Thursday, June 21, 2007
To Tim in Brooklyn
I can't say I've been keeping a list of 'stupid questions', in fact, beyond responding to any questions that might come up, I don't really keep track of questions at all. Maybe I should. With that, I doubt this is the stupidest question I've seen. Certainly a unique question, but those are the fun ones anyway.
In case any more missed it, Tim asks: "During the course of this weight gain adventure - has your voice changed? Most of the heavier folks I've known have deeper, throaty voices. And you hear about opera singers, where there is some connection between voice and size."
In my observations, people's voices change over time, and there are a multitude of reasons. People speak differently in public than in private, differently with friends than with co-workers, differently with family than lovers. Maybe not everyone is like that, but I'd bet they are. It has to do with comfort, if you're nervous, your voice changes, because the muscles tighten up etc. Opera Singers have to have deep throaty voices because, they believe that's the only way to be an opera singer (I have no scientific evidence, so shall continue to use 'believe' as a weasel word, okay?). Similarly, there's a belief that opera singers can attain their deep throaty voices by increasing their mass. It's a matter of being comfortable, if they're comfortable on stage with more weight, they're going to sing better.
As people gain/lose weight, they will similarly gain/lose confidence in various speaking situations, and their voice will change. Is it because of the weight? Again, without any real scientific evidence, physiologically, not really. If they're out of shape, their lung power might decrease, so that would affect your voice I suppose. Also, sleep apnea/snoring is caused by fat accumulation in the throat, so I suppose that could affect your voice too. I think any changes in the voice would have more to do with the speaker's comfort with their appearance and place in life. Some people gain weight as they mature, as they mature, they become more confident, and people associate confidence with a deep throaty voice, therefore, their voice changes as they age, not as they gain weight, so it's a coincidence.
I can't say that I've noticed my voice changing, certainly no one has commented on it. I have noticed Ian's voice change, though I feel it has more to do with the development of our relationship than his weight. Maybe I'm wrong?
Anyone else have a question that might feel is a stupid one? I'm sure it's not. If you don't want to publicly post it, then email me: charmcd@gmail.com
In case any more missed it, Tim asks: "During the course of this weight gain adventure - has your voice changed? Most of the heavier folks I've known have deeper, throaty voices. And you hear about opera singers, where there is some connection between voice and size."
In my observations, people's voices change over time, and there are a multitude of reasons. People speak differently in public than in private, differently with friends than with co-workers, differently with family than lovers. Maybe not everyone is like that, but I'd bet they are. It has to do with comfort, if you're nervous, your voice changes, because the muscles tighten up etc. Opera Singers have to have deep throaty voices because, they believe that's the only way to be an opera singer (I have no scientific evidence, so shall continue to use 'believe' as a weasel word, okay?). Similarly, there's a belief that opera singers can attain their deep throaty voices by increasing their mass. It's a matter of being comfortable, if they're comfortable on stage with more weight, they're going to sing better.
As people gain/lose weight, they will similarly gain/lose confidence in various speaking situations, and their voice will change. Is it because of the weight? Again, without any real scientific evidence, physiologically, not really. If they're out of shape, their lung power might decrease, so that would affect your voice I suppose. Also, sleep apnea/snoring is caused by fat accumulation in the throat, so I suppose that could affect your voice too. I think any changes in the voice would have more to do with the speaker's comfort with their appearance and place in life. Some people gain weight as they mature, as they mature, they become more confident, and people associate confidence with a deep throaty voice, therefore, their voice changes as they age, not as they gain weight, so it's a coincidence.
I can't say that I've noticed my voice changing, certainly no one has commented on it. I have noticed Ian's voice change, though I feel it has more to do with the development of our relationship than his weight. Maybe I'm wrong?
Anyone else have a question that might feel is a stupid one? I'm sure it's not. If you don't want to publicly post it, then email me: charmcd@gmail.com
// posted by Charlotte @ 10:33:00 AM 
Comments:
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As a musician, I don't know any opera singers that believe that gaining weight improves their vocal quality. In fact, most believe the opposite. Singing opera is a very physical act, and being physically fit usually helps one do it. The deepest throatiest singer I know is a guy that weighs in at 120 lbs. The larger opera singers you may be thinking of is an innaccurate stereotype, based on a few singers such as Pavarotti, and a couple of others. Even these singers were much more svelte in their prime, when they did their best work.
# posted by 
: 11:46 AM
: 11:46 AM
In past times, thinner women would be pushed to become dancers if they went into show business, and heavier women pushed to become singers. Heavy singers were usually better because they got more training, not because there was an inherent talent advantage to being heavy.
Today, women in the entertainment field aren't pushed in particular directions when they're young, and there are a number of thin, powerful female singers around. Three better-known examples are Merry Clayton (she sang the counterpoint vocals on the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" and the song "Yes" on the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack), Pat Benetar, and Christina Aguilera.
One quality of a woman's voice that generally changes over time is the pitch - most women's voices get deeper as they get older. It doesn't have anything to do with weight (even though most people get heavier as they get older, too). You can find plenty of examples of this pitch change occurring by viewing video of women that worked in film and/or TV for long periods of time. Some examples are Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, and Jane Fonda.
Today, women in the entertainment field aren't pushed in particular directions when they're young, and there are a number of thin, powerful female singers around. Three better-known examples are Merry Clayton (she sang the counterpoint vocals on the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" and the song "Yes" on the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack), Pat Benetar, and Christina Aguilera.
One quality of a woman's voice that generally changes over time is the pitch - most women's voices get deeper as they get older. It doesn't have anything to do with weight (even though most people get heavier as they get older, too). You can find plenty of examples of this pitch change occurring by viewing video of women that worked in film and/or TV for long periods of time. Some examples are Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, and Jane Fonda.
# posted by : 2:37 PM
: 2:37 PM
Despite my artistic background, I don't really discuss art here much, it's not really the intent.
I'm always happy to have the discussion though.
I just never thought I'd be hosting a discussion on the theatric arts!
I'm always happy to have the discussion though.
I just never thought I'd be hosting a discussion on the theatric arts!
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: 8:03 AM
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# posted by : 12:56 PM
: 12:56 PM << Home
