Pretty obviously, the first requirement for your voice when talking to others is that it can be heard clearly. This is most challenging if you have to address a large room full of people, but even when talking to one or just a few it is your responsibility to make sure they can hear and understand you, and that the way you sound is consistent with the way you want to be perceived. Also, even when talking one-to-one there may be background noise you need to overcome.
Men tend to have a natural advantage when it comes to being heard, as their voices are generally more powerful. But even if you’re a woman with a naturally light voice the Better Voice technique will help you by cultivating a focused tone that carries and cuts through background distractions.
You have already discovered the importance of a suitable delivery speed. Here are some other vocal strategies that will help you be heard more easily:
Say only the vowels in the sentence ‘Would you like to come to dinner with me?’, and then only the consonants. It’s pretty obvious which version gives you a better clue about what the question is.
Unfortunately a feature of modern speech is its casual approach to consonants – which as you’ve just discovered carry most of the information on what is being said. This may not be a problem when you’re having a chat with family or friends, but you may need to sharpen up the consonants for your work persona.
It’s important to keep your lips and jaw relaxed while speaking, but the muscles need to be working to form the consonants clearly. Like any muscles they’ll need exercising – with plenty of reps – to get them into shape.
As well as being a useful vocal warm-up, tongue twisters are an excellent way of improving articulation. Use a variety in your work-out, especially those featuring the consonants you know need some help. There’s plenty to choose from in the Follow-up Resources list of Unit 1 (Section 1.6).
Try recording yourself to check on progress.
Whatever the space you’re in, choose the place, or people, you want your voice to reach and imagine ‘sending’ it there. You will automatically put your focus there too, and engage those listening to you – everyone likes to feel noticed.
When addressing a large gathering, that will probably mean putting more energy behind your voice (though not necessarily greater volume: see below). When talking at close range to one or a few it could mean reducing the energy your voice is carrying: too much power and those listening will feel talked at, rather than talked to.
If you get carried away with what you are saying, or are feeling nervous, it’s easy to lose the sense of directing your voice and your energy. Keeping just a little of your awareness on your breathing (diaphragmatic) and your physical body will help avoid this.
If you are unsure what body awareness feels like. Try this:
You may find it difficult to describe what the feeling is, and it may only be very slight, but like many things in life that feeling will grow if you give it positive attention. With practice you will probably be able to sense it also in your feet, legs, arms and possibly torso. The more you can stay aware of it, at any time but especially when feeling under stress, the calmer and more ‘grounded’ you will feel.
In large spaces, or where there is significant background noise, turning up the volume should be your last resort. Make sure you’ve tried all the other strategies first, because:
You are wanting your voice to carry the message ‘I am confident and in control’. If it sounds as though you are straining or verging on shouting to be heard then the message is just the opposite. If you do have to consciously raise your voice, make sure you keep your Better Voice head focus. That will give you added volume without sounding pressured.
Pretty obviously, the first requirement for your voice when talking to others is that it can be heard clearly. This is most challenging if you have to address a large room full of people, but even when talking to one or just a few it is your responsibility to make sure they can hear and understand you, and that the way you sound is consistent with the way you want to be perceived. Also, even when talking one-to-one there may be background noise you need to overcome.
Men tend to have a natural advantage when it comes to being heard, as their voices are generally more powerful. But even if you’re a woman with a naturally light voice the Better Voice technique will help you by cultivating a focused tone that carries and cuts through background distractions.
You have already discovered the importance of a suitable delivery speed. Here are some other vocal strategies that will help you be heard more easily:
Say only the vowels in the sentence ‘Would you like to come to dinner with me?’, and then only the consonants. It’s pretty obvious which version gives you a better clue about what the question is.
Unfortunately a feature of modern speech is its casual approach to consonants – which as you’ve just discovered carry most of the information on what is being said. This may not be a problem when you’re having a chat with family or friends, but you may need to sharpen up the consonants for your work persona.
It’s important to keep your lips and jaw relaxed while speaking, but the muscles need to be working to form the consonants clearly. Like any muscles they’ll need exercising – with plenty of reps – to get them into shape.
As well as being a useful vocal warm-up, tongue twisters are an excellent way of improving articulation. Use a variety in your work-out, especially those featuring the consonants you know need some help. There’s plenty to choose from in the Follow-up Resources list of Unit 1 (Section 1.6).
Try recording yourself to check on progress.
Whatever the space you’re in, choose the place, or people, you want your voice to reach and imagine ‘sending’ it there. You will automatically put your focus there too, and engage those listening to you – everyone likes to feel noticed.
When addressing a large gathering, that will probably mean putting more energy behind your voice (though not necessarily greater volume: see below). When talking at close range to one or a few it could mean reducing the energy your voice is carrying: too much power and those listening will feel talked at, rather than talked to.
If you get carried away with what you are saying, or are feeling nervous, it’s easy to lose the sense of directing your voice and your energy. Keeping just a little of your awareness on your breathing (diaphragmatic) and your physical body will help avoid this.
If you are unsure what body awareness feels like. Try this:
You may find it difficult to describe what the feeling is, and it may only be very slight, but like many things in life that feeling will grow if you give it positive attention. With practice you will probably be able to sense it also in your feet, legs, arms and possibly torso. The more you can stay aware of it, at any time but especially when feeling under stress, the calmer and more ‘grounded’ you will feel.
In large spaces, or where there is significant background noise, turning up the volume should be your last resort. Make sure you’ve tried all the other strategies first, because:
You are wanting your voice to carry the message ‘I am confident and in control’. If it sounds as though you are straining or verging on shouting to be heard then the message is just the opposite. If you do have to consciously raise your voice, make sure you keep your Better Voice head focus. That will give you added volume without sounding pressured.
