Practice 4/18/16

Allergies and chest congestion are at it again. Voice has been feeling a little low for these past couple of days because of that, I think. Working at Old Navy with all of the dust also makes things a little worse, too.

Lesson 4/8/16, refer to Practice 4/13/16

• First thing I notice about vocalization: the phlegm feels very obstructive, as if there's a heavy weight in my chest. Secondly, my voice sounds phlegmy, like my sound is muffled. So that's weird. No pain or anything accompanies. Just dampened sound at the moment. 
• Focusing on not pushing through to make a sound. Just allow the sound to happen. 
• I thought about being more generous with my air. 
• Intermittent yawning exercises.
• Take your time! Especially when you feel like you can't breathe... And when the sound isn't exactly releasing/coming out the way you want it. Be patient. 

This obnoxious phlegm feels like it's sticking to the back of my lungs, and I feel like I should cough, but coughing hurts, so I'm not going to....

• Watch that you don't collapse in your ribcage. This helps with eliminating unnecessary breath pressure, especially with my voice being so "dampened." 
• Don't set up. Think it first. 
• Watch for precise onset. No "hiss" of air before. This includes EVERY note onset, not just the first one. 
• WHOA. So, the phlegm is definitely on my folds, and it's sticky. Still no vocal discomfort, but that's definitely what's been making my voice sound so weird. I was singing a note, and a glob of it made the pitch bend and it felt kind of funny. So that's fun. I'll be taking Mucinex as soon as I get home. 

I'll be back later tonight to practice more since I'm out of time. 

~30 min. warm up.