Christmas Thought

I thought this was such a wonderful quote and wanted to share it:

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."


Bobby - age 7

Choose Optimism!

Here's some great advice from Sandra Anne Taylor's book "Quantum Success":

There's absolutely no energetic value in a pessimistic outlook. No matter what's going on around you, you can look past the problems and open yourself up to receiving the solutions. Think about how well things could go, and then take action in that direction.

This same philosophy applies to voice and singing! So many clients come to me with negative beliefs about their vocal ability. Since I believe that singing is 90 percent mental, I work on the mental and emotional level, as well as the physical, to get stellar results. If you're having a vocal challenge, stop thinking about the challenge, and start visualizing the perfect, powerful voice that you would like to have!

Andrea Michaels on Obstacles

I thought this was a great quote from Andrea Michaels, President of Extraordinary Events. It reminds me that we don't have to be perfect, just do our very best!

"Obstacles are merely challenges to overcome. No matter how much you think you know you should know that you don't know everything."

-Andrea Michaels

Musical Memory and Dementia

Studies have shown that musical memory lasts longer than any other kind, and may be the reason why people suffering from dementia are 'awakened' when hearing music that is familiar - sparking memories that would otherwise be unavailable.

A Baby Baptism Gift

I got this question from Dan on my askbethlawrence.com site, where you can ask anything you want about voice/music etc. And thought it might be of interest to those of you who are going to Baptisms or baby showers:

Thanks for your question: What are/is a typical type gift to a child being christened/baptized?
Since this question doesn’t pertain to voice, per se, I can’t give you a perfect answer. But, I might suggest that the gift of music would always be appropriate as a gift for both parent AND child. Here's my answer:

You might consider my lullabye CD “The Land of Sleepytime” which won the National Parenting Publications Gold Award. It’s a beautiful CD, with great reviews. I’ve heard from lots of parents who say they’ve played it for the child from birth and the child won’t go to sleep without it!

You can order it from my website: vivalavoice.com/products.htm

Or from CD Baby: cdbaby.com – just input my name.

A lullabye CD will help the baby sleep, and help the parents GET some sleep, so it’s always welcome.
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Beth Lawrence

Sound Healing - Get A Cat!

I found this bit of information really interesting and wanted to pass it on!

The cat's purr may be a self-healing mechanism. Cats purr at between 25 and 50 hertz, a frequency at which vibrations have been found to have a wide range of medical benefits, from increasing bone density and helping in the healing of fractures, torn tendons and muscles to generally relieving pain.

Oprah and Inspiration

If you've ever watched Oprah's show, you'll know she has this uncanny ability to deliver a positive message without seeming sappy or trite. She's a master at presenting inspirational topics that truly do inspire, no matter how simple the message.

Today she featured two people who had 'terminal' cancer, and their message was all about FOCUS. They weren't focusing on their illness, they were focusing on their LIVES. If you truly live in the moment, and seek moments of connectedness, peace and happiness, you can't help but experience it.

Deferred gratification is for grown-ups who are too responsible to enjoy life. Savor every moment you're alive, because as much as we don't want to face it, we're all going to die. It was said today that the only regrets we really have in life are not the regrets for what we've done, but what we haven't done.

Live. Be happy.

Commuter's Voice Warm-Up

Are you a teacher, salesperson, in the hospitality industry or receptionist? Here's a tip for anyone who uses their voice at work:

While driving to work, your car is a wonderful, private vocal exercise booth! Do 10-15 minutes of vocal exercises and your voice will be warmed-up, free of phlegm and 'scratchies' and ready to go! No one will hear you and you'll arrive at work energized, clear-headed and relaxed!

Don't know how to warm up your voice? Volume One of my Joyful Singing Series has over 20 minutes of great vocal exercises on CD. Check it out here!

MTV - AFI's Davey Havok Loses Voice!

According to MTV, AFI has cancelled the last 10 shows of their current tour because singer Davey Havok has been having trouble with his voice and is unable to sing properly.

I don't care what kind of music you do, it can be opera to rock, but the truth is, you should be able to sing all night, for an entire tour, and still have a healthy voice.

This, of course, is if you're SINGING CORRECTLY!

If you're pushing and straining your voice, on and off stage, you're going to have voice problems just like Davey Havok. How awful that he's having to cancel tour dates, and too bad he isn't learning how to sing the right way so that he can keep his voice healthy in any situation.

When you abuse your voice you run the risk of inflammation of the vocal cords; vocal nodules and even rupture or tearing of the cords! Usually, like Mr. Havok, you have to undertake serious VOCAL REST, usually for a month or more, and this means no talking, too. Or the more dangerous route is to undergo surgery to remove the nodules that have formed on your cords. Julie Andrews did this and her voice is permanently damaged.

If you're a singer, do yourself a favor and learn the fundamentals of good singing. An easy way to do this is to invest in Joyful Singing...Seven Principles for Vocal Mastery. Volume One includes two CDs, warm up exercises and the Seven Principles Booklet. Start today to safeguard one of your most important assets - YOUR VOICE!

Viva La Voice Tonic Success!

My friend's meeting (see yesterday's blog) went well, and the Voice Tonic was a success! Here's what he had to say:

Thanks for the tonic recipe. I made about 4 cups of it and brought it
to the meeting. It really seemed to help. The meeting was 90 minutes
long and my partner and I were talking non stop through all of it. So
my vocal chords survived the meeting - they feel tired now - but
they're not throbbing like yesterday. My throat really likes your
tonic.

Vocal Strain 911

Today I got an emergency call from a musician friend of mine. In a matter of hours he was going in to do a big presentation on some music software that he's developed, and his voice was hoarse! Seems he'd been practicing his presentation for the last couple of days, and since he's not used to doing any public speaking, he pushed his voice too hard, causing vocal strain.

He said that not only was he hoarse, but his 'vocal cords felt like they were throbbing', which is a good indication that his cords were inflammed, and probably swollen (causing hoarseness). He was afraid of lasting damage, but if he'd only been straining his voice for a couple of days, I believe he's just experiencing a temporary inflammation, with no lasting damage. It's kind of like going to a concert or baseball game and screaming all night - the next day your voice is hoarse, but with vocal rest and proper vocal technique, this should pass in a few days.

In an emergency case like his, when he couldn't rest his voice, I told him to immediately make my VIVA LA VOICE TONIC! All the ingredients in the Tonic will soothe and relax his vocal cords so that he can get through his presentation with comfort and confidence. I suggested he take a thermos with him and drink the Tonic during his presentation to keep the cords warm, cut phlegm, and reduce swelling.

My advice to all of you singers and speakers is to learn proper vocal technique BEFORE you have a Vocal 911! Get Volume One of my Joyful Singing - Seven Principles for Vocal Mastery Series and do some vocalizing every day!

For vocal emergencies, you should also get my VIVA LA VOICE TONIC recipe. You can carry it with you in a thermos whenever you have a singing/speaking gig. It's a lifesaver for all of us who use our voices.

A Simple Task

"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people." - Mother Theresa

Tight Belly Syndrome

Here's an exerpt from my July VOICEGRAM - my monthly newsletter that's full of interesting information! Sign up and I'll send you the entire article about correct breathing for singers and speakers (which means EVERYBODY!)

Lots of people think they are supposed to tighten up the stomach area when they sing. Correct breathing is just the opposite! You must have a soft, relaxed belly in order for the diaphragm to be able to optimally descend - allowing for a full breath. If you're not supporting your vocal mechanism with your breath, your body will compensate by holding the tone with a clenched jaw, raised larynx, tight chest and other uncomfortable, unconscious habits.

- Beth Lawrence, from the July 2007 Viva La Voicegram

Weird Ringtones!

Want some weird, quirky ringtones?? Try these from Freud's Funhouse!

Feeling Old?

Still rocking with the best of them, MICK JAGGER is 64 years old today!

The Television Audience

Do watch a lot of TV? If what you're watching isn't educational or enriching, you might like the following quote. TV offers great diversion, but here's the irony in that:

"The inconsistency of the television audience is that it finds satisfaction for hours in idly watching a portrayal of the active lives of others." -Valdivar

Voice Problems?

Are you having problems with your singing or speaking voice? Want to get personal help for your vocal challenge? I'm here to help! I'll personally answer any question you have; just go to my new website and ask away!

Are You Getting IT?

Are you getting my monthly Voicegram? If not, here's a bit of what you missed. The June Voicegram, "The Psychology of Choosing' talks about, among other things, the 'story' of your life that you've created for yourself, which most probably is based on false belief systems that no longer serve you! Here's an exerpt:

Today, start being conscious of the 'story' you have chosen for your own life. You will probably find that the novel of your life has been written by the suggestion (subliminal or overt) of ghost-writer parents, teachers, and society as a whole, and that you have simply put your name on the book.

Sign up for my Voicegram and get "The Psychology of Choosing" today!

I love helping people with 'aha!' moments. Here's what one of my readers commented:

Beth,
WOW! I just got it how you are serving your clients from and at a significant depth. This last voicegram jogged me into a fresher level of looking at my stories and how they are limiting me in my role. Thank you so much! JZ

PayPlay correction

My last blog talked about downloads from PayPlay. Downloads aren't .65, sorry. Here are their download fees, still inexpensive!:


$0.77 for DRM WMA and $0.88 for MP3.

Great Download site!

For all you frazzled parents who want to get a good night's sleep, here's help!

Downloads from my award-winning CD "Land Of Sleepytime" at this Pay Play site are only $.65!!! Try 'Baby Mine' from Dumbo - your baby will be sleeping in no time!


http://payplay.fm/bethlawrence

Miss Utah Pageant Judge

I'm off to Salt Lake City to judge the Miss Utah Pageant. I'll be there all week finding a stunning Miss America contender.

These pageants are TOUGH! The girls do a series of intense interviews, preliminary pageant every night, then compete the final night for the title. All the contestants are unbelievably strong scholastically, artistically; are high acheivers; active in volunteerism; are articulate and concerned about the challenges we all face. They want to make a difference in the world while serving as a positive role model for young women.

Don't ever think that pageants are all fluff and glamour! These women work hard and deserve a great deal of respect. I can't wait to meet them all!

Vocal Cord Physiotherapy

If you've ever been hurt in an accident; had a sports injury; or have been recovering from surgery, you know the essential value of physical therapy.

What about a damaged voice? Many professionals are finding that incorrect use of their voice is leading to sore throat, a raspy voice, or total loss of the voice. More and more corporations, teachers and salespeople are learning the value of vocal cord physiotherapy to overcome the ravages of vocal damage.

In order to heal the voice, you've got to unlearn bad vocal habits, and train the voice so that further damage won't occur. Once you are speaking or singing correctly, the voice can heal and regain strength and clarity.

Early in my career I healed my vocal nodules by retraining my voice! Simple as that - no surgery, just correcting the damaging vocal habits I had been taught by an incorrect singing method. If you want to learn more about my vocal recovery, read 'My Story'.

Take care of your voice by learning healthy voice production! By simply doing 10 minutes of vocal exercises a day you can be on your way to vocal health, no matter what your profession! My Joyful Singing - Seven Principles for Vocal Mastery series is a great first step.

Here's to healthy singing/speaking!

Do you have a question about your voice? Ask me!

Music in the Workplace

Here's some interesting info from Life@work:

Through the decades: Work-music connection centuries old

A University of Illinois study proves that when employees listen to music of their choice at the workplace, it soothes frayed nerves, drowns out distracting office chatter, boosts mood, and significantly enhances office performance.

However, the music-work connection goes beyond sleek iPods, nifty speakers and freshly-downloaded MP3 tracks.

Way back in the 1800s, handloom weavers and child labourers sang as they worked.

Some factories even hired orchestras to sing to workers. Apart from helping labourers stay awake (!), music was connected with:

* Increased productivity

* Fewer accidents

* Improved alertness

* Team interaction

During World War II, radio played a part in bringing music to the masses. In 1940, the British Broadcasting Corporation ran a radio programme, Music While You Work, especially for factory workers. The bands were instructed to play medleys to help workers focus attention on the tasks at hand. “A rhythm that would keep productivity up” was also among the requirements.

Cows Love Music Too!

More evidence for the power of music. If it works for cows, it can certainly work for you! Try singing as a healing, energizing part of your day!

This is an article from ech-chorouk online:

Mozart to the rescue of reluctant milk-cows.


Spanish farmers seem to find a solution for increasing their milk production. An innovative and apparently very persuasive way to make their cows produce more milk a day.

No, it is not a magic medicine nor a special type of grass, but very relaxing classical music composed by Mozart. It is commonly known that Mozart's music increases children IQs and make adults more creative, but when it comes to cows, nobody knows.

Some Spanish farmers wanted to experiment this revolutionary method, they decided to play Mozart's music for their cows in the cowshed, the outcome was unexpected and stunning, the "uninspired" cows seemed in very good mood and the outcome in milk was surprisingly high.

It seems that the Spanish farmers have found a solution to their plague, and the investment is cost-effective a Mozart's CD for a better milk outcome. The genius of Mozart seems to timeless, so after Mozart's therapy in hospitals, Mozart's therapy in the gardens , now comes the turn of Mozart's therapy in milk production, who's next ?!!

Want singing therapy in the privacy of your own home? Check out my Joyful Singing Series! Vol. One gives you all the basics plus your very own vocal exercise CD!

How Do You Spend Your Free Time?

Do you spend your 'free' time doing something that's stimulating, educational or relaxing? Or do you 'zone out' in seemingly mindless pursuits that put your brain to sleep?

Here's a good one for you compliments of Geri Robak:

Living Will

Last night, my wife and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her,
"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some
machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

She got up, unplugged the TV and then threw out my beer.

Have a question about singing? I can help.

Prosperity

This is a great quote compliments of the Evergreen Church in Bellevue, WA:

"Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just
money or things. Poverty is a way of living and thinking,
and not just a lack of money or things.”
~ Eric Butterworth

Have a question about singing? Need some free advice?

Gardening for Health

Being an avid gardner who loves creating beauty and working with the natural cycles of the seasons I've become personally aware of the beneficial effect of working in the garden. Just as singing is its own type of therapy, gardening, or horticultural therapy is now being recognized as a natural route to health and wellness. Here's some info I found interesting:

The field of horticultural therapy studies the effects plants have on people. This includes everything from enhancing mood by having a single plant in a room to a recent study by British researchers who found that good bacteria in soil may affect the brain in ways similar to antidepressants.

Dr. Richard Mattson, professor of horticultural therapy at Kansas State University, said scientific advances have allowed researchers to measure the body's response to stimuli and pinpoint what happens when people are exposed to plants.

"We're finding that there are changes that happen when we are in the presence of plants," he said. "The brain is working, the autonomic nervous system is involved. We're also finding that some of these changes are affecting our immune system."

One study found that within 40 minutes of gardening, there were changes in the chemicals in saliva that affect the immune system, Mattson said. Another study measured blood pressure and heart rate as people entered and then left a botanical garden. Both rates decreased, which was especially notable given they walked through the garden, an exercise that normally would have increased blood pressure and heart rate.
"I think the evidence is pretty strong that healthwise, there are changes affecting our perception of the environment, the way our minds looks at objects, affecting our sensory system - these are translated into things that make us healthier," Mattson said.

Free Online Help For Singers!

Do you have a question about singing? I've created a new website that will come to your rescue! Go to my new site: askbethlawrence.com, and I'll PERSONALLY answer any question you may have.

No computer generated information - you'll get a real-life answer from me, based on my SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR AN INTEGRATED VOICE system.

So ask away at askbethlawrence.com

I'm here to help!

Music Therapy for Passionless Shark!

So here's a good one for you: Playing Barry White disco music in the hopes that it will sexually stimulate brown sharks. It could happen; anything's possible. Take note of the last sentence - this I want to know more about! Here's the article from the Gulf Times:

Music therapy for passionless shark
Published: Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 12:23 PM Doha Time

LONDON: Scientists desperate for reluctant sharks to mate and produce offspring at an aquarium in northwest England plan to pipe the romantic music of Mozart, Beethoven and Puccini into the tank.
‘Bloodnose’, a 20-year-old male brown shark, has spurned the advances of 15-year-old ‘Lucy’ since they were introduced a year ago at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre, aquarists said. Other sharks have also turned out to be cold fish.
“We want to play them the kind of soft and emotional music that inspires powerful emotions in humans,” display supervisor Carey Duckhouse said.
“We hope it’s going to put them in a passionate frame of mind and get them mating.” They will be serenaded with classical greats such as Mozart’s ‘Romanze,’ Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ and Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ which will be played through speakers over the open-topped tank.

The aquarists turned to classical music after having failed to put the sharks in the mood to mate with the love-songs of the late soul singer Barry White.

His greatest hits include ‘Can’t Get Enough’ and ‘I’ve Got So Much to Give.’
Although the attempt appeared to be “a little bit nutty” and “a long shot,” Duckhouse cited a study at the Rowland Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that found fish could listen and process melodies like human beings.
“We will be looking for any noticeable change in behaviour to see if Bloodnose gets a little more amorous towards Lucy,” Duckhouse said.
“Hopefully they will mate and maybe this time next year we will be caring for six or seven little sharks,” she added.
Bloodnose may be slowing down with age as brown sharks usually live for around 25 years.
They are found in the tropical waters of the west Atlantic and Mediterranean, but are not considered man-eaters and are rarely involved in attacks on humans.

The news comes after researchers in the US and Northern Ireland announced on Wednesday that a female hammerhead shark gave birth without mating.

– AFP

Online Help For Singers!

Do you have a question about singing, but don't know who to ask? You're in luck - I'm offering a new FREE service for all my blog friends!

I want to help you feel confident about your voice, so I'll personally answer your individual question about singing. Just click here and ask Beth Lawrence!

Gloria Estefan Quote to Berklee Grads

Here's a great quote from Gloria Estefan to Berklee School of Music Grads. It has a lot of merit:

"Music is a healing force and we have the privilege of sharing it," she told the graduates. "Whether you end up doing it for a business or just end up singing for your kids, teaching other people to do music, or doing therapy, go forward with a lot of belief, because it's such an amazing way to live your life."

Determination

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination" - Tommy Lasorda

And I might add that a positive, expectant attitude; vivid visualization of your desired intention, and focus on your desired outcome, not on your obstacles, is also crucial to manifestation of your goal. Make the impossible, possible!

From Dale Carnegie

"The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." -Dale Carnegie

Find my Lullabies on Ebay

My NAPPA gold award-winning lullabye CD "Land of Sleepytime...lullabies for the heart and soul" is now on Ebay!

Find the listing and get your copy today!

Fatigue and Vocal Ease

When you're physically tired your voice may feel tired too. All of our physical systems are interrelated, so it makes sense that low energy will produce a low energy voice.

If you use your voice for your profession i.e. you're a teacher, salesperson, work on the phone etc. - pay particular attention to how you feel physically.

When you're fatigued, make sure that you are breathing consciously and filling up with enough air to support your voice.

You'll also find that attention to your breath, and using low, slow and full breaths will not only powerfully support your voice, but will energize you in the process!

Want more voice tips? Sign up for my monthly Voicegram.

Make the Most of Today!

On this beautiful Spring day, this quote is perfect:

"There will never be another now - I'll make the most of today. There will never be another me - I'll make the most of myself."
- Rev. Robert Schuller

Music Helps Heal Stroke Victim

Here's yet another example of how music helps heal the body and mind. Read this article from NewsNet5:

Stroke Victim Helps Other Patients Heal Through Music
Man Says Music Was His Greatest Motivation In His Recovery

POSTED: 1:15 pm EDT April 12, 2007
UPDATED: 5:27 pm EDT April 12, 2007

CLEVELAND -- A man who spent weeks in the hospital fighting back from a stroke is now giving back to the place that helped him recover.

These days, Alan Scheussler walks into MetroHealth Medical Center, but he spent almost two months at Metro, barely able to move, reported NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth.

"I was in pretty bad shape. I couldn't talk, I couldn't see, I couldn't move. I thought I was gone, actually," said Scheussler.

Scheussler had a major stroke during bypass surgery in April 2004. It wasn't until a year and a half later that Scheussler's longtime passion would become his biggest motivator to get well.

"I couldn't give up on the guitar and I still can't. Music was my life before this happened to me," he said.

Scheussler's doctor, John Chae, said he noticed right away what the guitar did for his patient.

"When Alan had this motivation to play the guitar, he found new life," said Chae.

Scheussler is sharing his new life with other patients at Metro. Working as a therapist, he volunteers three times a week teaching other brain injury patients how to rehabilitate themselves through music.

Matt Dematte, 18, now plays better than he did before his car accident, and the tunes are a great break from his usual therapy.

"I know what patients want when they're down here because I know what I wanted when I was here," said Scheussler.

The music sure seems to heal and it keeps the patients even more interested in their rehabilitation.

"Now, as a scientist, I don't have the data to prove that it does, but as a clinician, you say, 'You know what, there's something here,'" said Chae.

You might wonder why someone who went through such a painful struggle would willingly come back to a hospital, but according to Scheussler, the answer is pretty simple.

"Volunteering here at MetroHealth is helping me as much as the patients here, I believe," he said. "I can see what music therapy can do for a patient, and it's amazing."

Scheussler was an electronic designer before his stroke. He said he will not be able to go back to his old career, so he's starting training for a new one as a medical laboratory technologist.

He is also continuing to volunteer at Metro.

Songwriting 101 in Santa Barbara

Beginning this Thursday I'll be teaching a four week Songwriting course in Santa Barbara, California. If you're in the area, or know a budding songwriter who is, come join us!

www.sbparksandrecreation.com • 805-564-5418
(Page 27 of the guide)

Here are some comments:

“Wonderful! Thanks for all your help and insight. I learned so much. I thoroughly enjoyed your knowledge and expertise, as well as input.” Traci

“This course encourages creativity and gives an impetus to start creating in individual ways. (Beth) really related to all students, finding positives, reinforcing etc. C.H.

Sing! It's Spring!

Spring is a time for new beginnings; to start something that you've put off; to do something that will bring you joy. Whether it's singing, dancing, golf, learning French - whatever you've wanted to do, but haven't made time for - DO IT NOW.

If you need a bit of inspiration, read my article "Spring Is The Time To Sing!".

Look around you and see that everything is stirring with new life, and you should be, too. Everyday is a new beginning. Start something new today.

The Wisdom of Goethe

What a great quote this is! It's always my theory that instilling confidence in my music students brings out the best in them, and empowers them to excel beyond even their own expectations.

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being." -Goethe

Saving Your Sanity 2

Do you take life too seriously? Have you forgotten that life should be a light-hearted journey? I think it's healthy to practice being childlike, and sometimes, downright silly!

If you need a little light in your life, try this:

As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk

Happy skipping!

Baby Sleep Formula

Moms and new Dads, do you long for a good nights sleep? Many new parents swear that soothing music helps calm their baby and very often helps them sleep.

“Beth has such a beautiful and soothing voice. With three energetic and growing boys, we really need a winding down time at the end of the day and this CD really does the trick.” - Renee Marrs

You can now download individual songs from my NAPPA GOLD AWARD winning lullaby CD, "Land Of Sleepytime" here:

Ths GreatIndie link for MP3 downloads is:
http://www.greatindie.com/ipnmusic/store/list.php?item_number=632368017224

Here's what some happy parents have to say!

"I recently had a son named Matthew and he has been listening to your Lullaby CD since I was pregnant with him :-) Well, now he LOVES it, and it relaxes him and he goes right to sleep! Your voice is beautiful and I just wanted you to know how much we both love and appreciate the CD." – Rebecca Olson

Surround Sound Bath

Doesn't this sound dreamy?? I don't know anything about this company, but what a great idea!

Stereo H20 Bath tub
From the rhythm of the rolling sea to your favourite melody , the new Stereo H2O bath tub wraps you in strains of relaxing music. Music Therapy is an established treatment that promotes wellness and healing, relieves stress and alleviates pain. By providing these benefits in the comfort of your own home, the Stereo H2O offers a bathing experience that you'll relish for the personal time and space it affords. The Stereo Bath features high performance acoustic transducers which transform the bath's shell into a sounding board. This provides an even sound throughout the bath and a deep resonance you can feel. Compatible with any iPod, CD player, or audio system the Stereo H2O is a compact and discrete accessory that can be used with a wide range of bathtubs. Available from MTI Whirlpools, the Stereo H2O makes your luxurious bath into a full sensory experience with relaxing music you can hear and feel.

Face Lift Surgery Aided by Music Therapy

The thought of a face lift is pretty scary, but if you're considering one, you might find this article pretty informative! Read about a new procedure and how music is helping the patient during surgery below:

Among the hot topics at the January American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Annual Winter Meeting at the Cascades Ski Resort is face lifting under local anesthesia - one of several new techniques which has been shown to speed recovery time.

Among those lecturing at the meeting is New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
Andrew Jacono, M.D., F.A.C.S., whose quick recovery face lift procedure
combines state-of-the art, minimal-incision face lifting techniques and
homeopathic medicine performed under a local anesthetic for an easier
recovery and natural-looking result.

Until recently, patients desiring a younger look have had to submit to
a face lift procedure that required a two to three week recovery and a risk
of visible scarring. "Today, a highly skilled facial plastic surgeon can
perform a face lift without "tell tale" scars and by combining several
techniques the patient can look exceptionally well in as quickly as two or
three days," says Dr. Jacono.

Using Novocain-like drugs, Lidocaine and Marcaine, to numb the face
with several painless injections from a tiny needle that spreads the
medicine slowly to avoid even the slightest discomfort, Dr. Jacono performs
a quick recovery procedure while the patient is awake and alert, yet
totally comfortable. "General anesthetic drugs cause major physiologic
changes that cause bruising and swelling and without them, the recovery is
significantly and even amazingly faster," says Dr. Jacono. Additionally,
general anesthesia can induce vomiting which can lead to further trauma and
torn sutures for some patients.

To ease the stress and fear some patients may have about being awake
during surgery, Dr. Jacono also incorporates Music Therapy. "Studies
indicate that the use of music helps lower patient's blood pressure during
surgery, which limits bleeding, and therefore minimizes bruising," says Dr.
Jacono who references a March 2006 article in the Journal of Advanced
Nursing. Lavender aromatherapy is also being introduced prior to surgery to
help promote relaxation.

Tips for Saving Your Sanity 1

Life is a journey, so remember to lighten up! Here's a tip:

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a
Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

Music Sweetens Mangoes!

Here's a great article about using music to create a superior crop flavor and yield! Fascinating! Try it on your houseplants at home. Remember the book, 'The Secret Life of Plants'??

Article from DNA
Anshuman G Dutta
Sunday, March 18, 2007 23:41 IST


Here The Mangoes Grow Sweeter


GANDHIDHAM: If music can have an enchanting effect on humans, it can also help mangoes grow sweeter. Sounds bizarre? Not really, if this cultivator in Kutch is to be believed. Making mangoes ‘listen’ to his music to make tastier has become the USP of Batuksinh Jadeja, who grows the fruit in his Ashapura Farm and Nursery in Mau, a village 37 km from Mandvi.

“Like humans, plants too respond to music. Mangoes from our farms are sweeter compared to those from other farms that produce Kesari mangoes,” claims Jadeja.

Mango trees in Jadeja’s orchards get their ‘dose’ of music twice a day. Jadeja has installed speakers across the farm, which is spread over 200 acres, to belt out classical and devotional songs, and aarti for the mango trees.

“Bhajans are for mornings while aartis and classical folk songs are slotted for the evenings,” said Batuksinh’s younger brother Prithvirajsinh Jadeja.

Almost 90per cent of the yield from Batuksinh’s farm is exported to London and the Middle East where his mangoes are said to be giving a tough fight to the well-established Sinduri and Chausa varieties from Pakistani.

“Our Kesari variety is treated at par with Indian Alphonso which is in high demand in Europe and other countries,” said Batuk.

The family is not new to this music therapy. Batuksinh’s father first used music for his banana crop in 1960. “He would play his old bulky radio for the plants. At that time too, our bananas were in great demand and used to fetch almost 25 paise more per dozen,” said Prithvirajsinh.

Batuksinh is among the largest producers in Kutch, famous for the Kesari mangoes. Estimates say Kutch produces between 30,000 and 35,000 tonne of Kesari every season.

Estimates say Kutch produces between 30,000 and 35,000 tonne Kesari every season. Last year, the total produce was around 33,000 tonne. Looking at the good monsoon and advancement of summer, farmers are expecting production to cross 35,000 tonne.

Last year, Ashapura farm produced around 150 tonne Kesari mangoes and this year, the yield is expected to be over 200 tonne. Orders have already been booked with new buyers from the Middle East showing more interest in the product.

Expecting an increased demand, Batuksinh is also building his pre-cooling and refrigeration unit to assure longevity of his mangoes. "Pre-cooling is essential as the mangoes are shipped to foreign shores. It reduces the latent temperature of mangoes and they remain fresh for a longer period," Batuksinh said.

Besides mangoes, Ashapura Farm and Nursery also sells "special" mango saplings (which have been 'treated' to music) to places like Surat, Vadodara and Navsari, and is planning to expand its farm by around 400 acres

Medications and Your Vocal Cords

I was pretty upset yesterday about losing my voice, even though I knew it was not a permanent condition. An acute laughing (ha!) or coughing attack can obviously inflame the vocal cords, as it did mine, but only chronic abuse of the voice can create nodules or polyps on the cords. So I knew it was just a fluke and would quickly heal.

Actually, my voice is better today although I'll continue to be silent to rest it. I'm sure I'll be perfectly recovered by tomorrow, and will be singing like a bird on Thursday.

Since I've never had this happen to me, and I've been laughing heartily for most of my life, I thought it curious that suddenly a little laughter made me hoarse. I've been taking antihistamines recently for allergy, so found this info on the AAO-HNS (American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery) website pretty interesting.

Although I drink a lot of water, knowing the importance of hydrating the vocal cords, I believe that the antihistamines had dried out my cords more than usual and caused the raspy throat after laughing/coughing.

It makes sense. Probably my cords had less fluidity or protective mucous and were traumatized by the laughing!

I'm going to be drinking my Viva La Voice Tonic for the rest of the week and while I'm on antihistamines. You should too if you're taking any of the following medications. It will help protect your voice.

Find the VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE to guard and heal your voice!

Here's the info from the AAO-HNS:

Medications can also affect the voice by thinning blood in the body, which makes bruising or hemorrhaging of the vocal cord more likely if trauma occurs, and by causing fluid retention (edema), which enlarges the vocal cords. Medications from the following groups can adversely affect the voice:

*
Antidepressants
*
Muscle relaxants
*
Diuretics
*
Antihypertensives (blood pressure medication)
*
Antihistamines (allergy medications)
*
Anticholinergics (asthma medications)
*
High-dose Vitamin C (greater than five grams per day)

technorati

Now find my blog on Technorati. Technorati Profile

Laughing Can Hurt Your Voice

Usually we think of damaging the voice by loud yelling, speaking, or singing incorrectly. But did you know that laughing can hurt your voice??

In over 20 years of singing I've never lost my voice, even though I sang for hours on end, sometimes 5 or 6 nights a week. I teach people how to get over bad habits and use their voices correctly to keep the voice healthy and strong.

Today while recording I got into a laughing spree with my co-writer Norman Thalheimer. We often get into these laughing jags while we're working together. I laughed so hard that my stomach was hurting, I started coughing, and when we finally stopped laughing, my voice was rouch and squeaky! I have never hurt my voice before, and this was weird and scary. I sang a bit more, but evidently I had irritated my vocal cords because I couldn't really control my voice.

I stopped singing and realized that I had to rest my voice. Tonight and tomorrow I'm not going to talk at all so that my vocal cords can recover.

This is very important for everybody: NO LOUD LAUGHING! Be very careful with your voice no matter what you do. Control coughing; no yelling. Your voice is your instrument and you've got to honor it. I have no idea why my voice was affected today because I've never, ever been hoarse before, but this reminded me that I need to stay aware of how I'm using my voice no matter what I do. Although I've always had a wonderfully healthy singing voice, I've got to watch laughing too loudly! So be aware and guard that voice!

Chanting For Stress Relief

There is so much ancient wisdom that can be applied to today's stress-related disorders. In the earliest cultures, chanting was used as a healing tool by individuals, Shamans, and in a group setting.

There's something very powerful about chanting in unison; the vibrations are incredible and wonderfully healing.

Dr. Ranjie Singe, author of the book Powerful Self-Healing Techniques, found that chanting causes the release of the hormone melatonin. In many studies, low melatonin levels have been shown to lead to depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Years ago, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School observed that chanting helps to cause reduction of heart beat, brain waves and respiration - also known as the “relaxation response.”

On an energetic level, Dr. David Shananoff-Khalsa has found that reciting some specific sacred mantras enables the tongue to stimulate the acupuncture meridians inside the mouth balancing the flow of chi through the body - especially the pineal gland - thus helping the body to relieve stress.

Allergies and Voice

Here's some interesting information from the NYU Voice Center about allergies and voice:

Clinically, in our experience, although there are no obvious changes in the larynx due to allergy, there are some changes in the throat and nose, which affect the voice. Allergy causes swelling of nasal tissues, which can alter the voice. Additionally, allergy can increase nasal drainage and lead to frequent throat clearing, which may irritate the vocal cords. It is therefore important to include allergy as a consideration in evaluating patients with hoarseness.

That being said, the majority of patients that have been told they have hoarseness due to allergy (symptoms such as mucus in their throat, frequent throat clearing, a lump in the throat), actually have silent, undiagnosed acid reflux disease. A proper evaluation of the hoarseness is necessary to distinguish the different potential causes of their hoarseness.

Yahoo's Singing News Anchor

Yahoo Hopes Singing News Will Resonate

Another news "innovation,"
Canada's Naked News

Yahoo News announced a new video project designed to leave people tapping their feet as they take in current events. Named "Odd News Underground," the show will feature a journalist-cum-crooner who will sing the news, reports AdWeek.
The singing anchor is the first venture from Yahoo News since the last year's launch of The Hot Zone With Kevin Sites, which chronicles the correspondent's travels to war-torn areas around the globe.

Yahoo declined to identify the warbler/wag, but sources said the performer is not an unknown and has experience as a reporter and musician. The venture is expected to be on the lighter side, so ditties about Iraq aren't to be expected.

Life Lessons

The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
Tom Bodett

Dolphin Assisted Therapy

I always marvel when we human beings feel ourselves so superior to other sentient beings in nature such as dolphins, whales, and elephants, among others. Perhaps at one time we could claim superiority, but humans have become so out of touch with nature and their environment, that we've shut off any of the higher, intuitive, natural insticts that we may have once had.

Here's an excerpt from a great article by Robert Wolff that talks about the healing power of dolphins. I've often thought that these creatures were much wiser than us, and science is just beginning to discover that to be true!

Author:Wolff, Robert

"Deena Hoagland understands the impact a dolphin can have on a human life. Her son, Joe, was left partially paralyzed and visually impaired after having a stroke at the age of three during open-heart surgery.

Deena learned about Dolphins Plus, a nearby research center specializing in dolphin communication. Wanting to get Joe into the water, and intrigued by the prospect of exposing him to dolphins, Deena secured permission from Dolphins Plus owner, Lloyd Borguss, to bring Joe to the center.

It was at Dolphins Plus that Joe first encountered Fonzie, an Atlantic-bottlenosed dolphin. Meeting Fonzie prompted Joe to smile and laugh for the first time since his stroke. Before long, Joe was not only walking, he was bringing Fonzie buckets of fish. After 22 months of interacting with the dolphin, and participating in swim therapy and physical therapy, Joe was close to a full recovery. Now, 11 years later, Joe and Fonzie remain the best of friends.

What Is It About Dolphins?

Researchers have found, for example, that dolphin-assisted therapy aids in reducing stress and increasing relaxation, alleviating depression, boosting production of infection fighting T-cells, stimulating production of endorphins and hormones, enhancing recovery, and reducing pain.

One of the more popular theories is that the dolphin's use of sonar and echolocation produces changes in a person's body tissue and cell structure. Similar to the effect of music therapy, some researchers have suggested that the sounds dolphins emit through their whistles and clicks help produce these changes.

Indeed, some individuals swimming with dolphins have reported actually sensing that they were being scanned. They say the echolocation resonated in their bones as they felt it pass through their bodies, producing a tingling sensation.

Another theory is that dolphins are uniquely sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and seek to help them through playful expressions of concern. This is sometimes referred to as a "secret language" shared when dolphins and people with disabilities "communicate." Dr. Smith goes so far as to suggest that dolphins communicate acoustically with a variety of movements and attend to the body cues of individuals; in particular, individuals with autism, thereby seemingly understanding their thoughts and actions."

Safeguard your voice from winter air

We've just had a big winter storm here in Utah. Loads of fluffy snow on the ground, and more to come. Yes, I know that in some parts of the country, it's nearly Spring, but here at 5600 feet Spring won't be showing herself for a couple more months.

If you live in a cold, winter climate, make sure you safeguard your voice throughout the winter. Avoid directly breathing in the cold air by covering your mouth with a scarf. Drink plenty of warm liquids to keep your vocal cords hydrated.

Try my Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe for winter, or 'singer's throat'. It's great for warming and hydrating the voice; wards off colds; clears the system and boosts the immune system! Try it, it's fantastic!

Breathing in cold air dries out the vocal cords and can cause a scratchy, rough sounding voice. Be kind to your voice this winter!

Givingness

Here's a wonderful message I found from Rev. Diane Russell, reminding me that it's the everyday, authentic gift of self that changes the world, one person, and one moment at a time.


"Givingness is the nature of God, and It gives to us from pure Love. Because our nature is the nature of God, it is also our nature to be giving, to be generous. Giving comes from the heart, not from a sense of obligation or duty. The gifts that mean the most are the gifts that are you - your attention, your love, your smile. This is easy when you come from your authentic self - the Divine at your core.

Remember that you are the gift, and make your giving your joy.

Remember that you are the Light, and your light makes a difference to me, and to each other, and to the world."

Guest Writer: Rev. Diane Russell
Staff Minister, Bonita Church of Religious Science

Sound Therapy - Hope For Tinnitus Sufferers

Because so many of my musician friends suffer from tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, I was really excited to read this article on Medindia.com. It seems that the administration of low pitched tones gives relief, albeit temporary, from the incessant, annoying high-pitched ringing that just about drives my friends crazy. This is great news - pass it on:



Low Pitch Therapy for ‘ringing in the Ears’

UC Irvine researchers have found a treatment for tinnitus, the hearing damage loud music can cause.


Fan-Gang Zeng and colleagues have identified an effective way to treat the symptoms of tinnitus, a form of hearing damage typically marked by high-pitched ringing that torments more than 60 million Americans.

The researchers found that a low-pitched sound applied by a simple MP3 player suppressed and provided temporary relief from the high-pitch ringing tone associated with the disorder.

Tinnitus is caused by injury, infection or the repeated bombast of loud sound, and can appear in one or both ears. It’s no coincidence that many rock musicians, and their fans, suffer from it. Although known for its high-pitched ringing, tinnitus is an internal noise that varies in its pitch and frequency. Some treatments exist, but none are consistently effective.

Zeng presented his study Feb. 13 at the Middle Winter Research Conference for Otolaryngology in Denver.

“Tinnitus is one of the most common hearing disorders in the world, but very little is understood about why it occurs or how to treat it,” said Zeng, a professor of otolaryngology, biomedical engineering, cognitive sciences, and anatomy and neurobiology.

“We are very pleased and surprised by the success of this therapy, and hopefully with further testing it will provide needed relief to the millions who suffer from tinnitus.”

At first, Zeng thought of treating the tinnitus with a high-pitched sound, a method called masking that is sometimes used in tinnitus therapy attempts. But he ruled out that option because of the severity of the patient's tinnitus, so an opposite approach was explored, which provided unexpectedly effective results.

After making many adjustments, the researchers created a low-pitched, pulsing sound -- described as a “calming, pleasant tone” of 40 to 100 hertz of frequency --which, when applied to the patient through a regular MP3 player, suppressed the high-pitched ringing after about 90 seconds and provided what the patient described as a high-level of continued relief.

Zeng's patient programs the low-pitched sound through his cochlear implant, and Zeng is currently studying how to apply this treatment for people who do not use any hearing-aid devices. Since a cochlear implant replaces the damaged mechanism in the ear that stimulates the auditory nerve, Zeng believes that a properly pitched acoustic sound will have the same effect on tinnitus for someone who does not use a hearing device.

Dr. Hamid Djalilian, a UCI physician who treats hearing disorders, points out that a custom sound can be created for the patients, who then can download it into their personal MP3 player and use it when they need relief.

“The treatment, though, does not represent a cure,” Zeng said. “This low-pitch therapeutic approach is only effective while being applied to the ear, after which the ringing can return. But it underscores the need to customize stimulation for tinnitus suppression and suggests that balanced stimulation, rather than masking, is the brain mechanism underlying this surprising finding.”

Music Education Improves IQ

I found this info on EduKey. Again, more confirmation that music - no matter what the medium- is a natural part of our being. It is theraputic, cleansing and beneficial to body and soul! Drumming, singing, chanting are all primal expressions of the deepest part of our spirit, and our means of connection with each other, our connection to our natural and spiritual world. Here's part of the article:

Drumming increases heart rate and blood flow just like an aerobic exercise. The process of drumming engages both the linear, (rational left brain) and the creative, (intuitive right brain). It slows the brain waves to around 8 cycles per second, the exact frequency of the earth.
Improved IQ scores can now officially be added to the growing list of benefits from playing drums. A recent study shows that playing the drums or other percussion instruments actually improves IQ scores of children.
While previous studies have hinted that musical training improves a child’s literacy and math skills, this is the first time that a study has shown that one’s intelligence level can be improved by drumming…
Among the other benefits of playing the drums are improved musical coordination and brain activity; physical therapy, and stress relief; improved social skills such as team work, self-esteem, discipline, improved abstract thought processes, a tool for creative expression, a balance for internal energy, life long enrichment, a great mood lifter, physical fitness, responsibility and a fun alternative to other less productive activities.

Stanford Symposium - Brainwave Entrainment

I'm so happy to see that there are more scientific studies being done to demonstrate the effectiveness of music and rhythm on brainwaves. Consequently, these studies show the beneficial effect of brainwave entrainment on conscious behavior. Read below how ADD is being treated by rhythmic music and sound stimulation.


Read about results from a recent symposium at Stanford:

Rhythmic music may change brain function and treat a range of neurological conditions, including attention deficit disorder and depression, suggested scientists who gathered with ethnomusicologists and musicians at Stanford's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics May 13. The diverse group came together for the one-day symposium, "Brainwave Entrainment to External Rhythmic Stimuli: Interdisciplinary Research and Clinical Perspectives," to share ideas that push the boundaries of our understanding of the human musical experience.

Musicians and mystics have long recognized the power of rhythmic music. Ritual drumming and rhythmic prayer are found in cultures throughout the world and are used in religious ceremonies to induce trance states. But since the counterculture movement of the 1960s, scientists have shied away from investigating the almost mystical implications of musical rhythm, said symposium organizer Gabe Turow, a visiting scholar in the Department of Music.

"There is a growing body of neuroscientists who support the theory that if there's a physical correlate of conscious experience, it has to be happening in the brainwaves. It seems to be the only thing in your head that changes rapidly enough to explain real-time changes in consciousness," Turow said.

Music with a strong beat stimulates the brain and ultimately causes brainwaves to resonate in time with the rhythm, research has shown. Slow beats encourage the slow brainwaves that are associated with hypnotic or meditative states. Faster beats may encourage more alert and concentrated thinking.

Studies of rhythms and the brain have shown that a combination of rhythmic light and sound stimulation has the greatest effect on brainwave frequency, although sound alone can change brain activity. This helps explain the significance of rhythmic sound in religious ceremonies.

Harold Russell, a clinical psychologist and adjunct research professor in the Department of Gerontology and Health Promotion at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, used rhythmic light and sound stimulation to treat ADD (attention deficit disorder) in elementary and middle school boys. His studies found that rhythmic stimuli that sped up brainwaves in subjects increased concentration in ways similar to ADD medications such as Ritalin and Adderall. Following a series of 20-minute treatment sessions administered over several months, the children made lasting gains in concentration and performance on IQ tests and had a notable reduction in behavioral problems compared to the control group, Russell said.

"For most of us, the brain is locked into a particular level of functioning," the psychologist said. "If we ultimately speed up or slow down the brainwave activity, then it becomes much easier for the brain to shift its speed as needed."

Russell, whose study was funded by the U.S. Department of Education and included 40 experimental subjects, hopes to earn approval from the Food and Drug Administration to use the brainwave entrainment device as a treatment for ADD. The device uses an EEG to read brainwaves and then presents rhythmic light and sound stimuli through special eyeglasses and headphones at a slightly higher frequency than the brain's natural rhythm.

Music Therapy for Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID)

Here's an interesting article from the Battle Creek Enquirer about Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) in children, and how music therapy is helping them.

Music-centered therapy helps sensitive children
Linda Jo Scott
For the Enquirer

Melanie Grafft knew her 9-year-old son Josh was a sensitive child even before he was born.

"I used to hold earphones over my belly and play music for him," she said. "When I played a certain Mozart overture, he would instantly start kicking and moving around. And after he was born, he would get fussy right away if I played that particular piece."

Josh's sensitivity was not limited to music, however. As a toddler, he hated wearing certain socks. He hated loud noises, such as sirens on fire engines. He couldn't stand for people to put their hands - or anything else - too close to his eyes. He couldn't stand to have tags on his clothing.

Even certain foods, such as mashed potatoes, mushrooms and other pizza toppings not only didn't taste good, they didn't feel good in his mouth.

When these extreme responses began to interfere with Josh's progress in school, his parents decided it was time to get some professional help and took him to the Children's Therapy Center of Battle Creek, where he was diagnosed with what is called Sensory Integration Dysfunction, or SID.

According to Teri Allen, clinical director of the Children's Therapy Center, SID "encompasses a constellation of behaviors that are seen when a child is inadequately putting together information from the senses."

According to Allen, one of the most helpful treatments for Josh - and for most children with SID - is listening to what is called "spectrally-activated music," which, she explained, "forces the ear to work differently."

Again, Josh's mother noticed a difference in his mood after he listened to particular music.

Josh also did extensive work on the Interactive Metronome, a computer-based exercise program to help a child match given rhythms.

"We try to give a child 20,000 repetitions over the course of many weeks, and afterwards we can see definite changes in their brains through various tests," Allen said.

As is often the result of the various kinds of therapy and supervised play in the clinic's colorful playroom, Josh's reading skills and handwriting improved, and since his therapy ended in May after almost a year, he has been less affected by how things sound or feel.

"Josh is a great kid with many strengths and talents," Allen said. "He was very motivated to succeed with the Interactive Metronome portion of his therapy allowing him to make significant gains. Once his sensory integration and coordination improved, he was more successful in all areas of his life."

Josh's grandmother, Janet Wigant, who lives next door to him and sees him every day, said therapy has helped Josh a lot.

"He isn't as angry as he used to be, and it's helped him in his school work," she noted. "I actually see a difference in his whole personality."

Wigant said as she looked back, she realized that Josh's mother, Melanie, suffered from some of the same problems as a child.

"Now that I know what Josh has gone through, I can look back at how loud noises, and having people touching her and not having her shoes and socks on, just right bothered Melanie as a child."

Josh's younger sister, Avrie, 5, is showing some of the same sensitivity, Melanie said, but not to the same extent as Josh.

These days, Josh is a happy, successful third-grader at Beadle Lake Elementary School.

"I miss it," he said of his days at the center. "I especially liked the playroom where I could play on the pirate ship and jump off the zip line onto the mat.

"And I got to get out of school 20 minutes early," he added with a smile.

"There are probably many children out there with similar problems, and nobody recognizes it," Wigant said. "I'm just thankful that Josh's mother had the foresight to recognize it and do something about it."

Linda Jo Scott is a freelance reporter.

Curing Vocal Nodules Naturally!

The article below addresses nodules (nodes) and polyps. Many singers undergo surgery to remove their vocal nodules, with often disastrous results. Julie Andrews, sadly, can barely squeak out a song after her vocal surgery.

Did you know that my nodes were cured simply by learning to use my voice correctly?

Read 'My Story' to see how improper voice instruction almost ruined my voice, until I found a teacher who saved my career by teaching me the right way to sing! If you're having vocal problems; have continued discomfort or sore throat when you sing, then do yourself a favor before you get nodes, and LEARN TO SING CORRECTLY! Once I learned the method that is the basis for my Integrated Voice technique, I never had a vocal problem again, and I've been singing for 20+ years.

If you're having challenges with your voice, email me and I'll personally answer any question you may have.

Here's the article from Celia Cooper, PHd that will give you some basic insight:

Vocal Fold Nodules and Polyps

What are vocal fold nodules and polyps?

Vocal fold nodules are benign growths on both vocal folds that are caused by vocal abuse.

Over time, repeated misuse of the vocal folds results in soft, swollen spots on each vocal fold that develop into harder, callus-like growths.

The nodules will become larger and more stiff the longer the vocal abuse continues.

Polyps , on the other hand, can take a number of forms and are sometimes caused by vocal abuse. Polyps appear on either one or both of the vocal folds and appear as a swelling or bump (like a nodule), a stalk-like growth, or a blister-like lesion. Most polyps are larger than nodules and may be called by other names, such as polypoid degeneration or Reinke's edema.

What will my voice sound like if I have nodules or polyps?

Nodules and polyps cause similar symptoms and include:

* Hoarseness
* Breathiness
* A "rough" voice
* A "scratchy" voice
* Harshness
* Shooting pain from ear to ear
* A "lump in the throat" sensation
* Neck pain
* Decreased pitch range
* Voice and body fatigue

What causes nodules and polyps?

Nodules are most frequently caused by vocal abuse or misuse. Polyps may be caused by prolonged vocal abuse, but may also occur after a single, traumatic event to the vocal folds, such as yelling at a concert.

Long-term cigarette smoking, hypothyroidism, and gastroesophageal reflux may also cause polyp formation. Vocal abuse takes many forms and includes:

* Allergies
* Smoking
* "Type A" personality (person who is often tense or anxious)
* Singing
* Coaching
* Cheerleading
* Talking loudly
* Drinking caffeine and alcohol (dries out the throat and vocal folds)

It has been noted that, for unknown reasons, vocal nodules occur more frequently in women between the ages of 20 and 50.

How are nodules and polyps diagnosed?

If you have experienced a hoarse voice for more than 2 to 3 weeks, you should see a physician. A thorough voice evaluation should include a physician's examination, preferably by an otolaryngologist, who specializes in voice, a voice evaluation by a speech-language pathologist, and possibly a neurological examination. The voice team will assess vocal quality, pitch, loudness, ability to sustain voicing, and other characteristics of the voice. An instrumental examination may take place, which involves inserting an endoscope into the mouth or nose to look at the vocal folds and larynx in general. A stroboscope (flashing light) may be used to watch the vocal folds as they move.

What can be done to get rid of nodules and polyps?

Nodules and polyps may be treated medically, surgically, and/or behaviorally. Surgical intervention involves removing the nodule or polyp from the vocal fold. This approach only occurs when the nodules or polyps are very large or have existed for a long time and is rare for children. Contributing medical problems may be treated to reduce their impact on the vocal folds. This includes treatment for gastroesophageal reflux, allergies and thyroid problems. Medical intervention to stop smoking or to control stress is sometimes warranted.

Voice therapy involves teaching good vocal hygiene, eliminating vocal abuses, and direct voice treatment to alter pitch, loudness, or breath support for good voicing.

Stress reduction techniques and relaxation exercises are often taught, as well.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Adapted from text developed in 2001 by Celia Hooper, PhD, CCC-SLP

Voice and Hypnosis

Here's an interesting post from Wayne Perkin's blog. Similar to music and sound healing, hypnosis helps the participant reach a state of relaxation and clarity. There they can access higher modes of consciousness where self-healing can occur.

With hypnosis, the voice is used to put the participant into a deep, restful state.

Here's Mr. Perkin's brief history of hypnosis:

Back in ancient Egypt, hypnosis was called "healing sleep." The subject was really awake but with eyes closed and listening to a person's voice. Healing sleep was used to help people get over illnesses and mental anguish.

In the late 1700s, Fran Anton Mesmer, an Austrian, observed a Catholic Priest laying hands on a parishioner to overcome healing. Mesmer thought what was realy going on was that the person was surrounded by a magnetic field and that the Priest was sending out magnetism and that God was not really intervening in the process.

Mesmer thought that if he would use 2 large metal rods, he could create the same kind of magnetism that would help patients overcome their illnesses.

In 1792, Benjamin Franklin from the US, was called to Paris, France to observe Mesmer working on patients using the magnetized rods.

Franklin concluded that the people were using their own minds to cure themselves of illnesses. They were using their own imaginations.

This is what a hypnotist really does. He helps people use their own minds to fix what is wrong with them.

find more at: wayneperkins.blogspot.com

Music Therapy for Dogs!

I came across this blurb and thought it was indicative of the trend of upscale pet owners to go to expensive extremes when it comes to their dogs. I'll do just about anything for my doggies, but I'm really not sure that they care one way or another about spa treatments and other modalities mentioned in the excerpt below. Music therapy for pooches? Maybe.....

By Renee at smalldogsparadise.com

Bare in mind, many grooming salons these days don't operate the same way as those from the 80's or 90's. Then, groomers would just groom the dogs and the job is complete.

Nowadays many grooming salons offer spa treatments and rejuvenation and music therapy for pampered pooches.

These luxury sessions are not cheap. If you operate an upscale grooming salon in urban areas (i.e. Tokyo or New York), your customers are expected to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 for a complete doggie "makeover." I kid you not!

With so many dog owners who are willing to spend obscene money on their furry children, it's no wonder many aspiring groomers jump into this bandwagon. I'm not saying money brings all evil intentions; just some will value money over passion.

Jennifer Hudson calls American Idol Abusive

Did you know that Jennifer Hudson had been an American Idol contestant before her success in 'Dreamgirls'? She doesn't have very nice words for the American Idol experience, and I don't condone the cruelty that's employed on the show, but I would venture to say that Jennifer's current success may be a result of the exposure she got on AI??
Here's the article:

Jennifer Hudson Calls American Idol Abusive
PEOPLE MAGAZINE
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 01, 2007 08:35 AM EST


Jennifer Hudson has won Golden Globe and SAG awards and is up for an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls – despite what she describes as an abusive experience on American Idol.

"On American Idol, you go through this mental thing; you've got to get yourself back together. You've been abused, misled and brainwashed to believe whatever they want you to think," Hudson, 25, tells the new issue of Essence.

"You become a character - became the girl in the turkey wrapping." (On one episode, she wore an unflattering outfit that earned that label.) "I just knew I had to sing my way out of it. I don't believe in looking back, and I didn't look back."

Hudson also dismisses rumors that there was tension on the Dreamgirls set between herself and costar Beyoncé Knowles. "We clicked from day one," she says.

She says she, Knowles and their fellow Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose bonded over the fact that they're all Virgos, and all have a mole in the same spot on the left side of their necks.

"It's amazing to me that God took three different women from three different walks of life and created the Dreamgirls," Hudson says. "We were meant to be together. When you look at us, you see it's all connected. I'm loving Beyoncé."


Knowles has also dismissed feud rumors, telling reporters in December: "It's really unfortunate that everyone is saying I'm jealous of Jennifer. ... Because I'm a star they just automatically assume that I'm not humble enough to sit down and take a back seat, which I am."

Music Therapy for Young Asthmatics

Music and singing have so many intrinsic benefits! In my article "10 Ways Singing Can Change Your Life", I talk about how singing promotes deep breathing; oxygenates the blood; stimulates brain activity, and boosts a sense of well-being, among other incredible benefits. The article below by Dr. Jay Adlersberg is so exciting because it talks about helping young asthma sufferers with music therapy!

I've been working with clients with asthma for some time. Through singing therapy, (because it involves re-training the breathing mechanism, as well as becoming conscious of how you are breathing),the affect is dramatic!

If you have a question about how singing therapy can help with asthma, please feel free to contact me.

Here's the article:
Music Therapy For Young Asthma Sufferers
WABC By Dr. Jay Adlersberg

(New York-WABC, February 8, 2007) - Using music class to help treat asthmatics.

Asthma strikes children particularly hard in some areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn. Sometimes medications are the only things that keep kids happy in their daily activities. But now, thanks to financial gift from one of the Fathers of Jazz, music may be helping some young asthma sufferers.

It's an outreach program of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. Melrose is one of three schools in the city which are part of research to see if tension release using woodwind instruments to teach breathing control and relaxation, with the help of the seashore wave drum and Native American flute, can help in controlling asthma.

"It helps them identify when they having difficulties to use these breathing techniques," said Brian Harris, of Beth Israel Medical Center.

These four young men have been taking these classes once a week for the past six months to a year. Their asthma?

"It has improved, because before I couldn't breathe that good," student Alex Calo said. "But now I have more breath to hold when I'm running and stuff."

"Now I can play more, because I have more breath," 11-year-old student Alex Acosta said. "It's better."

"I could breathe more and it makes me relax," 13-year-old student Frank Maxwell said. "So I can play a lot more than I used to do."

And giving kids back their playtime is news in this city.

The Bronx is a hotbed of asthma. The illness causes more missed days from school and more hospitalizations than any other illness in kids under 14.

The music goes beyond just illness control. As with all music, it's about feelings.

"The music, the relaxation, the tension release and the drums," 13-year-old Carlos Vega said. "You could express your feelings when you're playing it."

Coincidentally, because of an aggressive band program at the school, each of these boys already plays a wind instrument. One plays flute, the others clarinet, trombone and saxophone. No problems learning breathing control for them.

Singing and 'The Yawn'

One of my 'Seven Principles for an Integrated Voice' is "The Yawn". If you feel a tightness in your throat when you sing, and feel you have to use a lot more effort to sing high notes, you're probably suffering from a common problem in singers, a raised, or jammed larynx.

In an article by Zainab Al Naji, he states that "when we yawn, yawns consist of an expansion of the chest, descent of the diaphragm and larynx, elevation of the nasal and soft palate, downward and backward movement of the tongue, abduction of the vocal cords, and a wide opening of the mouth."

In plain-speak, simulating the beginning of a yawn simply opens your throat, lowers the larynx, relaxes the tongue, drops the jaw; all of which help to produce a warm, round, open and relaxed tone without any constriction or tension.

It feels good to sing correctly, and this is the best indicator of whether you're employing proper technique or not. If you get hoarse; have an ache in the back of your throat; have to push to get volume; have a tight jaw, or just feel any discomfort at all when you sing - you're doing something wrong.

Conversely, if your voice flows out effortlessly with beauty and ease, with no tension or exertion; if singing is easy and feels good - you're singing correctly! A very easy barometer of your progress!

Watch for Volume One of my "Joyful Singing Series" coming soon! Contact me for more information!

Cold Weather Voice Tips - U of Pittsburgh

Here are some tips from the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center:

Upper respiratory infections (URI), rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis, often affect the vocal cords, causing hoarseness. The best way to prevent URIs from causing a voice problem is to avoid or limit the infections. Preventing URIs can be done by maintaining proper amounts of rest and eating a healthy diet. Good nutrition helps prevent infections and allows the body to fight infections for faster recovery.

URIs frequently are transmitted through young children, especially those in daycare, and by hand-to-hand contact. Thorough and frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with sick children can prevent many winter infections.

Cold weather clothing also can help prevent an infection and other voice problems. Maintaining proper body temperature takes a lot of energy, more if you are not dressed properly for the cold temperature. Seventy-five percent of body temperature loss occurs through the head, so a warm hat can decrease temperature loss and reduce the amount of energy required to keep you warm. This saved energy can be used to fight infection. A scarf is another important way to keep your voice healthy in the winter. Wearing a scarf helps maintain your body temperature, and it can also be used to warm the air you breathe, thus preventing cold air from irritating your larynx (voice box).

HAVE YOU TRIED MY VIVA LA VOICE TONIC RECIPE? IT BOOSTS RESISTANCE!

The Aging Voice

I've recently been asked about the affects of aging on the voice. As the population of Baby Boomers increases, there's more concern about changes that occur with the voice as we age.

The voice tells a lot about a person - their state of health, state of mind, and their relative age.

The aging voice is sometimes breathy, scratchy, weak, trembling or rough. As you read the article by Sue Ellen Linville, you'll notice that there's a lot of medical and anatomical jargon that may get a bit deep for you.

In a nutshell, just know that as we age, our parts wear out!!

And when the parts wear out, vocal challenges may set it. Ain't aging grand???

There are certain elements of our respiratory system as well as elements of the vocal mechanism that begin to show the wear and tear of age, and you can hear it in the voice.

BUT HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS! Overall good health, a nutritious diet, low levels of stress, exercise and a good mental attitude will help you keep your voice in youthful, top-shape long into your senior years!

This is why exercising your voice is extremely important! In order to keep all the parts of your vocal mechanism working well, you've got to use them correctly and often. My uncle, Dick Palmer, is 81 years old, and just began singing a year ago! He loves it and it proves that a voice doesn't have to disintegrate with age.

Yes, there may be some changes in the voice, but with good vocal health habits, you can maintain your voice into old age.

If you want to keep your voice healthy and youthful, I suggest that you begin doing daily vocal and breathing exercises. This will help TREMENDOUSLY and you'll see a big difference in the tone, clarity and power of your voice.

If you have a question, or want to learn more about how to maintain your voice, please contact me. I will personally answer any question you may have.

Also, try my Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe for a healthy way to maintain your physical and vocal health! All natural and good for you!

Here are some exerpts from an article in the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Journal.

The Aging Voice

cite as:
Linville, S. E. (2004, Oct. 19). The Aging Voice. The ASHA Leader, pp. 12, 21

by Sue Ellen Linville

As the 21st century advances, senior citizens will make up an increasingly large segment of the population. In recognition of that demographic shift, researchers are developing a database of voice features that are characteristic of normal speakers from young adulthood through old age. Such a database would be invaluable to clinicians struggling to differentiate normal vocal changes with aging from pathologic vocal conditions affecting elderly patients.

Changes in Speech Production Mechanism

The respiratory system changes from young adulthood to old age. In lung tissue, loss of elasticity is considered the most significant change. Other respiratory system changes include stiffening of the thorax and weakening of respiratory muscles. These changes alter lung volumes and respiratory mechanics. While total lung volume remains unchanged in the elderly, vital capacity decreases and residual volume increases. Maximum expiratory flow rate is decreased and lung pressure is decreased. Thus, elderly speakers experience a decline in the amount of air they can move in and out of the lungs and in the efficiency with which they move air.

The larynx also undergoes age-related anatomic changes during adulthood. Glandular changes may cause drying of epithelium, which may increase stiffness of VC cover. Increased cover stiffness could increase instability of vocal fold vibration and raise fundamental frequency (F0) in elderly men.

Some investigators report progressive thickening of the epithelium with aging in both sexes. In males, thickening reportedly is progressive up to age 70, with declines thereafter. In females, thickening is described as progressive, particularly after age 70. Thickening of the laryngeal epithelium may contribute to lowering of fundamental frequency or to increased harshness of voice.

Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint are described, along with thinning/loss of elasticity of oral mucosa, declining salivary function, loss of tongue strength, and tooth loss.

Age-Related Voice Changes

Perhaps the voice change that has been investigated most is pitch level. Speaking changes from young adulthood to old age, but the pattern differs according to gender. In women, F0 remains fairly constant until menopause, when a drop occurs (approximately 10 Hz -15 Hz). This drop presumably results from hormonal changes that cause thickening and edema of the laryngeal mucosa. In men, F0 lowers approximately 10 Hz from young adulthood to middle age. The reason for this drop is unclear. After middle age, F0 in men rises substantially (approximately 35 Hz) into advanced old age, reaching the highest level of adulthood.

Tremor and increased hoarseness have been associated with the aged voice. Stability of F0 reportedly declines from young adulthood to old age in both men and women. In men, levels of fundamental frequency standard deviation (F0 SD) more than double between young adulthood and old age. In women, levels jump 71% over a similar period. F0 SD ranges for young and elderly speakers demonstrate little overlap, regardless of gender. In contrast, measures of jitter-the cycle-to-cycle fluctuations in the fundamental period of vocal fold vibration-overlap extensively in young and elderly speakers, especially women.

Amplitude stability also declines with aging, at least in men. Indeed, shimmer, which reflects cycle-to-cycle variation in waveform amplitude, may be a better measure than jitter of chronological aging in men's voices because shimmer levels increase independently of health and fitness variables. Age-related jitter differences disappear if health and fitness are considered.

Another voice quality linked with the aged voice is increased breathiness. While elderly men demonstrate a higher incidence of glottal gap than young men, spectral noise levels do not differ in the two groups. However, spectral noise levels increase in men in poor physiological condition, regardless of age. In contrast to men, both young and elderly women demonstrate a high incidence of glottal gap. However, young women tend to demonstrate posterior chink, while elderly women demonstrate gaps anteriorly in the glottis.

There is acoustic evidence of age-related changes in vocal resonance patterns in both men and women. Lowering of formant frequencies (more pronounced in women) suggests lengthening of the vocal tract. Altered vowel formant frequency patterns (more pronounced in men) suggests centralization of tongue position during vowel production. Altered resonance patterns in elderly speakers may result from growth of the craniofacial skeleton, lowering of the larynx in the neck and/or degenerative changes in oral structures that reduce articulatory precision.

In summary, structural and functional changes occur in the respiratory, phonatory, and supralaryngeal systems with aging. Those changes alter the voice produced by the aged mechanism. Gender differences exist both in the nature and extent of age-related changes.



Sue Ellen Linville is associate professor of speech pathology at Marquette University and the author of Vocal Aging (San Diego: Singular Publishing, 2001). She is an affiliate of Special Interest Division 3, Voice and Voice Disorders. She can be reached at sueellen.linville@marquette.edu.

Singing For Alzheimer Patients

Here's an exerpt from an article from Jane Elliot in the BBC News, about the power of singing therapy on Alzheimer's patients. Personally, I've been working with Parkinson's patients for several years now, and see dramatic results in their ability to speak more clearly and powerfully after singing therapy. Their sense of well-being and confidence increases as they are able to communicate more clearly. Their depression also lessens when they can be heard and understood with less effort or frustration. Singing seems to have the ability to bypass the speaking areas of the brain, making the ability to access lyrics and melodies more readily available to those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Singing has proven to unlock the brain and help patients re-learn communication skills.

Here's an exerpt from the article:

Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society and Professor of Age Related Diseases at King's College, London, said singing as an activity did seem to help people with dementia.

"People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people and there is a lot of evidence that being socially engaged is good for people with dementia."

He said the part of the brain that worked with speech was different to the part that processed music, allowing those who had lost their speech to still enjoy their music.

Mr Ballard said rhythm had also been shown to be beneficial, particularly for those with diseases like Parkinson's where movement was a problem. He said listening to rhythms, even just a metronome, could help.

Winter Colds - The Straight Dope

If you've never read "The Straight Dope" syndicated column, here's a sample. The information is always witty, intelligent, and sometimes irreverent; and always entertaining! And speaking of colds, have you tried my fantastic Viva La Voice Tonic Recipe? It works miracles!

Why is winter the season for colds, flu, etc.?

31-Jan-1992

Dear Cecil:

What is it with sickness and cold temperatures? Countless times I have heard it said that winter is "cold and flu season." Mom always said to put my hat and galoshes on or I would catch pneumonia or my death of a cold. But I'm no dope. I know disease is caused by germs, not cold. From what I can remember of high school biology (not much), germs don't like cold any more than we do--in fact it kills them. So how come people get sick more often in the winter? Or do they? --Ryan Joseph, Chicago

Dear Ryan:

Seems like a reasonable question, doesn't it? Too bad there isn't a reasonable answer. All the research of the past three decades has succeeded in doing is undermining the old wives' tales about wet feet causing colds and such without putting anything in their place. Here's what we know so far, and it ain't much:

The cold, wet feet, etc., don't make you more susceptible to the common cold. Several researchers, obviously graduates of the Joseph Mengele School of Medicine, had people sit in cold tubs and whatnot for extended periods to see if they'd catch more colds. By and large they didn't.

If anything, long stretches of cold temps mean you'll catch fewer colds, presumably because the germs die off. People who "winter over" at Antarctic research stations seldom get colds except when they host germ-laden visitors from warmer climes.

We don't have indisputable evidence that winter is "cold season." Most cold sufferers don't see a doctor, and no central record is kept of the colds that doctors do hear about.

Winter is flu season, but not always. The influenza pandemic of 1918-19, which killed at least 20 million people worldwide, reached peak virulence in the most of the world during the late spring and summer and topped out in the U.S. in October.

Still, most flu outbreaks peak in January or February. Why? Figure that out and you may be hearing from the Nobel committee. Cecil's mother's theory is that cold "lowers your resistance" to disease. Sounds plausible, but during major outbreaks the winter months typically bring an equally sharp upward spike in flu in all parts of the country. Sure, Chicago gets a little brisk in the winter. But L.A.?

Something besides the cold obviously is at work. Maybe it's that even in southern California during winter folks keep the windows closed and stay indoors more, giving them a chance to exchange more germs. If we want to get really creative we may note that if you want to catch the latest bug there's nothing like going to church, and the one time people are sure to go to church is Christmas. Hence (maybe) the January outbreaks. OK, I'm reaching. But nobody knows for sure.

Respiratory infections, setting aside colds and flu, seem to be more common in winter--but some think that's because of misdiagnosis. For example, what may appear to be sinusitis--runny nose, congestion, and so on--in fact may simply a result of "cold stress." Cold stress is a direct bodily response to cold (like shivering, say), not something caused by germs.

Cold stress symptoms can last several days but eventually go away by themselves; so do most respiratory infections. Since most doctors don't send out for tests, there's no telling what the real problem was. Cold stress is most pronounced when the weather changes suddenly, which is when many folks seem to get colds. Maybe they haven't got a cold, they just are cold, if you follow me.

Psychological (as opposed to physical) stress may also play a role. A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the more psychological stress people were under, the more likely they were to get colds. Cecil can personally attest that cold weather and sunless days can be tough on the psyche. So maybe in the interest of stress mitigation you should pop for a week in Puerto Vallarta--and while you're at it, tell that in-your-face boss of yours to take a running jump.

--CECIL ADAMS

American Idol Criteria - How Do You Rate?

Here's a funny article from Michael Slezak that pretty much sums up the American Idol audition experience. Whether you're a fan of the show or not, I think you'll agree with his candid assessment of the audition process. Which category would you fit in?



TV Watch - from EM online
Crazy in Alabama
In Birmingham, ''American Idol'' breaks all the rules: Paula plays tough, and pretty girls get eliminated; plus, a future star name-checks Hasselhoff

All About American Idol (Series)
By Michael Slezak

There are four standard scripts for American Idol's female auditions (non-joke variety), and they can be pretty much summed up like this:

1. Hot looks, hot voice: ''You're going to Hollywood, baby!''

2. Borderline looks, hot voice: ''Congratulations, we're putting you through to the next round.'' (Be thankful.)

3. Hot looks, borderline voice: ''I dunno, I mean, that was kinda all over the place, but, hmmm...there's something I like about you. You deserve a second chance. You're going to Hollywood, baby!''

4. Borderline looks, borderline voice: Sorry, hon, not even Paula's on your side.

If you don't fall under one of those headings, it's a pretty good bet the show's producers are tossing you into the dignity dumpster reserved for the homely, the obese, the deranged, and the deluded - none of whom can sing, none of whom are traditional beauties, and all of whom can be ridiculed for a few minutes of highly rated entertainment (guilt apparently not included).

Imagine my surprise tonight, then, when right from the opening audition of the Birmingham, Ala., episode, the joke was on a pretty, blond, 19-year-old ''biological science'' major with a tiny waist, an ample bosom, and a wonky singing voice. Pity poor Erica Skye - because Simon, Randy, and Paula did not. Girlfriend was playing the skimpy-top card and raised the stakes with come-hither grins and an eager-to-please demeanor, but after launching into a shaky, breaky rendition of Simon's favorite song, ''Unchained Melody,'' not even the flirty Brit had the urge to indulge; instead he described Erica's performance as ''never-ending torture.'' By the time she embarked on an unsolicited second number, even Saint Paula lost her patience, retreating stage left and looking desperately for something - maybe some earplugs, maybe a security guard, or quite possibly a Taser.

Any which way, Erica-s crash-burn set the tone for an unusual evening of Idol. There was Paula labeling handsome Bernard Williams II as ''completely off-key'' on his rendition of ''Rock With You,'' while Simon and Randy played good cops and gave him a not-quite-deserved golden ticket. Later in the show, Paula again took the lead on a critique, telling wide-eyed Jamie Lynn Ward - who wins this season's Kellie Pickler Trophy for most alarming audition-round sob story - that her voice went nasal when she went in for the heavy lifting on Christina Aguilera's ''Reflection.'' (That said, the kid did have a pretty tone, though it'd be a shocker if she made it past Hollywood.) And later, Nichole Gatzman, a comely teen whose rendition of Bonnie Raitt's ''Something to Talk About'' showcased a voice at least as good as Ward's, got an unceremonious heave-ho from Randy and Simon because...well, just because.

Meanwhile, Chris Sligh, the love child of Jack Osbourne and Sideshow Bob, got Randy howling with his joke about wanting to move David Hasselhoff to tears, then elicited what may have been Simon's most genuine smile of the season following an affecting take on Seal's ''Kiss From a Rose.'' Not only that, the kid's exit-interview comment that Paula ''crumbled in my chubby little hands'' was a refreshing break from the bland therapy-speak most Idol contestants spout into the microphones when they're not singing. Even if he wasn't blessed with that killer voice, Chris' personality makes him a reasonable top 12 bet.

I'm not convinced we saw any other potential finalists tonight. Tatiana McConnico made my day by choosing Aretha's awesomely awesome ''I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You),'' but despite a powerhouse voice, she sounded a little too rushed, and acted a little too naive to handle the massive wave of pressure headed her way. Katie Bernard's version of ''A House Is Not a Home,'' meanwhile, was perfectly acceptable, and I wouldn't have even had trouble with her high-pitched speaking voice - if she'd used it for good, not evil. In other words, it's cute when my four-year-old niece squeals and dances when she's on a sugar rush, but such behavior elicits far less charitable feelings coming from a married woman of 19.

And speaking of charity, when it comes to tonight's self-aware train wrecks (''look how crazy I can act'' bird lady Margaret Fowler and ''look how sassy I can act'' Brandy Patterson, who committed heinous crimes against ''Like a Virgin''), I'm following that homespun rule about not saying anything at all if you don't have anything nice to say. Well, actually, that's sort of a fib. It's not really about kindness; it's just that I set my kitchen timer when I started writing this column, and (hooray!) the ladies' respective 15 minutes are already up.

What do you think? Were you particularly impressed by any of the contestants who were shown getting golden tickets tonight? Were you impressed with Paula's performance? And, like me, are you ready to toss the audition shows in the box to the left and let the real competition start in Hollywood?
Posted Jan 31, 2007