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Phyllis K. Day
Voice Talent
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 251
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 Posted: Thu May 03, 2007, 01:17 (GMT) Post subject: Voice Coaching |
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| John Bigl wrote: | | pinkletink, aka "spring peeper": A small brownish tree frog (Hyla crucifer) of eastern North America... they're the little frogies that go 'peep peep peep' in the marshes and swampy places of New Hampshire... |
Oh how cute! I'm glad to know they are doing okay after everything!
Okay students - time for some fun work, eh? And don't forget, I love to barter for equipment.
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Phyllis K. |
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Cameron Thomas
Voice Talent
Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Posts: 479
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007, 11:48 (GMT) Post subject: |
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Well, now that I've finished up another session with Aunt Phyllis, I have to mention what I learned, er, really, un-learned. Most of what we're looking to get out of coaching is what to DO....how do I get my voice to sound better. Just as importantly, Phyllis was able to touch on what I should NOT do. Mistakes can be just as glaring as some of the better things we do with our voice which can ultimately be a show stopper for clients.
Phyllis is great at helping you enhance your vocal characteristics while not shooting yourself in the foot (or mouth I guess...hmm). Really, let Phyllis help you find your strengths and fix your weaknesses.
Cheers,
Cameron |
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Phyllis K. Day
Voice Talent
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 251
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007, 14:28 (GMT) Post subject: Voice Coaching |
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| Cameron Thomas wrote: | | Most of what we're looking to get out of coaching is what to DO....how do I get my voice to sound better. Just as importantly, Phyllis was able to touch on what I should NOT do. |
Thanks for the kudos, Cameron. I bet you never laughed so much listening to your own demo, yesterday was fun!
It reminds me of some of the things we touched on concerning the kind of coaching that I do - and as you heard me say over and over, we're working on the "pathology" of the sound - what happens to it from the time your brain begins the process of making you speak, until it hits the listener's ear. If a voiceover artist is trying to sound natural (and we all want to sound as natural as possible), they can do it more easily if they are actually using their voice in the most natural way for them.
When it comes to coaching, it’s not as easy to show what is done, like we can all hear Colin’s demo transformations – though I suppose, if clients will allow it, I could post “before” and “after” clips. Hmmm. But I digress!
The only way to really cut to the heart of the matter is to physically look at what treatment the speaker is giving their voice - and how it differs from the treatment their voice has when they are on the phone, or talking in person to a friend. Have you ever noticed how someone with a naturally deep voice suddenly turns into a soprano when they are very nervous? Have you ever noticed how great your voice sounds when you’re half-asleep, laying down? Radio people used to talk about “early morning pipes.” The voice sounded open and resonant first thing in the morning – it was relaxed and rested.
So, I have this odd ability – to get a visual and sometimes even a physical sensation when I hear sound. And I can tell by listening if for example, someone is holding their jaw stiff, pushing or squeezing their throat or whether or not they could speak openly in a higher or lower voice. In Cameron’s case, when he relaxes, his voice goes lower. Notice I didn’t say he makes it lower, or pushes it lower – it “goes” lower, because it can naturally go lower and I can see, (or sense) that it will.
In other cases, I can see that a voiceover artist could go higher. I used to chide and annoy (perhaps?) Colin, saying he should let his voice go higher, and not press it down so much. But guess what, he did take my advice to some extent and he does sound more natural and is getting work. My fault? I don’t know but who cares, he’s doing great now and that’s the whole point – for whatever reason, he’s using his voice more fully and he sounds better. I don’t know who else has talked to him or whether he decided or what, but he’s really improved.
Now, to smooth the feathers of the purists, this is what separates me from most vocal coaches. I don’t teach acting. I show you how to use your voice in the most natural way possible – which in turn, makes you sound more natural – and you sound better. This also prepares you for acting class or an acting or performance coach, because now you have your “instrument” operating at peak performance. It’s like making sure a car is in great working order before going on a trip. You can still take the trip if the car needs an oil change or some such thing, but it will be a better trip and a time and money saver in the long run.
I can, like the car, tell you what you are doing with your voice, and teach you to recognize it, take stock in your biofeedback while in the recording studio, and then you will hear that the next time you do a read, it will sound better. It doesn’t take a whole series of lessons, either. I’ve never needed to give more than 5 sessions to anyone – and my students will all tell you that they learned a lot about their voice in just one hour.
My job is to become obsolete – and to give you something that you take with you and can use always – whether you use your voice on mic, on the phone, or to have a more commanding presence at meetings and conferences. No matter how stressful the situation, you’ll have a great framework to lean back on.
Let me hear from you – the first little session is free – even if you are a skeptic - give me a spin – try to prove me wrong, you have nothing to loose but 15 minutes.
And if you have a spare RE20 or pre-amp – we’re really in business!
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Phyllis K. |
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Heather Ruby
Voice Talent
Joined: 08 Sep 2006
Posts: 188
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007, 02:13 (GMT) Post subject: |
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I have to throw in my vote for Phyllis as a great coach. I've had one session, and I'm on my way to 'unlearning' as well, Cameron. But she does it with such kindness, generosity and aplomb. It's a joy to begin the process.
My humble .02. 
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Heather Hruby
www.thevoicefinders.com |
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Kim White
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 05 Jul 2007
Posts: 345
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007, 13:29 (GMT) Post subject: Hugs to flood victims here... |
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Our family was in a flood (6 ft of water in our house) in 1995.... It's a scary thing...
Stay safe & dry! Prayers as you recover....
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Kim White |
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Robert Jadah
Voice Talent
Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 2627
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007, 00:58 (GMT) Post subject: |
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Phyllis is to voice coaching as monsoons are to basements.
(She'll fill it.)
Gotta run. I'm only trying to be the last respondent in each thread.)
Whimsy On! |
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Erik Sheppard
Voice Talent
Moderator
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
Posts: 1317
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007, 01:41 (GMT) Post subject: |
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| Robert Jadah wrote: | | I'm only trying to be the last respondent in each thread |
Gotcha! |
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Randy Dean
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007, 14:56 (GMT) Post subject: Here I GO! |
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I just had my first mini-session with Phyllis. Well, at least it's CALLED a mini-session. What is normally 15 minutes is easily 30 minutes, but that's okay because Phyllis takes this time to really get to know you! It's amazing what she can discover about you after sending her once simple and conversational MP3. She can pick up on the most subtle of items.
Speaking with Phyllis will be fun, insightful and helpful. I knew something was going on with my voice, but I had no idea I was blowing out my voice by 10 in the morning! Time to fix that and I mean right now!
I have no problem recommending Phyllis, even at this early stage. She seems more bent on helping people than making money from them. Naturally, she has to make something, but she is VERY reasonable for being such a gifted professional. I can't wait!
Randy Dean |
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Randy Dean
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007, 14:50 (GMT) Post subject: After Just ONE Session! |
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Thanks to Phyllis for the amazing session (our first one). We were able to identify a couple of obstacles from both a technical (voice) and interpretive standpoint.  If any of you have gone longer than 3 or 4 years without a technical voice coach, I would highly recommend a session with Phyllis to identify any current or developing bad habits.
This is so weird, but true... today (the day after our first session) I booked an infomercial project ($1,000), two furniture store commercials and an introduction for a sports-themed podcast site. It's the best run of jobs that I've had in a while. 
I plan on doing at least one more session with Phyllis later this week. Not only are the sessions extremely helpful, but she keeps them quite fun, too. Thanks again, Phyllis!
Randy Dean
www.RandysVoice.com |
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Phyllis K. Day
Voice Talent
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 251
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| Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007, 18:47 (GMT) Post subject: Re: After Just ONE Session! |
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| Randy Dean wrote: | Thanks to Phyllis for the amazing session (our first one). We were able to identify a couple of obstacles from both a technical (voice) and interpretive standpoint. If any of you have gone longer than 3 or 4 years without a technical voice coach, I would highly recommend a session with Phyllis to identify any current or developing bad habits.
This is so weird, but true... today (the day after our first session) I booked an infomercial project ($1,000), two furniture store commercials and an introduction for a sports-themed podcast site. |
Randy, I am not surprised about your bookings. You made great progress during our session! And if I recall, I told you that things were going to change once you made a few adjustments to your voice to let the "real" Randy's Voice out.
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Phyllis K. |
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Deby Cedars
Voice Talent
Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 1482
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007, 17:01 (GMT) Post subject: |
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| Ahh the sweet sound of birds chirping in the morning. (That's all fine and dandy if you haven't been sing professionally in a bar till 2am) lol |
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Debbie Deutsch
Voice Talent
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 1338
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Colin Day
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007, 15:09 (GMT) Post subject: Phyllis |
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Just finished my first session with Phyllis - found her very knowlegable and full of insight.
No matter how long you've been in the business (in my case 25 years), I think you'd find the "Phyllis Experience" worthwhile and rewarding. I've worked with a few coaches over the years and she's right up there with the very best. Not only that, she's very warm and fun to work with too.
Will keep you posted how it goes.
Colin
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Colin Day
British Voice Talent
www.voiceover-uk.co.uk |
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Colin Day
Voice Talent - Voice Seeker
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007, 09:41 (GMT) Post subject: |
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Second session with Phyllis yesterday. Never had anyone take a microscope to my voice in this way before. Can't tell you how good it feels to unlearn. She swept away a few boundaries for me and suddenly I'm in love with the craft all over again.
Of course, you may be thinking "if it ain't broke, why fix it?". Quite right. Good attitude. You'll go a long way. Pavarotti was probably really dumb to work with a voice coach all his life.
Col
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Colin Day
British Voice Talent
www.voiceover-uk.co.uk |
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Phyllis K. Day
Voice Talent
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 251
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| Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007, 12:52 (GMT) Post subject: |
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| Colin Day wrote: | | She swept away a few boundaries for me and suddenly I'm in love with the craft all over again. |
Wow, thanks Colin! You're a pleasure to work with. And congrats on quitting the smoking habit!
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Phyllis K. |
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