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To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Date sent: Fri, 31 Dec 1999 16:28:35 -0000
Subject: Re: What is bad for the voice?
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

> I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas about what I am eating
> and drinking that could be bad for my voice. I read a biography on Celine
> Dion and it said that when she was young, she wouldn't smoke(ofcourse) drink,
> or even laugh because she wanted her voice in good condition. Also, she
> claims to not eat certain foods or talk for the 2 days before her shows. Does
> anyone know why? Thanks in advance!~

I personally am a strong believer in the fact that there is a "magic
diet" that can be followed that will help keep both your voice and
yourself in good condition. I am also a strong believer in the fact
that there are as many "magic diets" as there are people in this
world.

My non-professional recommendation from personal experience is
to gather as much *factual* information as you can about diets and
the possible effects of certain foods, and then **listen to your
body**. It is your body which does or does not like dairy products, it
is your body which does/does not react badly to spicy foods, it is
your body which does/does not react badly to chocolate, it is your
body which does/does not react badly to small amounts of alcohol
or caffeine, etc, etc. A diet that is good for Celine Dion is not
necessarily a diet which is good for you.

As for not talking for two days before a show, well, that sounds a bit
drastic to me. If I was in that position I would ask myself whether
there was perhaps something wrong with my technique and I would
consider getting some singing lessons! After all, I would find it
comforting to talk to my friends and family before a show whether
they be neaaaaaaaaaar, faaaaaaaaaaaar, or whereeeeeeeeever
they are...........

John