|
|
kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
Had a weird experience at a show last night. Everything was going well, the kids were responding. Then I reached the point where Charlie (Axtell Willie) comes out of his trunk. I'd been building up to it and it's always a high point in the show. He popped out of his trunk, opened his mouth and....
Nothing! I tried again, but no matter what I did, the voice wouldn't come out! It was a total shock as I had experienced no problems with my voice at all up to this point. It wasn't that his voice was a bit croaky and quiet either - he was SILENT! I started to improvise to try and cover - my mind racing to think of a way out of this. 'Stop messing about Charlie!!' what's the matter? I thought about changing his voice as it only seemed to be my falsetto that I was having trouble with, but I had already established what his voice sounded like earlier during the drawing board routine, during which I'd had no problems. What followed was a short improvised bit with Charlie 'Whispering in my ear' 'What do you mean'LOST YOUR VOICE!!!' etc. etc. The laughs were coming but I was so upset I barely noticed - It was a bit like trying to do card sleights with my fingers broken. In the end I sent him back to his trunk and did his entire routine with Jambo instead. HIS voice was fine, but it seemed weird! At the end of the show I had some very nice comments from the parents as they left, so hopefully no one noticed. Funnily enough - a couple of hours after the show I could do his voice again with no problems. I'm now wondering what on earth happened! I'm now very glad that I introduced a second character last year (with a much deeper voice!)
VISIT MY ONLINE STORE!: www.kimmomagicshop.com
NEW LECTURE NOTES - SHOW US YOUR TRIX NOW AVAILABLE AS AN INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD! Kimmo DVD available Now! Watch the promo here! Order your copy NOW! CLICK HERE! ENTERTAINER,MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST'S BLOG - DON'T READ THIS... |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I never heard of this and very interested in knowing the results. If you can talk, why couldn't Charlie? Does it have to do with a total change in pitch and style?
I do hope you are OK and nothing is wrong. Would an "Eyes, Nose, & Mouth" Doctor Specialist help? I couldn't breath, this year, and for 6 months I couldnot do shows. Finally I found out I had a sever reaction to sulfer drugs which was used to correct pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma, all at once. It was so bad I got an enlarged heart problem from it, and blood clots. I tell you this because, it took six months and a lung specialist to figure it out. (I never was allergic to anything prior to this year.) It knocked off my feet for a long time! Please go to a throat specialist, and don't play around, it could be something easily corrected early! MY THOUGHTS WILL BE WITH YOU KIMMO! Dennis
Dennis Michael
|
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
I agree. Go have it checked out. When something is wrong, and it affects your way of making a living, any type of procrastination is not a viable option.
|
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Kimmo, it might be a variant on this bug that's really going around everywhere this year. Sometimes I find certain vocal ranges more difficult than usual, and venting can be especially tough on the vocal chords compared to singing or speaking. Definitely worth checking out if it happens again, but I suspect it was just "one of those things", and it may never happen again.
Personally I wouldn't let it worry me, if I'd got that voice back again hours later. I had a show before Christmas when my new rat Spotty couldn't speak without my coughing violently every few seconds. Of course, he told me: "I can't talk when you're doing that!" Let's hope it's nothing to worry about, Matey. All the best, Doug. |
Ken Dumm Inner circle 1239 Posts |
Kimmo,
I would definitely have it checked out. I worked with a comedian who lost his voice on stage after a high pitch routine he did, and a year later, working the same room with him, it happened again. Finally he went and had it checked out to find out it wasn't anything to be concerned about, just learn better vocal techniques. I'm in the mind to be better off safe, than sorry. Just as in magic, you need to know your "outs" and it sounded like you covered yourself pretty well, but why wait for it to happen again. Don't mean to sound preachy, but your voice is very important, without it, you can't perform, unless you're a mime, and we don't want that to happen. Take care and be well... Ken |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
It's happened to me, too.
Luckily for me Henry, who is also a boy puppet with a high-pitched voice, rarely accompanies me to a show so it was just one day in the house when I picked him up and found his voice had vanished. I was rather worried that my vocal range was diminishing but I tried the next day and it was back. George |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Kimmo, sorry to hear of your vocal problems. Great recovery though!
I had a round with the ER and surgery a long time ago. Tubes down my throat were a pain...literally! Anyway, after I came home I thought my voice had recovered, only to discover I could not reach the highs. I actually discovered that fact while tring to do Mickey Mouse for my daughter. I could get out some squeeks, but that was about it. Come to find out they had damaged my vocal chords with the tubes. The doctors said there was likely scarring and they could not gaurantee as to how I would recover. I did eventually recover, but my voice has never been quite the same. I was the lead singer/guitarist in a heavy metal band at the time, so it was quite a blow to me. I would say about 90% of my vocal range came back, but the biggest thing now is my vocal stamina and power. I seem to get hoarse quite easily and I can't project like I once could. Good luck. Get it checked out. If it is scarring, then you will need to rest it and may have to adapt somewhat. Regan
Mister Mystery
|
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-01-08 09:30, Regan wrote: That happened to our cat! He had tubes down his throat for his operation and couldn't meow for 3 days. |
MoonRazor Special user 843 Posts |
Hey as long as they laughed.......
|
Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
I had a similar problem prior to the Christmas. I actually lost my voice for the better part of a week, and following that, my character, Chauncey, couldn't speak without me coughing for about three weeks. I had to drop him from the show for a while.
Of course the worst one was a couple months ago when I was two hours into a three hour drive to do two shows at a school and realized that Chauncey was still "sleeping" in the closet at home! I couldn't drop him because for this particular show he is integral to the culmination of the show. My mind raced, and I finally ended up using my cell phone to "call" him and do a shortened version of the routine that way. So he really was silent that day.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
|
Neznarf Inner circle NY then AZ now 1840 Posts |
Here is Souther AZ it's very dry.
It's a dry heat..... I can't depend on my vent voice either. Sometimes it a go and sometimes not.
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
|
kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
Thanks Dennis and everyone else for your support and advice. I've had no similar problems today so I'm assuming this could be a one-off. I found it strange because my voice had been so strong over Christmas, when I'm normally worried about having this kind of problem.
If it happens again I'll certainly go and see a doctor, but we'll see how it goes for now. I certainly won't procrastinate if it re-occurs.
VISIT MY ONLINE STORE!: www.kimmomagicshop.com
NEW LECTURE NOTES - SHOW US YOUR TRIX NOW AVAILABLE AS AN INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD! Kimmo DVD available Now! Watch the promo here! Order your copy NOW! CLICK HERE! ENTERTAINER,MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST'S BLOG - DON'T READ THIS... |
Tom Riddle Special user Chelsea, UK 507 Posts |
Kimmo. I think it was nothing to do with your voice. I think Charlie is angry with you about something, and he is trying to screw up your act. Maybe he is jealous of the other puppets. I would suggest possibly counselling for you both.
"Yes, Virginia, there really are people named Riddle...isn't that AMAZING! And to think of all the royalties I'm missing out on! SCANDALOUS!"
Thomas Williamson Riddle III Chelsea, UK |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Hehehehe nice Tom. =)
Kimmo: Were you are are you getting over a cold or anything? I know that can certainly effect voices. Another possibility could be if you were talking a lot that day or the day before. Sometimes you can strain your voice and not even know it. being a deaf magician, I often run into this problem. I have to talk louder then most to be able to hear my voice. My voice feels fine but I will notice certain ranges I can not hit later that day etc. Just food for thought. I hope it is a one time only thing for you and does not effect more of your performances. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
I did six shows over the weekend after a five day gap. They were just birthday parties so I wasn't using a mic. Maybe that was the problem.
I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow!
VISIT MY ONLINE STORE!: www.kimmomagicshop.com
NEW LECTURE NOTES - SHOW US YOUR TRIX NOW AVAILABLE AS AN INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD! Kimmo DVD available Now! Watch the promo here! Order your copy NOW! CLICK HERE! ENTERTAINER,MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST'S BLOG - DON'T READ THIS... |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I wish you much success Kimmo. I hope it was only the fact that you may have strained your voice a bit form the 6 shows and may not have realized it. That certainly does happen. Keep us all posted.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
What's all this fuss about Kimmo? It's CHARLIE'S voice that went out. He needs to drink some armorall and rest up for a few days...Dr. Ax's orders. (Take care Kimmo).
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
You and Tom have hit the nail on the head Kimmo. That's it. Six shows over a weekend after a five day lay off? Tom's right.
Charlie's really pi**ed off with you. I don't blame him. Be more gentle in future. And if it happens again, be kind to Charlie and instead of talking through your mouth, try - no, perhaps that wouldn't be such a good idea after all!
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Charlie is spechless!! (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |