Have you noticed how some people seem to command a room with their voice? They open their mouths, and everyone listens. No one says, “What? Can you say that again? I didn’t hear you.”
But then when YOU speak, you think to yourself, “I don’t have a powerful voice. I just can’t seem to command the room.” Or “I speak, but no one seems to listen.” Have you secretly envied those people who can project a powerful confident voice, seemingly without any effort?
Then we have good news for you! You can learn the exact skills that those people already know. We’ve even addressed some of the necessary skills in some of our past YouTube videos and blogs, like placing your voice in the mask, using twang to sound louder without strain, and of course, breath support.
Learn more tips for projection:
YouTube:How To Speak Through a Mask Using Twang
Blog:Vocal Problems? You Need A GPS For Your Voice
Blog: Diaphragmatic Breathing De-Mystified: It’s Not A Lot of B.S.!
But the tip we’re going to show you in our new YouTube short video is so simple, you can start using it TODAY with very little practice! It’s so easy: to be heard, make more sound. What makes more sound, the consonants we pronounce when we speak, or the vowels? The VOWELS! They have more sound energy, and therefore tend to project more than the consonants like “p” or “t”. Think of it this way: the consonants improve our diction, and help people to understand what we’re saying. But the vowels really carry the sound of the voice.
So if you want your voice to project better, slightly prolong your vowels. Streeeeeetch them out. That’s right. Just make your vowel sounds a bit longer when you want to be heard across the restaurant when you’re calling the waiter, and your voice will project more easily. Listen to the video to see how we did it.
Of course, you can learn some of the other techniques we mentioned above, either from our videos, or by studying with a qualified voice therapist, singing teacher, or voice trainer. But no matter what other techniques you use, you’ll have a much better chance of projecting your voice if you remember to prolong your vowels. Remember, when in doubt, STREEEETCH it out! Try it out and see for yourself!