Kate's Voice

Okay, this post really has nothing to do with decadence and everything to do with sex.  Well, actually with gender or at least with labels we have traditionally assigned to characteristics of speech.  Read on.

Cadence is the way you use pitch or speed at the end of your phrases when you speak.  There are two types of cadence that are particularly important to know.  Traditionally they are known as masculine and feminine cadence.  I prefer to call them open and closed.  As a female I do like the fact that the open cadence is also the feminine cadence, but I also know that open and closed has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with character.

• An open cadence is one in which the pitch goes up at the end of a sentence, and also one in which the pitch is more varied throughout the speaker’s words.  Open cadences sound friendly and invite the listener to participate.
• A closed cadence goes down at the end of a phrase or sentence.  Less variety in pitch through out speech is also a closed pattern.  This can be used to make a demand or a strong statement.

Effective speakers use both styles, and often quite consciously.  Using cadence appropriately will make a person sound open and friendly as well as strong and confident.