You have two voices. The first of the two is the natural relaxed one that Mother Nature gave you at birth. The second and more familiar voice is an encumbered and distorted version of the first. For the sake of discussion let's refer to these as your "true" voice and your "cluttered" voice.
Your natural sound (your true voice) is the sum total of the shape and size of your vocal cords, sinus cavities, throat, nose, teeth and tongue as well as your breathing capacity. Since your physiology is unique, so then is your true voice.
While it is unlikely that you will ever be asked to open for Springsteen, you certainly can and should get the very best from what you got! Most people have used their cluttered voices for so long that their families, their co-workers and even their own brains accept the cluttered voice as the true one. At first your authentic true voice will sound noticeably different to you and to those around you so be prepared for a period of adjustment and a few quizzical looks. And who knows. Springsteen may call you yet!
Why do I use the cluttered voice if the true voice is better?
There are so many possible explanations. You had lots of siblings and had to strain to be heard? You unconsciously copied the voice of a parent? Your voice has to push against a noisy environment? You are used to speaking with people who don't hear as well as they used to? You feel frustrated getting your point across? A habit (even a bad one) can seem hardwired after awhile.
If I've always spoken this way, then why should I change now?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS TEND TO STICK. In the first few seconds after an introduction or a speech or a conversation, your tone and pitch have a stronger impact on those around you than do your actual words. As sophisticated as we are, we still react FIRST with our primitive survival instincts. Reaction to tone is part of that ancient package, along with response to body English and the distance between people.
If you sound like Minnie Mouse on speed, if you have a tight cutting edge to your voice, if you sound so blah that you suck the energy out of the room, your words of wisdom will never quite hit the mark.
What is the clutter that distorts my true voice?
THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOICE QUALITY IS STRESS. Each exhalation slips out between the tiny folds of your vocal cords that are strung across the top of your windpipe. The manipulation of these little bands is one of the most delicate and sophisticated aspects of the human body. In a sense, your voice is the "canary in the coal mine" and tells lots about your deepest feelings at any given moment (sometimes more than you would like).
As the day progresses (or starts to unravel) the tension always mounts in your shoulders, neck, jaws, tongue, face and upper chest. You become an instrument out of tune.
THE SECOND TYPICAL PROBLEM IS SHALLOW BREATHING. You are unable to make a peep without the steady stream of breath as it flows outward causing your vocal cords to vibrate. If you don't believe this, try speaking while you inhale! Careless, shallow, erratic breathing results in careless, shallow, erratic sound.
How do I find my true voice?
Easy. Say aloud a couple times (mouth closed) "uh-huh" as if you are agreeing with someone. Then say something out loud at that same pitch. Shocking difference isn't it? More than one professional soprano has discovered after many years that she is actually a contralto.
How can I "re-tune my instrument" quickly and easily?
1. Relax your tongue as if it were sleeping on the floor of your mouth.
2. Loosen your jaw hinges allowing your front teeth to separate slightly but keeping your lips closed.
3. Relax the drawstring muscles that circle your mouth and keep the underside of your chin level with the floor.
4. Breathe out the stale used-up air by gently drawing your bellybutton in toward your spine.
5. When you inhale keep your abdominal wall relaxed and imagine that you are filling a small delicate balloon behind your bellybutton. Keep your upper chest quiet and your spine erect. For several breath cycles concentrate completely on the flow of air.
For effective phone communication: Keep the underside of your chin parallel to the floor, smile as you speak and never rush.
You are good to go. Give my regards to Springsteen.
Diane Neuman founded The Yoga Workshop in San Francisco where for 11 years she taught students of all ages and backgrounds. Neuman wrote and illustrated HOW TO GET THE DRAGONS OUT OF YOUR TEMPLE (Celestial Arts). Currently Neuman writes and illustrates a health blog that draws on her 50 years of study and teaching yoga, advanced breathing techniques, stress management and relaxation exercises. To find her blog and learn a new breathing lesson every week, check into http://www.breathingdeepexercises.com/
