Vocal Health

Frances Ascott

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When to seek professional help Persistent warning signs Cold that does not clear up Suspected reflux Frequent sinusitis Frequent tonsillitis

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How to seek professional help Speak to Sue Roper Go to GP and explain problem If advice not help ask for referral to

ENT dept. If here that will be Mr Karagama at MRI or Mrs Kwaja at Wythenshawe. If not local asked to be referred to a voice clinic if for voice

Ensure GP mentions you are a singer at the RNCM

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Possible problems The process may take a while Don’t leave until the last minute Many clinics monthly If ref to general ENT clinic may get

junior member of staff. Good for simple ear problems

Minimum assessment is a fibre-optic or rigid scope. Ideal with stroboscopy

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Fibre-optic laryngoscopy

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Rigid Endoscopy

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Indirect laryngoscopy

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Direct Laryngoscopy EUA

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Referral on to SLT Not all speech and language

therapists are voice experts Not all SLTs are confident with

classical singers- do not worry Mainly SLT will work with speaking

technique which is usually at least part of the problem

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What you can expect from SLT Unless problem very unusual

should notice changes after a couple of sessions

You are required to do the work Some are very skilled on

psychological issues Encourage contact with singing

teacher

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What you can expect from SLT Assessment of your speaking

technique Aims set so you know what you are

working towards There are different ways of

approaching the same problem Advice relating to your specific

problem Advice regarding voice usage Exercises

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Vocal Warm-up It is recommended that everyone

warms-up at the start of the day. Whether speaking or singing. Remember no athlete would run without first stretching the muscles.

Exercising muscles to their full extent in exercises makes it easier to use them at their most efficient in speech and so prevents your voice becoming tired.

This is particularly important if you are having some voice problems or have a cold or had a late night.

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Posture Relaxation: shake out, stretch whole

body. Clench and unclench the jaw. Roll shoulders and raise to ears. Gently tilt the head from side to side: ears to shoulders and look over each alternate shoulder. Arm up to stretch intercostals

Posture: remember check: easy head / neck / back alignment. Space above waist

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Breathing Breathing: 3 slow deep breaths then a

long “sh” on some out breaths.

Siren Start quiet/off voice sound Mm/nn/ng Revving Spirals Rolled R Aim to warm up the full stretch of

the vocal cords in a safe way. Can do silently

Yawning False yawn mouth open wide Stifled yawn

Notice space at the back, raised palate

Notice the space as you draw the breath in

Feel the openness afterwards

Chewing Start small, chewing gum Large sticky toffee Add voice

Aim to loosen jaw muscles, allow more natural mouth opening. Be careful if have clicking jaw

Tongue stretch Stick your tongue out and down as

far as you can Feel the stretch at the base of your

tongue Breathe though your mouth Notice the open feeling in your

throat Hold for 20 seconds

Tongue stretch with speech Put your tongue out Try speaking clearly as you can Recite a nursery rhyme Notice the stretch in your tongue

root

Giggle Smile Silent hee hee hee

No air noise Wide feeling Maintain feeling when stopped Relaxation manoeuvres- breath, open

and close jaw, move tongue round teeth, vocalise on vowels,

Sob Sad voice “oh” “meow” Crying Hold position and speak

Protects vocal cords, good for marking music, essentially quiet voice

Humming Mm Many men Monday morning Many men make money Mind your manners Magpies mean much mess My mum makes marvellous

marmalade

Muscular energy Lips- peter piper picked a peck of

pickled pepper Horse blow Tongue tip – little lily lee Back of tongue – Greek grapes Soft palate ng-ah

Muscular energy 2 He scattered tarantulas over the

roads Put thorns on the cactus and horns

on the toads He sprinkled the sands with

millions of ants So the man who sits down must

wear soles on his pants!