subject: Good Speaking Techniques Are Basically the Same As Good Singing Techniques [print this page] Good Speaking Techniques Are Basically the Same As Good Singing Techniques
A well-known radio personality emailed me this past week to ask my advice on keeping their speaking voice healthy and dependable. One of the questions asked was "Would it help for me to warm up with vocal exercises before I go on the air? I'm not a singer, so singing exercises are out. Are there vocal exercises available for non-singers?"
Sure, there are many vocal exercises available for non-singers, but in order for them to work, most of them must be sung.
So a better question would be "are there vocal exercises out there for someone who sings badly, but needs to improve their speaking voice?"
Speaking is singing is speaking is singing. They both use the same vocal cords, diaphragm, throat, mouth, teeth and tongue. The process is the same for both speaking and singing. So what are the differences?
1. Singing requires us to use more pitches than speaking. So what is a pitch? Say "I am going to town" using a monotone. Don't use any inflection. Say it very slowly and drawn out. You are actually "singing" those words on one pitch or tone. Have a musician friend find that pitch on the piano or guitar. It will be a specific pitch. (A or B or C#, etc) You are actually singing.
Now, say the word "I", holding it out for 8 seconds. You are singing on a specific pitch (unless you wobble it all around. Keep it steady.)
Now, start with that long spoken "I", hold it 4 seconds, then say "am" on a higher pitch.Hold that for 4 seconds then say "go" using the first pitch you used for "I". You get the routine. Speak very slowly through the whole sentence, holding on to each syllable for 4 seconds, changing notes or pitches for each one.You have just sung a little song. It doesn't need to sound good. You're not trying to become a singer (are you?).
Once you accept the fact that you can actually sing a melody you are ready for some vocal exercises to improve your speaking voice..
There are many simple and effective exercise programs available on the web. Type in "voice exercises", singing exercises", "vocal warmups", and you'll find some terrific ones, including my own.
Speaking is singing is speaking is singing. Understand that truth and you will improve your speaking voice.
Want to learn more easy techniques to improve your singing and speaking? Download my powerful new FREE ebook: "TIPS & TOOLS FOR ALL SINGERS"at: http://vocalvision.com/ad1.php
Al Koehn is a nationally recognized voice teacher, known for achieving amazing results with simple techniques. http://vocalvision.com
