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Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

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#1

Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:47pm

So...let's say you have a few drinks the night before you have to sing the next day. Let's say...you'll be singing around Noon and you had a few drinks at 11pm the night before...

Right - so how would alchohol influence the voice? Restrict it? Open the chords? What?

Does it depend on the drink? Rum? Whiskey? Vodka? Wine? Beer? Mixer? Green Apple Smirnoff?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#3

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:52pm

Alcohol has a drying effect on the chords and it can cause long-term damage if you're a heavy drinker. On top of that, it also can ignite some bad reflux which also isn't a terribly good thing for your voice :)
"There is nothing scary about life, if you are not attached to the results." - Conversations With God
#4

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/2/06 at 12:54pm

Poor Elaine Stritch.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#11

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/2/06 at 2:35pm

From personal experience, I've found that if we go out to a cast party and I allow myself a glass of wine, I'm fine to sing the next day. But I do not have more than that until after the show has closed.

In the middle of a run, don't get plastered. Period.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
#15

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/6/06 at 11:19am

There are no rules. It really depends on the person. The one fact that everyone keeps mentioning is that alcohol dries you out. Drink lots of water. I mean no one here can tell you what your voice will be like. Wanna be safe? Leave it alone. Me personally if I even have 1 glass of any alcohol, I can feel it the next day. If I'm smashed it actually takes a couple of days to get my voice back. On the other hand I know people who were smashed the day before a show and go out a tear the roof off the place. I say know what you voice does. Try it when you don't have to sing for a couple of days and see what the effect is.
#16

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:36pm

That's very true...it just depends on the person. But I definitely wouldn't advise you to risk it. And no...alcohol is not "Every Actor's Friend." You'd be surprised to learn that many of Broadway's strongest, most disciplined actors...don't touch a drop.
#18

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:46pm

I find the 'day after' to be very difficult. But it usually doesn't affect me if I have a drink just before or during a show (if I'm singing at a benefit, I enjoy a nice cocktail before I sing...and sometimes I'll bring the drink up on stage with me).
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
#19

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/6/06 at 1:49pm

Opera friends in college always said to drink as much water as you drink alcohol. But, if you know you are going to sing, don't get hammered. And don't hang out in a loud bar--trying to talk over that can screw up your voice.

I understand that sipping whiskey (or other things) can be good when you are in certain kinds of vocal trouble--but I would think lemon would be better?

I can't have a single drink before I perform--I forget all the damn words!
johnraymondbarker.com
#23

re: Every Actor's Friend: Alchohol (How does it influence the voice?)

Posted: 2/6/06 at 2:13pm

I had talked it over with my director who was all for it, since it was totally in line with the character. I wouldn't have done it if I was doing Ibsen or anything.

It really worked well, helped to loosen me up and whatnot, so I remember very vividly doing a little too much celebrating before our final show. When I first got to the stage, a "whoa" feeling rushed over me, and I thought that I was going to hurl on the stage. I didn't, and actually went on to give what several people thought was my finest performance.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey

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