Hey there, Stage 32! I noticed that the voice acting topic is an echoing void at the moment, so I'd like to pose a question to any other voice talents out there. As a beginner, I've noticed that after spending a few hours practicing, my voice can be pretty fatigued (usually resulting in me wanting to just keep my mouth shut for the rest of the day, and that's not entirely practical). I know that drinking a ton of water to keep the vocal cords lubed is a must, and I find that hot water with a little honey does wonders to relax my throat again. Does anyone else have some advice on other ways for voice actors - especially rookies like me - to take care of this most important of tools? There. Now it's a little less lonely in here :)
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As a voice actor for the past 30 or more years, it is my experience that long, drawn out practice sessions are not a good thing for any kind of vocal work most especially if it's a few hours at a time as you have stated. Practice sessions can be done in 60 or 90 minute sessions a couple of times a day. It sounds like the practice material that you are using might be putting a strain on your vocal cords. Find your optimum pitch both in your highest and lowest voice range and don't push those boundaries. Relax, relax, relax, and breath during your sessions. Room temperature honey water is good in small sips as you are practicing. I hope this is a help. You're right, this is our most important tool. You can do voice work with a broken arm or leg but "no voicee, no workee". Good luck and take care of yourself.
You're right - I should watch how long I spend practicing a little more carefully! Time seems to get away from me fairly easily, especially since I'm having so much fun with it right now. Thanks, Jerry. I'm curious, though: why room temperature water rather than hot?
Hey, Laura - This is a question that I've seen discussed multiple times in various discussion groups on LinkedIn. I would highly recommend joining LinkedIn, assuming you're not already a member. I have joined a number of VO-related groups on LinkedIn and it seems like there's always so many good discussions going on there. I'm trying to remember things I've seen others suggest to help with throat pain or soreness, loss of volume, etc. I've heard of drinking various warm drinks, including different types of teas, spicy hot soup, warm vapor machines, cool mist machines, etc. I think I've found that simply being quiet for an hour or two will help restore volume. For soreness, a cup of hot tea does good things for me. Someone told me honey is not good for the voice, but I've seen others say it IS good.
Yeah, keeping quiet for an hour or two does seem to help. I like tea as well, but I've also heard conflicting things about it (oddly enough); since it can act as a diuretic, it's not good because it prevents you from staying hydrated the way you need to be. But if I'm also drinking water, things ought to balance out, yes?
Room temperature water is best because there is no sudden drastic changes in your throat or larynx.
Hello All, I work as a continuity announcer - so we tend to have long live shifts. As Jerry has said tepid or room temperature water I've found the best as well - nothing worse than gasping live on air! I also tend to avoid milk and chocolate. (kinda gross - but its makes you sound nasally) I also hum to get my voice warmed up before I start - that always helps to keep your voice going longer - singing is great too - but I tend to do that on my own! I also find manuka honey with some warm water very good. Not always during work but afterwards - and espeically if you ever get a sore throat. You can get it in most health food shops. You may have come across it already - but it's anti-bacterial and helps fight an infection. It's never let me down. Hope that's a help - good luck!
I agree on the humming & singing, Jeanna. I too, have found those things to be so helpful. Not only does it seem to help warm the vocal chords, but it also seems to have a very relaxing and calming effect on them as well. Good information on the manuka honey - I've never heard of it, but will have to check it out!
In my experience, any raw honey will do. Also, a friend who is a singer (as I am) recently discovered the amazing properties of pineapple juice. Drink a little, wait a few minutes, and the throat magically clears! Amazing!
Where can a person find voice work these days? I used to do radio commercials, but that was in another city....
Create a dynamite VO demo and saturate every casting agency and production house in your immediate area.
Debbi - I'm going to have to try the pineapple juice! As for where to find voice work these days, Jerry has a good idea. You may also want to check into some "Pay To Play" sites like voices.com, voice123.com, etc. I'm a paid subscriber on voices.com and submit multiple auditions daily through them. If you've been trailed by a VO coach, you may check with him/her to see if they do casting as well. And then there's the cold calling for area auto dealers, attorneys, local TV & Radio stations, etc.
Thanks, Kurt. Good advice!
Mmm, pineapple juice. Haven't had that in a while, and now I have another excuse to get some aside from just liking it! I've been doing the raw honey thing, and it works quite nicely. I looked for manuka honey at the local co-op. About $26 a jar...heh. Maybe when I actually start making money off some gigs I'll consider it! Can someone tell me what exactly cold-calling is? Is it pretty much what it sounds like: a cold read, one shot and you're done sort of thing?
Laura, cold calling is when you approach a potential client (without them having invited you to make contact with them) and "sell" your services to them, explaining to them why they should hire you instead of someone else.
Sales people use "cold-calling" on a regular basis. Walk into a place of business and try to sell them your product. I, personally, have never heard of a voice talent do "cold-calling" but there's always a first time.
Yep, Jerry. It's pretty common actually. You call around (or sometimes show up in person) to local and area businesses like car dealerships, etc., or to audio and video production houses, etc.
Ah. Thanks, guys.