Vocal Cool-Down In Voice Training: Method and Technical Considerations

Abstract

Abstract In addition to the artistic aspect of professional voice performance, the sportive aspect is also important. The voices of professional voice actors, who are considered just like an athlete, should be strong, flexible and durable against long-term use. Also called vocal athletes, voice performers need processes such as muscle and skill development, voice warm up and cool down as in the applications expressed as periodization in sports medicine. Vocal training should aim to prepare the student for the stage not only with its artistic aspect but also with its sportive aspect. In the vocal training process, it is important to raise the awareness of the students from the very beginning of the education and to make the sportive discipline a behavior in the name of sustainable professional vocal use. It is unacceptable for a professional athlete to do some warm-up and cool-down movements with random movements or ignorance. The same is true for seeking vocal exercises for the singer. Exercise programs structured on a physiological basis both give predictable results, and the singer knows what to do and can ensure the performance. The most important components of the conscious training program that creates vocal periodization are vocal warming-up and cooling-down. Contrary to vocal warm-up exercises, studies on vocal cool-down are not sufficient both in the literature and in vocal training. It is an important necessity to apply vocal cool-down exercises in the same routine for the tissue recovery and to return to the speaking tone after the performance and to achieve tissue recovery under appropriate conditions. Vocal cool-down exercises are basically based on stretching and slowing down. In addition to metabolic effects such as blood flow changes, decreasing the muscle tonus, and removal of metabolites from the tissue; physiological effects such as providing a comfortable low larynx position and relaxation are targeted. Vocal cool-down techniques include semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, descending arpeggios, formant maneuvers, yawn&sigh, and chewing approach. In this study, the literature on vocal cool-down exercises has been reviewed, and ideal cool-down conditions and exercises have been presented in parallel with sports physiology. Keywords: Voice Training, Vocal Warm-up Exercises, Vocal Cool-down Exercises, Voice Health, Vocal Performance