To: "Vocalist entry" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: speech-level singing
Date sent: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 22:55:48 +0100
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>


Isabelle Bracamonte wrote:
< many women speak with an artificially lowered speaking
tone. I heard an interview with Blegen, and her
speaking voice sounds just like a little girl's. Many
girls (I've always heard) begin to lower their
speaking voices in pitch during their high school
years, wishing to sound less "girly-girly".>>

Laura Sharp wrote:
<< I've recently become aware that the "voice of authority" my 4 year old
has
driven me to use is trashing my voice. I think I have
a bit of muscle tension dysphonia from it and I've vowed to find a way to
get
him to behave using only my natural, sultry Minnie Mouse on helium voice.>>

I think that's it, girls. The "voice of authority" is a male voice on the
deeper side. Women with "Minnie Mouse" type speaking voices are not taken
seriously. I even think that someone researched it - wish I could remember
who. BTW, that goes for Western culture, I haven't a clue if it is the same
in the rest of the world. There must be some influence from the language as
well.

Jennifer wrote:
< until
they hear me sing!). But it's not something I artificially lower - I've just
always spoken in chest voice. Is there some way to develop a mixed voice
when speaking? Head voice makes me sound like a little girl, or a whacked
out opera singer :o). >>

Yes, a mixed speaking voice can be done. Main problem seems to be that it is
hard to change old habits and get used to having a "different" voice, as a
speaking voice is a very personal thing.
From the same source, I've also heard that most speech therapists will tell
you to use the chest voice for speaking, no matter what type of voice you
have. Strikes me as a bit odd, as I (for one) can't get much resonance into
it. I suspect that could be the case for many high voices (why else would
they be high voices?). Correct me, please, if I am wrong.
Ah well, there are probably different schools in speech therapy as well as
in singing.

Karin Mandix (another soprano that speaks in chest voice)