Seth's Blog : Vocal fatigue

Vocal fatigue

Most of us talk, some of us do it for a living.

When your voice is on the fritz, it can affect your entire body as well as the way you approach your day. I’ve read all 25+ of my audiobooks myself, and I used to be able to complete each one in a day or two. Now it takes months. I wanted to share some of what I’ve learned the hard way.

First, a hack: Gether’s pastilles are a miracle. Not cheap, worth it.

Next, if you’re encountering vocal challenges somewhat regularly, consider getting a voice coach.

If it’s chronic, go to an ENT specialist and get scoped. Don’t take steroids unless three different doctors confirm you need them.

One cause of persistent vocal issues could be posture. I’ve found great success with in-person help from a coach certified in the Alexander Technique. It’s not invasive and sort of fun.

But here’s the latest thing I’ve had great results from. It’s free, easy and a little silly, and it really works. The official name for it is a semi-occluded vocal tract exercise, and you can do it two ways:

Get a straw and a tall glass of water, filled about three inches deep. You’re not going to be drinking the water.

First thing: Blow bubbles. Do it calmly and slowly and consistently for a full long breath.

Experiment with changing the shape of your mouth as you do. It’s lovely.

Second thing, which is surprisingly tricky at first: Blow bubbles while you’re humming.

[Thanks to Andrew Keltz for the insight.]

Feel better.