My voice

Yes, that's my voice, the very beginning of the story Queen Berta and King Pippin. 

For years, I didn't realize I had a distinctive voice. It seemed to be like everyone else's. It's certainly like my sisters' and my mother's voice. I began to understand that people recognized my voice when I called on the phone. A few years ago I was performing in a small town in Kansas and reconnected with a former library patron from Connecticut who knew me mainly by my voice. Listeners who have heard me only on CD or DVD are surprised that the same voice comes out of my mouth. I guess it's distinctive. 

About my accent: I don't sound like I'm from Kansas.  Though I grew up in Rhode Island and Vermont, I don't have a strong accent from either place. In the past few years, people have asked me more often if I'm Canadian. I answer that though I'm not, my grandmother was and my mother went to school in Toronto, so I've inherited some of that. Listen to The Ghost with the One Black Eye and you'll hear some of this (my sister-in-law laughs--nicely--at how I say "room"). 

Then there's the quality. I don't know how to describe this.  My sister Mary and I have discussed a slight whispery undertone we seem to have. We hear it in our siblings and some cousins as well. Whatever it is, people who are losing their hearing have trouble understanding me--when I tell stories at retirement centers or nursing homes,  I always bring my sound system. 

Have you ever heard older singers in interviews? Sometimes their voices are wrecked! There are  a few things I do to keep my voice in shape. Many years ago, before I began telling stories full time, I took singing lessons to strengthen my speaking voice. I still have a practice tape (now on CD) which I use in the car. I got lazy for a few years but am now back to practicing almost every day. Even fifteen minutes of singing helps.

I also keep hydrated. Water is the best drink for the voice. Especially when I'm performing, I down lots and lots of water. At times even this isn't enough, so I reach into my bag for an elderberry cough drop. I try to remember what a speech therapist told me once: it's better to cough a little  than to clear the throat. 

I use a microphone when I have more than about 45 listeners and/or if the venue has bad acoustics. I don't strain if I can help it. 

This is the voice I have, distinctive or not, and I want it to last a lifetime.

Voice care

This week I'm going to the National Storytelling Conference, in Gatlinburg, TN this year. I always have a good time at the conference, even the three times when I had a cold and couldn't speak (what's up with THAT, a shrink might wonder). This year I'm taking a bottle of Clear Voice Vocal Spray. I feel fine right now, just want to be prepared if need be.

I learned about this last year in St. Louis, from storyteller Michael McCarty and a bunch of other people who said, "You lost your voice? Talk to Michael!" When I got home, I ordered a three-bottle supply. Truth to tell, I've only used it a couple of times, but I was thankful for it then. I'm definitely taking it to Brazil.

There are lots of ways to take care of your voice. Here are my favorites:

• Drink lots of water before performances and during if necessary. If you feel a tickle in your throat, take a sip instead of clearing your throat.
• Warm up before your performance. Sing along with the radio, make faces, stick out your tongue, relax your throat. Yawn. Hum until your lips buzz.
  
• Use a sound system if you need it. Try not to put yourself in situations where you have to exert your voice.
• Wash your hands frequently so you don't pick up germs in schools. Also, don't drink from the water fountains--kids often put their mouths right on these. Get water from a faucet instead. I look for a sink in the staff room or in a kitchen.
• Mint dries out your throat. Go for lozenges without it, or with only a little. I like Ricola Elderberry lozenges.
  
• Get plenty of rest. A tired voice can easily become a strained voice.

If you do lose your voice, don't whisper. That really strains the vocal chords. You might just have to stay silent for a while (scary thought for storytellers!).

If you feel a cold coming on, grate fresh ginger, add honey and lemon juice, and let this slide down your throat (thanks to Fran Stallings and Hiroko Fujita for this one). And/or use Clear Voice. Michael said that it saves his life every February, when he does dozens of shows for Black History Month.

I also use Zicam if I think I'm getting a cold, in hopes of staving it off.

Any other tips out there?