Calling all women who sing!

[DivaMommy]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 9:48pm

Hey, all you ladies who are singers out there -

The "irritating voices" thread on the main board got me thinking. Especially the post where it says "Idina only screams on her bad days."

Do you all notice you have days where your voice just isn't quite up to par and it just happens to coincide with that monthly cycle? I certainly notice them! Sometimes, I can't get a belt not out without screaming no matter where I place it or what I do. A few days later, I'm fine. Or, after my second daughter was born, I simply could not generate the same vocal tone that I usually do. It didn't come back until I was done breastfeeding. Perhaps I'm not the only one! Please share!

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 10:34pm

Sometimes my voice will be messed up, usually because I drank too much the night before, but my teacher will always ask if it's "that time of the month".
It's never had an affect on me, but obviously it does on other people. You're not alone.

[Plum]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 10:49pm

You know what? I haven't noticed a pattern like that in my singing, but I wouldn't be surprised. My cycle seems to affect everything else already.

[M J R]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 12:33am

Not a lady, but i am a voice teacher - yes, your monthly cycle can DEFINITELY effect your singing. Range will be more limited.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 1:11am

Actually, most opera divas will refuse to sing a note while on their cycle. I believe the hormones swell up your chords... and the lack of iron gives you lack of energy... things like that. I definitely ALWAYS notice a drastic change in my voice the first few days. It's veeeeeery annoying.

[shesings]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 1:22am

How could anyone, especially a diva, take a break one week every month? I think that is a myth. I mean seriously you'd never keep a job! Diva or not, the show must go on!

[DivaMommy]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 6:07am

Mine's more with the ovulation part of my cycle. I have found, though, when I'm in a show or been singing a lot consitently, it's less noticable.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 9:12am

Yeah, me too. It affects it, for sure, but if you're in shape, other people won't notice it.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 9:31am

I am a male, but when I hit MY time of the month, it most definately affects my singing in a negative way.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:49am

Oh to be male, and able to make a joke here...

[ShineOn]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:40am

Where's Alice? She can disparage this rumor... she knows everything and anything concerning opera! I do believe it's true, though I could be wrong. Wasn't saying these 'divas' actually kept their jobs or continued to get work... but, yeah... I hear some people actually do that.

Of course, it DOES limit your range, and if you're singing an aria that goes all over the place... perhaps it would be damaging to perform the material when your voice isn't up to par. Opera isn't musical theatre. The show doesn't 'HAVE' to go on... we work on completely different playing feilds. They're the lemon to our peach. (*ducks from the sharp objects Alice will soon throw in her direction*)

And hell, I've heard of a few musical theatre performers who occasionally take a day or two off at the beginning of their period... I'm not mentioning names to float rumors, but yeah! Whatever, men will never understand... the show must go on, pssh! If you went through a day of what we women go through, your butts wouldn't even be out of bed, let alone on a stage expending what little energy you have left.

Men are babies. :-P

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:43am

.... and I LOVE to be cuddled

[BernieG]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 5:03pm

I have a pattern like that singing. During that "time of month" I can't go loud and I sound really constricted and my chest voice gets messed up.

[DivaMommy]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:02pm

Hormones SUCK!

Have any of you women gone on hormones to suppress you cycle, menstruating only every 3 or 4 months? What has that done to you? Birth control makes my psycho. Hence the title DivaMommy.

[shesings]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 7:33pm

I just don't know. You're argument is pretty convincing Daisy, but it just seems too much to me. Opera's do have to "go on" just like any other type of show, whether it is musical theatre or not. They may operate on a different playing field, but I still doubt the producers would be like, gee lets take every 3rd mon-wed off. They'd just find someone who'd suffer through it. I personally feel like I can sing just as well when I'm having "my time of the month" than when I'm not. Perhaps I'm just lucky though!