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Voice and Vocal Variety Tutorial
Think of the best presenters you've heard. Probably a few of them had professionally trained, wonderful voices. What most presenters share is the practice of using the voice they have to their advantage. This means projecting energy, enthusiasm, and conviction not just from the words they say, but how they say them.
Using your voice well means taking your time and speaking clearly. Native and non-native speakers can be equally effective with their voices. The most important thing to remember when working on your vocal skills is variety. Monotone delivery is the bane of audience satisfaction.
How:
- Use inflection to vary the pitch of your voice. Use higher tones to express excitement and urgency, and use lower tones to convey seriousness. Inflection is the opposite of monotone.
- Speak at a rate that allows the audience to follow what you are saying.
- Emphasize key words or concepts by pausing, or slowing down when you say them. This will capture the audience's attention.
- Use your normal conversational tone of voice. Speak as though you are having a conversation with a close friend.
- Create energy in your voice by occasionally speaking more rapidly.
Why:
- Vocal variety makes it easier for your audience to understand you.
- Inflection and emphasis clarify your message.
- An expressive voice conveys conviction and confidence.
Practice Ideas:
- When you are leaving voice mail messages, play them back in order to get a sense of how your voice sounds.
- Create several different outgoing messages for your voice mail. Try using vocal variety. Note how the different messages come across.
- Practice vocal variety whenever you are talking on the phone. Be even more expressive than normal. Act as though you are really having fun. Note if you find that your calls are more enjoyable.
Watch Out For:
- Speaking too quickly when you think your audience might be bored.
- Thinking that you are discussing a serious matter, so vocal variety is inappropriate.
- Reading from notes. This tends to make you sound stilted.
- Speaking quickly and without emphasis because you are so familiar with your material. It's new and fresh to the audience.