improving one's speech

[Basic]

A deeper, well modulated speaking voice.

 

I'd like to develop one. Can it be done without sounding fake.

 

Anyone use a coach for this?

[whichwayisup]

Probably you'd have to go to a speech therapist is my guess. Or get some audio tapes and practice with them if you have a microphone. That way you can record yourself and play it back.

 

Do you mean prounication as well? Projection etc.?

[Basic]

Probably you'd have to go to a speech therapist is my guess. Or get some audio tapes and practice with them if you have a microphone. That way you can record yourself and play it back.

 

Do you mean prounication as well? Projection etc.?

 

I think you are right, Amazon dot com (don't want any link trouble) here I come. Yes I should work on the total package Projection etc.

 

thank you wwiu for responding.

[Curmudgeon]

I think most of us have to go with the voice we're given. Admittedly, I was involved in some drama during high school and college but my voice was naturally deep. What I did learn to do was project and that was a help. I can address and be heard by a large audience without having to rely on a microphone.

 

Professionally, I did a lot of public speaking as well as some television and a bit of radio. Enunciation was important, as was speaking in clear, well-rounded tones and not rushing my speach. On my own I developed some techniques for "playing" my voice, almost like an instrument. That took time and still takes thought but the results can be fun, as can pausing for effect, an occasional accent, purposely tripping on a word, etc.

 

While I have a very good vocabulary (love crossword puzzles), I generally tend to speak rather simply and only pull out the "big" words when dealing with an ass who's trying to impress with his.

 

I've noticed that many young people tend to rush their words and pronunciation which is very hard on these old ears and unpleasant to listen to. It's as if they wish to say as much as they can in as short a time as possible.

[Outcast]

There are voice coaches. Pitch and tone can definitely be changed. I've noticed more with women - if you see any old SNL shows with Candice Bergen, she has a high squeaky voice, not the mellow husky tone she uses now.

 

And there are radio guys who 'put on' a very 'showbiz' tone when on radio that would sound totally silly in regular conversation.

[Curmudgeon]

That's true. Some of the people I was on television with sounded one way on the air ands very different in normal conversation. However, even without coaching I think most of us can alter our voices reasonably to make them more pleasing if we record ourselves and figure out what we'd like to change.

 

As for me, I'm just going to keep what God gave me. My mother's dying regret (among others, I'm sure) was that I never went into broadcasting.

[Outcast]

My mother's dying regret (among others, I'm sure) was that I never went into broadcasting.

 

You still could. Do voiceover stuff. I'm real real tired of the guy who does ALL the movie trailer voiceovers. Replace him, willya?

[Craig]

Nearly anyone can improve their voice by using a coach or speech therapist. I didn't have a bad voice, actually based on what people say a very nice voice just a little too quiet sometimes so I used a speech therapist and now I can sound like one of those guys doing voice overs if I want. In fact my speech therapist strongly encouraged me to get into the voice over business and I think that I might do that.

 

Heh, heh, heh what better revenge upon my STBXW than for her to have to hear my voice on the radio or TV for the rest of her days.

 

Go for it, get yourself a coach or see a speech therapist and you'll never regret it, I promise.

[Basic]

I'll start with self training, aided by tapes, books.

 

Maybe I'll try coaches later.