Poop Shute

I had my first voice lesson yesterday.

Apparently I have two large problems that cause damage to my vocal chords on a daily basis.

1) I talk incorrectly

2) I clear my throat unconciously all throughout the day.

The placement of my speaking voice (like 90% of all American males) is way in the back of my throat. I speak in low, rough tones that aren't supported by much breath. With my day job, I talk a LOT. My new daily homework is to raise the placement of my voice to more forward and even slightly nasal. Supposedly this will take the strain off my chords.

Also, clearing your throat is terrible for a singer's voice. I'm not sure about the "why" of that one, but it makes sense. So, my other daily homework is to become more aware that I don't do that as often. One strategy is to chew sugarless gum. When chewing you swallow more often, and the more you swallow, the less flegm accumulates in your throat, so you won't want to clear it as much.

I've also discovered that I'm not a baritone, like I always thought, but a "bari-tenor", with a higher tenor range than I ever thought. Sweet.