Further on what Duane said, I believe over hydration in a situation where
you are straining the cords hastens the edema (swelling) in a basses cords.
Though we don't really risk the levels of hyponatremia that cause dramatic
physical effects, I used to get raging headaches late in the day at contests
and shows where I over hydrated. Recently, I have started hydrating
moderately and steadily rather than trying to guzzle gallons of water. To
keep my cords lubricated I use a spray called Entertainer's Secret.



I have had the same edema problem over the past year just during long
rehearsals. A wiser hydration habit and use of the spray has alleviated the
problem.



As for singing outdoors, I agree 100% that you have to trust your physical
sensations and muscle memory rather than your ears. David Jones, famous
vocal coach, reminds the singing professional that in the performance
setting one has to trust their muscle memory. www.voiceteacher.com
<http://www.voiceteacher.com/>



Cheers,

Paul Agnew

Bass - HotShots





_____

From: BBSBasses@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BBSBasses@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Tim Lowrance
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 1:43 AM
To: BBSBasses@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BBSBasses] Sudden Loss of lower range



OK, This is what I think.....

When singing outdoors, (I'm a bass and a Bass section leader) the biggest
problem basses have is the "low end" seems shallow out side because there is
nothing to bounce sound off of which is what we hear most of when we sing.
When you experience this, the reaction is to sing louder and hence you
over-sing with out knowing it.

Later when you were in the car trying out you voice, it was in an abused
state and the vocal folds were probably swollen causing them to be stiffer
than normal....no low end.

The next day everything was fine because the swelling had gone down.

The main thing to remember when you're singing outside is...don't rely on
your ears for sound. Rather rely on what your voice "feels like" when
singing indoors and sing that way regardless of the sound coming in your
ears. The same sound is there, it just doesn't sound the same.





Duane Johnson <johnsondp@...> wrote:
Last night, our chorus had an outdoor concert, in which my quartet sang
four numbers as well. We warmed up outdoors, then gave the performance
in a public park, with a decent sound system. All through the
performance, whether chorus or quartet, I had the feeling that my low
voice, with decent resonance, was just not there. Driving home,
checking with a pitch pipe, I found that I simply didn't have much
voice below a G, while I usually have a solid Eb, and usually vocalize
down to C. Thankfully, my voice seems to have returned to its normal
condition today.

I'm at a loss to explain the sudden loss of voice. Are there special
measures that singers should take when singing outdoors? I did the
usual drinking of lots of water ahead of time, etc.

Duane Johnson
Hoosier Gentry and Summit City Chorus


PS- This bass list has been inactive for sometime now. I think it needs
to be reenergized.




Keep The Whole World Singing
and
Harmonize The World
Singing LOW!





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Tim Lowrance
The Texas Millionaires Chorus
Fort Worth Chapter - Barbershop Harmony Society
VP Membership/Chapter Development - 2003, 2004
VP Music - 2005
Bass Section Leader
SLC Bound
Bass - The William Kratt Chord Co.









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Keep The Whole World Singing
and
Harmonize The World
Singing LOW!






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