We've all heard that there is at least someone in our lives who has a voice so beautiful and rich that we really enjoy listening to him speak, no matter what he says. While developing perfect vocal intonation and diction can take a lifetime, a beautiful voice can be acquired in a relatively short period of time. You just need a little guidance and some serious practice. So if you want to develop the perfect speech voice, start with Step 1 below.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Developing Good Speaking Habits
Step 1. Speak out loud
It's important that you can be heard when you speak, so raise your voice! If you tend to whisper, mumble or talk with your head down, it will be easier for people to order or ignore you.
- However, this doesn't mean you have to scream; adjust the loudness of your voice to the situation. For example, if you are talking to a lot of people you will have to raise your voice to be heard when you speak.
- But speaking too loudly in everyday conversation is unnecessary and can give the wrong impression.
Step 2. Speak slowly
Talking in a hurry is a bad habit and can make it difficult for people to hear or even understand what you are saying. This will cause your listeners to step aside and stop listening.
- So, it is very important that you slow down your speech by saying words slowly and pausing between sentences; this will help you to emphasize what you are saying and give you a chance to catch your breath!
- Besides, it's good not to speak too slowly. Speaking too slowly can sound monotonous to your listeners, so they may lose their temper and leave you.
- The ideal speaking speed is between 120 to 160 words per minute. However, if you're giving a speech, it's a good idea to adjust your speaking speed – speaking slower will help you emphasize a point, while speaking faster will give the impression of enthusiasm and enthusiasm.
Step 3. Say it
Speaking clearly is perhaps the most important aspect of developing a good speaking voice. You have to pay close attention to every word you say; pronounce it properly.
Make sure you open your mouth, relax your lips and keep your tongue and teeth in the correct position when you speak. It can also help you reduce or disguise a lisp, if you have one. It may seem strange at first, but if you keep trying to pronounce your words correctly, over time it will feel natural to you
Step 4. Practice deep breathing
Breathing deeply is essential for a full, rich speaking voice. Most people breathe too fast and short while talking, resulting in unnatural nasal sounds.
- Your breath should come from your diaphragm, not your chest. To find out if you are breathing properly, place your fists on your abdomen, just below your lower ribs; You will feel your stomach expand and see your shoulders rise and fall as you breathe in.
- Practice your breathing by taking deep breaths, allowing the air to fill your belly. Inhale for a count of 5 seconds, then exhale for another 5 seconds. Get used to this way of breathing, then try to do it in your daily conversation.
- Remember that sitting or standing up straight, with your chin up and your shoulders back, will help you breathe more deeply and project your voice more easily. It will also give you confidence when you speak.
- Try to take a breath at the end of each sentence; if you use deep breathing, you will have enough air to finish the next sentence without having to stop to take a breath. This will also give your listeners a chance to understand what you are saying.
Step 5. Change your tone of voice
The tone of your voice can have a real impact on the quality of your speech and the resulting impact on your listeners. In general, speaking in a quivering or unstable tone can give the impression of nervousness, while speaking in a steady tone can be calm and persuasive.
- While you are not required to change the tone of your natural voice (please don't imitate Darth Vader's speech), you should try to control it. Don't let your nervousness get the better of you and try to get a fuller, smoother tone of voice.
- You can practice controlling the pitch of your voice by humming a song, or simply by reading a script aloud to yourself. Remember that you don't have to maintain a steady tone all the time; some “should” words are said in a high pitched tone for emphasis.
Part 2 of 2: Practice Your Speech
Step 1. Do some vocal exercises
Doing vocal exercises can be a good way to develop your natural speaking voice.
- Try to relax your mouth and your vocal cords. You can do this by yawning widely, moving your jaw from side to side, humming a song, and gently massaging your throat muscles with your fingers.
- Increase your breathing and air storage capacity by exhaling until all the air is out of your lungs, then take a deep breath and hold it for 15 seconds before exhaling again.
- Practice the pitch of your voice by singing the "ah" sound, first in your normal voice, then lower. You can also do this by ringing each letter in the alphabet.
Step 2. Practice reading aloud
To train in pronunciation, speed and power of speech, it's a good idea to practice reading aloud.
- Choose a portion of the text from a book or magazine, or better yet, find a well-known speech (such as that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and read it aloud to yourself.
- Remember to stand up straight, breathe deeply and open your mouth wide as you speak. Stand in front of a mirror if this helps.
- Keep practicing until you are satisfied with what you hear. Then try to use the same technique as part of your daily speech.
Step 3. Record yourself
While most people don't like hearing their own voice, it's a good idea to listen to your own voice.
- This can help you to spot errors that normally cannot be found, such as incorrect pronunciation and problems with the speed or pitch of speech.
- These days, most cell phones have a record option that you can use to listen to yourself. You can also use a video camera (which can help you check your posture, eye contact and mouth movements).
Step 4. Meet a vocal coach
If you're concerned about improving your voice, for events such as debates, speeches or presentations, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a vocal coach. They can identify your speech problems individually and help you fix them.
- A vocal coach can also help if you have a local or colloquial accent that you'd like to try to reduce or eliminate. Removing accents is a tricky thing to do, so seeing someone professional can really help.
- If seeing a trainer sounds overwhelming to you, consider practicing in the presence of a well-articulated friend or family member. They will probably be able to find your problem and provide helpful hints. It will also help you feel more confident in public speaking.
Step 5. Smile as you speak
People will judge you and the content of your speech more positively if you use an open, friendly, and constructive tone of speech (rather than using an aggressive, harsh, or boring tone of voice).
- A good way to make your tone more friendly and warm is to smile as you speak. Not a grin, but even a slightly raised corner of your mouth can make your voice more pleasant to hear – even on the phone.
- Of course, a smile isn't always appropriate, especially if you're discussing a serious matter. But remember that putting emotion into your voice (any emotion) can work wonders.
Tips
- Good posture is essential to getting a good voice, and there's a separate article to help with that: How to Improve Your Posture.
- If possible, do this exercise in a covered room with a carpet so you can hear your voice better.
- Try doing a few different singing exercises, as they're a good way to learn good breathing and vocal technique.
- When your vocal cords make sounds, you will feel vibrations in your chest, back, neck and head. These vibrations create resonance and give your voice a full, pleasing sound. This is what you will achieve, so spend some time relaxing these parts.
- Your jaw and lips are the most important parts to relax because they form a resonance chamber, like the hole in a guitar. If your mouth is too closed, you will have to put more effort into making the same loud sound. Relaxing and freeing your jaw and lips will make your voice sound more natural and not muffled or muffled.
- Don't be depressed if you are not satisfied with your voice. Some easily recognizable voices range from high to low and range in between, including the voices of Kristen Schaal, Gilbert Gottfried, Eartha Kitt, and Jennifer Tilly.
