Posted by: Richard ®
06/11/2004, 20:29:30
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Hi,Good luck with your program. It's nice that you are somewhat satisfied. This will not work out for most people, and in the long run, for no one. Some day there will be a cure, and it will be "medical", sorry to say. Richard Callen
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Posted by: tedione ®
06/11/2004, 22:27:01
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Hi, Richard.Thanks for your encouragement. Can you say more about the rest of your reply,(be more specific) I want to understand exactly what you are saying? Kind regards,
Tedi May
Modified by tedione at Fri, Jun 11, 2004, 22:52:02
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Posted by: Clark Stevens ®
06/12/2004, 17:05:06
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Richard, it's extremely easy for you and others to make dismissive comments such as "this will not work out for most people". The truth is that if you are willing to make the commitment and put in the effort to pursue this type of treatment then I'm willing to bet that *most* people can benefit tremendously from it. I've been working on similar techniques to improve my own voice.You don't get immediate results and you really have to be dedicated to the cause, but in the long run it really does help.
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Posted by: sharon132 ®
06/11/2004, 22:53:31
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I'm so glad to hear someone mentioned the "H" thing. Of all the tricks I've learned in 35 years, that is the most benificial. It's hard to explain, but you have to concentrate on how your throat feels when you say words with the "H" sound and try to reproduce that feeling all the time. Takes practice, but helps tremendously.
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Posted by: Candace ®
06/11/2004, 23:27:57
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Sounds great in theory, but ABers can't say "H" sounds.
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Posted by: Linda Spain ®
06/12/2004, 08:00:38
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Hi, Candace -This ABer can say "h" sounds. But, as it has been said in this thread and elsewhere, it takes lots of hard work to learn to do it. The practice involves both physical effort and mental focus. The recent NSDA newsletter includes an article that discusses speech therapy. This article correctly emphasizes that speech therapy is effective only when there is significant commitment of time and effort, and this path isn't for everybody. Speech therapy certainly is not a cure, but, for those who choose it and make the necessary lifelong commitment to do the work, the effects of SD on voice are mitigated by learning new techniques to phonate and by abandoning attempted compensatory techniques that actually are adverse to phonation. Best regards,
Linda AB in Houston
Modified by Linda Spain at Sat, Jun 12, 2004, 12:06:16
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Posted by: Clark Stevens ®
06/12/2004, 17:09:41
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They can't say h sounds? I didn't know that.
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Posted by: Candace ®
06/12/2004, 17:52:49
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I shouldn't have said can't. It's very difficult for ABers to say h sounds. Certain sounds trigger the spasms and this is one of them.
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Posted by: tedione ®
06/11/2004, 23:59:15
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"H" words help get the vocal engine going again. They foster adequate breath for vocal production, because they require more breath to produce that some other words.
They also tend to open up the back of the throat, and help immensley with the "Nasal" problem.
I have found that when I say the "h" words,they work best to start with when I practice in a relaxed environment that I enjoy.
I have a sunny music room with a couple of nice windows to look out, and privacy. I have a little piano/ keyboard set up.
I use the keys to hit notes that are comfortable for me to hit, in the range that will bring my voice up to the front of my face, not down low in the back of my throat.
That is a big no-no.
This will be different for everyone, but most women are somewhere around middle C. Most men are typically more in the E, F, or G note below middle C,to the left of the middle "C" of the keyboard. Have a musician help you if you have a hard time finding this.
Just find what is semi- comfortable for you! It will get better with lots of practice.
I stand up nice and straight.
It helps me to stand straight up with my back against a wall and make sure my knees are relaxed, slightly bent. (no tightness in my body or even my knees!) Just think about being a noodle all over.
My husband Jonathan says pretend you are on serious pain medication. RELAX. It's hard to learn to relax and focus at the same time, but it is possible, believe me. Learn to monitor your body tenseness.
Standing sraight up against the wall causes the diaphragm to be in a neutral, relaxed position, and ready to work.
I start by:
a.) Breathing in from my nose, and expanding my lower stomach area, making sure my stomach below my ribs goes out as I take in a nice easy breath, and make sure I don't raise my shoulders at all. I just let my stomach stick out as I slowly breath in.
Focus on making sure you are as relaxed all over as possible, including especially the neck area. b.) I then let the air out slowly, even putting my hands on my stomach to monitor and make sure it is going back in as I am saying the words. I Say an "H" word such as "How" "High" "Help" "Hello" "Hen" "Here" to the tone I have found on the piano. There are many "H" words to choose from. You can go to the "H" section of the dictionary and find lots of them. Just make sure they are simple, one syllable till you get completely comfortale with saying them.
c.) Have fun with this. Fun is a rare commodity with this illness, and very important to pursue whenever possible.Try being silly, too.
Hit the note you are comfortable with on the keyboard, and make sure you are alway striving for a note that puts the focus in the nose and lip area of your face, instead of down in you throat. You will start to feel a very tiny tingle in the front of your nose and upper lip when you are getting it in the right place. Don't push hard, just gentle.
What helps me is to say my Dog's names in my "Pet Voice"( as high as possible)
Suuuuuugar? Phoooooenix? Eat Here! Is what I say to start finding the right tone! I also make sure I hold the word out for a couple of seconds or whatever I feel comfortable with.
Remember, say it real high in tone, a lot more than you would ever think naturally.
It's take a great deal of focus, so just go very slowly to get all the factors in place.
I do this exercise at least 30 minutes twice a day, along with
some others that have worked..
I have gotten to the point that I can do these anywhere, and it is translating to using lots of words and sentences with great ese and comfort. A.) check posture
b.) Check breath
c.) Check note/focus in the from of your face
d.) have a list of words. There are a lot more things you can work on, but this is such a fun and worthwhile place to start, and is very important. Kind Regards, Tedi May
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Posted by: Katrina Lantz ®
06/12/2004, 17:23:12
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Very good advice. I use all all of these although not on a regular basis. I hum before answering the phone and saying Hello. I usually stretch the hello out too. Helooooo. Seems easier to say for some reason. I also used Love's book.Katrina
AB/Tucson
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Posted by: Wilma ®
06/23/2004, 15:22:02
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Hi Tedi, Loved what you had to say. Since i am kind of into "eating right" and exercise, I'm all for your progrtam---whatever works for you. Now when I play the piano I try to first hum middle C.
And when I meditate I try to tune in on middle C and just hummmmm almost like a mantra. It is very relaxing. I am 74 years young and have had two Botox shots. They have been working but I keep trying for a more natural way---but still grateful for Botox. I still teach piano and like to have some kind of a voice. When my Botox reaches the end and my voice gets very strained my students are all very understanding.
Keep up the good work,
Wilma ADSD
Lone Pine, CALIF
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