You can also accomplish a similar effect by simply blocking breath from entering your nose through the mouth. As you speak, airflow naturally travels through both your mouth and nose. Blocking off your nose restricts the amount of air that escapes through your nasal passages and causes more air to be trapped deeper in your throat and mouth. This change in amount and pressure causes your vocal cords to vibrate differently, which changes the way your voice sounds.
Expression can affect the emotion with which words are spoken, but expression also changes the formation of your words because your mouth is held in a different position. For instance, consider how the word “oh” sounds when you smile versus how it sounds when your face remains loose. A loose “oh” is more rounded, while an “oh” spoken through a smile will sound shorter in comparison and may even resemble the “ah” sound.
Your voice, like any sound, travels through various mediums in the form of sound waves. The way that those waves are transmitted through air differs from the way those waves sound when traveled through a different medium, like a solid. By placing a solid obstacle in front of your mouth as you speak, you force the sound waves through that obstacle, thereby changing the way that others’ ears hear and interpret the sound.
Mumbling changes both word formation and the manner in which your voice carries. When you mumble, you keep your mouth more closed than usual. Certain sounds are pronounced while the mouth is only slightly opened, and those will not be affected much. On the other hand, sounds that naturally require you to open your mouth significantly more will be greatly altered. Consider the difference in sound when saying something as simple as “oh. ” First, say “oh” while opening your mouth wide open. Then, repeat the “oh” syllable while keeping your lips just barely parted. If you listen carefully, you should notice the difference in sound. Mumbling also causes you to speak softer. Clear, middle sounds may come through well enough when you speak softly, but softer sounds and end sounds tend to be obscured. Consider the difference in sound when repeating a simple phrase like “got it. ” Repeat the phrase forcefully in your normal tone. You will likely be able to pick up on the ending “t” sounds, even if the “t” at the end of “got” blends into the next word. Then, try repeating the phrase weakly in a quiet tone. The two vowel sounds will likely be audible, but the “t” sounds should have weakened significantly.
The easiest way to notice the difference is by asking a question in monotone. When asking a question, the vast majority of people will end with a higher intonation. The same question can sound much different when spoken in a flat voice, without that final shift in tone. Alternatively, if people tend to say that you have a flat voice, practice speaking with more enthusiasm or emotion. Think carefully about what you say and change your intonation as you speak accordingly. A good way to practice is with a simple phrase like “Yeah. ” When someone says “yeah” in a hurt way, there should be a downward shift in intonation. On the other hand, an enthusiastic “yeah” will have a strong tone with a somewhat high pitch from start to finish.
Non-rhoticity is a common feature of several accents, including the Boston accent and many British accents. Non-rhoticity refers to the practice of dropping the final “r” sound from a word. For example, “later” would sound like “lata” or “butter” would sound like “butta. " The “broad A” is another common feature of many accents, including many British accents, Boston accents, and accents found in English-speaking countries in the Southern Hemisphere, including New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. This practice involves lengthening the short “a” sound.
Check for apps through the Apple App Store iPhone, Windows Marketplace if you have a Windows phone, or Google Play if you have an Android.
A standard novelty voice changer ranges in price from $25 to $50. Each device works differently, so you should check out the specifications to know what you are getting. Most grant you the ability to change the pitch of your voice in different ways, and many novelty devices are portable. Some devices require you to pre-record your message, but others can be used to adjust your voice as you speak, transmitting the altered through a cell phone or other speaker. Carefully read the instructions that come with your novelty voice changer to learn how to use it properly.
Does your voice sound nasally or gravelly? Is it easy or difficult to understand what you’re saying? Is your voice breathy or clear?
Make sure your breathing passages are clear. If you tend to have allergies or your nose is often clogged for other reasons, your voice is going to be stunted and nasally. Clear up your allergies, drink plenty of water and try to keep your sinuses clear. Practice opening your mouth wider when you speak. Drop your jaw and enunciate your words lower in your mouth, rather than producing them in your soft palate.
Try doing breathing exercises and exercises that will open up your voice. That can help you use more of the full range of your voice. [3] X Expert Source Ted Coopersmith, MBAAcademic Tutor Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.
To determine whether you’re speaking through your mask, touch your lips and nose as you speak. They should vibrate if you’re utilizing the entire area. [4] X Research source If they don’t vibrate at first, experiment with different sounds until you find a way of speaking that works, then practice speaking that way all the time.
Exhale, pushing all the air from your lungs. Once your air runs out, your lungs will automatically begin to inhale deeply in an attempt to satisfy your need for air. Pay close attention to how your lungs feel when you take a deep breath. Inhale comfortably and hold your breath for 15 seconds before exhaling. Gradually increase the amount of time you hold your breath to 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, and 1 minute. This exercise strengthens your diaphragm. Laugh heartily, purposefully making a “ha ha ha” sound. Expel all the air from your lungs with your laugh, then inhale deeply and quickly. Lie on your back and place a book or solid object on your diaphragm. Relax as much of your body as possible. Pay close attention to the movement of your diaphragm, noting how the book rises and falls as you breathe. Flatten your stomach as much as possible when you exhale, and repeat until you automatically expand and contract your waist with each breath. Inhale deeply while standing. Exhale, counting aloud from one to five with a single breath. Repeat the exercise until you are able to comfortably count from 1 to 10 on one exhale. When you get the hang of speaking this way, you should be able to project so that your voice can be heard by people on the other side of the room without causing you to become hoarse.
Pitch is altered in large part by the laryngeal cartilage. This is the movable piece of cartilage that rises and falls in your throat as you sing a scale: doh, re, mi, fa, sol, lah, ti, doh. [6] X Research source Raising the laryngeal cartilage raises your pitch and creates a more feminine sound. Dropping the laryngeal cartilage drops your pitch and creates a more masculine sound. To speak in a lower voice, do exercises to relax your throat, like yawning or opening your mouth really wide from top to bottom. When you open your mouth, you’ll notice that your voice is much more rounded, resonant, and deep. [7] X Expert Source Ted Coopersmith, MBAAcademic Tutor Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.
Don’t smoke. Smoking cigarettes has a very pronounced effect on the voice, causing it to lose volume and range over time. If you want your voice to stay clear and strong, it’s best to quit. [8] X Research source Cut back on drinking. High alcohol intake can also cause your voice to age prematurely. Try to breathe clean air. If you live in a polluted area, load your house with plants to clean the air, and try to get away from the city to breathe fresh air as often as possible. Don’t scream too much. If you’re a huge fan of hardcore music or you just enjoy screaming sometimes, be aware that using your voice in this way can strain it. Plenty of singers have experienced laryngitis and other vocal maladies from overusing their vocal cords.
Try taking a few deep breaths before you speak. In addition to calming you down, this will gear you up to project from your diaphragm, improving the sound of your voice. Take 10 seconds to think before you react. When you allow yourself time to gather your thoughts before reacting in nervousness or surprise, you have greater control over your voice. Think, take a swallow, then speak - you’ll find that your voice comes out more steady and relaxed. [9] X Research source
With piano accompaniment, begin singing a scale: doh, re, mi, fa, sol, lah, ti, doh. Start at the most comfortable, natural pitch possible. Repeat the scale, increasing your starting pitch by one note each time until your voice begins straining. Once your voice begins to strain, stop. Repeat the scale again, decreasing your starting pitch by one note each time and stopping once your voice begins to strain. Keep your throat relaxed to make it easier to create lower tones. [11] X Expert Source Ted Coopersmith, MBAAcademic Tutor Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.
