How to Improve Your Speaking Voice

People enjoy listening to great-sounding voices.

If a speaker's voice is weak, thin, or nasal, or if they speak with a flat, nonpassionate monotone, the listener will quickly tune them out.

Your voice can captivate and motivate listeners if you use it to your best advantage.

The most popular instrument in the world is the human voice.

Great singers understand the nuances of communication and emotional connection.

This connection is also KEY for SPEAKERS!

Most popular songs have repeated sections (primarily the chorus), and the singer must find new ways to deliver the same words and melody to keep the listener's interest.

This is especially helpful when leading meetings or engaging in sales. How you speak will determine if you are truly heard.

The musical devices used by singers can help us become more engaging and confident speakers.

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Singers spend time finding the right song key, where the notes will sit in optimal spots in their voice.

You have an optimal pitch range as well.

If your speaking pitch is too low, you will be harder to understand and need more muscle to create volume, which can lead to strain.

If your voice is too high, it can sound thin and strident.

Do you find your voice getting tired?

Do you feel the need to clear your throat often?

Do others struggle to hear you?

These are often symptoms of incorrect speaking pitch.

Finding your optimal speaking pitch is one of the first steps to having a more compelling, confident voice, and it's relatively easy to do.

Say "HMMM-HMMM" like you enthusiastically agree with someone.

Feel and listen to how the second "HMMM" inflects upwards in pitch.

Now do it again and hold the second "HMMM" for a moment.

Do you hear where the pitch is?

Do you feel where your voice vibrates?

Now say "HMMM-HMMM" again and immediately go into an energetic phrase, such as:

"HMMM-HMMM, YES, that's right!"

or

"HMMM-HMMM, HELLO! Nice to see you!"

Don't try to be over-loud; experience your voice's pitch, vibration, and energy.

This should be your baseline for speaking.

This area of your voice may feel high at first, but so many of us speak too low, robbing our voice of vital energy.

Rhythmic variation is a key musical device.

Rhythm is also essential for keeping speech interesting and engaging.

Speakers who keep a non-wavering rhythm can quickly become predictable and dull.

You can build excitement and interest by varying the rhythm and tempo of your speaking voice.

Speed up slightly as you come to a main point or resolution.

Slow down as you explain more difficult concepts, or to let something sink in.

When sound waves leave your vocal cords, they don't sound much like the human voice.

The vocal cords produce a buzzing sound closer to a duck call.

The vocal tract (the tube comprised of your throat and mouth) enhances and amplifies the sound waves into the recognizable sound of your voice.

Singers use the resonances of the vocal tract to create a beautiful tone and power.

We also want to use resonance to bring out the full spectrum of our voice.

Say the word "SUNG," and hold out the NG.

Feel the vibrations in the roof of your mouth.

Now slide the pitch of the voice up and down.

Do you feel the vibrations change?

Most people feel the higher notes vibrate higher in the head.

Now slide up on the NG and move into our positive phrase, "YES, that's right."

Do you feel the voice vibrating the more intensity?

This "sparkle" of good resonance will make your voice more compelling and pleasant to listen to.

The top priority of great singers is to connect emotionally with the listener.

This most human connection will keep the listener engaged on a deeper level.

By understanding your audience, you can access common passions within yourself and allow them to drive your message.

Even a "dry" presentation can become more engaging.

You want to think deeply about your intentions for speaking.

What is it you want to impart to your listener?

What is your goal?

Is it to inspire, motivate, inform, or convince?

When you find your true intention, hold it foremost in your mind.

Connect your passion for and conviction of the intention with your voice and body.

Don't force this, as people resist fake "passion."

Instead, if you are leading a sales meeting, connect with your goal of informing and inspiring.

Practice feeling this intention deeply.

Now practice speaking to your group, allowing your intention to guide your voice and body language.

It can take some time to connect fully and authentically, but your speaking and leadership will be transformed once you do.

You will move and motivate as great singers do