How to Speak from Your Stomach - and not from your throat.
Introduction
Many of us experience vocal strain and fatigue, particularly after long days of meetings and calls. If you frequently feel like your voice is too harsh or that you are shouting unintentionally, it may be time to change your communication style. This blog post will teach you how to speak from your stomach, ensuring that your voice is clearly heard without strain or discomfort.
But first, let's define "speaking from your stomach." This term actually refers to diaphragmatic breathing, which consists of contracting the diaphragm on the inhale and engaging the abdominal muscles to control the exhale. This technique improves breath control while reducing strain on your vocal cords.
Speaking from the Throat
Many people unknowingly speak from their throat, leading to several issues:
Vocal strain and discomfort
A grating or argumentative tone
Ineffective communication due to a harsh or abrupt voice
When you speak from the throat, you might sound like you're shouting when you're not. This can be uncomfortable for you physically and can also change how other people see you, making you seem hostile or overly aggressive.
Anxiety and Voice Constriction
Anxiety can make the problem worse by making your larynx feel tight. This tightness can make speaking up scary, which can lower your confidence and make it harder to communicate clearly. If you keep doing this, you might hurt your voice or stop wanting to speak out at all.
Breathing Correctly
Contrary to what the phrase "speak from your stomach" suggests, it’s actually about proper breath control:
Breath Control: If you know how to breathe right, you can relieve pressure in your larynx and make your vocal folds less stressed. By learning how to control your breath, you can make sure that air flows steadily and smoothly, which helps your voice sound clearer and fuller.
Exercise: Controlling your breathing
Take deep breaths into your stomach (belly).
Pay attention to letting your stomach grow as you breathe in and shrink as you breathe out.
This method helps you keep your breath steady and your voice strong.
Harnessing Chest Resonance
Another key aspect is finding resonance in your chest cavity. This shift from throat to chest can significantly improve the richness and warmth of your voice.
Resonance Exercise: Place your hand on your chest and make a sighing sound with a breathy onset, such as "ha" (such as the word ‘happy’). Feel the vibrations in your chest, not your throat.
Breathy Onset: Ensure a gentle, breathy start to your sound to prevent strain and encourage chest resonance.
Imagine the sound: Think of words like ‘chocalate’, ‘warm’ and ‘smooth’
Vocal Variety
Using a wide pitch range can help vary the airflow over your vocal cords, adding dynamics to your speech:
Pitch Exercise: To work on your pitch, hum softly while moving your voice up and down (like a siren). This easy activity will help you explore a dynamic pitch range in your everyday speech.
Energising Your Sound
Adding dynamics to your voice can make your speech more engaging and impactful:
Watch Lord Pannick use dynamics to great effect. The technique is called 'Accented Syllables'.
Key Takeaways:
Avoid Throat Speaking: Recognise the strain and harshness that comes from speaking from the throat.
Embrace Breath Control: Utilise diaphragmatic breathing to support and stabilise your voice.
Chest Resonance: Shift resonance to your chest for a richer, warmer tone.
Pitch Variation: Use a wide pitch range to keep your speech dynamic and engaging.
Energise Your Sound: Incorporate fricatives and dynamic exercises to enhance vocal energy and presence.
FAQ Section
Q: Why is it bad to speak from the throat?
A: Speaking from the throat can cause vocal strain, a harsh tone, and potential damage to your vocal cords over time.
Q: How can I achieve chest resonance?
A: Practise deep breathing and use exercises that encourage sound vibrations in your chest rather than your throat.