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VOICE CHARACTERISTICS

The following is a list of signals that tell you you need to improve the way you speak in public:

• Listeners often ask you to repeat what you just said.

• People notice a speech idiosyncrasy.

• You have a pronounced regional accent.

• You pop the p on a microphone, resulting in a dull, unpleasant electronic sound.

• Your throat gets tired when you speak for ten minutes.

• Your listeners’ eyes wander or glaze over after you have been speaking for a while because you tend to speak in a monotone.

• You can’t control your voice at the end of a long sentence.

• You have to tell people that you are an executive (or whatever position you hold), because they would not know it from listening to your voice.

• You look mature, but your voice sounds too young.

• People often point out that you repeat certain words or phrases (probably unconsciously) over and over again, such as “uh,” “well,” “so?”, “you know,” or “hum.”

• You tend to sigh, suck your cheek, click your tongue, or have a similar vocal mannerism that bothers others.

• You don’t like your own voice, and never have liked it.

Characteristics of a Good Voice

The following list contains some of the characteristics of a pleasant speaking voice. As you read the list, think of how your own voice sounds to your listeners and what voice qualities you might wish you had but do not now have.

A good voice is:

• Pleasant

• Resonant

• Relaxed

• Well modulated

• Low pitched

• Controlled

• Warm

• Melodic

• Concerned

• Eloquent

• Confident

• Authoritative

• Agreeable

• Colorful

• Expressive

• Natural

• Rich

• Full

• Audible

• Positive

Characteristics of a Bad Voice

This list includes some common characteristics of an unpleasant or bad voice. Again, think of your own voice as you study the list, identifying any unpleasant characteristics that you’d like to change.

A bad voice may be:

• Nasal

• Harsh or strident

• Hoarse or raspy

• Tremulous

• High pitched or shrill

• Whiny

• Breathy

• Timid

• Choppy

• Too loud

• Too soft or inaudible

• Ineffective

• Pompous

• Sarcastic in tone

• Hesitant

• Flat or monotonous

• Tense

• Weak

• Dull

VOICE QUALITY

Resonance

A beautiful speaking voice must be both resonant and vibrant. Resonance is the result of the vibration of air in your vocal cavities. These resonating chambers are your sinuses, nasal passages, the back of your throat, and your chest. Resonance requires proper deep breathing for richness and variety.

Visualize your vocal cords as the strings of a musical instrument and the air in your chest as the element that furnishes the desired resonance. By breathing correctly and filling the chest cavity with air, you have given your vocal cords something to vibrate.

A child with a high-pitched voice vibrates a very small amount of air. A barrel-chested baritone with a deep-sounding voice vibrates a large quantity of air. As was mentioned earlier, for normal conversation a shallow breath gives you all the air you need. But when you make a major speech or a lengthy business presentation, you need to power your voice with a large quantity of air.

You can lower the range of your voice by filling your lungs with the help of the diaphragmatic muscle and opening the back of your throat to create more vibration and resonance.

As you completely relax, you avoid any tensions that might interfere with the free movement of your articulators and resonators.

Where do you think the resonance is coming from when you use your vocal apparatus to speak? Do you think it is coming from your nasal cavity—as it does in the high-pitched voice of the telephone operator character made famous by Lily Tomlin? Or do you think it is coming from the bottom of your throat or out of your chest?

To help you find out, put three fingers on the bridge of your nose, and the palm of your other hand on your breastbone. Say something like “Good day! How are you?” Do you feel vibration across your nose, or do you feel it in your chest cavity?