Voice Dynamic Newsletter

Stop Yelling, Start Projecting

March 10, 2007

 

Greetings!

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend Mega Book Marketing University by Mark Victor Hanson (co-author Chicken Soup for the Soul) in Los Angeles and heard many excellent speakers.  What an overwhelming experience this was for everyone who attended.  If you are an aspiring writer, publisher, or agent, be it through traditional publishing methods or online publishing; if want to become better at marketing your product, I highly recommend attending one of his conferences.  

Just How Important is Your Voice?      

One of the speakers from last weekend's conference served not only as the Master of Ceremonies but also gave two 2-hour presentations.  By the end of Saturday evening's program, his voice was shot.  He complained several times during that presentation that he was losing his voice.  When I was finally able to meet him on Sunday, I asked him how much value he placed on his voice.  He said that indeed his voice was priceless.  I said, "Then why don't you pursue voice training?" at which point he responded that he was sick which was why his voice was hoarse and sore and that he knew all about voice training.  I could tell that he really didn't want to take the conversation any further.  So, I let it drop.      

What this man doesn't understand is that had he been powering his voice with the support of his diaphragm, he would have had more voice by the end of his presentation, he would have done less damage to his vocal folds and throat, and he would have been able to project his voice instead of yelling at us.  No, good voice training doesn't mean that you can speak nonstop 24 hours a day but it does mean that you'll go much further (even with a cold) than if just your voice box, your mouth and/or your nose are doing all the work. It takes a lot less work and a lot less energy to speak with your diaphragm than without it!  

Speak Up, We Can't Hear You!        

While I certainly heard many fine speakers, I was surprised at a few of those speakers who were difficult to hear at times.  The recording engineers in the back booth should have been increasing the output level of the speaker system undoubtedly; however, for those who tend to be a bit soft-spoken, I found it a shame that they were unaware that many of their words were falling on 'deaf' ears.   People in front and in back of me were asking, "What did he say?"  It it important to understand volume; and, if you tend to be on the soft-spoken side, you need to learn how to increase your volume comfortably so that the rest of us can hear you.      

So how does you increase your volume?                

Learn to breathe with support;                

Learn to speak within your optimum range.     

I sound like a broken record, don't I?  But if you think about it, not being heard is no different than having no voice!

Voicing It! a fit for your needs

I spoke this week with Bill Fuhrmann, a woodworker and retired teacher from Massachusetts who had just received Voicing It! and I was delighted to hear his reaction.  Having purchased several dance videos in the past, he was most impressed with the quality of Voicing It!   What spurred me to phone Bill, however, was the email he sent me on Monday, two days after receiving his DVD kit.  

He wrote, "I just wanted to tell you that I received your package and am on page 35 of the manual.  I am very impressed by the professionalism of your presentation and what you have to say.  I already feel better and more sure of the fit of your course and my needs.  Thanks so much."