Improving your speaking voice
 

I need to address a colleague's public speaking. We both know it needs improvement, but I don't want to say "we need to do something about this" without being able to say what that something is.

The main points are diction and projection (in other words, mumbling).

A simple Amazon search finds titles with books and CDs like "Speaking Clearly," but I do not want to waste anyone's time with something that might not work.

I would be interested in hearing what other people have done to address this, and hearing other people's stories about improving their own public speaking.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

I don't have any actual expertise in this area, but I do have a suggestion:

If you think he would play one, buy him a harmonica, or ocarina, or pennywhistle etc. (Other wind instruments would work, but those are cheap.) Learning basic breath control is a huge part of learning to speak well, and it's very easy to do musically.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

I think you should just flat out tell him. I used to mumble sometimes, family told me when I was, and I made a concentrated effort to not do it anymore - I don't. I also talk fast (New Yorker) and I've also made the effort to not do that anymore with people not from NY - I don't do it anymore.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

This is overkill, but Cicely Berry's book on the voice is incredibly good and thorough.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Does he think he has a problem with public speaking? If not, you might want to record an event where he speaks and watch it/listen to it with him.

If he doesn't think he has a problem, he's unlikely to go to any efforts to try to improve.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

I think he'll do better with a voice coach rather than a book, as it's more of a physical skill. It's amazing what a good teacher can do with a voice in a lesson or two.

You might simply mention that you have trouble hearing or understanding him.

jmo

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

He definitely knows it's an issue.

What I am looking for now is a reasonable course of action.

Phat Mack, have you had experience with voice coaches? Any idea on rates? Found something on craigslist, but no rates specified and I am interested in what is reasonable.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Stevie - years ago I was once told that in general, people are speaking much faster than they think they are (nerves). Realize this is a bit of a no-brainer, but I've always found this advice to be helpful. Focusing on speaking slower should also clear up some of his mumbling.

-Al

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

I need help with this too. I'm told I mumble a lot and I get it from my dad cause I can't understand him half the time. I tend to talk fast when nervous too. I once rattled off a huge order at the Burger King drive thru that made me run out of breath...five second silence...dude at the drive thru then replied, "yeah...i'm going to go ahead an have you repeat ALL of that...". Embarassing.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Shy - it really is about nerves for the most part, imo. So going through dry runs, practicing in front of mirrors, this is all obvious but good, practical advice intended to build up your confidence.

Stevie - the diction issue would concern me more, actually.

-Al

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

For diction and articulation, have him go home every night and read something like the front page of the newspaper with a wine cork between his front teeth. That kind of forces people to use their lips properly.

As others of said, projection is more about breathing properly, and that usually results from nerves. It's always awkward when has to pause in the middle of a phrase (when there shouldn't be a pause) because they're out of breath. Slowing down will help alot with this.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

There are two things that are likely to be happening here. The primary issue is as several people have mentioned, fear. Most of us get nervous when we have to speak publicly and it shows in any number of ways. Trying to deal with symptoms (mumbling, rapid speech, etc) isn't particularly useful because often the fear will just manifest itself in some other way. There are a number of techniques people use but I have found the most useful ones center around changing the speakers focus.

The second likely issue has to do with natural speaking habits. If you mumble or talk fast in everyday life you are likely to do the same (only heightened)in public.

Speech therapists and vocal coaches are more likely to help with the second problem than the first. If you can find a vocal coach who works with actors primarily they are more likely to be of help than one who tends to work with singers. I haven't been in the market in some time so I don't know what prices are like these days, but I do know that a lot if it depends on where you live.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Hey all, thought I'd chime in since I have some expertise in the area. I'm actually launching a membership site aimed at improving public speaking and presentation skills in the next week or so (there's some sample content already up on the site at www.SuccessfulCommunication.com).

Couple of things:

1. I wouldn't hire a voice coach or vocal coach as the mumbling and diction problems are more likely to be a result of his fear of public speaking (causing him to speak too quickly and slur his words) as opposed to a poor speaking voice.

2. The way to confront him about the problem is to videotape a few people in your office giving presentations (don't just isolate him) and have a critique session afterwards. Not only will this isolate a few areas for improvement, but it will also likely comfort him by seeing that he isn't as terrible a speaker as he thought he was. Even if he is atrocious, people universally think they are worse speakers than they actually are.

Drill Suggestion:
The drill I use with my clients to eliminate mumbling is to bite down on a pencil (not the tip or the eraser but the midsection) and carry on a conversation with me. If they want me to understand a word that they are seeing, they quickly realize that they have to over-enunciate which trains their lips in a particular way so that they avoid mumbling in the future. It's a drill that is astonishingly effective, but it's also lighthearted so you can suggest he try it without feeling awkward.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'd be glad to help.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

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The second likely issue has to do with natural speaking habits. If you mumble or talk fast in everyday life you are likely to do the same (only heightened)in public.

Speech therapists and vocal coaches are more likely to help with the second problem than the first. If you can find a vocal coach who works with actors primarily they are more likely to be of help than one who tends to work with singers.

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Thanks, Skooch. It's definitely the second thing. Even casual speech one-on-one can be difficult to make out.

As far as nerves, it cannot be ruled out, but he seems comfortable enough meeting new people, working himself in socially, etc.

Tupacia, knowing that, do you think vocal coach is appropriate?

I like the pencil exercise. It sounds similar to what James Boston suggested with a wine cork.

What I really like about both of them is that it should make it all more self-conscious. If he starts to think about it and just slows down he should be much better off.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

[ QUOTE ]
He definitely knows it's an issue.

What I am looking for now is a reasonable course of action.

Phat Mack, have you had experience with voice coaches? Any idea on rates? Found something on craigslist, but no rates specified and I am interested in what is reasonable.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never been to one, but had a friend who was a "low talker" who did. The results were remarkable.

I live in a music town, and there are lots of voice coaches for singers etc. My friend saw an ad in a local entertainment weekly and signed up. Rates were relatively cheap, maybe $30 a lesson--maybe less.

Graigslist might be a good place to start if you asked about experience, references etc.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Stevie,

Given that added info, a voice coach does sound like it could be helpful.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Thanks, guys.

Craigslist is where I found the source mentioned earlier. I emailed for a rate quote.

If we can't secure company funding for a voice coach, are any of the self study books with CDs worth a go?

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Stevie,

I've done some media training, and the biggest impact on me was when they videotaped me. As Al said, the biggest thing I noticed that wasn't apparent otherwise was how fast I was going.

Lots of people are big fans of Toastmasters, but I don't know much about them.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

El D,

What is media training? I work in media and I can't say that I'm familiar with it.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

James,

I think El D is referring to receiving training for appearing in interviews, TV and radio segments, and handling press conferences. It's like public speaking training specific to media outlets.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

[ QUOTE ]
James,

I think El D is referring to receiving training for appearing in interviews, TV and radio segments, and handling press conferences. It's like public speaking training specific to media outlets.

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Gotcha. But, what does this entail?

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

James,

As El Diablo mentioned, it usually involves videotaping the client as they go through mock interviews, mock press conferences, and other times when they may be asked to speak to the media.

After the taping, you go through the videotape with the client and critique their delivery, the way they structure their answers, their posture, and other things of that nature. After the second or third taping, the difference is always dramatic.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Diablo - Why did you go through media training, who trained you, and please tell us about it? I would be interested in hearing about that experience.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

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their posture, and other things of that nature.

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Hmmm. This is interesting. I was on the radio for a long time. Speaking was never something that bothered me. However, every time I saw myself on TV, I thought I looked stupid.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

when I have to present something in public part of me freezes and I tend to go in a monotone, monocord boring voice mode. Does that happen to anyone? How could I change that?

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

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their posture, and other things of that nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm. This is interesting. I was on the radio for a long time. Speaking was never something that bothered me. However, every time I saw myself on TV, I thought I looked stupid.

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Without knowing what exactly about your TV appearance made you think you looked stupid, here are a couple of possible explanations I see frequently with my clients:

1. Poor body image: If you consider yourself fat or unattractive or have other body image considerations, then you may think you looked stupid because you are uncomfortable with the way you look.

2. Not enough motion in the frame (TV viewing window): If you aren't moving your hands and body in the appropriate way, you will appear stiff and robotic. A person that isn't moving at all presents a very uncomfortable vision for the viewer.

3. Too much motion in the frame: Conversely, if you are moving too much during your interview or appearance (dependent mostly on the zoom the cameramen are using) then you can also look stupid. A slight rocking back and forth that may be barely noticeable in a regular conversation is magnified in the high-zoom TV formats used for most interviews (think Hardball or O'Reilly Factor for instance).

4. Matching your gestures with your words: Many people have problems matching appropriate hand gestures and body movements to their spoken words for maximum impact. Great speakers know exactly what gesture or movement coincides with their message.

Hope that was helpful.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

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when I have to present something in public part of me freezes and I tend to go in a monotone, monocord boring voice mode. Does that happen to anyone? How could I change that?

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You are afraid of public speaking. Your monotone voice is a symptom of that fear, so thus attempting to treat your voice in isolation will be ineffective.

How to overcome your fear? You have a couple of different options:

1. Hire a personal speaking coach. While the most expensive option, it is also the most effective as a good speaking coach can address your personal strengths and weaknesses and boost your confidence.

2. Buy/use resources. There are many resources dedicated to improving your speaking (shameless plug: my website www.SuccessfulCommunication.com being one of them) on the Internet. However, as someone in the industry, there is a ton of misinformation being passed off as "expert knowledge." Caveat emptor.

3. Do it yourself: The most effective method for improving your speaking skills by yourself is to videotape yourself giving speeches, watch those videotapes, critique your performance, and do the whole process again and again. While not easy, you will get used to the thought of seeing yourself speaking which will actually eliminate much of the fear of speaking.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

Anecdote:

I suck at public speaking. Often times in highschool and college, I would get nervous as hell, (in college I would even shake). I found that it was because I was not prepared. I mean I would go up, knowing there was no way in hell I should be giving a speech, and then talk.

Quit funny in retrospect.

Anyway, last semester, I had to give a speech. Luckily, I got to choose what I would blab about, and i chose "Making Music on your Computer". I basically showed to a hall of 100 kids (by far the biggest crowed I ever talked to) how to make music. And I was not nervous at all; I was talking loud, and not conscious about myself; only focusing on the presentation.

Now, I did take about 7 or 8mg of hydrocodone (chewed it up mind you) as well as some valarian root to chill myself out, but honestly I doubt it did much; I was thinking clear, focused, and doing well.

I attribute it to knowing, very well, what you are talking about. Now, that is not the only factor. I recently did some poker videos of me playing NL30 deep on FT. And in relistening, I found that I sound like I am high on heroin:

Quite/timid voice
Lazy sounding/talking slow
In general it sounds like I am uninterested/not confidant

Now, in reality I smash these games like like windows during the L.A riots. Its just my voice/style. It always seems liek I am sad or bored, b/c my voice is monotone, and slow. Speaking in a huge hall, I had to cognitively compensate, however when I am not in those circumstances, I do not compensate, and thus my voice is very mellow.

So I guess what I am saying is; it is a multi edge sword, and I too am fighting this battle. (actually not really, but maybe I'll start working on my PS skills)

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

If u want to pick up a book, i understand that Roger Love's books (esp Set Your Voice Free) are more or less the standard-bearers. Love is basically the go-to guy in Hollywood whenever actors need voice coaching. He coached Joaquin Phoenix to emulate Johnny Cash for Walk The Line.

Re: Improving your speaking voice
 

I did a CLE that involved public speaking where they taped my performance before and after the speaking coach was through. It was a while ago, so I don't remember everything, but I do remember some points.

* TALK LOUD. I have a naturally quiet speaking voice. So I basically felt like I was yelling by the time the coach said my voice was loud enough. This is obviously not applicable if you're speaking into a mic.

* Vary your speaking pattern. Don't say everything in the same tone. Speak slowly and emphasize some points. Speak faster at other points. Don't be a monotone.

* Scan the room. Maintain eye contact with the audience. But make sure it's not just one person. So you divide the room into thirds and face each third of the room for a few seconds before you move to the other thirds. (My big problem is that, when I have to think about something (e.g., answering a question, I look up to the ceiling before I answer). It's a tendency I've had for years in 1-on-1 conversations. It's distracting.

* Posture. Stand up straight. Notice your arms. Don't just let them lay by your side, you need some movement, but not too much.