Tips To Keep Your Voice In Shape

 

Your voice is your instrument. It's what you use to make a living. To stay healthy, your vocal cords must be stretched out and played on a regular basis. You can do this by practicing voice exercises every day that stretch your range as often as possible. The sound of your voice is an expression of who you are. It can be rough, smooth, high-pitched, low-pitched, or anything in between. The way you deliver words and phrases also reflects your personality.

If you've ever had to record something while sick with the flu or strep throat, then maybe you know how challenging it can be to project your voice when feeling congested. Many voice actor beginners don't realize their voice needs care just like any other body part does. When something happens to your voice, it affects how you sound and your ability to communicate with others. Here are some ways to keep your voice in shape.

1. Drink lots of water to hydrate your vocal cords

It is essential to drink plenty of water so that your vocal cords stay hydrated. Consuming too many caffeinated drinks can dry out your vocal cords, which can lead to respiratory infections, sore throats, and voice loss.

2. Take a break from speaking every hour or so

We've found that one of the best ways to keep my voice in shape is to stop speaking every hour or so. The main idea is to give your vocal cords a rest. This prevents them from getting too tired, leading to vocal fatigue, pain, and even permanent damage. It's also a good idea to regularly meet with a voice coach for voice lessons/training sessions, and this can help significantly with your voice acting skills.

3. Avoid shouting too much

Shouting is a habit that many people have when they are angry or frustrated or during spectator sports. However, this could also affect your vocal cords because it forces the air out of your lungs at a higher volume which can cause problems. If you need to assert yourself, do so in a calm manner.

4. Get enough sleep to keep your voice in shape

Next, it is important to mention that getting enough sleep is key when it comes to keeping your voice in shape. Getting sufficient sleep helps the vocal cords rest and heals any damage during the day. Your voice sounds more rested, easier to understand, and more pleasant when you are well-rested. Studies show that the average person needs at least 8 hours of sleep for optimum vocal cord functioning.

5. Use a humidifier when the air is dry

When the air is dry, it can lead to throat irritation and sore throat. This is because of all the particles in the dry air that might aggravate your throat. A humidifier will help to increase the moisture in the air.

Stay away from antihistamines and similar products that will dry out nasal passages, mouth and throat.  

Conclusion

If you want to keep your voice in shape and protect your vocal cords, there are a few things that may help. Drink plenty of water, take breaks from speaking every hour or so, avoid shouting too much, get enough sleep for proper hydration and rest, use a humidifier when the air is dry as well as stay away from cigarettes and alcohol. Practice vocal exercises regularly to improve breath control so it will be easier on your throat muscles. During workouts, use good inhale/exhale technique to build up ling capacity.

The more we know about our voice, the better.

How To Become A Voice Actor Without Any Experience

 

Voice acting is an art that allows you to enter the world of movies, video games, animations, and more. It's also a career where there are no age or height restrictions. A career as a voice actor does not require formal training, but it needs some real experience to be successful. Learn about the various ways you can get your first gig and start making money as a voice actor. Here are some tips for beginners who want to break into this highly competitive industry.

1. Find your niche

One of the best ways to get started in Voice Acting is to find your niche. Narrow down what you want to audition for - whether it's cartoons, TV, video games, audiobooks, or whatever else interests you. Know your voice and what type of characters you sound good as - this will save you a lot of time in the long run!

 
2. Get training and practice

One good way to get training and practice is to become a part of a Voice Acting Club. These communities can help you hone your skills, work on specific techniques, and even connect with people working in the industry. You might also consider getting into an acting class or workshop. The more you learn about handling microphones, cables, and other recording devices, the better prepared you'll be for a voice acting job.

 
3. Get equipment and software ready

In order to get started with voice acting, you need to have some basic equipment and software. Some of the essential things you will need are a recording device, a microphone, a pop filter to reduce plosives and breath noises, cables, and adapters.

A good place to start is by using your computer's built-in mic or webcam to try voice acting techniques. Once you have mastered the basics with those two pieces of equipment, it's time to move on to the more options like any one of these:

● Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

● Roland R-05 Audio Recorder with Lavalier Microphone

● Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder for Mobile or Live Venues

4. Learn some basic recording techniques

Sound quality is one of the most important things to keep in mind when recording. That means picking up on background noise, using a foam ball or blanket to minimize the amount of ambient sound picked up by your microphone. You also want to make sure your mic volume is always set to "0". The best way to do this is by putting headphones on and adjusting the volume so it is at a level where you can hear nothing but silence.

Make sure you spend some time on "sound" treating your recording area. Small areas around your mic are best. Treating the walls and hard surfaces with acoustic foam panels. Look online for lots of information regarding this. Remember, even an expensive mic & preamp combination will still sound terrible if the room it's in is not sound treated for echo and noise. Again, read on line about achieving a well-treated recording room.

When you're ready to use your mic, start off with something easy like reading text from the internet or an article that's too hard for you to just speak out loud. This will help you get used to what it feels like before reading more difficult passages aloud, which might cause you more anxiety. Start with slower reads and gradually get faster.

Try to keep your voice clear but don't force it out. As long as you can produce a steady stream of words, you'll be fine. Practice speaking in different pitches and volumes too! This will help to give your voice more range and also improve breath control.

5. Take risks or try new things with your voice acting skills

Don't be afraid to take risks or try new things with your voice-acting talents! This can be helpful when you are feeling stuck in a rut. If you feel like you want to experiment with the way your voice sounds, go for it! This could open up a whole new world of opportunities for you in the future. It could also inspire others to do the same.

Conclusion

There are many ways to become a voice actor, but you'll need to find what works best for your personality. Find out where the jobs are and get training, practice recording yourself or other people in different voice styles. Get equipment and software that will help you record better quality audio files so you can market yourself as an industry professional!