So that's why they call it 'vibrato'!

I'm sure most readers are familiar with the musical effect known as 'vibrato'.  However, I suspect none of us thought of a mechanically-produced version!  Orange News reports:

A Canadian voice coach is creating a buzz with his unusual technique of using vibrators to help his students hit the high notes.

University of Alberta drama professor David Ley uses the sex toys to massage the throats of actors and singers.

"I know it's a bit different. I know there's a giggle factor, but it works. It relaxes tension in the larynx, it improves range and projection," he told MetroNews.ca.

He was looking for an alternative to massaging the larynx by hand, for people who hate the feel of fingers on their throat, when he discovered the technique.

That led him to a sex shop where he found some vibrators that had a frequency around 100 and 120 hertz, the range of the human voice. He tried some on a student with good results.

There's more at the link.  Here's a video report showing how he uses them.

I'm glad they've produced 'good results' - but you just know what the comments from users' fellow thespians and singers are going to be like!





Peter