In my last post I highlighted four ways in which people commonly abuse their voices, and steps you can take to avoid them. Here are another four must-follow rules if you want to maintain a healthy voice.
Do not try to address large audiences without proper amplification. You should be able to lecture at a comfortable loudness to be heard in any situation. Instead:
- use a microphone for public speaking
- learn good microphone technique.
Do not sing beyond your comfortable range. Instead:
- know your physical limits for pitch and loudness seek professional vocal training
- always use an adequate monitoring system to guide your voice use during performance
- never sing a high note that you cannot sing quietly.
Avoid nervous habits of public speaking that are vocally abusive: throat-clearing; breath-holding; speaking quickly; speaking on insufficient breath; speaking with a low, monotone pitch; speaking with aggressive or low-pitched fillers (um … ah …). Instead:
- ask someone to point out any vocal habits you may be unaware of
- monitor your use of these habits
- learn strategies for effective public speaking.
Do not speak extensively during strenuous physical exercise. Instead:
- avoid loud and aggressive vocal grunts
- after aerobic exercise, do not speak until your breathing system can accommodate optimal voice production.
Summary:
To avoid voice abusing your voice
— Do not try to address large audiences without proper amplification
— Do not sing beyond your comfortable range
— Avoid nervous habits of public speaking that are vocally abusive
— Do not speak extensively during strenuous physical exercise
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