Page 22 - January 2021 Voices

FIELD NOTES

Vocal Pitfalls to Avoid While Speaking - Part 3
How to Create Vocal Resonance

Laura Handke

You’ve worked up the courage to give a speech. You’ve We may not all have been born
written, edited, and re-edited. You’ve rehearsed until you with voices as resonant as James Earl

don’t want to listen to your own speech one more time. Jones. Yet regardless of our body
You’re at the podium, breathing deeply, which calms your structure and voice type, we can all
nerves and lessens the shaking of your hands. You open create resonance in our voices.
your mouth, and…wonder where your voice went. Resonance is that deep, full,

What you hoped would be a roar is more like a squeak. reverberating characteristic which
You can see people leaning in, straining to hear you, at the allows your voice to carry and be
back of the room. You would like to be hauled out of there heard at the back of the room, even
with a hook, like in an old vaudeville act. without a microphone.

What happened? You didn’t notice this pitiful, stuck- Picture, as best you can, the
behind-the-podium, voice while rehearsing in the privacy inside of your skull and nasal
of your living room with Betty the Boxer dog. Betty heard cavities. They provide a space for
you just fine, and, in fact, barked her approval. Not one sound to bounce around in. Train

growl did Betty give. yourself to aim your voice into that
The culprit here may just be a lack of resonance in your “mask” or “buzzy spot.”
voice. Close your mouth tightly, and
One of the most naturally resonant voices I’ve ever heard say, “Mmmm,” like a cow would.

belongs to James Earl Jones. (Oh, how the memories are You should feel vibrations inside
flooding in from 1980’s Star Wars Episode V: The Empire your mouth and nasal cavities. You
Strikes Back. “No, I am your father.” Now you know my want this, as a speaker or performer.
age bracket! Fun fact: it really is “No,” instead of “Luke.”) Open your mouth now, say, “My,”

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