***How to Find Your 'Real' Speaking Voice in 60 Minutes or Less

Recently, I read an article about improving your voice in 7 days. While I do not agree with the writer’s suggestions or methodology, the truth is that you can actually find your ‘real’ voice in about 1 hour. Admittedly, your ‘real’ voice will not be a habit in only 60 minutes, but one of the fascinating results about the correct approach to voice training is that you will begin your hour with your old or habitual voice and you will end that hour with your real one. In fact, in many cases, this discovery takes only a few minutes.

What is fascinating about good voice improvement techniques is that you have a better voice inside – no matter how bad you think it is presently. Everyone has a speaking voice that is richer, warmer, and resonant. It is only a matter of locating where it is and training yourself to use it. And, in the process, you may discover a speaking voice as good as, or even better than, that of James Earl Jones, Kathleen Turner, Kate Beckinsale, Sean Connery, Demi Moore, Vin Diesel, George Clooney, Cher, or Peter Coyote.

When I first started my business, I was at a meeting in which we had to stand and introduce ourselves. After the introductions, a woman approached me and told me that voice training was the icing on the cake. I beg to differ. Your voice is the fundamental; it is the cake. A wimpy, strident, harsh, soft, monotone, breathy, high-pitched, child-like, nasal, or loud voice will not make what you are saying nearly as interesting or dynamic as one that is rich, warm, and resonant. In fact, if any of the above characteristics are typical of your speaking voice, then it is safe to say that your voice will eventually turn your listeners off.

The process of discovering your ‘real’ voice involves using your chest to power and amplify your sound. Currently, you are using only 4 of your 5 resonators. These resonators or cavities include your voice box, your throat, your mouth and your nose. If you are not using your chest, the largest of those 5 cavities, then your voice will never be able to display its true pitch nor its true breadth and depth.

One of the many benefits of finding your voice is that you will notice a surprising difference with your singing voice as well if you have the ability to sing. (This training will not make you a singer, however, if you are unable to carry a tune!) You will have more power, greater range, and a broader sound. The reason is because the basic principles of improvement for the speaking voice are the same techniques you would learn if you were to study singing.

Imagine finding your ‘real’ voice in a matter of 60 minutes or less and discovering a sound that you never knew was in there. All it takes is correct placement and the desire to learn.