Kate's Voice

In order to make a change in your voice, you have to be aware of what your voice sounds like.  You  have to be aware of how you use your voice on a day to day basis.  To do this, you have to pay regular attention to your voice for a prolonged period of time.

You can take voice lessons or work with a coach.  In fact, that is the best way to change your voice if you have vocal health issues or if you are an extreme voice user, such as an extremely busy public speaker.  However, most people can start to make changes on their own by simply becoming aware of how they use their voice, and also studying some of the basics of vocal technique.

My suggestion is that you spend a month developing awareness of your voice.  Keep a journal of on your desk or next to your phone so you can write down your vocal observations after you have finished a conversation.  You don’t need to write more than a few sentences two or three times a day.  The act of doing this will bring your attention to your voice.  Awareness will allow you to develop conscious control.

To prepare for this, you need a recording of your voice and some observations of it, as discussed yesterday.  (Please take a look and review that if you have not yet done so.)  Then you need some specific goals.  Take a moment now, and write in your journal what you would like to accomplish with your voice in the next month.  You can write more than one goal, but probably no more than three.  They may be goals such as

I want to have more control of my voice.

I want to eliminate vocal fatigue.

I want to have more breath control when I speak or sing.

I want to sound more friendly or more confident, etc.

Write your goals on the first page of your journal or on page 114 in Can You Hear Me Now? And come back tomorrow for the next step!

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