Introduction

Types of Exercises:

1. Preliminaries: Preparing/exploring/releasing/connecting to your body.
2. Pitch: Habitual degree of highness or lowness.
3. Resonance: Colour/tone of voice.
4. Intonation: Expressive movement of voice in relation to conveying meaning.
5. Voice Quality: Exploring various useful voice qualities.

On Exercises:

• Always know the purpose of an exercise!
• Almost all exercises offer more learning opportunities after mastery.
  • e.g., after mastering a pitch exercise, you might use it to focus on resonance

On Limitations:

• These exercises (1) can be done solo and (2) are chosen for clinical effectiveness.
• However, a therapist could recommend interventions that require facilitation.

Hierarchical Approach:

1. Establish healthy, clean vocal tone that can be sustained before building consistency and stamina.
   • Pitch exercises establish a modified note, resonance balances the tone.
   • Regular exercise build control, stamina, and strength.
2. Skills acquisition moves from simple to more complex tasks.
   • Regular practice is important.
   • After mastering an exercise, apply those vocal abilities to more demanding speaking and reading tasks.
     • Multitasking like this will eventually make it automatic.

Remember the golden rules!

Larynx Health:

• Drink plenty of water by drinking small amounts often (systemic hydration).
• Throat-clearing dries out the throat. If you have this habit, take a sip of water when you feel the urge.
• Acid reflux irritates the lining of the larynx.
  • Avoid going to bed within 3 hours of eating.
  • Spicy/fatty foods and fizzy drinks can exacerbate this.
• Dairy products can cause excessive mucus production in some people.
  • Avoid dairy products if you have a seasonal cold/cough or are feeling low energy.
• Steam inhalation (water only) can relax the larynx and counteract vocal fatigue.
  • They are frequently used by people who have to speak a lot at their jobs.

More on Drugs:

• Some medications may dehydrate.
• Caffeine and alcohol cause dehydration.
• Smoking is a main irritant for voice.

Note — It is inadvisable to drink large amounts of water if you have congestive heart failure.