It’s not What you Say, it’s How you Say it that counts. Lesson one.
Are you a “Johnny one-note” or a “Mary one-note?” How flat, dull and monotonous is your voice? Does your communication energize others, tune them out, or even put them to sleep?
One of the three major toolboxes you possess, own and control is your vocal toolbox. That toolbox is filled with a vast variety of tools and techniques rarely tapped in communicating with others — even less so in this digital age.
Two of the greatest orators were the Greeks Cicero and Demosthenes. It has been recorded throughout history when Cicero finished speaking the crowd would say “that was a great speech.” When Demosthenes got through speaking the audiences were moved to take action.
Initially, Demosthenes was a stutterer who failed in numerous court appeals to recover his inheritance. His life changed after he met an actor who trained him and showed him the tools and techniques on how to tap his mental, vocal and physical toolboxes. With this training, in his final appeal to the courts Demosthenes reclaimed his inheritance.
How you say it. The human voice is capable of 3 octaves or 36 pitches and in rare cases more. (Think of a piano keyboard where the black keys count). People rarely use more than 2 to 4 pitches— notice I didn’t say notes. How many pitches do you utilize when you speak? Record yourself on your smart phone for the answer. And save the recording.
To expand your vocal range practice vocalizing doing the scale with a vowel with a real piano or a piano app on your smart phone or tablet. Practice at least 15 minutes daily — while you’re driving, in the shower, walking, running, biking — for 3 to 4 weeks and you will hear your expanded vocal range. Record your expanded vocal range and compare it with an initial recording you make before you started to vocalize.
Vocal pitch variety is one of the many tools available in your vocal tool box. I will explore more tools and how to use them in upcoming blogs.
Remember, 85% of your personal and professional success is based on your communication skills. Now you know how you say it. Stay tuned for Lesson 2.
Larry
As a coach, trainer and consultant, Larry Blumsack partners with people and organizations on the move and those already there to accelerate their communication, presentation and speaking skills to be on par with their ambition. Through one-on-one coaching and group training Larry helps leaders and aspiring leaders elevate their presence and communication skills to influence more people, sell more products-services-ideas and inspire others more successfully than they ever imagined.
Larry is the bestselling author of Face-to-Face is The Ultimate Social Media and founder of Zoka Institute and Zoka Training®. Zoka Training® — Mind/Voice/Body/Mindfulness in sync — is the result of Larry’s 45 years as a coach, acting teacher, actor, voice-over artist, theater and TV director/producer, radio & TV commentator and show host, speaker, trainer, serial entrepreneur, and syndicated columnist. Larry was a founding member of the theater department at Northeastern University.
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