scales. My voice coach also recommended humming, and yawning to prevent strain on your vocal chords. Exercising also helps. Yoga is great. Just pick an exercise or a couple you like and will stick with. I still drink coffee but not right before a recording session just to be safe. However right after I'm so jones'in for one, that I go directly to the nearest Starbucks. I stopped using sugar many years ago. I use sugar subsitute which is probably far worse for the body.

You might also consider going to see an ENT doctor. there are other reasons for gunk in your throat including allergies. Good luck.

cheers,

Chrissy

Bruce · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject:

If anyone's interested in how much caffeine is in their favorite wake-up beverage, I found what appears to be a long and authoritative list:

http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/

Amazingly, root beer, cream soda, Dr. Pepper, Sunkist Orange and other drinks you wouldn't suspect have considerable amounts of caffeine.

A couple of "energy" drinks (Cocaine and Spike Shooter) seem to have enough "juice" in 8 ounces to start or stop your heart depending on your condition at the time!

I'll stick with my Peet's house blend coffee from San Francisco. Brew it right and it'll grow hair on your tongue.

B
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Lizden · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:05 pm Post subject:

OOOOOOOH, that Peet's House blend sounds like MY type of cup 'o Joe! Gasp

Liz
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COURVO · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:20 pm Post subject:

A great article in the National Geographic (uh-huh, they're expanding their purvey) revealed that most researchers can't really find any serious drawbacks to caffeine, but plenty of what most humans would consider distinct advantages (higher brain activity, increased reaction time, better analytical thought).

I can't handle coffee, so when I wake up everyday, I take a No-Doze pill. It's just caffeine without the nasty bitter coffee taste. For a headache, Excedrin has enough caffeine to kick in the analgesic...so I'll take Excedrin once in a while, too.

As for soda (also known as "pop" in some regions)...I refuse to live without it. I consider it one of the distinct and cheap pleasures of life....and none of that metallic-tasting "diet" stuff. Hi-test premium for me... sugar and corn syrup all the way!

That may not be for everybody. My BP the other day was 125/80 with a pulse of 57...so good genes help....but I've been habitually exercising vigorously since I was 23 (31 years ago!).

Don't even get me started on chocolate... the "Staff of Life"...!!!

courvo
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louzucaro · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject:

I have come to really dig Diet RC, which only one grocery chain around here sells...it's not the same as Diet Rite, which has no caffeine.

Diet RC uses Splenda (which some people think is "hellspawn sugar") but all I know is I get caffeine without sugar and it actually tastes like dang good cola. Unlike the Diet Coke with Splenda, which I think tastes somewhat hienous.
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