How do I deliberately sound phlegmy or "froggy"?

October 10, 2014 6:51 PM

I'm working on a roleplaying character (a Nosferatu for an upcoming Vampire game, if it matters) and I like the idea of his having a permanently phlegmy, "wet" voice. The problem is that my throat's usually fairly dry and whenever I try to pull such a voice I can only get a sentence or two out before I run through whatever moisture's there and it feels like I'm just grinding dry esophagus against itself. Is there any way to keep my throat moist and burbly without having to constantly chug fluids?
posted by Pope Guilty to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (4 answers total)

You could try sucking in nasal material into your throat and then push it slightly into your mouth like you you were getting ready to hawk a loogie. That should wet your throat.
posted by Rob Rockets at 7:32 PM on October 10, 2014

I am also going to suggest milk. You can practice by getting Creepshow and doing that bit with Ten Danson and Leslie Nielsen. Try burbling things like "If you can hold your breath!" and "It's shooowtime!"
posted by adipocere at 7:36 PM on October 10, 2014

Whenever I had to call in sick and needed to sound extra-convincing I would lie on my bed and hang my head upside down over the edge whilst speaking on the phone. Though I can see why that might not work in this situation. Unless you can rock the vampire bat motif...
posted by aesop at 9:07 AM on October 11, 2014

I remember an old interview from Kate Bush years ago about getting ready to record a song that needed loads of 'thickness' in the voice: she talked of drinking a pint of milk and eating Mars Bars.
posted by glasseyes at 2:30 PM on October 11, 2014