Needed fast: Does Tiny Tim (the singer) have Disturbing Voice?

NorphTehDwarf · 11-10-2016, 01:11 AM

Building a character for a spur-of-the-moment Skype adventure. I can do a passable impersonation of Tiny Tim, so I'd like to spend the entire session in character as a guy with Tiny Tim's voice (reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59LQw9bKeJ8). Would you say this qualifies for the Disturbing Voice disadvantage? Other options would probably be either -5 or -10 OPH or a Distinctive Feature.

Thanks, GURPS bless you all.

Anthony · 11-10-2016, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorphTehDwarf

Would you say this qualifies for the Disturbing Voice disadvantage?

Not for the singer; that voice is almost certainly a deliberate affectation. For someone incapable of speaking any other way, maybe but probably not.

NorphTehDwarf · 11-10-2016, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony

Not for the singer; that voice is almost certainly a deliberate affectation. For someone incapable of speaking any other way, maybe but probably not.

So... distinctive feature or OPH?

Anthony · 11-10-2016, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorphTehDwarf

So... distinctive feature or OPH?

Depends. Does it generate an in-game reaction penalty? If so, it's an OPH. If not, it's a quirk.

robkelk · 11-10-2016, 12:53 PM

The technical term is "falsetto" - it's no more than a Distinctive Feature, IMHO.

Flyndaran · 11-10-2016, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robkelk

The technical term is "falsetto" - it's no more than a Distinctive Feature, IMHO.

Tiny Tim was NOT just falsetto. While I generally don't like falsetto, his voice was irritating beyond belief making it unique in other ways.

And if it was falsetto, it wouldn't be a Distinctive Feature as it would be voluntary. Irritating compulsive voluntary actions are Odious Personal Habits.

mhd · 11-11-2016, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Tiny Tim was NOT just falsetto. While I generally don't like falsetto, his voice was irritating beyond belief making it unique in other ways.

His affected singing voice, when talking he came across pretty normal (at least in the bits/clips I've heard). So that wouldn't impact normal interaction and thus garner no interaction penalty, unless we're talking about a Reputation(that singer with the annoying voice).

Heck, if Diana Damrau would hold regular conversations in her operatic register, that would be an OPH, too.

Flyndaran · 11-11-2016, 01:14 PM

I think it might be that sheep bleating vibrato thing he does that enrages me with misophonia. I like some of the Bee Gees, so it's not the falsetto.

Bruno · 11-11-2016, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

I think it might be that sheep bleating vibrato thing he does that enrages me with misophonia.

Falsetto aside, that's apparently a desirable trait and a tricky Singing technique. Drives me bonkers, personally.

A consistent falsetto isn't exactly trivial for men, but the real test would be if he can pull off a smooth transition between standard and falsetto, like Freddy Mercury could (Freddy could do it flawlessly)

trooper6 · 11-12-2016, 08:26 AM

As others have pointed out, that is a choice he makes while using his singing voice not his speaking voice. It is voluntary. So I don't think it should be Disturbing voice.

Additionally...

I don't find Tiny Tim's singing voice irritating or disturbing at all...and he was popular enough to show that lots of people didn't find it irritating either. His "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" hit #17 on the pop charts. He was paid lots of money to perform in Vegas. Etc.

There are people who don't like opera...but there are people who do. There are people who don't like death metal...but there are people who do.

I don't think there is a disad here.

11-10-2016, 12:53 PM	#5
robkelk Untitled Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: between keyboard and chair	Re: Needed fast: Does Tiny Tim (the singer) have Disturbing Voice? The technical term is "falsetto" - it's no more than a Distinctive Feature, IMHO. __________________ Rob Kelk “Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.” – Bernard Baruch, Deming (New Mexico) Headlight, 6 January 1950 No longer reading these forums regularly.

11-11-2016, 01:14 PM	#8
Flyndaran Untagged Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon	Re: Needed fast: Does Tiny Tim (the singer) have Disturbing Voice? I think it might be that sheep bleating vibrato thing he does that enrages me with misophonia. I like some of the Bee Gees, so it's not the falsetto. __________________ Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check.

11-12-2016, 08:26 AM	#10
trooper6 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Medford, MA	Re: Needed fast: Does Tiny Tim (the singer) have Disturbing Voice? As others have pointed out, that is a choice he makes while using his singing voice not his speaking voice. It is voluntary. So I don't think it should be Disturbing voice. Additionally... I don't find Tiny Tim's singing voice irritating or disturbing at all...and he was popular enough to show that lots of people didn't find it irritating either. His "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" hit #17 on the pop charts. He was paid lots of money to perform in Vegas. Etc. There are people who don't like opera...but there are people who do. There are people who don't like death metal...but there are people who do. I don't think there is a disad here.

11-10-2016, 01:11 AM	#1
NorphTehDwarf Join Date: Sep 2008	Needed fast: Does Tiny Tim (the singer) have Disturbing Voice? Building a character for a spur-of-the-moment Skype adventure. I can do a passable impersonation of Tiny Tim, so I'd like to spend the entire session in character as a guy with Tiny Tim's voice (reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59LQw9bKeJ8). Would you say this qualifies for the Disturbing Voice disadvantage? Other options would probably be either -5 or -10 OPH or a Distinctive Feature. Thanks, GURPS bless you all.