Changing your voice

[determined]

Hi guys,

I've been working on my voice lately. Sometimes I speak from my stomach and it comes out deeper, sometimes I can't get it loud and resonant no matter how hard I try. And even when it does come out nicely, it's not that my baseline voice is actually getting deeper, it's just that I'm speaking from a different part of my body.

So my questions are:
1. How long should it take to see significant results?
2. Is there a way to actually deepen my voice, as opposed to just resonating from a different part of my body.
3. Any tips? I've done some googling and found exercises to relax the vocal chords, which I haven't been doing, and suggestions to speak from the stomach, which I've been concentrating on.

Thanks!

 

[Just_Dave]

Hey Determined,

1. It depends with age and how long you've been doing some quality practice.

2. Some people have natural voices, but speaking from the stomach can help. I would also recommend singing to increase your vocal range.

3. Do those exercises mate, and drink plenty of water and avoid drinking harsh drinks on the regular such as alcohol, "hot" tea, soda/pop, and any sugary substance. Humming works really well to relax your voice, and I would even add slowing down your speech to give you that "cool, calm, and manly" voice. Learning to breathe from the diaphragm/stomach is the best route to go mate.

Questions, comments, concerns?!

Dave

 

[flowerpower]

Hi,
I have a problem with that "speak from the stomach" thing, but well if it works for you then use it by all means. I haven't heard your voice but here's what I can say:

1. Could take a few months to a lifetime, depending on what kinds of results you're looking for, what you're working on and how you're working.
2. In my opinion, none except relaxation. You'll just hurt your voice by trying to lower it artificially. I think there's a confusion between depth and richness when it comes to timbre and resonance.
3. Relax jaw, tongue, throat, shoulders, abs, back, etc. Do exercises if you need to. Learn to breathe deeply, not in your upper chest. Don't be afraid to talk loud, never force, it should be easy. Focus on developing your resonators, especially nasal resonators (try humming so that your lips and nose vibrate, and try to reproduce that when you speak). Picture your column of air flowing from the diaphragm, hitting your palate, and resonating in your mouth and nose. And lastly, focus on intonation, pauses, not mumbling, shaping your phrases. This is much more important than people think.

Hi guys,

I've been working on my voice lately. Sometimes I speak from my stomach and it comes out deeper, sometimes I can't get it loud and resonant no matter how hard I try. And even when it does come out nicely, it's not that my baseline voice is actually getting deeper, it's just that I'm speaking from a different part of my body.

So my questions are:
1. How long should it take to see significant results?
2. Is there a way to actually deepen my voice, as opposed to just resonating from a different part of my body.
3. Any tips? I've done some googling and found exercises to relax the vocal chords, which I haven't been doing, and suggestions to speak from the stomach, which I've been concentrating on.

Thanks!

Edit: just realized Dave said more or less the same thing as me, must be a good sign!

 

[determined]

Thanks for the feedback.

Dave, funny that you mention singing because I do it all the time haha. And agreed on the water. I've noticed that right after I drink I notice my voice is fuller.

So am I correct in understanding that my voice will never change A LOT from the way it is now? There's a limit as to how much I can relax. Flower, you're saying that it will become richer, but not so much deeper?

And just to clarify, when I say that I TRY to make my voice deeper, what I mean is that I'm trying to relax, not that I'm trying to force a deep voice. When it works I can feel my stomach vibrate as I speak and my voice sounds more resonant.

 

[flowerpower]

Hi Deter (chose the wrong part of my gayish username to make a diminutive of ),

Your voice might change a little bit as you grow older, but not especially in the way of depth I'm afraid.
I would have to hear it before I can make any intelligent comment. If it's really relaxed, I don't think it will go much deeper. Then again, many people are tense without realizing it. Resonance, richness (freeing the overtones) and phrasing is what's most important. Some people have a bass barytone voice and sound like kids, while tenors can have great, alluring voices when they use them well. Guess it's the same as "fundamentals".

So am I correct in understanding that my voice will never change A LOT from the way it is now? There's a limit as to how much I can relax. Flower, you're saying that it will become richer, but not so much deeper?

And just to clarify, when I say that I TRY to make my voice deeper, what I mean is that I'm trying to relax, not that I'm trying to force a deep voice. When it works I can feel my stomach vibrate as I speak and my voice sounds more resonant.

 

[lanseri]

I used to have huge troubles getting my voice out in public. It just wouldn't carry. Part of it was having a bit of a self-confidence problem. But not being able to voice my thoughts didn't exactly help my self-confidence either!

Then I got interested in singing and started experimenting and emulating the singers I enjoyed listening to. Today I'm perhaps a mediocre singer, but my vocal control has increased immensely. When I want my voice to carry, people WILL listen. (..and I can also make some ladies go all disney-eyed by singing some lovely tune) =) And I'm not claiming everyone has that brilliant Pavarotti-voice hidden inside, the sad truth is that most of us only have an averagely pleasant voice. BUT drama lessons and singing lessons will most definitely help you utilize the full potential of your voice. I guarantee you, it'll be more than enough. =)