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Voice Image Secrets
We often refuse to accept an idea merely because the tone of voice in which it has been expressed is unsympathetic to us.
Friedrich Nietzsche, German classical scholar, philosopher and critic of culture, 1844-1900
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How is your voice image? Do you know how others hear you? Do you know how they think or feel about you
as a result of listening to your voice?
Their response is your voice image.
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| What image does your voice project? |
It's well known that how we dress and present ourselves has an almost instant impact on the people we meet. In some situations, for example job interviews, work presentations and special social occasions, that impact is critical. We are judged on our appearance and those initial judgements form the basis of how we are perceived. A crumpled shirt, scruffy trousers and scuffed shoes say to a prospective employer,'I don't care enough about you or the situation to make a real effort.'
What's less well known is that voice or voice quality has a similar impact.
Voice image has been the 'secret' of people who use their voices professionally. Actors, radio broadcasters, television presenters, politicians, tele-marketers, professional speakers,
all of whom depend on the impression their voice makes for success, know its importance.
What you do with your voice, how you speak, matters.
A Negative Voice Image
In your mind summon up the sound of a voice that makes you want to put your fingers in your ears because hearing it is painful.
What are its qualities?
- Is it nasal as if the speaker had a peg on their nose?
- Is it shrill ? The speaker has hard piercing tones like that of a concrete cutter. It hurts to listen.
- The voice rasps, sawing through words, making it harsh to hear.
- Does the speaker squeak? The voice uses the upper/high registers continually.
- Is it sing-song? The speaker swings through a habitual up-down pitch range regardless of subject matter.
- The voice is monotonous. It drones on and on and on with little variation of pace or pitch.
- The speaker is hesitant. The words are held back and arrive timidly.
- The speaker mumbles and the words blur into one another without distinction. You can't understand what is being said.
- Does it race? The speaker gabbles at break neck speed. It's difficult to comprehend what they've said.
- It is too loud regardless of circumstance. The voice overwhelms its hearers.
- It is too quiet as if its embarrassed to be heard.
- Is there a constant rising inflection at the end of each sentence? This makes you mentally answer everything you hear and question whether the
speaker is sure of themselves.
- Is the accent so broad it swamps clear communication?
- Is the breath held for too long so the speech sounds strangled or tight?
- Is there a difficulty with some of the letter sounds? For example, 'S' or 'R' or any other single, double or multiple letter combination
What personality traits have you attributed to the speaker because of how their voice sounded to you?
Have you decided they are:
- shy
- lacking in self-esteem
- lazy
- careless
- arrogant (too loud for too long)
- over-anxious or nervy (motor-mouth)
- boring
- lacking intelligence
- a complainer or whinger
- easily influenced
- incapable of leadership
- indescisive
- immature
- dull
- and more...
A Positive Voice Image
Let's focus now on a voice that you love listening to.
What are its qualities?
- Does it sound natural, relaxed and free?
- Is it varied and flexible?
The pace, pitch, tone, and volume shift organically without effort in response to what is being talked about.
- What personality traits do you automatically assume about the speaker?
Would you say they are more likely to be confident, authorative, understanding, independent, attentive,interesting, energetic, dynamic, mindful of others, warm, caring, respectful...
And now listen to yourself
The easist and most effective way to do this is to record yourself.
Merely listening to yourself inside your own head won't give you the clear feedback you need.
There can be a vast difference between what we think we sound like and what we actually do. I know because I've experienced it. Hearing myself on tape let me know exactly what I sounded like and where I needed to put the effort in.
Ideally what you want is a 1 - 2 minute sample of your normal speaking voice - the voice you'd use naturally without self-consciousness.
Play back the clip and listen as objectively as possible to what you hear.
If you were somebody else, what would you think about the speaker?
What aspects of delivery do you need to focus on if you want a confident dynamic voice image?
Voice image is a collective package made up of equal parts of breath control, articulation, volume, pitch, tone, pausing and speaking rate. A great voice image is strong in all of them.
- breath control is essential for flexible voice production. If you are holding your breath or breathing from the top of your lungs the quality of your
voice will reflect that. You'll find some useful breathing exercises here. They are the same ones for reducing anxiety. In doing them you'll receive a double benefit - a better voice and lowered tension.
- articulation is how you pronounce your words. Are they clear? Are the endings as well as the beginnings audible? If you mumble or drop off starts and finishes of words, you'll find these old-fashioned tongue twisters useful as well as fun.
- volume, pitch and tone is how loud or quiet your voice is, as well as the range it travels through (high to low), and its quality. Exercises to develop flexibility in all three aspects of vocal variety are here.
- pausing in the right place for the right length of time gives your speech emphasis and definition. Silence can speak louder than words. To learn how to make effective use of pausing check out the exercises here.
- speaking rate refers to the speed your words come out of your mouth at. Speaking either too fast or too slowly is a problem. You'll find exercises to help you achieve a variable and appropriate
speaking rate here.
If you need more than is available here (for instance, help with modifying a strong accent or a stubborn stammer), do seek professional advice. You'll find qualified voice coaches or speech therapists in your local area. They'll be listed in the business pages of your telephone book.
It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856 – 1950, famous Irish playwright, socialist and critic.
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Or if you'd like to better your vocal image in the company of others dedicated to improving their public speaking, try Toastmasters International Toastmaster clubs are all over the world. There's bound to be one near you. Check on the website.
If you speak in any way professionally, please do not ignore voice image.
It may not be talked about openly in the same way that dress or body language is but it is equally important. Your voice can either aid or hinder successful communication. Make it work for you.
Return to top of voice image page
Go to breathing exercises
Go to articulation exercises
Go to vocal variety exercises
Learn how use pausing effectively
Learn to modify your speaking rate
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