Most voice talent I know have remedies for things that normal people probably don’t even think of. Clicks and pops (the dreaded mouth noise). Raspy throat. Nasal sound (like during & after a cold). Stomach grumbles during a long narration. Noisy clothes (if you’re a normal person you probably just said “. . .noisy clothes?”) Yes, VOs need soft clothes that don’t make noise . . . microphones are really sensitive. Likewise squeaky shoes.
But back to remedies. I’ve heard of lots of things for mouth noise. Stay hydrated all the time, because it takes at least 2 hours before your tissues absorb the water, or something like that. Listerine (sounds drastic). Tums. Salivert, an artificial saliva. Sounds gross, but it works. Honey for a raspy throat. A friend of mine swears by Bengal Spice tea with honey and apple cider vinegar for throat phlem. There was a whole discussion on VO BB once about what folks use when they sound nasal. Now I have Breathe Right strips in my medicine cabinet. And protein water works great in a long session around lunchtime. Luckily I mostly work at home, so I can keep all this stuff around. But I carry a big bag of tricks when I have to do a session in Portland!
Another whole category of remedy would be around how to avoid getting sick, and how to get rid of colds ASAP. But that’s another topic, or several.
Hi Kitzie,
Thank you for posting on such a great topic! Vocal health is integral and you’ve provided some suggestions that will help keep your colleagues in good shape.
If anyone wants a tip on how to get rid of congestion and drain the sinuses, boil some rinds of orange, lemon and a ginger root atop your stove for a few hours. The concoction is instrumental in loosening the gunk and warming up facial muscles.
The taste is sour / bitter, but it is one that many people I went to university for voice with recommend. I first heard of it from one of my teachers, Susan Eichhorn Young.
Best,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for visiting, and thanks also for the recipe for the concoction. Do you drink it or inhale the steam?
I also am a BIG fan of the neti pot. Or sniffing warm salt water up my nose and spitting it out when I’m in the shower. Gagging and spewing as I call it. It must sound charming, thank goodness Bill (my husband) is a tolerant guy.
An atomizer (small spray bottle-Walmart) for mouth noise works wonders. I fill it with sterilized water. For colds I use Alive! multi-vitamins and take more than I’m supposed to. They are GREAT!!!!!
Hey Kitzie!
Great topic! yeah, don’t you love trying to explain “gagging and spewing” to the non-initiated!!!
And I love the “noisy clothes” comment! Polyester is NOT your friend in the booth!!!
I’ll be linking to this thread on my blog for sure!
Peace!
Liz
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Liz de Nesnera
Bilingual English/French Voice Talent
http://www.hireliz.com/
BLOG: http://blog.hireliz.com
2008 Voicey Awards Finalist!
Apple cider works well for me as of late. I thought at first it would be bad because of the sugar. It really balances out the mouth for me. I have noticed a big difference. But I am also apply some technique too, but the cider helps. Same idea as eating apples I guess.
Also since a lot of noise can come from the lips, I use a chap stick type product that has emu-oil in it. It is absolutely amazing. The best I have ever used….even better than Burt’s Bees, which I am using now because I am out of the emu oil stuff and need to get it mail order from a place in PA.
I am not a voice person but love the thought of gagging and spewing and how one works it into a “normal” non voice over conversation. Does one just blurt it out! Nice meeting you Kitizie. Your voice is very elastic with rich overtones. After meeting you in person and listening to your demos, I know you are the one for me. Your ability to capture the moment is rare. After our interview, I told some others that, “Kitizie can make me cry in sorrow or out in pain” reading the same script! Damn, you good lady!! Best wishes with your readings.