The Voice Coach Podcast

Today I want to talk about posture, and why it is essential for reducing vocal fatigue. You will understand the secret to improving your posture when speaking, and we will also talk about the four questions you need to ask yourself to turn body alignment awareness into a habit, and the exercises and activities that can help you with it as well. What You Will Learn In This Episode: What is body alignment How the lack of alignment affects our voice performance The kink in the straw effect The ultimate secret of body alignment Four questions to quick-check your body alignment How understanding body alignment brings freedom Once we are aware of our body alignment, we can start making it a habit. Bad posture can have devastating effects on our voice, and to fix it, we need to understand voice as a holistic experience, and be mindful of the connection between our body parts. P.S. Thank you Jack Evans for making the music for this podcast!Resources: Nic's Quick Voice Tip - Chin jutting and mic position video https://youtu.be/RTRu3Yq7nnI The Use of the Self by FM Alexander https://amzn.to/3p9pSd8 5 Alexander Tech Exercises to Try http://ergonomictrends.com/alexander-technique-exercises-posture-back-pain/ My Alex Tech Teacher https://alexandertechnique.co.uk/users/n-osorio Alex Tech Directions https://www.alexander-technique-london.co.uk/on-giving-directions-doing-and-non-doing/ Dane Chalfin https://www.vocalrehabilitation.com/primal-voice Mentioned in this episode:Buy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book hereGet my book here

Today's episode is about microphone techniques. We will let aside the different mic setups and styles, and we will focus on the universally beneficial tips when it comes to speaking on a microphone. We will talk about body alignment, the better way of facing a microphone, the ideal distance from the mic and much more. What You Will Learn In This Episode: The importance of body alignment when speaking on a mic How to let the microphone take your voice Plosives and how to play across the microphone It's not about you or the mic - it's about the listener How hydration can help our microphone technique These five tips apply to voice professionals, but they are also helpful for Zoom meetings or virtual presentations. Time and practice will help you perfect these techniques, and still, they'll have a visible impact in your voice performance from day one. Big thanks goes to Jack Evans for creating music for this podcast!Resources: B Double E https://b-double-e.co.uk/services/ Nic's Quick Voice Tips - Alignment and Avoiding Vocal Fatigue  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTRu3Yq7nnI&t=3s Join my Facebook group Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubb   Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

In this episode, I want to talk about a different aspect of vocal health, neglected for some and appreciated for others: the vocal cool-down. Just as in any sport, some movements are necessary before and after every performance to reset the body. We will go through an easy to follow step-by-step routine to perform a perfect vocal cool-down. What You Will Learn In This Episode: Why vocal cool-down is important The impact of vocal cool-down on professional voice users The step-by-step vocal cool-down routine How to transition from a heightened physical state back to our senses Research on vocal cool-downs is still in its infancy, but so far it has not shown any negative outcomes. That means that a vocal cool-down might have different levels of impact on vocal users, but it's something we must try and experience for the sake of our vocal health.Thanks to Jack Evans for creating the music for The Voice Coach Podcast!Resources: The Efficacy of Cool Down Exercises by Kari Ragen (originally published in the Journal of Voice) 2018 https://www.nats.org/_Library/JOS_On_Point/JOS-074-5-2018-521_-_Efficacy_of_Vocal_Cool-Down_-_Ragan.pdf The Impact of Vocal Cool-down Exercises: A Subjective Study of Singers' and Listeners' Perceptions 2016 https://www.jvoice.org/article/S0892-1997(15)00227-1/abstract The Value of Vocal Warm-up and Cool-down Exercises: Questions and Controversies  by Rima A. De Fatta and Robert T. Sataloff, (Journal of Singing) 2012 http://www.vocapedia.info/_Library/JOS_files_Vocapedia/JOS-069-2-2012-173.pdf 3 point neck stretch - Nic's Quick Voice Tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA6sEJJZohM The Vocal Cool Down, Your Secret Weapon by Dane Chalfin, vocal rehab expert https://www.vocalrehabilitation.com/post/the-vocal-cool-down-your-secret-weapon Join my Facebook group Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubb Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

Today I want to talk about hydration - why it is so important, how to hydrate our voice, how we know we are dehydrated, and what should we do if we are? I'm offering you solid tips to ensure you are adequately hydrated and enjoy optimum vocal health. What You Will Learn In This Episode: What systemic and superficial hydration are and how they work Why hydration doesn't come just from fluids How much and when we should drink fluids Consistency as key to a stable hydration Top tips for systemic and superficial hydration  Keeping ourselves hydrated is a complex, but not a complicated process. With a proper diet, awareness of our vocal mechanism, knowing the fluids that count, and keeping in mind the relevance of superficial and systemic hydration, we can keep our voice healthy and optimally hydrated. Thanks goes to Jack Evans for creating the music for The Voice Coach Podcast!Resources: VocalMist Nebulizer https://myvocalmist.com/products/vocalmist-portable-nebulizer Join my Facebook group Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubb  Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA6sEJJZohM  Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

Today we discuss why you should find time to do a voice warm-up and why it's important for those who work with their voices. I will also walk you through a small, focused and applicable five-minutes warm-up routine. A short and precise voice warm-up will not only prepare your voice to work, but will also help you to set your nerves before speaking in front of the mic. What You Will Learn In This Episode: How much time vocal warm-up routines require The best way to add a new habit into our routines How to increase your vocal stamina, the clarity of public speaking and confidence Working with ease, fun and curiosity Step by step voice warm-up routine Voice warm-ups should ideally last more than five minutes and less than fifteen. Those voice users that have their schedules flooded can try the warm-up example from this episode, pick and cut parts and replace them with different exercises. You can also use it as a preparation ritual before performing. Big thanks to Jack Evans for creating the music for this podcast!Resources: Nic's Quick Voice Tips - 5 minute warm up support video https://youtu.be/SX6LSr8qJp8 Freeing the Natural Voice by Kristen Linklater https://amzn.to/3nDZwyp Speaking with Skill by Dudley Knight https://amzn.to/3nA3w2T Finding Your Voice by Barbara Houseman https://amzn.to/3buQt0a The Vocal Arts Workbook by David & Rebecca Carey https://amzn.to/2MW3iqi Fitzmaurice Voice Work Website https://fitzmauricevoiceworksummit.online Join my Facebook group Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubb  Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

This is Part 2 of how to have good vocal health, and we will talk about the other side of vocal health: the preparation for using our voice. We can control several factors that affect our voice's performance, like alignment, breathing, mid-season resets, exercises as yawning and articulation stretches, and more. We need to remember that using our voice is a holistic practice between the mind, the body and the voice. What You Will Learn In This Episode: The best way to keep our vocal health in check What vocal resets exercises are, and how to do them Why body alignment is the perfect ally to prevent vocal fatigue The importance of performing voice warm-ups Recap for an ideal vocal health Having a healthy voice requires commitment and constant monitoring of our habits, reflecting on our vocal health routines and adopting consistent, reliable, and vocally healthy practices. Big thanks to Jack Evans for creating music especially for this podcast!Resources: Nic's Quick Voice Tip Videos for Alignment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTRu3Yq7nnI Nic's Quick Voice Tip Videos for Yawning https://youtu.be/b3pbTvEPwIs?t=42   Everyday Voice Care by Joanna Cazden https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1458443183/ Voice Work: Art and Science in Changing Voices by Christina Shewell https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470019921/ Join my Facebook group Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubb  Mentioned in this episode:Get my book hereBuy Nic's BookHead to onthemicbook.com to get your copy nowGet my book here

Discover how lifestyle choices shape vocal health, from diet to hydration. Explore the surprising truths about dairy and caffeine's effects on your voice. Learn the importance of exercise techniques like Pilates for better breath control. Understand the critical role of sleep and rest in maintaining a healthy voice. Get practical tips on nutrition, avoiding common pitfalls, and managing medication that can impact vocal performance. Simple changes can make a big difference in your vocal health!

Unlock the secrets of an effective voice warm-up! Discover the crucial difference between warming up and working out your voice. Learn five essential stages that make it mindful and personalized. Delve into how the voice is produced and how it travels through three distinct spaces. Most importantly, keep your routines fun and engaging to find what your voice truly needs. It's more than just tongue twisters; it's about connection and creativity!

Discover the secrets to improving your spoken voice! Learn valuable vocal health tips and techniques that boost your confidence. Enjoy humorous anecdotes and personal stories from a seasoned voice coach. Celebrate your unique voice and explore its potential while connecting with a supportive community. Whether you're a public speaker, podcaster, or just want to sound better, find inspiration and practical advice to enhance your vocal skills. Don't forget to stay hydrated for that perfect sound!