Who Wants A Youthful Voice for Life?

The secret to keeping a vital singing and speaking voice for life is simply.....exercising you voice daily, just like you would any other part of the body! Use it or lose it! Please comment at my new Facebook page All About Voice!

Do Senior Singers Live Longer?

This from Bryant Stamford, professor and chairman of the department of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College:

"Research tells us, there was a study of senior singers, average age 80 years, in which they were tracked over a prolonged period and their data were compared with folks the same age in the general population. The researchers found that the elderly singers experienced less depression, took far fewer than the typical four prescription medications and a like number of over-the-counter meds, and they were more socially active.

Does this mean the older singers will live longer? Hard to say, but it’s not a far reach to suggest the answer is yes.

We know, for example, that the mind-body connection is very important, and that health and longevity of the body can be influenced by mental state (depression, etc.). Medications and their side effects greatly impact the quality of life, and if there is poor quality of life, the zest for living goes out the window. And those with a strong social network are likely to be happier, better adjusted in old age, and more accepting of change, and therefore likely to live longer and healthier lives."

So I say, again - get out there and sing, no matter what your age!  You will feel better, and just possibly live a longer, healthier life!  Want help with your singing?  My new book From Shower To Stage...7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!  can help!

President Omama Talks About Singing In the Shower!

Here's a bit of what President Obama said when announcing the Kennedy Center Honors recipients.  You see, even the President sings in the shower!  I should gift him my book From Shower To Stage.....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!


"Now, at first glance the men and women on this stage could not be more different. They come from different generations, different walks of life. They have different talents, and they've traveled different paths. And yet they belong here together. Because each of tonight's honorees has felt the need to express themselves and share that expression with the world.

It's a feeling that all of us have at some point in our lives. That's why we sing, even if it's just in the shower. (Laughter.) It's why we act, even if we never get past the school auditorium. That's why we dance, even if, as Michelle says, I look silly doing it. (Laughter.) It's one of the downsides of being President: Your dance moves end up on YouTube. (Laughter.)

But tonight's honorees take it a step further. By expressing themselves, they help us learn something about ourselves. They make us laugh. They move us to tears. They bring us together, and they push the boundaries of what we think is possible. And each of them has been blessed with an extraordinary gift. Tonight, we thank them for sharing that gift with us."

Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-President-Obamas-Kennedy-Center-Honorees-Remarks-Barbara-Cook-More-20111204#ixzz1ffj8PXY7

Step Five for a Youthful Voice!

5.  Vocal Rest
Just as it's important to exercise, it's also important to rest.  We use our voices constantly, and those who use their voices in a professional setting are even more prone to overuse and tire the voice.  Be kind to your voice - don't scream, try to talk over background noise, or speak to large groups without a microphone.  When you don't have to talk, don't. Once you become mindful of your voice, you'll begin to honor silence as a great way to care for your voice.



Remember to treat your voice with respect and care and you'll have a rich, strong, healthy and youthful sounding voice for your entire life!

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Four for a Youthful Voice!

4.  Vocal Exercise
            Your vocal cords are muscles that need to be exercised throughout your life.  Doing simple singing exercises to warm up the voice in the morning is a perfect way to start the day.  Vocal exercises strengthen the voice; get rid of phlegm, and conscious breathing oxygenates the blood!  My best advice for folks who are noticing an 'aging' of their voice is to sing everyday!  A great time to vocalize is in your car going to work.  You'll arrive with a voice that's ready to take on the challenges of the day.  Just like your body, simple vocalizing will strengthen and tone the voice, maintaining a supple and youthful tone.

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Three for a Youthful Voice!

3.  Pitch
Speaking and singing are natural and should reflect your authentic persona.  What I mean by this is that you should be using your natural voice, not a voice that has been habitually altered through years of manipulation.  So many times clients will come to me with very soft, airy voices, or voices that sound thin and squeaky.  Many women have a hard time letting go of their 'little girl' voices and must be taught to release their naturally pitched voice.  Your natural voice is always in a comfortable range, free of pinching and straining.  Speaking with a relaxed throat and natural pitch gives the voice a warm, silky, youthful tone.

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Two for a Youthful Voice!

2.  Conscious Breathing
The basis for proper speaking and singing is conscious breathing.  This means becoming aware of relaxing the belly, breathing low and slow, allowing the diaphragm to lower while the lungs fill with air.  Think of filling up like a balloon:  on the inhale the abdominal area 'fills' up; on the exhale, the abdominal area 'deflates' or goes slightly flat.  Most people breath very high in the chest and keep their bellies tight, which doesn't allow you to take in a full, deep breath.  You can also imagine your ribs as a bellows expanding as you inhale and going back to the normal position as you exhale.  Breathing is natural and is essential for supporting the voice so that the throat is not forcing the volume.  A youthful voice is a well-supported voice!

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step One For A Youthful Voice!

1.  Mindfulness
In general, the first step to change is awareness.  We've got to become mindful of how we're using, or abusing our voice.   As you speak, start listening to yourself!  Do you talk loudly in order to be heard over talking or background noise?  In your job, do you attempt to push your voice for maximum volume?  Do you use your voice constantly without occasional rest?  Begin now to monitor your volume, pitch and breath control and be willing to learn new ways of using your voice to maintain vocal health.