Question:
I have been checked by a doctor and my larynx is ok, but I have a problem with consonants. They are painful and my voice box gets tired almost immediately. Can you help?
Answer:
Working with a professional speech therapist will likely be your best solution. Without knowing exactly what you do, I am not certain I can help, but here are a couple suggestions. Breathe as deeply as you can, feeling your lower ribs and the small of your back expand. Exhale using a long hissing sound or “ssssss” while trying to stay expanded. Repeat this a few times and make sure your tongue is resting flat in the bottom of your mouth. Even though your teeth need to come together for this sound, be certain you are not gripping in the jaw at the back. Make sure your posture is tall and move your head very gently from side to side to be certain your neck is relaxed. Keeping this relaxation, repeat the exercise humming instead of hissing. Now alternate between the “hum” and “ah” as though you are saying a very slow “Mama.” As you repeat notice that your tongue is resting flat in the bottom of your mouth, that your jaw is not gripped, and that your neck is released. Repeat and monitor with [N] and “oh” saying an elongated “No, no, no.” Once you have learned to keep the breath and the voice flowing through these consonants, you can go through the alphabet and practice each of the consonants making them as precise and small as possible. For example, [B] requires only that you bring your lips together. Do this and follow each [B] with a different vowel: a, e, i, o, or u. The VOCAL TUNE-UP CD will take you through a complete workout with all of the consonants if you need extensive help to produce them without stress.