February, 2009
VOCAL VARIETY MAKES YOUR DELIVERY COME ALIVE!
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Quote of the month: “It’s not always what you know that matters, it’s how you present it ... The power your voice commands is very important. It’s extremely critical in any situation in which you have to make points come across. It does not matter who you are, believability is one of your most important assets.” –Peter Urs Bender, speaker, author  |
Your voice is a powerful tool. Are you using it to its full potential? Consider the art of speaking as the transformation of a one dimensional text into a 3D experience! Make your content come ALIVE!
Vocal variety establishes credibility, believability and an emotional connection with the audience. This connection is imperative, since a speaker’s task is to persuade and inspire the audience to reach greater heights.
VOCAL VARIETY is created when you show HOW you feel about WHAT you are saying.
The key word here is VARIETY!!
Craig Valentine 1999 WCPS says: “Sameness is the enemy of the speaker. If you’re always dynamic, you’re never dynamic. Those who sleep in noise, awake in silence.”
Why is VOCAL VARIETY so important?
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demonstrates passion, confidence, and conviction on the part of the speaker |
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captures the interest and attention of the audience |
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evokes emotion from the speaker which creates a connection with audience members |
How do you use VOCAL VARIETY?
If you want your audience to experience a “roller coaster ride” of emotions, vocal variety is the ticket. Use projection (volume & tone), pitch (highs/ lows), pacing (speed/rate), and the power of the pause.
The chart below created by the late renowned speaker and author, Peter Urs Bender (www.peterursbender.com) demonstrates the degree of believability a voice trait establishes with an audience (from article on “The Magic of Voice Power”).
| Voice Traits | Establishes Low Believability | Establishes High Believability |
| Projection (volume & tone) | Low | Varied |
| Pitch (high/low) | High | Low |
| Pacing (speed/rate) | Fast | Controlled |
| Pauses (breaks in speeches) | Never | Frequent |
To work on your projection, pitch and pacing record yourself when speaking and listen analytically afterwards. If your voice lacks vocal variety, practise by reading children’s stories aloud. You automatically give the characters their own unique voices.
The power of the pause is often overlooked, when in fact, it’s a very effective tool in delivering a believable and memorable message. Pausing at the right moment in a speech can add emphasis to important points and make a lasting impression on the listener.
“Wisdom comes from reflection”
–C.Valentine
| A pause allows the audience to: | ||
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reflect on a point |
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react to a point (if they are laughing LET them laugh) |
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anticipate a big moment in the speech |
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make the transition from one point to the next |
Which first step will you take in vocal variety to make your content come alive?
Join us next month when we examine the letter W as it relates to another speaking skill.
P.S. Would you like to receive ongoing weekly world class public speaking lessons and listen to them in the comfort of your home or from a CD while driving in your car?
Raise the bar of YOUR speaking as a member of Champions’ EDGE.
Kathryn@kathrynmackenzie.com
416.489.6603
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