By Oleda Baker
I’m not old enough to remember silent movies and the popular film stars of the 1920’s, but many of the public’s illusions about those people were destroyed when “talkies” came to movie theaters. Grand impressions of flawless faces and figures were shattered when some actors’ voices were actually heard for the first time.
We may not be movie stars, but the sound and quality of our voices is just as important, not only in our careers, but also in relating to loved ones and friends, and in our day-to-day conversations in general.
You Don’t Have To Be “Stuck” With The Voice You’ve Had All Your Life. You Can Change It.
Your voice is a wind instrument. Your lungs provide air, your vocal cords are vibrators, and your throat and mouth act as a “horn.” When everything is in harmony, the voice can be like music to the ear, soothing and persuasive. But when “off key,” it’s like a musical instrument that needs tuning.
Don’t Speak Too Slowly Or Too Fast.
Our voices can do a great job of either turning listeners on or turning them away. Fast talk sounds impersonal and overbearing. Slow talk suggests you are bored, so you may find the people you’re talking with soon become bored as well.
Is Your Voice Nasal?
The main cause of a weak, nasal, voice is tension in the muscles at the back of the tongue. “Talking through your nose” is usually caused by not opening your mouth wide enough when speaking. When that happens, sound will be forced to come through your nose. Train the muscles at the back of your tongue to relax. Test this by holding your hand in front of your mouth and nose, and then feel the air as you blow it alternately through your mouth, then your nose. To be clear and crisp when speaking: the air should be coming through your mouth.
Do You Have A Piercing, High Pitched Voice?
Some women have a high-pitched voice that is penetrating. A lower-pitched voice strokes the body, is more pleasing, and gets more attention.
If your voice is high-pitched and penetrating, take a few deep breaths and say, “I don’t think it’s going to snow.” Then lower your voice and say it again… keep doing this until you reach a level you’re comfortable with. Practice this low “tone” until you are accustomed to it. Think of the musical scale, “ do re mi fa so la ti do.” Go up and down…see what range you really have.
Do You Mumble? Speak In A Monotone?
This has an easy solution. Stretch open your mouth as wide as you can and repeat the vowels: A E I O U. See how closed the mouth has been? Practice this and you will soon “hear” yourself when you mumble.
Don’t forget to use your new sound on the phone too. Your voice really counts there.
I remember many years ago thinking I needed to lower my voice a little . . . and I did!
Until next time,
Love, Oleda
Come visit me on facebook.
Biography
Oleda Baker, now 76, began her career as a high fashion model with the prestigious Wilhelmina Model Agency, in New York City. She is the author of ten books on beauty, health and anti-aging, and one novel Reluctant Goddess. Oleda is founder and CEO of Oleda and Company, Inc., her 38-year-old anti-aging products company for skin, hair, diet, energy, nutritional supplement products as well as special makeup. www.oleda.com. oleda@oleda.com Oleda is also a visionary artist. Her oil paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the country, the latest one last year at the Museum of Florida Art, DeLand. www.oledaart.com.
Oleda’s latest book, “BREAKING THE AGE BARRIER Great Looks and Health at Every Age,” will be available Nov. 2010 which can be seen on www.oleda.com.