Get A Better Broadcast, Podcast and Voice-Over Voice

Get A Better Broadcast, Podcast and Voice-Over Voice

Peter Stewart

Year THREE of short daily episodes to improve the quality of your speaking voice.Through these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniques and voice care tips... with exercises and anecdotes from a career spent in TV and radio studios. If you're wondering about how to start a podcast, or have had one for a while - download every episode!And as themes develop over the weeks (that is, they are not random topics day-by-day), this is...

1000 - The End

1000 - The End

2023.09.27 - 1000 - The EndThanks for the loan of your ears, for one-thousand consecutive daily episodes. All of my contacts are here: https://linktr.ee/Peter_Stewart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 2023 • 5:12

0999 – The Diction-ary of Voice – V and W

0999 – The Diction-ary of Voice – V and W

2023.09.26 – 0999 – The Diction-ary of Voice – V and W**VVerbal tic – the repeated use of words or phrases such as “like” or “y’know what I mean?”Velum – the soft palate at the back of the roof of the mouth. The back of your tongue touches the velum when pronouncing letters such as ‘k’.Vocal elements – the various ways (such as inflection, pause, pace and phrasing) that one can make the spoken word more engaging he techniques for making a voice interesting and effectiveVocal fold – located in th

Sep 25, 2023 • 8:08

0998 – The Diction-ary of Voice – T

0998 – The Diction-ary of Voice – T

2023.09.25 – 0998 – The Diction-ary of Voice – T**TTag (or ‘slogan’) – the branding phrase at the end of a commercial Take (as in ‘go for a take’) – a recording. Also see ‘pickup’Take a level (or ‘take a bit for level’) – the instruction given by an audio engineer to a presenter to ask them to say some words so the volume on a mic channel can be checkedTalk back – the push-to-talk microphone in a gallery/production area, via which a director / producer will talk to you while in the studio.Tape&n

Sep 24, 2023 • 6:45

0997 – The Diction-ary of Voice – S

0997 – The Diction-ary of Voice – S

2023.09.24 – 0997 – The Diction-ary of Voice – S**SScratch Track - a temporary recording that is a ‘place-holder’ for the final voice-over. Not ‘broadcast quality’ it is used to help producers feel the pacing and style of a project before a final voice over is addedSelf op (‘self op studio’) – when the presenter controls their own technical equipment, they are ‘self operating’Session – the single block of time (say, an hour or a day) spent recording with the voice actor, who is often paid ‘per s

Sep 23, 2023 • 4:45

0996 – The Diction-ary of Voice – R – Part 2

0996 – The Diction-ary of Voice – R – Part 2

2023.09.23 – 0996 – The Diction-ary of Voice – R – Part 2Riding the gain (or ‘riding the mic’ or ‘riding the levels’) – the constant adjustment of the input levels as the sound unexpectedly (and often unprofessionally) varies in volume dramaticallyRoom Tone - the ‘indoor ambience’ or background noise in a room, which should be as close to silent as possibleROT (‘rot’ or ‘R.O.T’) – a recording of what went out on air: Recording Of/Off Transmission Royalty Free Music – music that can be used

Sep 22, 2023 • 9:21

0995 – The Diction-ary of Voice – R – Part 1

0995 – The Diction-ary of Voice – R – Part 1

2023.09.22 – 0995 – The Diction-ary of Voice – R – Part 1**RRate – the speed of someone speaking or readingRate – the amount paid to a voice-over for a day, hour or scriptRaw audio - unprocessed recorded audioRead (or ‘take’) – a recording of a script (or the ‘copy’)Reaper – a DAW Red-line the meters – to push the audio volume level to the maximumRender – saving and/or converting your audio so others can access itResiduals – payment over and above the initial payment, based on the numb

Sep 21, 2023 • 3:53

0994 – The Diction-ary of Voice – P

0994 – The Diction-ary of Voice – P

2023.09.21 – 0994 – The Diction-ary of Voice – P Polyp - usually unilateral (one vocal fold) mass that grows off the surface. Can be hemorrhagic (filled with blood) or not, and’s usually due to voice misuse or overuse. Pop – when a plosive sound is too close to the mic and causes distortionPop guard (or ‘pop screen’, ‘pop shield’, ‘pop stopper’) - a fabric, foam or metal shield between the mic and the mouth to help disperse ‘breath blasts’ from plosives and so reduce the likelihood of

Sep 20, 2023 • 8:24

0993 – The Diction-ary of Voice – P - Part 2

0993 – The Diction-ary of Voice – P - Part 2

2023.09.20 – 0993 – The Diction-ary of Voice – P - Part 2 Pharynx – the area between the larynx and the nasal cavitiesPhonation – the process of making sounds into words, which articulation turns into recognisable speechPhonemes – the different smaller sounds which when combined form a wordPhrasing – delivering groups of words within a sentence to enhance meaningPickup – when you go back to re-record a small section of content, such as a sentence, because of a slip, trip or mispronunciation

Sep 19, 2023 • 7:20

0992 – The Diction-ary of Voice – N and P

0992 – The Diction-ary of Voice – N and P

2023.09.19 – 0992 – The Diction-ary of Voice – N and P **NName check – saying your name on airNarrative non-fiction – a true-story podcastNarrative voice - the voice you use for the storyteller/author part of the story, rather a character voiceNasal sounds – speech sounds heard in words with m, n and ng letters: ‘many nice singers’, when the back of the tongue is raised against the roof of the mouth (the soft palate) thereby closing off to sound the resonance chamber of the sinus cavit

Sep 18, 2023 • 8:08

0991 – The Diction-ary of Voice – M

0991 – The Diction-ary of Voice – M

2023.09.18 – 0991 – The Diction-ary of Voice – M Marking copy – different markings on a script (underlinings, arrows, circles) to show which words require different voice presentations such as inflection, characterisation or changes to volume or speed, difficult passages, odd pronunciations and character thumbnailsMask – using sound to cover a bad edits or to smooth a transitionsMastering - the process of preparing and transferring an edited and mixed audio file from which all copies will b

Sep 17, 2023 • 3:38

0990 – The Diction-ary of Voice – L

0990 – The Diction-ary of Voice – L

2023.09.17 – 0990 – The Diction-ary of Voice – L **LLabiodental – very few sounds use the sound created when the upper teeth rest on the lower lip, but say ‘very’ and ‘few’ and you will hear twoLapel (or ‘lavaliere’ or ‘lav’) microphone - small microphone attached to clothing of a presenter or guestLaryngology – the study of the professional voice. An ENT is not a laryngologist, who can give sophisticated diagnosis and treatment of voice disordersLaryngoscopy - the process of usin

Sep 16, 2023 • 8:13

0989 – The Diction-ary of Voice – I

0989 – The Diction-ary of Voice – I

2023.09.16 – 0989 – The Diction-ary of Voice – I **IImpromptu (or ‘ad libbed’) – a comment made ‘off the cuff’ without a script or prior rehearsalInflection – the lifting or lowering of the pitch of an individual word or different parts of a word to indicate significance (see: ‘cadence’)Insurance takes - when the director wants one more take, ‘just in case’Integrated loudness - the average loudness across an entire recordingInterdental (or ‘linguadental’) – the speech sound when the to

Sep 15, 2023 • 9:26

0988 – The Diction-ary of Voice – H

0988 – The Diction-ary of Voice – H

2023.09.15 – 0988 – The Diction-ary of Voice – H**HHaemorrhage (‘vocal cord bruise’, ‘hematoma’) - a collection of blood in the vocal fold that develops after considerable voice use and leads to severe hoarsenessHand signals – gestured directions given to a presenter to, for example, start or stop Handling noise - undesired sounds picked up on a recording caused by touching or moving the microphoneHard copy – a script that is printed outHard sell commercial – a script that is presented

Sep 14, 2023 • 6:37

0987 – The Diction-ary of Voice – G

0987 – The Diction-ary of Voice – G

2023.09.14 – 0987 – The Diction-ary of Voice – GGlottal – a softer ‘coughing’ sound when used in speech, often when used instead of proper pronunciation in words such as ‘hot’ or ‘water’ when the tongue has not been used to pronounce the ‘t’ sound at the end or middle of words. Interestingly (?!), those who use glottal stops in everyday conversation, may put the ‘t’ sound back in when they become a passionate speaker and want to be sure they have been understood. Think of a someone who at home m

Sep 13, 2023 • 5:54

0986 – The Diction-ary of Voice – F

0986 – The Diction-ary of Voice – F

2023.09.13 – 0986 – The Diction-ary of Voice – F **FFade (in, out, up, down, under) - to gradually adjust the volume of sound from low to high or high to lowFader – an audio channel’s level controllerFade to black/fade away – to decrease the volume of a sound until it cannot be heardFalsetto - the vocal register just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octaveFeedback – the loud howl-round, looped sound when a ‘live’ mic is too close to a speaker

Sep 12, 2023 • 4:49

0985 – The Diction-ary of Voice – E

0985 – The Diction-ary of Voice – E

2023.09.12 – 0985 – The Diction-ary of Voice – EEllipsis – the marking on a script (‘…’) usually indicating that a pause is requiredEmphasis list - if an author wants to stress a point, they an emphasis list such as “the country was utterly, totally and demonstrably broken” Encoding - converting your uncompressed audio files into a format more suitable for certain applications, say from a WAV file to an MP3Enunciation (or ‘diction’) – the clear pronunciation of a wordEqualization (‘EQ’) - the pr

Sep 11, 2023 • 6:30

0984 – The Diction-ary of Voice – D Part 2

0984 – The Diction-ary of Voice – D Part 2

2023.09.11 – 0984 – The Diction-ary of Voice – D Part 2Dry audio – a voice recording without any music underneath (which would be a ‘mixed’ recording)Dry mouth – literally having little saliva in one’s mouth, making talking difficult Dub – to make a copy of an audio or video recordingDub - to re-record audio and sync it to a video which shows someone talking and whose sound is muted. Dubbing is used to re-record a translated soundtrack in another language for different markets and also to replac

Sep 10, 2023 • 7:50

0983 – The Diction-ary of Voice - D Part 1

0983 – The Diction-ary of Voice - D Part 1

2023.09.10 – 0983 – The Diction-ary of Voice - D Part 1 DAW - Short for ‘Digital Audio Workstation’ (or ‘Workspace’), said variously D.A.W and DAW (as in ‘door’). The software you use to record, edit, mix and play back your audio. Either a computer which is dedicated to audio only, or a complete multitrack recording system (software) such as Protools, Cubase or Logic. Other examples include Audacity, Hindenburg and AdobedB - abbreviation for ‘decibel’, pronounced “dee-bee”Dead air

Sep 9, 2023 • 9:28

0982 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 4

0982 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 4

2023.09.09 – 0982 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 4 Cue – the instruction to a presenter to start talking or performing. This could be verbal or by a light or a audio ‘cue tone’Cue – the short script read by a radio presenter or newsreader to introduce a guest or other live or pre-recorded itemCut – an edit of a piece of audio to remove a portionCut - as a direction during a recording, to stop immediatelyCyst - usually unilateral (one vocal cord) mass that grows within a vocal

Sep 8, 2023 • 7:10

0981 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 3

0981 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 3

2023.09.08 – 0981 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 3Conversational read (sometimes ‘transparent read’) – when a script doesn’t sound as though it is being read, so, using an authentic, friendly or realistic style that gives the impression the voice-over is talking with the listener one-to-one, telling a story or convincing them from what appears to be their own experience. A tone that personifies everyday speech. It is ‘non-announcery’. Think: everyday conversationConversational sho

Sep 7, 2023 • 8:33

0980 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 2

0980 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 2

2023.09.07 – 0980 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 2 Clipped – when a recorded signal has gone past the 0db threshold (or any other maximum recording level set by the engineer) and the computer software has no more ‘headroom’ to record. This is often heard when a voice actor shouts, or when the microphone is too close to a speaker, or in a field recording, when a large vehicle passes by. To the ear the sound is heard as distorted. On a DAW, the waveform has its top ‘cut off’ and appears

Sep 6, 2023 • 8:58

0979 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 1

0979 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 1

2023.09.06 – 0979 – The Diction-ary of Voice - C Part 1 **CCadence - rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or word (see: ‘inflection’) Camera panic – anxiety about being in a video affecting someone’s ability to talk or act effectively (also see ‘mic fright’)Cans - headphonesCardioid – the pickup pattern of a microphone which is heart-shaped, with a larger area of sound detected from the front of mic and a little from each side and barely any sound from the backCharacter bleed - when the vo

Sep 5, 2023 • 7:48

0978 – The Diction-ary of Voice - B Part 2

0978 – The Diction-ary of Voice - B Part 2

2023.09.05 – 0978 – The Diction-ary of Voice - B Part 2 Binaural – a type of recording and/or processing that allows a 3D sound space to be conveyed over headphonesBit depth – refers to the quality of the recording, where higher ‘bit rates’ have a wider difference between the quietest sound they can record, and the loudest sound, and therefore allow you to record at lower levels. 16-bit is CD quality, 24-bit is preferred for recording, 32-bit uses lots of disk space. See ‘Hea

Sep 4, 2023 • 8:47

0977 – The Diction-ary of Voice - B Part 1

0977 – The Diction-ary of Voice - B Part 1

2023.09.04 – 0977 – The Diction-ary of Voice - B Part 1**BB2B / B2C – different marketing or advertising models. ‘B2B’ stands for 'business to business', that is, an advert for a product or service services that targets other businesses, while ‘B2C’ is 'business to consumer', where the (in our case) audio advert is slanted towards a personal consumers, and so might use different selling points, words and styleBack-time – adding together the durations of remaining programme elements, and then tak

Sep 3, 2023 • 9:47

0976 – The Diction-ary of Voice - A Part 2

0976 – The Diction-ary of Voice - A Part 2

2023.09.03 – 0976 – The Diction-ary of Voice - A Part 2 Alveolus – the area just behind your upper teeth and where your tongue darts to in the final sound of the word ‘sin’Ambience (‘ambient noise’, ‘ambi’, ‘nat sound’, ‘sfx’ – ‘sound effects’) - The general sound at a location, such as traffic noise, a protest march, birds and wind in the trees, or the sound of a studio (such as the air conditioning, slight bizz of computers and so on. The sound can be used by itself or mixed under voice c

Sep 2, 2023 • 5:55

0975 – The Diction-ary of Voice - A Part 1

0975 – The Diction-ary of Voice - A Part 1

2023.09.02 – 0975 – The Diction-ary of Voice - A Part 1The Diction-ary of Voice ON GOOD SPEAKING TERMS **AAbdomen – your stomach area that moves out as you breath in, as the diaphragm lowers to allow the lungs to expandActuality (‘act’) – sound, such as an interview, recorded on location or in a studio and which are not the reporter or narrator.Ad lib - a spontaneous addition or change to a script, or a usually witty off-the-cuff comment during a live or recorded conversationADR - Auto

Sep 1, 2023 • 10:36

0974 – Whispering Voice

0974 – Whispering Voice

2023.09.01 – 0974 – A Whispering VoiceWhispering voiceSymptom: Speaking very softlyPrescription: Don’t. A whisper needs vocal fold tension, with the sound produced in a small gap between them. Instead talk in a breathy voice as outlined in episode 770. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 31, 2023 • 5:32

0973 – The Whining Voice

0973 – The Whining Voice

2023.08.31 – 0973 – The Whining Voice Whining voiceSymptom: As you might expect, this sound is related to the ‘unnatural pitch’ described above. It too is a higher-pitched voice, with the added issue of elongated words, especially vowels, and often additional nasality. Those vowels may ‘whine’ on a steady pitch, or rise and fall similar to a police siren. Put all that together and the speaker may be perceived as speaking like a petulant child: “I doooooon’t waaaaan’t tooooooo-er”.Prescripti

Aug 30, 2023 • 3:24

0972 – ‘Vocal Fry’ Voice

0972 – ‘Vocal Fry’ Voice

2023.08.30 – 0972 – ‘Vocal Fry’ Voice‘Vocal fry’ voice[1],[2]Symptom: We have covered this in some depth previously, especially in episode 38: the low, glottal, creaky, choppy, breathy delivery often described as a millennial speech pattern used most often perhaps by women and most famously by the Kardashian clan and Katy Perry. It happens when vocal folds stay relaxed when you speak, with minimal air passing through them. It can give the impression to some that you are bored, lack int

Aug 29, 2023 • 4:57

0971 – Valley Speak

0971 – Valley Speak

2023.08.29 – 0971 – Valley SpeakValley speak (short for ‘Valley Girl-speak’)[1]’[2]Symptom: This is a combination of several vocal features (nasality, uptalk, fast-paced run-on sentences, breathiness and vocal fry) and vocabulary (“like”, “I know, right?”, “whatever”, “totally”) Episode 638 discusses the use of the word “like” and 640 is on other ‘filler words’.Prescription: Such a style may be appropriate (although a little dated) for an audience of millennials, but if that’s not you then

Aug 28, 2023 • 3:19

0970 - Uptalk

0970 - Uptalk

2023.08.28 – 0970 - UptalkUptalk[1]Symptom: Most sentences end on a lower inflection than how they start, to give a signal that the end of the thought has been reached. Apart from sentences which end with a rising inflection. (“Do you agree?”). Uptalkers use a rising inflection no matter the sense of the sentence. It can give the impression that you are doubtful of what you are saying, or that you lack confidence or intelligence.Prescription:Again, if you are talking to an audience that spe

Aug 27, 2023 • 3:44

0969 - The Unnaturally Pitched Voice

0969 - The Unnaturally Pitched Voice

2023.08.27 – 0969 - Unnaturally pitched voiceUnnaturally pitched voiceSymptom: This is similar to the ‘mono-tone’ (but where that is usually a lower pitch, this problem is usually one of being too high), and ‘forced pitch’ (but this is not done deliberately). It's when nerves or excitement (sometimes combined with an undue haste), cause you to speak with too high a tone, away from your natural ‘home tone’. This makes you sound forced and shrill and some may perceive it to be child-lik

Aug 26, 2023 • 4:45

0968 – The ‘Tired’ Voice

0968 – The ‘Tired’ Voice

2023.08.26 – 0968 – The ‘Tired’ Voice Tired voiceSymptom: You sound dull, flat and a little ‘slurry’ as your tongue has trouble forming words.Prescription: · A voice will become tired with the amount, volume or the tone of the sound it is being asked to perform (see: ‘vocal loading’ and episode 756). Regulate your speaking so you don’t speak for too long, too loudly. Consider that 10 x 1-minute breaks allow your voice-tissues to recover more ef

Aug 25, 2023 • 3:15

0967 - The ‘Throwaway’ Delivery

0967 - The ‘Throwaway’ Delivery

2023.08.25 – 0967 - The ‘Throwaway’ Delivery ‘Throwaway’ deliverySymptom: When your voice trails off on the last word or two of a sentence. This makes them sound unimportant and sometime unintelligible and can be another pattern of talking that you don’t realise you have adopted.Prescription: In news and commercial scripts, the last words may be vital to the item. A pay-off, a punchline or a kicker, as discussed in episode 309, complete with a joke!· &nbsp

Aug 24, 2023 • 2:38

0966 - Throat Clearing

0966 - Throat Clearing

2023.08.24 – 0966 - Throat Clearing Throat clearingSymptom: Throat clearing can become a habit. The slightest tickle and you may cough, but this irritates the vocal folds even more and makes them more raw and sensitive which then exacerbates the problem.Prescription:· Swap a cough for a hard swallow, preferably with a sip of water and you have a double-whammy: you have eased the irritation without causing more trauma, and hydrates yourself at t

Aug 23, 2023 • 2:57

0965 – The ‘Thin’ Voice

0965 – The ‘Thin’ Voice

2023.08.23 – 0965 – The ‘Thin’ VoiceThin voiceSymptom: A voice which is weak, with a lack of air, energy and resonance. It may lack authority.Prescription: · It may be trained to become stronger and fuller. Review the advice about relaxation to reduce tension, better breathing skills and breath control, and increasing resonance in your voice.· A thin voice may also be down to starting at too high a regi

Aug 22, 2023 • 2:01

0964 - Stumbling

0964 - Stumbling

2023.08.22 – 0964 - StumblingStumblingSymptom: Verbal mistakes in adlibbed conversations or more likely, when reading as script: restarting words, mispronunciations, mis-intonations, repeated corrections and generally losing your way in a sentence. I outline some more of these in the episodes after 650.Prescription: Give your mouth and mind a chance to get things right!· Relax and warm up to remove any held tension in your vocal apparatus. Have a go

Aug 21, 2023 • 3:56

0963 - Stammering –

0963 - Stammering –

2023.08.21 – 0963 - Stammering –Stammering – also called ‘stuttering’Symptom: Stammering is when someone:· repeats sounds or syllables – for example, saying "mu-mu-mu-mummy"· makes sounds longer – for example, "mmmmmmummy"· a word gets stuck or does not come out at allPrescription: · Little is known of the reas

Aug 20, 2023 • 5:44

0962 - 'Sloppy' Speech

0962 - 'Sloppy' Speech

2023.08.20 – 0962 - 'Sloppy' SpeechSloppy speechSymptom: Good diction doesn’t (usually) matter (!). As I have said several times in different ways (such as in epsiode 263), what’s important is whether your target listener is getting a muddled message. If they are, then you are not communicating with them and you need to consider whether how your delivery or diction is at fault.Prescription:· Relax and open your mouth effectively to help you form the

Aug 19, 2023 • 1:29

0961 – The ‘Sing Song’ Delivery

0961 – The ‘Sing Song’ Delivery

2023.08.19 – 0961 – The ‘Sing Song’ DeliverySing Song DeliverySymptom: This presentation or reading style is characterised by an artificial, repetitive pattern of a gradual rise in pitch for the first part of a sentence …. and then a gradual fall until the end is reached. Or any other regularly-repeated and predictable rhythm in melody which takes the listener away from understanding what is being said, to how it is being said instead, and may bore or annoy them. Rhythms struggle against the sen

Aug 18, 2023 • 2:50

0960 – The ‘Sibilant’ Voice

0960 – The ‘Sibilant’ Voice

2023.08.18 – 0960 – The ‘Sibilant’ VoiceSibilant voiceSymptom: When a voice is perceived to have excessive ‘s’ sounds it may be because the microphone is picking up and exaggerating that particular frequency.(Consider that sibilance, like many ‘voice sounds’ is subjective. In other words, slightly more ‘s’ sounds may be in the ear of the listener rather than the err, mouth of the reader! And sibilance may be considered a sound of ‘interest’ (rather than the archaic and offensive term ‘impediment

Aug 17, 2023 • 6:59

0959 - The 'Script-reading' Voice

0959 - The 'Script-reading' Voice

2023.08.17 – 0959 - The 'Script-reading' VoiceScript-reading voiceSymptom: When you sound as though you are reading words rather than communicating or telling a story. When you sound wooden, bored, flat – or at the opposite end of the spectrum, overacting and maybe even shouting. When you sound different when you adlib an on-air conversation with a colleague or interview a guest and when you read the cue into the next story, or the weather forecast: the warm personality either falling flat

Aug 16, 2023 • 3:50

0958 – The ‘Quiet’ Voice

0958 – The ‘Quiet’ Voice

2023.08.16 – 0958 – The ‘Quiet’ VoiceQuiet voiceSymptom: I once worked with two people in the same office who spoke very quietly. Neither of them seemed concerned or embarrassed when their colleagues continually said “sorry?” or “pardon?”, or when it was easier, simply nodded along unable to hear them. Talking quietly is usually the result of little vocal energy or breath support. In a studio you can electronically boost the levels of the sound being recorded, but as we saw before, this ca

Aug 15, 2023 • 3:34

0957 - Popping on the Mic

0957 - Popping on the Mic

2023.08.15 – 0957 - Popping on the MicPopping on the micSymptom: Some letters are pronounced by the lips temporarily stopping and then releasing a flow of air from your mouth. That means that when you say words with ‘p’ and ‘b’ in them, particularly at the start of a word and particularly if that word is at the start of a sentence (when you have more air and energy), air may hit the mic, causing the sound to momentarily distort on-air or on the recording.Prescription:· &nb

Aug 14, 2023 • 3:15

0956 – The ‘Plonking’ Speech Pattern

0956 – The ‘Plonking’ Speech Pattern

2023.08.14 – 0956 – The ‘Plonking’ Speech Pattern Plonking speech pattern Symptom: This is when a reader doesn’t know which word to highlight in their intonation, so they do it either randomly or, like a metronome, on every fourth word (or the last word in every SENTENCE). It’s also what politicians do when they want to give the impression of strength and certainty. Rhythms are lazy and show the reader is in a rut. Catch episode 273 and 274 for more on this. Prescription: Listen to people talkin

Aug 13, 2023 • 2:17

0955 – Noisy Breathing

0955 – Noisy Breathing

2023.08.13 – 0955 – Noisy Breathing Noisy breathingSymptom: Your in-breath is clearly heard on the recording, sometimes as a suck (occasionally this comes with a lip-smack as well), or a wheeze. This is covered, along with others from episode 0092 – “The Seven Kinds Of Extra Weird Mouth Noises”.Prescription:· Re-angle yourself or the microphone so breaths are less likely to be picked up. Or as a ‘last resort’ reduce the level of every breath in

Aug 12, 2023 • 4:48

0954 – The ‘Nervous’ Voice

0954 – The ‘Nervous’ Voice

2023.08.12 – 0954 – The ‘Nervous’ VoiceNervous voiceSymptom: These may include a higher-pitched, fluttering voice, quickly-snatched breaths, little variation in intonation and regular mistakes. Prescription:· We looked in some depth previously how nerves are a natural part of a performance, but reinterpreting them can be a good first step to overcoming them. See them not as ‘nerves’ but as an indication of ‘excitement’, a buzz. A feeling that y

Aug 11, 2023 • 3:54

0953 – The 'Nasal' Voice

0953 – The 'Nasal' Voice

2023.08.11 – 0953 – The 'Nasal' VoiceNasal voice Symptom: This is when ‘too much’ sounded-air goes through the nasal cavity where the resonance of sound is changed (a ‘bunged up’ voice is one that doesn’t have enough air through the nasal cavity! Episode 64 discusses the difference in a bit more detail.) Although powerful and penetrating, such a voice has a thin and twangy ‘honk’ to it, with very little depth. It sounds false and put on for broadcasting and is sometimes described as “too much of

Aug 10, 2023 • 2:46

0952 – The ‘Monotonous’ Voice

0952 – The ‘Monotonous’ Voice

2023.08.10 – 0952 – The ‘Monotonous’ VoiceMonotonous voiceSymptom: Spoken tonal delivery which has little variation, with a perception of a single (or ‘mono’) tone. Such a delivery gives the impression that the speaker is bored or tired, that the topic is boring, or if reading from a script, that they have not understood the content enough to feel confident giving correctly-placed intonation.Some people deliberately adopt a flatter-sounding voice in the (mistaken) belief that it makes them sound

Aug 9, 2023 • 5:54

0951 – The ‘Hoarse, Husky or Croaky’ Voice

0951 – The ‘Hoarse, Husky or Croaky’ Voice

2023.08.09 – 0951 – The ‘Hoarse, Husky or Croaky’ VoiceHoarse, husky or croaky voiceSymptom: A raw, scratchy voice (not necessarily low in pitch) which may signify overuse (such as shouting or talking loudly), abuse (such as drinking and smoking) or both (a late-night party for example).Prescription: · If there’s an obvious one-off cause (such as singing at a concert, or shouting at a sports event), rest the voice and avoid such situations in the fu

Aug 8, 2023 • 4:41

0950 – The ‘Gravelly’ Voice

0950 – The ‘Gravelly’ Voice

2023.08.08 – 0950 – The ‘Gravelly’ Voice Gravelly voiceSymptom: A low, deep voice with little energy, projection or intonation.Prescription: This may be reduced by losing weight which could enhance better posture and increased energy. This will enable easier breath support (listen to episode 833) and projection, with more energy for increased intonation. (A series of episodes from episode 323 was about the volume of your voice.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 7, 2023 • 2:16

0949 – The ‘Gabbling’ Voice

0949 – The ‘Gabbling’ Voice

2023.08.07 – 0949 – The ‘Gabbling’ VoiceGabbling voice[1]Symptom: Different situations require different speeds: a brash ‘pile ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap’ commercial is likely to be faster than one for luxury lingerie, a late-night presenter on a classical music station likely to have a slower pace than a jock on a city-based Countdown show. Having said that, someone who speaks too fast may not be pronouncing their words correctly. Or if they are, they may stumble more than they should. T

Aug 6, 2023 • 5:58

0948 – The ‘Forced Pitch’ Voice

0948 – The ‘Forced Pitch’ Voice

2023.08.06 – 0948 – The ‘Forced Pitch’ VoiceForced pitch voice (also see: unnatural pitch)Symptom: Some people force their voice to produce sound at a different pitch than is normal or comfortable for them. Men and women may artificially lower their pitch in the belief that it gives them more gravitas or presence. (Raising the pitch is less usual.) This results in an inauthentic delivery which the listener can usually detect. At the very least a listener may be concentrating more to the vo

Aug 5, 2023 • 3:34

0947 – Filler Words

0947 – Filler Words

2023.08.05 – 0947 – Filler WordsFiller words (over-use of) Symptom: Verbal ticks in conversation, links and adlibs include words like “umm”, “so” and “yeah?” (and, indeed, “like”), or phrases such as “you know what I mean?”, “kinda thing”.[1]Prescription: · Record and listen back to identify the use and regularity of these words. Some may be OK, but too much may be grating on the listener. · Prepare you

Aug 4, 2023 • 5:18

0946 – The ‘Ending Pattern’ Voice

0946 – The ‘Ending Pattern’ Voice

2023.08.04 – 0946 – The ‘Ending Pattern’ Voice ‘Ending Pattern’ voiceSymptom: A variety of the ‘sing song’ pattern discussed below, this presenter may (annoyingly and predictably) end a phrase or sentence with the same or similar intonation. One beloved of news reporters is to speak naturally for most of the sentence and then pause, before giving the same emphasis to each of the three words… At. The. End. As you can tell it’s very… Annoying. To. Hear.Prescription: · &

Aug 3, 2023 • 6:19

0945 – The ‘Choppy’ delivery

0945 – The ‘Choppy’ delivery

2023.08.03 – 0945 – the ‘Choppy’ Delivery ‘Choppy’ deliverySymptom: This is the style of [breath] having to take a breath [breath] after every few words [breath] in a sentence. The scrip is disjointed. Chopped up. Rather than a smooth flow. Short word-groups are said. Rather than a full, phrase. Or a sentence. And so, the script may be hard to understand. (I referenced a famous British newsreader who does this, in episode 412.)Prescription: · E

Aug 2, 2023 • 7:04

0944 – Bunged up voice

0944 – Bunged up voice

2023.08.02 – 0944 – Bunged up voiceBunged up voice (also see ‘nasal voice’)Symptom: This permanent ‘cold-like’ sound is caused by ‘not enough’ sounded air to get to the nasal cavity, where the resonance of sound is changed. The voice sounds ‘thick’ or ‘clotted’ and there’s little resonance where there should be in some sounds (say ‘mmm’ and ‘ng’ – as in “sing” – and pinch your nose, and the sound should stop!)Prescription: · However, the first thing

Aug 1, 2023 • 5:21

0943 – Breathy Voice

0943 – Breathy Voice

2023.08.01 – 0943 – Breathy VoiceBreathy voiceSymptom: A voice with lots of air, which disperses the sound waves, makes the voice weak, and soon runs out (such as that of Marilyn Munroe[1]). The cause may be serious, a physical problem in closing your vocal folds during phonation causing extra, unnecessary air to ‘leak’ as you speak. A breathy voice can be affected, put-on for dramatic effect when the speaker thinks it creates a sultry sound, but like any non-natural speaking styles it can

Jul 31, 2023 • 3:25

0942 – Dry Mouth Problems

0942 – Dry Mouth Problems

2023.07.31 – 0942 – Dry Mouth ProblemsDry mouthSymptom: Unable to move your tongue around your mouth properly to form words leading to poor articulation and mistakes.Prescription:· Learn to breathe in more through your nose, which moistens and filters the air. Although this is usually less possible when actually talking as we tend to take snatches of air through our mouth between thoughts, the mouth may be dry in the first place as ‘mouth breathing’

Jul 30, 2023 • 3:18

0941 – The Boring Voice

0941 – The Boring Voice

2023.07.30 – 0941 – The Boring VoiceBoring voice (aka ‘dull’, ‘flat’, ‘monotonous’, ‘uninterested’)Symptom: If you are having trouble being engaging it may be because your voice lacks variety, and so listeners have trouble working out what is vital and what is trivial. Prescription: · Maybe your voice is lifeless because that’s almost what your body is! Consider your posture: are you sitting in a relaxed yet upright position to allow life-giving CO2

Jul 29, 2023 • 5:12

0940 – YOUR ‘GET A BETTER VOICE’ SYMPTOMS AND PRESCRIPTIONS

0940 – YOUR ‘GET A BETTER VOICE’ SYMPTOMS AND PRESCRIPTIONS

2023.07.29 – 0940 – YOUR ‘GET A BETTER VOICE’ SYMPTOMS AND PRESCRIPTIONS Although requirements for broadcast, presentation and voice-over work has changed over the years, less ‘announcer’ to more ‘natural’, you do still need a certain amount of vocal strength and a versatile, pleasing voice if you are going to communicate effectively with your intended audience. Many of the conditions below may cause the listener to shift their attention from the content, to the delivery[1], and then y

Jul 28, 2023 • 2:47

0939 – Emotional Stress After Vocal Injury

0939 – Emotional Stress After Vocal Injury

2023.07.28 – 0939 – Emotional Stress After Vocal Injury Emotional Stress After Vocal InjuryThe flip-side of emotion causing changes to the voice, is when vocal damage then affects you psychologically, perhaps because of: · Sadness about the injury and how long recovery may take, if at all· Stress about meeting a deadline, letting people down, loss of income· &nbsp

Jul 27, 2023 • 1:46

0938 – How Emotions And Trauma Affect How You Sound

0938 – How Emotions And Trauma Affect How You Sound

2023.07.27 – 0938 – How Emotions And Trauma Affect How You Sound Tears and cryingThey may be tears of joy, sadness, relief or something else, but tears can create vocal problems:· Crying affects your vocal folds· Snotty sinuses swell· Long sobs (from a particular incident or over a period of time – such as in grief or depression) can lead to vocal damage su

Jul 26, 2023 • 1:54

0937 – Studio ‘Corpsing’

0937 – Studio ‘Corpsing’

2023.07.26 – 0937 – Studio ‘Corpsing’CorpsingThis is when you collapse in uncontrollable fits of laughter, perhaps from a perfectly innocuous remark by a colleague, and you can’t get over your ‘fit of the giggles’. The BBC Radio Four newsreader Charlotte Green tells a great story on the website of the Guardian newspaper:-“The most memorable occasion was during an eight o'clock news bulletin on the Today programme with Sue MacGregor and Jim Naughtie, both of whom have a very good sense of hu

Jul 25, 2023 • 5:17

0936 – Breaking News

0936 – Breaking News

2023.07.25 – 0936 – Breaking NewsBreaking News StoriesNews readers need to be cool under pressure. There are occasions when a story breaks just before, or while you are on air and it has to be covered immediately. In such circumstances, a news presenter has to tread a difficult line between making the story sound urgent and important - without making it sound overly dramatic and possibly upsetting. A steady slower, more precise pace and more authority and a hint of urgency in the voic

Jul 24, 2023 • 2:40

0935 – Stopping Silly Script-reading Slip-ups

0935 – Stopping Silly Script-reading Slip-ups

2023.07.24 – 0935 – Stopping Silly Script-reading Slip-upsOther mistakesDon’t let yourself get in your own way! Knowing some of these will help you avoid them in the first place.· Slow down if you can, and you’re likely to make fewer mistakes· Consider that you may be going fast because you are thinking of something else. So, leave your troubles at the studio door· &nb

Jul 23, 2023 • 2:21

0934 – If It *Does* Go Wrong

0934 – If It *Does* Go Wrong

2023.07.23 – 0934 – If It *Does* Go WrongIF IT DOES GO WRONG The Number One Rule Never swear anywhere near a studio. By keeping to this, the chances of you swearing on air are greatly minimised. It is not just main studios that have microphones and the ability to ‘go live’ - many production booths where producers answer phones can also be put to air, so do not let down your guard. Live-read fluffs Sometimes, you simply get something wrong. It might be your fault because you mis-read the cop

Jul 22, 2023 • 4:34

0933 – Confidence Vs. Cockiness

0933 – Confidence Vs. Cockiness

2023.07.22 – 0933 – Confidence Vs. Cockiness Confidence is being pleased that you have been hired for the gig, proud that someone wants you to be the voice of their product, and certain that you can perform well. It’s the difference between someone who sees the red light go on and thinks “I know, if I concentrate, and with good direction, I’m prepared and communicate this message”, and the VO who says “yeah, baby! Wait til they hear what I can do! I’m going to prove that they were right to

Jul 21, 2023 • 1:52

0932 – Beta Blockers To Help Studio Nerves

0932 – Beta Blockers To Help Studio Nerves

2023.07.21 – 0932 – Beta Blockers To Help Studio Nerves Beta-blockersPerhaps one of the last resorts to cope with mic fright is the use of drugs.[1]That could be drink, tobacco, (il)legal drugs such as cannabis, or some doctors prescribe beta blockers, which are usually for conditions like high blood pressure, arrhythmia and angina, but these, and tranquillizers, may help reduce your anxiety. You can see your GP to discuss if they are appropriate for you, how they work, the pros and cons includi

Jul 20, 2023 • 3:56

0931 – Look After Each Other

0931 – Look After Each Other

2023.07.20 – 0931 – Look After Each Other VOICE BOXLook after each otherIf you see a colleague going through an anxious moment, support them by being positive. Helpful phrases are ones such as:“I want to help you...”“How can I support you?” Less helpful phrases are:“Don’t worry…”“You’ll be fine…” Worse are:“Are you nervous?” Pointless feedback includes:Empty suggestions: “you don’t sound quite right”Negativity: “that wasn’t very good” Nerves may stop you from

Jul 19, 2023 • 2:59

0930 – Earn Your ‘On Air’ Miles

0930 – Earn Your ‘On Air’ Miles

2023.07.19 – 0930 – Earn Your ‘On Air’ MilesEarn your ‘on-air’ miles Of course, overcoming a fear of failure comes from experience: your miles at the mic. When I was still at university, I’d spend hours on hospital radio and then my local station, sometimes just sitting in a studio, seeing the layout, playing songs and jingles, seeing what happened and why. I became comfortable at the controls. Later I had tricks to help me sight-read such as reading the credits to a tv show out loud, talki

Jul 18, 2023 • 5:53

0929 – Gobble Up The Feedback

0929 – Gobble Up The Feedback

2023.07.18 – 0929 – Gobble Up The FeedbackFeedback A constructive debrief is part of the ‘Plan and Prepare, Execute and Reflect and Evaluate’ feedback loop. (More on this in episode #629.)Such a ‘post performance review’ (never use the term ‘post-mortem’ as it has so many negative connotations) is most practically held just after the show or session, but be aware that it could therefore be emotionally-laden in which case postpone it til the next day.Discuss:· &

Jul 17, 2023 • 3:38

0928 – Warming Down

0928 – Warming Down

2023.07.17 – 0928 – Warming Down After The Studio SessionWarm Down ExercisesHear episodes from #804 for specific exercises but doing these are part of the process to build confidence for next time. After all, if you don’t warm down and then end up hurt, it won’t inspire you to speak on mic at the next opportunity. They’re really easy to do surreptitiously in the studio when the mic’s gone down, in the toilet, leaving the building after the session or in the car: deep breathing, skeletal rel

Jul 16, 2023 • 2:13

0927 – What To Do In The Moment When The Nerves Feel Real

0927 – What To Do In The Moment When The Nerves Feel Real

2023.07.16 – 0927 – What To Do In The Moment When The Nerves Feel Real VOICE BOXWhat to do in-the-moment when the nerves feel very real? STOPP: S – Slow downPause and look and take it in. T – Take a breathAnd then in the event, calming breaths, relax your mouth with lip trills and blows, be grounded on your feet. Connect with the ground and wiggle your toes O – Observe how you feel now P – Pull back. Think what a reassuring friend would say to you right now P – Prac

Jul 15, 2023 • 3:38

0926 – ‘Park’ Perfection

0926 – ‘Park’ Perfection

2023.07.15 – 0926 – ‘Park’ PerfectionThink about:· Your single listener across the room: it will help you focus your attention on reassuring realities rather than lurking fears· The fact that the audience can’t harm you. They have turned on to hear what you have to say, to get your opinion and expertise. It’s your job to help them with that· How you are pro

Jul 14, 2023 • 1:55

0925 – Pause and Breathe, Focus and Relax

0925 – Pause and Breathe, Focus and Relax

2023.07.14 – 0925 – Pause and Breathe, Focus and RelaxPause and BreatheHigh levels of adrenalin affect the body’s chemistry for violent action which it doesn’t get. Burning off energy by filling your blood with oxygen will help you replace this missing activity. A bout of steady breathing does this. Breathing is the key-thing, as I always say! Take a few minutes to centre yourself. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. It’s not big gulps of breath, it’s ‘mindful breathing

Jul 13, 2023 • 2:46

0924 – Pre-Performance Routines

0924 – Pre-Performance Routines

2023.07.13 – 0924 – Pre-Performance Routines Pre-performance routinesHaving a routine reminds the mind of what’s coming next: a live show or a session recording. We’ve spoken about all of these before: A mental warm-up, perhaps on the bus or train on the way to the studio or sitting in the car outside.Release tension and let go. Imagine you are somewhere warm, maybe on a beach or park. Imagine the sun warming your toes. Focus on the image of loosening and softening and the sun shining

Jul 12, 2023 • 3:33

0923 – Positive Self-Talk

0923 – Positive Self-Talk

2023.07.12 – 0923 – Positive Self-TalkDuring The Studio Session – or pre-performance routines immediately beforePositive self-talkRemember that you were chosen for your talents ahead of everyone else. So really, the hardest bit is over! You have to have as much confidence in yourself as the client or producer does. Of course, you’ll be nervous but perhaps try and break any tension with some light conversation, get to know the studio staff, ask them questions and so on. The producers know th

Jul 11, 2023 • 2:30

0922 – Step By Step Positive Songs

0922 – Step By Step Positive Songs

2023.07.11 – 0922 – Step By Step Positive Songs Listen to a Positive SongMusic is a great emotion-bringer, so when you get up on your ‘big day’ pick one that gives you positive energy and brings a smile to your face. This could be something from your childhood or a recent song that you can’t stop listening to. [Snooker player] Ali Carter suggested that Whitney Houston inspired him to a first ranking title in seven years as he won the German Masters… He revealed that listening to the la

Jul 10, 2023 • 2:16

0921 – Nutrition and Hydration

0921 – Nutrition and Hydration

2023.07.10 – 0921 – Nutrition and Hydration Nutrition and HydrationEating gives you the fuel to stay focused and keep going under pressure. Healthy food of a single ingredient (so fruit, vegetables and so on), is preferable to processed additive-ridden ready-meals which can affect your gut and your brain. There’s a huge link between one and the other, and if you eat like a slob, you’re likely to get brain fog … as well as enjoy the knock-on effects of being overweight (and the issues t

Jul 9, 2023 • 2:09

0920 – Rest and Relax

0920 – Rest and Relax

2023.07.09 – 0920 – Rest and RelaxPreparation – Your Voice We have covered plenty of exercises to help you have a strong, healthy and agile voice, both in how it sounds and also how it sounds with particular words, scripts, the intonations and emotions.Remember two of my philosophies on this topic:· Breathing is the key thing – belly-breathing will help calm you· Hydrate, mateo And linked wit

Jul 8, 2023 • 3:02

0919 – Does Practice Make Perfect?

0919 – Does Practice Make Perfect?

2023.07.08 – 0919 – Does Practice Make Perfect? Preparation - The content - Be familiar with the script, the format, the role, the studio tech … If you’re not prepared, you will know it, even deep down. Prepare, and prepare for the unexpected: what to do if there’s breaking news, you have to ‘fill for time’ for a minute, the guest is not who you were expecting, you’ve lost your notes. That script, have you read it through at least once (without over prepping)? Do you know how the link works

Jul 7, 2023 • 3:57

0918 – Counselling For Mic Fright

0918 – Counselling For Mic Fright

2023.07.07 – 0918 – Counselling For Mic Fright Psychological help and counsellingIf your jitters are more serious and long term, therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy[1] may help discover the reasons, put things into perspective and suggest long-term coping strategies.If your fears relate back to long-standing difficult psychological events, it will help to identify and work through these with a suitable psychotherapist. If your performance fears include panic attacks, social anxiet

Jul 6, 2023 • 1:56

0917 – Have a No-Stress Rehearsal

0917 – Have a No-Stress Rehearsal

2023.07.06 – 0917 – Have a No-Stress Rehearsal Have a Mental RehearsalVisualise success – Research shows that our brain reacts the same in a real situation as in an imagined one, so do what athletes do and start training your brain into thinking positively and practice seeing yourself performing well. Develop and practice pre- and during- ‘performance’ routines so you feel more familiarity with what’s going to happen, so you settle in more quickly when it starts for real. And as you do this, ima

Jul 5, 2023 • 4:08

0916 – Remind Yourself Why You Care

0916 – Remind Yourself Why You Care

2023.07.05 – 0916 – Remind Yourself Why You Care Remind yourself why you careWhy is this broadcast, podcast or voice-over opportunity important to you? Tell yourself, out loud, how excited you are about this what it is that you, the product, or your guest are about to share with listeners. From your perspective, you really know that this is what you want to do, and you’ve put yourself in this situation:· You’ve dreamt of having your o

Jul 4, 2023 • 2:33

0915 – Renaming and Reframing Mic Fright

0915 – Renaming and Reframing Mic Fright

2023.07.04 – 0915 – Renaming and Reframing Mic Fright Re-naming and re-framing: Positive self-talk Our physical reactions to different emotions are often similar.Think how you feel when you’re excited and when you’re frightened; both emotions may result in increased muscle tension, tremor and palpitations but we interpret them differently. Excitement is perceived as a positive ‘stress’ while genuine fear or anger is perceived as unpleasant ‘distress’. Here's another example: the situation m

Jul 3, 2023 • 2:17

0914 – Be “Channelin’ The Adrenaline”!

0914 – Be “Channelin’ The Adrenaline”!

2023.07.03 – 0914 – Be “Channelin’ The Adrenaline”!“Channelin’ the adrenaline”!Remember, if you are nervous, it shows you care. You want to perform well, you want to be careful and professional, not slipshod and slapdash. Of course, the presence of some of these chemicals can give you the edge. Some arousal leads to better performance: you may feel sharper and wittier, have rapier-like questions, Seiko-like timing, a voice of a god and more presence than Santa. Too much adrenaline and you’re doi

Jul 2, 2023 • 1:45

0913 – Know Your Nervous Triggers

0913 – Know Your Nervous Triggers

2023.07.02 – 0913 – Know Your Nervous Triggers OVERCOMING MIC FRIGHT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER YOUR STUDIO SESSION BEFORE Pre-performance routines the weeks and days beforehandThose ‘butterflies’ in your stomach? They’re normal. But you have to teach them to fly in formation, like a squadron of drones, and harness their combined energies to give you wings and allow you to fly! Here’s how to do just that. Know Your Nervous TriggersFirst realise what it is that you are feeling.

Jul 1, 2023 • 4:07

0912 – Your Mindset At The Mic

0912 – Your Mindset At The Mic

2023.07.01 – 0912 – Your Mindset At The MicINTRODUCTIONPerformance anxiety is rarely researched and so we understand very little about the specifics of this complex condition. We know some hacks… but we also know that long term mental health is very serious. Again, consult a medical professional for more long-term treatment for what may be underlying issues. Millenia ago our caveman ancestors would have sat around a camp fire, telling stories of spirits and sabre-toothed tigers. Their fello

Jun 30, 2023 • 4:45

0911 – Your Guests’ Nerves

0911 – Your Guests’ Nerves

2023.06.30 – 0911 – Your Guests’ NervesDon’t forget the guestsThey get nervous too. The presence of a microphone can cause some people to panic. Perhaps that’s not surprising in some situations: pouncing on an unsuspecting member of the public in the street, shoving a microphone in their face and asking them intricate questions about the international monetary fund is sure to make someone clam up and run off! Studio or podcast guests may suffer similar anxiety, either a member of the public

Jun 29, 2023 • 3:46

0910 – How The Audience Reacts To Your Nerves

0910 – How The Audience Reacts To Your Nerves

2023.06.29 – 0910 – How The Audience Reacts To Your NervesHow does the audience react to your nerves? Nerves not only affect you; they also affect your listeners. They want to feel taken care of, that they are in safe hands. They’ll feel comfortable, if they think you are. If you sound nervous, they may:· Question your competence – “why is she nervous if she’s supposed to know what she’s talking about?” · &nb

Jun 28, 2023 • 2:07

0909 – How Video Meetings Can Cause Stress

0909 – How Video Meetings Can Cause Stress

2023.06.28 – 0909 – How Video Meetings Can Cause StressVOICE BOXHow video meetings can cause stress:More focus is needed to process non-verbal communication such as facial expressions, tonal variation, body languageThe self-awareness of being watched may make you feel that you are performing and lead to performance anxietyDelays or latency: even a 1.2 second delay can make you perceive the responder as unfriendly or unfocussed. In a real-life conversation silence is normal, but on a video call i

Jun 27, 2023 • 4:27

0908 – When You Simply Can’t Speak At All

0908 – When You Simply Can’t Speak At All

2023.06.27 – 0908 – When You Simply Can’t Speak At AllThe clinical name for hoarseness is ‘dysphonia’ and complete (or almost complete) voice loss is ‘aphonia’.Often the symptoms are caused by infection, physical abnormality or disease, but emotional distress can also be at the root, when it is referred to as a ‘psychogenic’ voice disorder.Extreme performance anxiety may include paralysis: freezing, fainting or losing the ability to talk at all.[1]In the singing world (where of course, artists p

Jun 26, 2023 • 3:47

0907 – The Vocal Effect Of Mic Fright

0907 – The Vocal Effect Of Mic Fright

2023.06.26 – 0907 – The Vocal Effect Of Mic Fright Vocally: · When stressed, the muscles that control the larynx can become tense.[1] (Periods of prolonged muscle tension in the larynx can lead to a lack of coordination of the vocal control system that can cause vocal fatigue and even vocal damage.) · Tension is likely to harden surfaces and make them smaller. So, holding your shoulders and throat in th

Jun 25, 2023 • 3:02

0906 – The Respiratory Effect Of Mic Fright

0906 – The Respiratory Effect Of Mic Fright

2023.06.25 – 0906 – The Respiratory Effect Of Mic Fright Respiritorally:· Held tension will restrict your ability to drop your diaphragm and open up your lungs· ‘Fight-or-flight breathing’ into your upper thoracic chest cavity and the clavicular area of your throat, meaning your breaths will naturally be shorter and shallower· You won’t be able to take in a

Jun 24, 2023 • 1:55

0905 – The Physical Effect Of Mic Fright

0905 – The Physical Effect Of Mic Fright

2023.06.24 – 0905 – The Physical Effect Of Mic Fright Physically:· Sweating under the arms, down the back and clammy hands· A stomach somewhere between a butterfly house or churning like a cement mixer and in extreme cases, vomiting (or a feeling of it) and diarrhoea or a feeling to rush to the toilet· A racing heart, or sometimes a rapidly-dropping heart r

Jun 23, 2023 • 1:28

0904 – The Mental Effect Of Mic Fright

0904 – The Mental Effect Of Mic Fright

2023.06.23 – 0904 – The Mental Effect Of Mic Fright The effect of nerves and stress on the body psychosomatic/ˌsʌɪkə(ʊ)səˈmatɪk/adjective1. A physical illness or condition caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress2. relating to the interaction of mind and body. Extra adrenaline upsets your natural hormonal equilibrium causing ‘microphone-itis’. It’s not a nice list of symptoms and side-effects to have

Jun 22, 2023 • 4:31

0903 – The Studio ‘Caveman’

0903 – The Studio ‘Caveman’

2023.06.22 – 0903 – The Studio ‘Caveman’This survival mechanism developed so humans could react quickly to life-threatening situations. But even though we don’t experience many saber-toothed tigers down the high street, our mind can still perceive some unusual situations as stressful, triggering the original reactions. Of course, very often we can neither fight or flee: our ‘caveman brain’ tells us to attack the interviewer or rip the mic off the stand – but our ‘modern brain’ tells us we c

Jun 21, 2023 • 2:45

0902 – Mic ‘Flight and Fight’

0902 – Mic ‘Flight and Fight’

2023.06.21 – 0902 – Mic ‘Flight and Fight’Mic fight and flight[1]The ‘fight or flight’ response is well known: an automatic physiological reaction that’s perceived by the ‘caveman’ in us as stressful or frightening. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, triggering an acute stress response that prepares the body to confront it, or get away from it. A cascade of adrenaline, noradrenaline and acetylcholine make the heart pound, pupils dilate and breathing quicken. Muscles

Jun 20, 2023 • 3:02

0901 – Lack of Prep Time

0901 – Lack of Prep Time

2023.06.20 – 0901 – Lack of Prep Time· Lack of time or effort to prepare mentally – perhaps you are tired, ‘under the weather’, in pain or returning after a break. There may be distracting ‘life events’ in your head: deaths and illnesses, relationship breakdowns or financial pressures. Even if you can’t step away from these physically, try and do so mentally, from the editorial process in the newsroom or studio: the talk and the technicals. Prepare

Jun 20, 2023 • 2:08

0900 – Confidence And Self-Esteem

0900 – Confidence And Self-Esteem

2023.06.19 – 0900 – Confidence And Self-Esteem· Lack of confidence – most of us have a fear of failure, but we can only survive and thrive by putting ourselves in a situation in which we are tested, and you can’t easily replicate being on air without actually being on air. You’re also more likely to experience performance anxiety if by nature you’re a ‘worrier’ and tend to get anxious or upset in everyday situations· &nb

Jun 18, 2023 • 9:08

0899 – Underlying Reasons For Mic Fright

0899 – Underlying Reasons For Mic Fright

2023.06.18 – 0899 – Underlying Reasons For Mic FrightWhat the underlying reasons could be So, just why are some broadcaster-performers exhilarated and energized in front of the mic, while others feel a crushing sense of fear and dread, and sometimes see studio work as something that must be endured rather than enjoyed? These can be summed up by:[1]· Lack of experience – you simply need more ‘on-air miles’ especially if you’re working with new p

Jun 17, 2023 • 3:38

0898 – Causes Of Mic Fright

0898 – Causes Of Mic Fright

2023.06.17 – 0898 – Causes Of Mic Fright So, what’s going on?Extreme nervousness is one of the most unpleasant experiences to go through: physical and mental suffering that, if you are a broadcaster, may be in public and recorded and be played back - not just in one’s mind but also on social media for years to come. glossophobia/ˌɡlɒs.əˈfəʊ.bi.ə/ noun The fear of public speaking (speaking to a group of people)Deriv: Greek glosso- (tong

Jun 16, 2023 • 5:26

0897 – Studio Excitement

0897 – Studio Excitement

2023.06.16 – 0897 – Studio Excitement ExcitementYes, finally, nervousness might be excitement in disguise[1]. Physiologically, they certainly have some of the same symptoms: knees shaking, heart racing, hands sweating, gut misbehaving… Nervousness is often seen as a negative experience to do with fear and potential survival, shying away from risks and limiting success. Excitement is a positive experience, in which we can take advantage of potential possibilities and opportunities by showing

Jun 15, 2023 • 3:50

0896 – Studio Sensitivity

0896 – Studio Sensitivity

2023.06.15 – 0896 – Studio Sensitivity Sensitivity to snarkiness Like a physical issue any underlying emotion can also be ‘heard’ in your voice: angry or anxious, stressed or depressed, walking on eggshells or on cloud nine, your voice won’t be natural unless you are ‘centred’. All of these situations manipulate your mindset: how do I feel, how do others see me, am I letting them see the ‘real me’? and will affect your hormones, your physical tension and your body language. Your emoti

Jun 14, 2023 • 2:59

0895 – Studio Workaholism

0895 – Studio Workaholism

2023.06.14 – 0895 – Studio Workaholism Workaholic-ismStress may come from being too focused on your mic work, at the expense of your family and friends, hobbies and health. If you have too much on your plate or are continually hunting around for scraps, then anxiety may be caused by being too laser-focused on working hard: being a workaholic. A versatile voice belongs to someone who is experienced in the world, not world-weary, who brings life experiences to the recording, not exhausti

Jun 13, 2023 • 1:33

0894 – Studio Perfectionism

0894 – Studio Perfectionism

2023.06.13 – 0894 – Studio Perfectionism PerfectionismYou may get stressed in the studio because everything has to be ‘just so’: asking for take-after-take because the next one will “be the best one”; continually cogitating about the cadence of every sentence; editing and re-editing so much that your saved files have names like ‘final’, ‘final version 2’, ‘final version 3’, ‘final final edit’ and ‘final edit, this one’. Those with perfectionism set themselves unreasonable goals. Const

Jun 12, 2023 • 2:18

0893 – Studio Imposter Syndrome

0893 – Studio Imposter Syndrome

2023.06.12 – 0893 – Studio Imposter Syndrome Imposter syndromeDo you sometimes feel overwhelmed by self-doubt and nervousness before turning on your mic or camera? You feel as though you’re “not good enough” and that you “may be found out”, “exposed as a fraud” and “don’t deserve success”. That’s even though you know you’ve had ten tons of training and continuous career accolades. This may be imposter syndrome, a misplaced feeling of inadequacy that affects many successful people, (bu

Jun 11, 2023 • 2:15

0892 – Studio ‘Voice Confrontation’

0892 – Studio ‘Voice Confrontation’

2023.06.11 – 0892 – Studio ‘Voice Confrontation’ Voice confrontation (or “I Don’t Like My Voice!”) You may be visibly uncomfortable hearing your voice live, in your headphones, or when your recorded-voice is played back. You may become stressed at what you think others may think about your pitch, accent or diction. As we have seen before, this is down to a mix of physiology and psychology. First, the sound of your voice that you normally hear ‘live’ is a mix: partly out of your mouth a

Jun 10, 2023 • 3:20

0891 – Studio Embarrassment

0891 – Studio Embarrassment

2023.06.10 – 0891 – Studio Embarrassment EmbarrassmentAs a voice-over, you have perfected a cast of characters while alone in your home studio and then you get your big break: a director wants you for a big-budget part! You sit in the big-city studio, the microphone facing the control room and through the glass you see directors and producers, engineers and executives, script-writers and sales managers, assistants and interns… they’re talking but you can’t hear them… and you feel like

Jun 9, 2023 • 3:14

0890 – Studio Disillusionment

0890 – Studio Disillusionment

2023.06.09 – 0890 – Studio Disillusionment Disillusionment On occasion, you may simply not feel up to presenting a podcast. Your voice may be fine but you’re not ‘feeling it’, not in ‘the zone’ and don’t know why. This may be boredom or negativity about the podcast topic, maybe disillusionment or resentment about its ‘return on investment’, the amount of work balanced with the number of downloads, feedback, reviews or sponsorship and it gets harder and harder to keep up the momentum. Y

Jun 8, 2023 • 4:26

0889 – Studio Claustrophobia

0889 – Studio Claustrophobia

2023.06.08 – 0889 – Studio Claustrophobia Claustrophobia Sitting alone in a home studio booth with several screens, a mic and a mixer, but no air conditioning, recording a voice-over session for an hour, or an audiobook for even longer, may be enough to make anyone feel odd. If you feel a need to break out and run away, it may not be down to nerves, but claustrophobia or loneliness. You may feel these emotions, and others may hear them in your voice which may become dull and drained,

Jun 7, 2023 • 2:20

0888 – Studio Depression

0888 – Studio Depression

2023.06.07 – 0888 – Studio DepressionIf it’s not nerves, stress or anxiety, it may be something elseLet’s not just stick with ‘feeling nervous’, there are other feelings and emotions which may arise in and around a studio and affect your voice, sometimes these are temporary feelings, and sometimes they can last a long time. Here we look at other things that go on in your head, and how they affect what comes out of your mouth. I am not a health professional and I would always urge you

Jun 6, 2023 • 4:31

0887 – Studio Anxiety

0887 – Studio Anxiety

2023.06.06 – 0887 – Studio AnxietyAnxiety is persistent and may not be linked to a specific situation. The intensity may ebb and flow, but it never completely goes away, and with ongoing feelings of unease or dread, anxiety can prevent you from doing something you enjoy and make it difficult to focus and go about your day. Persistent anxiety has links to physical illness including gastrointestinal conditions and heart disease.[1] Again, all of these thoughts feelings and emotions may b

Jun 5, 2023 • 1:46

0886 – Studio Stress

0886 – Studio Stress

2023.06.05 – 0886 – Studio StressStress may be seen as ‘extreme nervousness’. It too is triggered by a ‘presenting situation’ and is usually short-term. If controlled appropriately, a rush of chemicals in your blood can lead to a heightened state of awareness, and a more powerful performance: a stressful person may be loud and energetic, seemingly thriving on the pressure (‘nervous energy’ or ‘nervous tension’), with symptoms similar to nervousness: a raised heartbeat and faster breathing. But s

Jun 4, 2023 • 2:58

0885 – Studio Nervousness

0885 – Studio Nervousness

2023.06.04 – 0885 – Studio NervousnessNerves, stress and anxiety Nervousness, stress and anxiety are part of the same bodily reaction of fight-flight-freeze which we’ll look at in a bit more detail later, and because they have similar symptoms it can be hard to tell them apart. Here is a rough, non-expert guide. Nervousness may be triggered by a specific situation but it doesn't usually prevent you from getting on and doing that thing. Think of a great opportunity to present your firs

Jun 3, 2023 • 3:17

0884 – Mic Fright

0884 – Mic Fright

2023.06.03 – 0884 – Mic Fright "The actor's nightmare", “…what it must be like to give birth"Laurence Olivier, on stage fright INTRODUCTION Do you want to express yourself, but it feels like a boa constrictor gets hold of your throat?[1] In this section, we look at powerful mind shifts that can help you get a better broadcast, podcast and voice-over voice. Yes, because the mind does affect the voice. Indeed, you are your voice: what you say is shaped by your culture and experienc

Jun 2, 2023 • 3:48

0883 – Self Massage

0883 – Self Massage

2023.06.02 – 0883 – Self Massage Self-massage· Put your first and forefinger together on each hand. Gently at first and then with stronger pressure stroke by stroke, draw your double-fingers in a diagonal line down the side of your neck from just behind your ear across to where your throat starts, just short of your ‘Adam’s apple’. This massages the large sterno-cleidomastoid muscles which support, turn and nod the head. · &nbs

Jun 1, 2023 • 5:30

0882 – Vocalisations of Different Voice Sounds

0882 – Vocalisations of Different Voice Sounds

2023.06.01 – 0882 – Vocalisations of Different Voice Sounds These are sometimes described different, with different words and terms[1]. Ok let’s go for this:· Aphonic – a whisper · Biphonic – two pitches at the same time· Breathy – air in the voiced is heard · Creaky – the sound of friction be

May 31, 2023 • 3:39

0881 – Surgery And The Voice

0881 – Surgery And The Voice

2023.05.31 – 0881 – Surgery And The Voice SurgeryIf you are given anaesthetic, it’s likely you will be intubated, that is have a tube put down your throat and past your vocal folds, to help you breathe. This process can cause:· Dislocation of your vocal folds - or more specifically the cartilage that attaches to them· Injury to your vocal folds – the hard tube is inserted s

May 30, 2023 • 4:43

0880 – Vomiting And The Voice

0880 – Vomiting And The Voice

2023.05.30 – 0880 – Vomiting And The VoiceVomitingWe’ve mentioned this a few times in terms of acid reflux and alcohol consumption. Let’s take a second to look at it a little more closely. (Ugh!)Vomiting is extremely damaging to the voice and it’s not surprising, as the stomach contents flows ‘the wrong way’ into the pharynx and larynx and potentially into and out of your mouth (‘reflux’ means ‘regurgitation’ or ‘backwards flow’).With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD) the stomach content

May 29, 2023 • 3:09

0879 – HPV And The Voice

0879 – HPV And The Voice

2023.05.29 – 0879 – HPV And The Voice HPVThe Human Papilloma Virus can be sexually transmitted but can also be shared in other ways not fully understood. It causes many different diseases, often in the cervix and also in the throat sometimes leading to head and neck cancer and sometimes ‘recurrent respiratory papillomatosis’ which causes warty growths in the throat, most commonly on the vocal folds themselves, resulting in:HoarsenessVocal fatigueLoss of vocal rangeDifficulty breathing Hoste

May 28, 2023 • 2:17

0878 – Alcohol And The Voice

0878 – Alcohol And The Voice

2023.05.28 – 0878 – Alcohol And The VoiceAlcoholIt’s unlikely you’ll be having a drink just before a broadcast show, podcast recording or studio session, but what might be the damage to your voice if you’ve had one (or several!) the night before, or for serval nights before? Alcohol can:· Contribute to dehydration of your whole body – and drier vocal folds don’t vibrate properly, contracting your range and making you sound strained. I mean, you

May 27, 2023 • 4:33

0877 – Steroids And The Voice

0877 – Steroids And The Voice

2023.05.27 – 0877 – Steroids And The VoiceSteroidsThese might be used to reduce swelling in the body, in our case, the vocal folds, perhaps caused through misuse, which may then return to a more natural size and vibrate more efficiently and so make you sound like your real self. They should of course only be taken under professional medical supervision for a one-off reason. Habitual use can result in a worsening or permanent vocal injury, (as well as other issues such as mood changes, sleep

May 26, 2023 • 1:40

0876 – Vaping And The Voice

0876 – Vaping And The Voice

2023.05.26 – 0876 – Vaping And The Voice VapingThis trend is too young for there to be hard and fast stats on how it may affect the larynx and voice, and that’s probably good enough reason in itself to be wary of taking up the habit. Personally, I’d not want a cocktail of vegetable glycerine, poly-ethylene glycol, nicotine, and flavourings, pyrazine additives, aldehydes (formaldehyde and acet-aldehyde), and trace metals (nickel, chromium, cadmium and tin), in my lungs… And of cour

May 25, 2023 • 2:14

0875 – Cocaine And The Voice

0875 – Cocaine And The Voice

2023.05.25 – 0875 – Cocaine And The VoiceCocaineWhile smoked cocaine will have a similar effect to smoking marijuana, snorted cocaine will damage your nose and nasal septum (‘nasal deformity’) and so affect the nasal resonance of your voice. As well as that think of this (it’s a bit gross). You know when you have a cold and sniff and then are able to swallow the phlegm? Something similar happens with cocaine that’s not been absorbed in the nose: it drips down the back of the throat and down towa

May 24, 2023 • 1:41

0874 – Marijuana And The Voice

0874 – Marijuana And The Voice

2023.05.24 – 0874 – Marijuana And The VoiceWhile soft and hard drugs use is quite common in society, it’s even more prevalent in the entertainment business. It could be because of the amount of money some of the stars earn, the relaxing effects of some of the drugs or the social aspects.So how do both these drugs affect your voice?MarijuanaWhen it is inhaled the vapours of marijuana inevitably affect your mouth, throat and lungs. This commonly results in laryngitis: a tired, rough, raspy, or hoa

May 23, 2023 • 3:13

0873 – More Cures For Summer Allergies

0873 – More Cures For Summer Allergies

2023.05.23 – 0873 – More Cures For Summer Allergies · Antihistamine or steroid nasal spray or antihistamine pills – although they can have a drying effect· Something to suck on – lozenges and pastilles can promote the production of saliva which, when swallowed will help calm the urge to cough on a scratchy throat. Sweets with natural sweeteners and no artificial nonsense are obviously better than t

May 22, 2023 • 3:12

0872 – Cures For Summer Allergies

0872 – Cures For Summer Allergies

2023.05.22 – 0872 – Cures For Summer Allergies Trouble is, you have to balance drying out the mucous and not over drying the folds[1]:· Hydration - the mucous will be less thick, and the drying from antihistamine meds, less pronounced, if you drink more!· Steaming – a plain-water steamer (no unnecessary synthetic oils or perfumes which can be an added irritant) can do wonders to hydrate the folds d

May 21, 2023 • 2:15

0871 – Your Pitch and Post Nasal Drips

0871 – Your Pitch and Post Nasal Drips

2023.05.21 – 0871 – Your Pitch and Post Nasal Drips We already know about the ‘post-nasal drip’, a lovely term that refers to the secretions from your nose and sinuses which can drip into the back of your mouth and down your throat (think what you do when you have a cold…). With seasonal allergies such drip-drip sinus drainage (especially at night) leads to the vocal folds swelling, which can cause· A lower pitch - and so a change in your range

May 20, 2023 • 2:59

0870 – Pollens and Blossoms: Summer Allergies and Your Voice

0870 – Pollens and Blossoms: Summer Allergies and Your Voice

2023.05.20 – 0870 – Pollens and Blossoms: Summer Allergies and Your VoiceWe all love the lazy, hazy crazy days of summer, right? Well not if you have a seasonal allergy, and by ‘seasonal’ I mean anything from early spring to late summer, with various pollens having an effect on breathing and sneezing, and therefore your voice as well. Allergies (pollen, as well as dog and cat hair, dust, synthetic chemical smells…) are really your reaction to your body almost working too well! These foreign

May 19, 2023 • 2:40

0869 – Your Voice in Winter - 4

0869 – Your Voice in Winter - 4

2023.05.19 – 0869 – Your Voice in Winter - 4 8. Let Your Mic Do The WorkIf you’re on stage in a show, MCing an event, turning on Christmas lights, remember the difference between volume and energy (loads on this from episode 323). You have a mic for a reason, to make yourself louder, so there’s no need to shout into it and hurt your voice. If you do, you start a spiral effect: the sound team will simply turn down the level on your channel so your voice doesn’t distort over the loudspea

May 18, 2023 • 4:20

0868 – Your Voice in Winter - 3

0868 – Your Voice in Winter - 3

2023.05.18 – 0868 – Your Voice in Winter - 3 6. Prep and Pacing Packed public transportation as people rush to prep, humans hurrying from one side of the city/county/planet to the other for the holidays, re-cycled aeroplane air, closed windows on buses and trains, big parties in small rooms, plus throw in mixed age groups, holiday hugs and mistletoe kisses and plates of food being passed around … frankly it’s a surprise we are all still here! It could all be an assault on your ge

May 17, 2023 • 3:29

0867 – Your Voice in Winter - 2

0867 – Your Voice in Winter - 2

2023.05.17 – 0867 – Your Voice in Winter - 2 4. Be Careful of Rich Food and RefluxParty and holiday food can be rich and creamy (think chocolates, fried or spicy finger food, plus carbonated soft or alcoholic drinks) which can lead to potential gastric or reflux issues (that we’ve looked at elsewhere, episode 755), so be careful how much you eat and when. And not too much and not too late! Have a range of food sure, but balance the chocolate orange with an actual one, you get the idea

May 16, 2023 • 4:13

0866 – Your Voice in Winter - 1

0866 – Your Voice in Winter - 1

2023.05.16 – 0866 – Your Voice in Winter - 1Winter can be a challenging time for your voice. To quote the song, “the weather outside is frightful” with cold air, there’s warm dry heated air inside, and if the season coincides with Christmas and New Year (depending on your hemisphere[1]) there’s bugs picked up from socialising and travelling, holiday performances such as concerts and carols.So here are some health tips to follow for the winter months – over and above the usual ones that we’ve loo

May 15, 2023 • 3:12

0865 – Coping With Covid

0865 – Coping With Covid

2023.05.15 – 0865 – Coping With Covid Coping with long covidA small percentage of people who have had Covid-19 continue to have symptoms after 12 weeks, but because of the huge number of people who have had the disease, that’s a large actual number of people. This is known by health professionals in the UK and many other countries as ‘post covid syndrome’ or (by the WHO) ‘post covid condition’ (although some doctors still doubt the existence of this altogether).There is no specific treatmen

May 14, 2023 • 3:35

0864 – Don’t Forget Your Ears

0864 – Don’t Forget Your Ears

2023.05.14 – 0864 – Don’t Forget Your Ears EarsYou need to know what you sound like so you can adjust your voice or your mic, and make some sometimes subtle changes in pitch or timbre. You may be asked to imitate a certain style of voice or personality, so attuned ears will help you hear, interpret and reproduce the subtleties. And of course, you need to clearly hear instructions from a director or producer, either through a talkback speaker or an earpiece. It is possible to act without ful

May 13, 2023 • 4:10

0863 – Eye Exercises

0863 – Eye Exercises

2023.05.13 – 0863 – Eye ExercisesAnd a few exercises:Pencil Push-UpsHold a pencil at arm’s length and focus on the tip. Move it closer and continue to focus. Repeat, moving it back and forth forcing your eyes to work-out.The Figure of Eight Pick an imaginary point on the floor or across the room, about 10 feet away. Focus on it and with your pupils moving, draw a figure of eight in the space there, for about 30 seconds before switching direction.20/20For every 20 minutes of near work, look

May 12, 2023 • 1:50

0862 – Don’t Forget Your Eyes

0862 – Don’t Forget Your Eyes

2023.05.12 – 0862 – Don’t Forget Your EyesYour eyes and earsMost voice trainers overlook these critical body parts and the role they play in helping you get a better voice, but let’s spend a few moments doing just that here and now with a few considerations.EyesWithout stating the obvious, and with acknowledgement to the awesome voice actors who are blind and read their scripts with braille[1], eyes help you do your job. Not just clearly reading the words that you have to say, but also the notes

May 11, 2023 • 5:29

0861 – Feeling Attractive vs. Sounding Unobstructed

0861 – Feeling Attractive vs. Sounding Unobstructed

2023.05.11 – 0861 – Feeling Attractive vs. Sounding Unobstructed Even though Connie was a radio presenter, she always came in immaculately dressed. Fitted suits, or tight jeans or blouses that left little to the imagination. The problem was that Connie couldn’t get to the end of even a moderately long sentence without having to take another breath. The problem seemed obvious: the clothes were making breath intake, support and control all difficult. But Connie knew that how she dressed made

May 10, 2023 • 2:56

0860 – Tight Clothes, Tight Voice

0860 – Tight Clothes, Tight Voice

2023.05.10 – 0860 – Tight Clothes, Tight Voice What else will affect your vocal performance?ClothesWhat won’t help, anything that causes constriction or discomfort Tight dresses, trousers, blouses and shirts. Belts done up a notch or two more than absolutely necessaryTight shoes worn more for style than comfort. That could be footwear that pinches your toes or heel, the height or slope of a heel, or simply wearing a style that you are not used to (for example, the heeled shoes that are supe

May 9, 2023 • 3:39

0859 – Myth 5: Dark-coloured Pee Means You Are Dehydrated

0859 – Myth 5: Dark-coloured Pee Means You Are Dehydrated

2023.05.09 – 0859 – Myth 5: Dark-coloured Pee Means You Are DehydratedMyth #5: Dark-coloured pee means you're dehydratedPee is dark because of the concentration of various elements in it, but that doesn’t of itself mean you need more water.It’s actually more accurate to look at the concentration of sodium in your blood, but as that’s not usually practical, some experts[1] say drinking enough water to keep your urine a light, straw-yellow colour is a simple and effective monitoring system. [1] h

May 8, 2023 • 2:49

0858 – Myth 4: Drinking Water Can Help You Lose Weight

0858 – Myth 4: Drinking Water Can Help You Lose Weight

2023.05.08 – 0858 – Myth 4: Drinking Water Can Help You Lose WeightMyth #4: Drinking water can help you lose weightOK, maybe if you drink a few glasses before a meal, you’ll eat less[1] but that’s not the case for everyone[2], although obviously if water is replacing a sugar-rich fizzy drink then sure, you’ll be taking in fewer calories. [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25893719/ [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17228036/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 2023 • 1:38

0857 – Myth 3: We Need ‘Sports Drinks’

0857 – Myth 3: We Need ‘Sports Drinks’

2023.05.07 – 0857 – Myth 3: We Need ‘Sports Drinks’Myth #3: We need sports drinks to replace salt and other electrolytesThere’s usually no need to reach for the expensive coloured water after a work-out as you can usually replace lost salt by consuming more basic and cheaper, although not as trendy, food and drink. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 6, 2023 • 1:33

0856 – Myth 2: Caffeine Makes You Dehydrated

0856 – Myth 2: Caffeine Makes You Dehydrated

2023.05.06 – 0856 – Myth 2: Caffeine Makes You Dehydrated Myth #2: Caffeine makes you dehydratedThe effect is almost miniscule and the 1928 research the claim is based on[1] doesn’t hold up to todays’ more rigorous research. NPR says “Essentially, with the exception of higher alcohol-content beverages like hard liquor, all liquids count towards hydration. As does food. The experts we spoke to say about 20% of your fluid intake comes from the food you eat, from fruits and vegetables to pasta.” [

May 5, 2023 • 2:11

0855 – Myth 1: You Need To Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a Day

0855 – Myth 1: You Need To Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a Day

2023.05.05 – 0855 – Myth 1: You Need To Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a DayH2O No-Nos – Busting 5 Myths About Water and Hydration[1] Myth 1: You need to drink at least eight glasses of water a dayNope: After all, how big are the glasses, how big are you? Have you done any exercise or need more water, or eaten a ton of watermelon and need less? How hot are you? Like the porridge in Goldilocks that had to be not too hot and not too cold, we each need enough to avoid dehydration and no

May 4, 2023 • 3:10

0854 – The Food And Drink Good List

0854 – The Food And Drink Good List

2023.05.04 – 0854 – The Food And Drink Good List The ‘good’ listHave these in moderation; you don’t want to feel full and bloated during a four-hour radio show. Neither do you want to feel nauseous, or feel the need for a toilet break, or suffer from either form of gas in a small studio.Eat enough of the right foods to keep your energy levels up – preferring fresh over anything processed. Fruit – in general fruits are good as they contain lots of water – especially ones such as mangoe

May 3, 2023 • 4:25

0853 – The Food And Drink Naughty List

0853 – The Food And Drink Naughty List

2023.05.03 – 0853 – The Food And Drink Naughty List The ‘bad’ listDairy - Milk, yoghurt, cheese can all be difficult for the body to break down and so cause acid reflux which can ‘burn’ your vocal folds. It can also thicken mucus, causing you to clear your throat more often and reducing the manoeuvrability of your tongue. Processed sugar - Boiled and chewy sweets and juice drinks can be heavily processed causing phlegm in some people. And after an initial sugar rush, comes the sugar c

May 2, 2023 • 5:42

0852 – The Food And Drink That Can Damage Your Voice

0852 – The Food And Drink That Can Damage Your Voice

2023.05.02 – 0852 – The Food And Drink That Can Damage Your Voice EATING AND DRINKINGIt’s not so much what you should eat as what you should not, because, apart from foods which add to your water intake, there are few which actively help your voice. Most foods either hurt it, or make little or no difference either way.If these ‘bad’ items affect you at all, it will be likely be to a different extent to other people – we are all different. It may need a diary and detective work t

May 1, 2023 • 3:06

0851 – Your ‘Goldilocks’ Vocal Folds

0851 – Your ‘Goldilocks’ Vocal Folds

2023.05.01 – 0851 – Your ‘Goldilocks’ Vocal Folds ‘Breathy (or ‘aspirated’) onset’ – when they don’t close enough This happens when there is a lack of firm closure of the vocal folds, so excessive air escapes through them as you create sound and the resulting voice is ‘breathy’. ‘Glottal’ onset – the folds are brought together before air pressure is increased, and are ‘blown apart’ to start phonationThe vocal folds are over compressed and brought together with force to init

Apr 30, 2023 • 3:31

850 – Vocal Trauma

850 – Vocal Trauma

2023.04.30 – 0850 – Vocal Trauma A secondary problem comes when you release that breath through the previously tightened folds. Added together you have the very real possibility of ‘vocal trauma’, serious damage to your folds. Think through the vocalisations that often come with the gym-strains of ‘glottal attack’ – using that pressure behind the larynx to give added strength through added tension. You have seen it (perhaps with weightlifters or tennis players), if not

Apr 29, 2023 • 2:29

849 – Sub-Glottal Pressure

849 – Sub-Glottal Pressure

2023.04.29 – 0849 – Sub-Glottal Pressure VOICE BOXSub-glottal Pressure OK, so ‘sub’ is ‘below’, so this is the pressure below the glottis. A ‘glottal stop’ is the stop-start airflow from your throat in a word such as ‘uh-oh’ or when the word ‘butter’ is said without the middle t’s: ‘buh-er’. Indeed, ironically, the word ‘glottal’ also includes a glottal stop. Those sounds are made by closing and opening of the vocal folds. If you say ‘butter’ in the usual way and gently and slow

Apr 28, 2023 • 3:17

848 – Help! The Gym Has Wrecked My Voice!

848 – Help! The Gym Has Wrecked My Voice!

2023.04.28 – 0848 – Help! The Gym Has Wrecked My Voice! But beware: · Strong physical exertion soon before a presentation can cause physical exhaustion which will be heard in your voice· Weightlifting and working out your upper body and neck and shoulder area can cause stress and tension · Damage from exercise such as from weightlifting, pull ups, row

Apr 27, 2023 • 1:47

847 – Fit Body Factors: intensity and balance

847 – Fit Body Factors: intensity and balance

2023.04.27 – 0847 – Fit Body Factors: intensity and balanceFactors to consider:· Exercise intensity – how hard you push yourself and for how longo Especially on days that you will be performingo Be careful of ‘red lining’ – there’s usually no need to push things to the maxo Muscular damage or failure can be painful and long term, affecting you emotionally as well as physically· &nbs

Apr 26, 2023 • 4:16

846 – Fit Body, Fit Voice

846 – Fit Body, Fit Voice

2023.04.26 – 0846 – Fit Body, Fit Voice Physical fitness and trainingOf course, your voice needs the rest of you to be in shape, your overall health, fitness, strength and posture, not just the actual vocal mechanics! And that means the right kind of exercise:· Core and aerobic exercises help you with strength and breath control· Aerobic exercise, such as swimming or running, help vocal stamina by

Apr 25, 2023 • 3:02

845 – Birthday Candles

845 – Birthday Candles

2023.04.25 – 0845 – Birthday Candles Birthday candles Stand as previously described, with your feet firmly on the floor shoulder-width apart, knees very slightly bent rather than locked, with dropped and relaxed shoulders.· Put your hands on your diaphragm area to help you feel and picture the following process· Now blow out some imaginary candles on a cake, with short sharp, exaggerated panting bu

Apr 24, 2023 • 2:12

844 – Sue-eeeeee

844 – Sue-eeeeee

2023.04.24 – 0844 – Sue-eeeeeeSue-eeeeeeStand as previously described, with your feet firmly on the floor shoulder-width apart, knees very slightly bent rather than locked, with dropped and relaxed shoulders.· Put your hands on your diaphragm area to help you feel and picture the following process· Start relaxed breathing, and let air drop in to your lungs over a count of four· &n

Apr 23, 2023 • 3:01

843 – Let It All Out

843 – Let It All Out

2023.04.23 – 0843 – Let It All OutLet It All OutFocussing on full exhalations helps expand your diaphragm.· Lie on the floor in a semi-supine position (the ‘sit-up’ position described earlier).· Exhale all air through your mouth· Relax and let air drop back in (don’t gasp), and breathe naturally for a minute before repeating the exercise Hosted on Acast. Se

Apr 22, 2023 • 3:04

842 – It’s Hip to Breathe Square

842 – It’s Hip to Breathe Square

2023.04.22 – 0842 – It’s Hip to Breathe SquareIt’s Hip to Breathe SquareSquare Breathing is used by US Navy Seals among others to create calmness and control. · Sit or lie down so you are relaxed and comfortable· Breathe in for a count of four as you draw one side of a ‘square’ in your mind· Pause and hold the breath for a count of four, as you mentally dra

Apr 21, 2023 • 2:45

841 – The Crunch and Stretch

841 – The Crunch and Stretch

2023.04.21 – 0841 – The Crunch and Stretch The Crunch and StretchRib stretches open up the intercostal muscles (the ones that run between the ribs, and help form and move the chest wall), and release tension. Breath in through the mouth – as that’s what we tend to use when we are actually speaking.· Lie on the floor and bring each knee in to your chest, and then flop them to one side and your head to the other side· &nbs

Apr 20, 2023 • 4:09

840 – How To Know Your Air Flow

840 – How To Know Your Air Flow

2023.04.20 – 0840 – How To Know Your Air Flow How do you know, your air-flow?Watch the clockTake a standard breath (not a huge gulp) and then let it out as though gently releasing air from a balloon: ssssssssssss on your natural ‘home tone’ until the supply is exhausted.Then repeat the exercise with a touch of vocality to it, swapping the ‘sss’ for a long but gentle ‘zzzzz’How long did the sound last for on each exercise? A ‘good’ flow will last for around 15 seconds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

Apr 19, 2023 • 3:14

839 – Don’t Take Fish Gulps

839 – Don’t Take Fish Gulps

2023.04.19 – 0839 – Don’t Take Fish GulpsBut be aware of you use of air: do you tend to gulp? Or are you squeezing out the final words in a sentence with the last ounce of air you have spare? What about your other breathing habits? Be aware that in certain situations you may feel short of breath: if you are recovering from an illness, if you are nervous, if you’re tense… If you take in too much air than you need to use:You can take fish-like gulpsYou may get light-headedYou may damage your folds

Apr 18, 2023 • 1:35

838 – Excessive Oxygenation

838 – Excessive Oxygenation

2023.04.18 – 0838 – Excessive Oxygenation Excessive oxygenationYou only really want to take in as much air as you will need to get to the end of your adlibbed phrase or sentence, or to read what’s been written. So how do you know how much that is? As for adlibs, it usually comes naturally; I mean, how many times do you see someone strain at the end of a sentence in a conversation as they run out of air, or take a huge gulp before they say something. Almost never. You instinctively have

Apr 17, 2023 • 1:45

837 – Efficient Air-Use Exercises

837 – Efficient Air-Use Exercises

2023.04.17 – 0837 – Efficient Air-Use Exercises Now consider these exercises to help you create:· The most efficient way to get air in to your body· The most effective way to use it to power your voice (and that doesn’t necessarily mean to give you a powerful voice)· How to control your out-breath for a consistent, confident sound· &n

Apr 16, 2023 • 2:10

836 – The Deep Breathing Double Whammy

836 – The Deep Breathing Double Whammy

2023.04.16 – 0836 – The Deep Breathing Double Whammy So short and shallow breathing from your upper chest results in a tightening and tensing of neck and throat muscles (as well as affecting the pecs which raise the ribs, and the shoulders) which leads to a reaching and squeezing voice. Such breathing can be as a result of, well, ‘life’: nervousness, bad posture, the ‘stress of the day’… Better breathing, deeper and diaphragmatic using the lower ribs and the lower back, not only gives you more a

Apr 15, 2023 • 1:44

835 – “Why Do I Run Out Of Breath?”

835 – “Why Do I Run Out Of Breath?”

2023.04.15 – 0835 – “Why Do I Run Out Of Breath?” Running out of breath before the end of a sentence could be the effect of poor support (you did not take in enough to start with), or poor writing (the sentence was simply too long to be read in a single comfortable breath). Or it may be because of poor control (you leaked air as you spoke, wasting it in perhaps a breathy voice, caused by inefficient closure of your vocal folds), a breathy voice also dehydrating your vocal folds. Witho

Apr 14, 2023 • 2:21

834 – The Breath Control Process

834 – The Breath Control Process

2023.04.14 – 0834 – The Breath Control ProcessBreath control (or ‘supportive breathing’) ensures that your vocal folds are getting just the amount of air based on what it is you want to say.[1]1. Your brain has a thought and sends a message to your ribs and diaphragm muscles that you will need air to vocalise that thought.2. Your ribcage expands and that leads your diaphragm to drop, which in turn creates room in your chest cavity for your lungs to expand. Aristotle coined the phrase “nature abh

Apr 13, 2023 • 6:18

833 – Breath Support and Breath Control

833 – Breath Support and Breath Control

2023.04.13 – 0833 – Breath Support and Breath Control Breath Support and Breath ControlThese two terms are often used interchangeably (I do so myself), but there is a specific difference. Breath SupportIs maximizing the air capacity available to you for speaking, through best posture and best use of the diaphragm, lung health and so on. Fitness of the diaphragm is key because when you speak the diaphragm is constantly relaxing and stretching. (A quick reminder: your diaphra

Apr 12, 2023 • 3:48

832 – Passive and Active Breathing

832 – Passive and Active Breathing

2023.04.12 – 0832 – Passive and Active BreathingA quick reminder that air is what fuels and carries your voice and that you invariably speak on the outbreath, when your stomach is coming in, a bit like an accordion.[1] Breathe through the nose where you can (but don’t sniff) to warm and filter the air, although when talking, short sound-less snatches are taken instead.Keep topping up your air supply as you talk, rather than speaking until you’ve used every last drop of air … like a waiter i

Apr 11, 2023 • 7:50

831 – The Key Thing of Breathing

831 – The Key Thing of Breathing

2023.04.11 – 0831 – The Key Thing of BreathingBREATHINGWe’ve looked before at the importance of proper breathing, not just to give you life (!) but to give your voice enough support so your words are heard and you have enough fuel to feed your voice to the end of a thought. Additionally, your voice will sound ‘fuller’ (not ‘louder’ or ‘deeper’ but with more ‘colour’ and ‘resonance’), with more range, and your articulation will be more agile. What you say will sound more inviting and compelling:

Apr 10, 2023 • 2:33

830 – Lion Yawns

830 – Lion Yawns

2023.04.10 – 0830 – Lion YawnsHave a large, lion-like yawn to focus on getting the blood flowing into your throat and face.· Then move all the muscles of the face individually· Screw up your face and make the smallest face you can: close your eyes, purse your lips, frown. · Now try and make it as large, wide, open and expressive as you can. Eyes and mouth w

Apr 9, 2023 • 2:30

829 – Cooling Down After Voice Work

829 – Cooling Down After Voice Work

2023.04.09 – 0829 – Cooling Down After Voice WorkCooling down after voice workMost people know the importance of warming up the voice, even if not sure exactly how. But cooling down the voice? Not so much.But the truth is that if you have a high vocal demand, cooling down with give you more stamina, reducing fatigue and enabling better functioning. As we saw earlier, a “high vocal demand” could be:· Lots of talking in general conversation·&nbsp

Apr 8, 2023 • 3:33

828 – Yoga For Your Voice

828 – Yoga For Your Voice

2023.04.08 – 0828 – Yoga For Your VoiceYoga for your voiceTraditional yoga is an ancient form of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are postures and breathing.As we saw earlier, one of the seven chakras, or energy centres, of the body, is the Throat Chakra. It is believed that a blocked throat chakra can impact your ability to communicate, and an open

Apr 7, 2023 • 2:41

827 – Stretching Cats and Wobbly Babies

827 – Stretching Cats and Wobbly Babies

2023.04.07 – 0827 – Stretching Cats and Wobbly BabiesTense and release· Actively applying tension to parts of the body and releasing and relaxing· (need more examples) The cat arch· Onto your hands and knees and stretch your spine like a cat arching and wriggling around. The wobbly baby· Onto you back

Apr 6, 2023 • 4:13

826 – The Forward Flop

826 – The Forward Flop

2023.04.06 – 0826 – The Forward FlopForward flop· Stand with your feet hip-width apart. · Inhale and as you do so, raise your arms to the sky· Then slowly bend at your waist on the exhale and take your hands toward the ground. It doesn’t matter how far you can drop· Stay here for a couple of breaths· &nbsp

Apr 5, 2023 • 3:44

825 – Side Slides

825 – Side Slides

2023.04.05 – 0825 – Side SlidesThe side slides· Stand with your feet slightly further apart than your hips, for added stability· Take a deep breath – properly and from your diaphragm, then as you slowly exhale… do some side bends· … tilting your body to the right with your right hand running down the side of your right leg· &nbsp

Apr 4, 2023 • 3:05

824 – Yes and No

824 – Yes and No

2023.04.04 – 0824 – Yes and NoYes and No· Move your head from side to side in a wide but slow ‘no’ gesture· Move your head up and down in a high, low and slow ‘yes’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 3, 2023 • 1:56

823 – Hands Down

823 – Hands Down

2023.04.03 – 0823 – Hands DownHands down· Slowly lift your hands over your head…· And as you do so breathe in.· Then exhale as you move your hands down again.· This will help you concentrate on your breath control Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 2, 2023 • 2:40

822 – Hula Hoops

822 – Hula Hoops

2023.04.02 – 0822 – Hula HoopsHula hoops· Stand with your feet hip-width apart and with your knees slightly bent· Put your hands on your hips and do a ‘hula hoop’, big circle movement with your hips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2023 • 5:07

821 – Shoulder Shrugs and Rolls

821 – Shoulder Shrugs and Rolls

2023.04.01 – 0821 – Shoulder Shrugs and RollsShoulder shrugs and rolls· Raise and lower your shoulders in a slow exaggerated shrug. Up to your ears and then hold for two seconds and then feel the muscles relax as you drop them· Put your hands on your shoulders and do some big forward shoulder rolls three or four times to unlock tension. The roll them backwards.·

Mar 31, 2023 • 3:01

0820 – Windmill Arms

0820 – Windmill Arms

2023.03.31 – 0820 – Windmill ArmsWindmill arms· Stretch your arms out from the side (not the front or back) of your body· Now draw a ‘figure of eight’ in the air alongside you, gradually increasing the size of the digit· This helps work out any shoulder and neck tension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 2023 • 1:45

0819 – Be A Crawler

0819 – Be A Crawler

2023.03.30 – 0819 – Be A CrawlerBe a crawler· Do some big ‘front crawl’ swimming movements with your arms, slowly and gently for 20 seconds in a full circle. This will loosen your back, chest and ribcage muscles to help better breathing · Now repeat the exercise with the arms rotating backwards · Watch out for the ceiling fan! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com

Mar 29, 2023 • 1:40

0818 – Hum and Drum

0818 – Hum and Drum

2023.03.29 – 0818 – Hum and DrumHum and drum· Stand and breath in deeply – remember from your diaphragm!· Breathe out slowly and as you do so hummmmmmm a constant note· And as you hum, wake up your chest, sides and back by firmly patting them with a gently closed fist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 2023 • 1:18

0817– Make A Stand!

0817– Make A Stand!

2023.03.28 – 0817– Make A Stand!First, make a stand! Many presenters and voice-over artists prefer to stand at the mic anyway. It enables alertness and better breath control:· Feet firmly on the ground shoulder-width apart and with three points of contact with the floor: underneath the big and little toe and the centre of your heel· Have your knees soft, the pelvis balanced, your stomach loose and free·

Mar 27, 2023 • 4:41

0816 – Whole Body Warm Up Exercises

0816 – Whole Body Warm Up Exercises

2023.03.27 – 0816 – Whole Body Warm Up ExercisesWhole Body Warm Up Exercises[1](Some of these exercises incorporate ‘sound’ as well as ‘structure’, that is you may use your voice while you are physically moving, and in that way, there is naturally some cross over with the previous chapter. This again shows how all elements of the body are interlinked.) We have seen already how nerves and stress creates tension. In this ‘anti-tension section’ we’ll look at the three Rs of relaxation, releas

Mar 26, 2023 • 1:51

0815 – Relaxation From Tension

0815 – Relaxation From Tension

2023.03.26 – 0815 – Relaxation From TensionThe flip side of tension is relaxation. Hopefully you will have seen by now how so many parts of the body are involved in creating the sound we call voice: your spine, various ligaments and muscles – some as small as the vocal folds in your throat, some large and powerful such as your diaphragm. And ‘relaxation of the mechanism’ is the key to have these work to support your voice, its construction and projection.Better relaxation leads to better pr

Mar 26, 2023 • 1:53

0814 – Ten Tell-Tale Signs of Tension

0814 – Ten Tell-Tale Signs of Tension

2023.03.25 – 0814 – Ten Tell-Tale Signs of TensionSome physical tension creeps up on us. We don’t notice small changes to the body until it’s ‘too late’. So here are Ten Tell-Tale Signs of Tension:1. Your voice sounds crackly and raspy2. It sounds thin or strained3. Your voice sounds weak4. You find yourself short of breath while speaking5.

Mar 25, 2023 • 1:17

0813 – Your Studio Desk Set Up

0813 – Your Studio Desk Set Up

2023.03.24 – 0813 – Your Studio Desk Set Up Your Studio Desk Set UpAre the screens in your studio laid out so you can see them without twisting and turning, actions which will causes spinal stresses and strains?If you talk with a twisted neck, you are pulling the larynx out of alignment causing other muscles to compensate, which will affect your vocal sound, health and stamina.If you can, move the screen or the mic or your chair so everything is ‘square on’.If this is not possible, make sure you

Mar 24, 2023 • 2:30

0812 – Nine Lines On the Spine (7-9)

0812 – Nine Lines On the Spine (7-9)

2023.03.23 – 0812 – Nine Lines On the Spine (7-9)7. Similarly wearing high heels can also throw your body out of alignment, you may have to stick your bum out to counterbalance your weight, causing other stresses on the ‘wrong’ part of the skeleton and muscle groups, and the resulting tension causing a less effective and free voice. 8. The ribs are joined to the spine and they need to be free to move as the lungs fill with air.9. A good posture, one that is soft, and which we are not gripp

Mar 23, 2023 • 1:47

0811 – Nine Lines On the Spine (4-6)

0811 – Nine Lines On the Spine (4-6)

2023.03.22 – 0811 – Nine Lines On the Spine (4-6) 4. The larynx is at the top of the trachea which runs along the same line as your spine. What you do with your head and neck alignment has a knock-on effect on your larynx, and therefore your voice. 5. The average human head weighs around 5kg or 11lbs, that's more than most new-born babies, and is balanced on just seven vertebrae in your neck and supported by around 20 muscles that move your head and keep that weight in place. If y

Mar 22, 2023 • 2:25

0810 – Nine Lines On the Spine (1-3)

0810 – Nine Lines On the Spine (1-3)

2023.03.21 – 0810 – Nine Lines On the Spine (1-3) Nine Lines On the Spine1. Why is this important? Well, your voice is affected by your postural alignment, and you will have better breathing and resonance if your ‘spine is fine’. That means using minimal effort for maximum effect: an efficient, effective and effortlessly good voice without the work of holding and tensing muscles to create it. 2. That means when standing, lining up the heaviest parts of your body so the centre of gravity goe

Mar 21, 2023 • 4:01

0809 – Vocal Tension From Sitting and Standing

0809 – Vocal Tension From Sitting and Standing

2023.03.20 – 0809 – Vocal Tension From Sitting and Standing Physical tension can come from sitting down and standing upIt is very easy to stay still in a studio and only at the end of a programme realise that you have been in the same seat for three or four hours. Sitting still has your body relaxed into a sedentary position, your breathing slows into shallow breaths as the lungs struggle to fully open. You begin to sound dull and lifeless because of a lack of oxygen to power yo

Mar 20, 2023 • 2:57

0808 – The Causes of Vocal Tension

0808 – The Causes of Vocal Tension

2023.03.19 – 0808 – The Causes of Vocal Tension What Causes Tension Nerves. Overwhelm. Anxiety. Excitement. The unknown. Panic. Being underprepared. Being worried about how you sound. Concerns about your message and the audience’s reception to it.Any physical niggle can affect your voice. That’s anything from a paper cut to menstrual cramps, discomfort anywhere will cause ‘compensatory muscular tension’ and so mental distraction. Even if just a small part of your brain is dealing with the p

Mar 19, 2023 • 2:48

0807 – Tension and Relaxation

0807 – Tension and Relaxation

2023.03.18 – 0807 – Tension and Relaxation We looked at releasing tension in the mouth, jaw, tongue and lips in the previous chapter, but as the Voice Box above shows, physical tension that can affect your voice can be in many other places. “Tension murders vibration (and) vibrations thrive in relaxation”Kristin Linklater, “Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Language” And it’s important to remember that physical tension can come from mental tension: nerves or

Mar 18, 2023 • 3:03

0806 – Stretching and Strengthening Your Laryngeal Muscle

0806 – Stretching and Strengthening Your Laryngeal Muscle

2023.03.17 – 0806 – Stretching and Strengthening Your Laryngeal Muscle There are around 27 muscles in and around the larynx, 15 of these are outside the larynx and hold it in position in the neck, 12 are essential, with a direct action on the vocal folds in their lengthening and shortening, tension and relaxation, thinning and thickening. These laryngeal muscles are intimately connected to the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper chest and back. The tension of all these muscles is

Mar 17, 2023 • 2:30

0805 – Your Physical Health

0805 – Your Physical Health

2023.03.16 – 0805 – Your Physical Health In the previous chapter we looked at your vocal zones and how looking after them affects the way you sound. Earlier in the course we discussed the ‘art of breathing’ and how sitting and standing ‘properly’, affects how you sound. Now, we’ll take a look at the wider body and its effect on your voice, including the physical tensions you need – and the ones you don’t! Each of our voices sound different partly because of how we produce our own sound: our phys

Mar 16, 2023 • 2:04

0804 – The Cool-Down Low-Down

0804 – The Cool-Down Low-Down

2023.03.15 – 0804 – The Cool-Down Low-Down % The cool down low-downThere is a need to ease yourself back to normality after extensive vocalising, resetting to ‘neutral’ rather than just stopping suddenly. You have used your voice lots, perhaps been a bit stressed and had adrenaline, you might have projected a bit more, put on a character voice (perhaps been speaking to other delegates in a crowded conference hall, teaching and preaching), maybe your bright and happy or stern tone has been ‘

Mar 15, 2023 • 5:11

0803 – Green Kings Singing

0803 – Green Kings Singing

2023.03.14 – 0803 – Green Kings Singing Green Kings Singing· Slowly and carefully say the phrase “green kings sing-ging” . Note how I’ve written the last word, split in two, that’s because I want you to say it that way, “sing” and then “ging” stressing the ‘ng’ and hard ‘g’ sounds, so you can be conscious of where the sounds are being made. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 2023 • 4:00

0802 – The ‘siNG soNG’ Vocal Warm Up

0802 – The ‘siNG soNG’ Vocal Warm Up

2023.03.13 – 0802 – The ‘siNG soNG’ Vocal Warm Up Nasal It’s important to be comfortable in diverting sounded air from your nasal cavity to the mouth and vice-versa. The Nasal Siren· Say the word “song” and take that ‘ng’ sound that is sent through your nasal cavity and keep it going. Then carefully glide up the register (sometimes called ‘tonal sweeping’), and down to your original starting point, and then down. Repeat this swooping glide

Mar 13, 2023 • 6:40

0801 – The ‘This & That’ Vocal Warm Up

0801 – The ‘This & That’ Vocal Warm Up

2023.03.12 – 0801 – The ‘This & That’ Vocal Warm Up This & ThatSay the word “this” and “that” and you’ll notice that to make the “th” you put the tip of your tongue between your teeth.· Say ‘th’ again and make it a long, buzzing sound ‘ththththththth’, feel your larynx vibrate by resting a couple of fingers on it· Stick your tongue out a bit further, again while vibrating a ‘ththththththth’

Mar 12, 2023 • 2:18

0800 – The ‘Puh-Tuh-Kuh Puh-Tuh-Kuh’ Vocal Warm Up

0800 – The ‘Puh-Tuh-Kuh Puh-Tuh-Kuh’ Vocal Warm Up

2023.03.11 – 0800 – The ‘Puh-Tuh-Kuh Puh-Tuh-Kuh’ Vocal Warm Up The Puh-Tuh-Kuh exercise· Without pushing or forcing, sound “puh-tuh-kuh” individually, slowly at first, noticing how the different words are created in different places in your mouth and with different tongue movements, over enunciate with exaggerated lip, jaw, and tongue movements· Repeat several times, gradually building up speed.·&

Mar 11, 2023 • 2:25

0799 – A Trill-iantly Easy Lip Warm-Up

0799 – A Trill-iantly Easy Lip Warm-Up

2023.03.10 – 0799 – A Trill-iantly Easy Lip Warm-Up Lip trills These encourage you to relax your mouth and lips, easing the muscles associated with enunciating, warming them up and encourage a consistent air flow· Close your mouth and teeth and relax your lips and cheeks· Exhale to vibrate your lips until you use up all your breath (if this is tricky, put an index finger on each cheek at the end o

Mar 10, 2023 • 3:22

0798 – Giving Your Lips A Work-Pout

0798 – Giving Your Lips A Work-Pout

2023.03.09 – 0798 – Giving Your Lips A Work-Pout LipsGive your lips a work-pout with these great exercises. Lip pouts · Make an exaggerated extended lip-purse as though moving in for a big kiss. Open and close the lips while in this position, like a fish (a ‘trout pout’?!)· Then tuck them in, folding them against each other inside your mouth· Add a big wide

Mar 9, 2023 • 3:22

0797 – The ‘Pucker Muscle’ and the ‘Smile Muscle’

0797 – The ‘Pucker Muscle’ and the ‘Smile Muscle’

2023.03.08 – 0797 – The ‘Pucker Muscle’ and the ‘Smile Muscle’ The ‘Pucker Muscle’ and the ‘Smile Muscle’ The ‘pucker muscle’ that controls lip movement to shape sounds is the ‘orbicularis oris’ muscle. The’ zygomaticus major’ runs from your cheekbone to the corners of your mouth to help create smiles and other facial expressions, as well as sounds such as ‘eee’. (Fun fact: This muscle can contract with a force of 200 g.[1]) [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art

Mar 8, 2023 • 1:49

0796 – Bits About Lips

0796 – Bits About Lips

2023.03.07 – 0796 – Bits About Lips Bits About LipsLips are more than just the ‘lipstick bit’, their muscles extend into the cheeks and so affect (and are affected by) the whole of the face and expression. Holding tension in yur lips, or barely using them when speaking (some people rely on their tongue to do a lot of the hard articulatory work), can restrict your understandability, as how you hold your lips helps create word-sound groups. Stiff lips may be a result of the perceived dan

Mar 7, 2023 • 6:03

0795 - The ‘Mouth’s Mystery Muscle’

0795 - The ‘Mouth’s Mystery Muscle’

2023.03.06 – 0795 - The ‘Mouth’s Mystery Muscle’ Tongue Root Tension and the ‘Mouth’s Mystery Muscle’ We all know about the tongue yeah? We can see it in our mouth, we know it is very sensitive to temperature, taste and texture (babies instinctively feel things with their tongue), and its complex fibres and nerves makes an extraordinary range of precise movements possible for speaking[1] (Episode 76 “Your Multi-Function Mouth Muscle” has the full list of the tongue’s eight great attri

Mar 6, 2023 • 1:48

0794 – Blowing Raspberries

0794 – Blowing Raspberries

2023.03.05 – 0794 – Blowing Raspberries Blowing Raspberries· Relax your mouth, lips and cheeks and slightly stick out your tongue, resting it on your lower lip.· Slowly exhale as you blow a raspberry, vibrating your tongue, lips and cheeks. (Beware of spittle!)· Now gently vocalise that airflow creating a slow deep vibration· &n

Mar 5, 2023 • 1:29

0793 – The Right Way To Use Tongue Twisters As An Articulation Exercise

0793 – The Right Way To Use Tongue Twisters As An Articulation Exercise

2023.03.04 – 0793 – The Right Way To Use Tongue Twisters As An Articulation Exercise Tongue TwistersOnce you have warmed up the tongue, you can try some tongue twisters to put it through its paces (if you try a tongue twister before you’ve warmed up the tongue and you’ll just end up tongue-tied and demoralised…) What do I like about a tongue-twister? It’s hard to say (!), but having said that, their name is a bit of misnomer because they not only help stretch and strengthen several of

Mar 4, 2023 • 6:34

0792 – The ‘Tongue Curl’ Vocal Exercise

0792 – The ‘Tongue Curl’ Vocal Exercise

2023.03.03 – 0792 – The ‘Tongue Curl’ Vocal ExerciseCurled Tongue· Put the tip of your tongue behind your lower front teeth, and arch the middle of your tongue so it touches the roof of your mouth. Repeat five times, like press-ups for the tongue!· Now open your mouth and, with a relaxed jaw and the tip of your tongue still behind your lower front teeth, push the middle of your tongue forward towards yo

Mar 3, 2023 • 4:26

0791 – A Drumroll For The Tongue

0791 – A Drumroll For The Tongue

2023.03.02 – 0791 – A Drumroll For The TongueTongue Trills· Relax your mouth and tongue and have your lips slightly apart. Purr like a cat (or like a drumroll), relaxing your tongue and letting its tip vibrate on the roof of your mouth just behind the upper teeth, as you breathe out. · Try this gently at first before you make the vibration faster and stronger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Mar 2, 2023 • 2:00

0790 – The ‘Toothpaste Tongue’ Vocal Exercise

0790 – The ‘Toothpaste Tongue’ Vocal Exercise

2023.03.01 – 0790 – The ‘Toothpaste Tongue’ Vocal ExerciseToothpaste Tongue· Imagine there’s a blob of toothpaste on the tip of your tongue and give each tooth and individual clean with the tip of the tongue. · Keep the jaw as relaxed as possible as you run your tongue all around your mouth to ‘clean’ it: between lips and gums, behind teeth, along the roof and floor of your mouth, even counting your tee

Mar 1, 2023 • 1:45

0789 – Getting a ‘Slug Tongue’

0789 – Getting a ‘Slug Tongue’

2023.02.28 – 0789 – Getting a ‘Slug Tongue’ Slug TongueRelax the jaw, drop the tongue out of the mouth and count slowly out loud to 10. Then recite the ‘Happy Birthday’ song or something similar, keeping your tongue relaxed and floppy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 2023 • 1:08

0788 – Tongue Stretches

0788 – Tongue Stretches

2023.02.27 – 0788 – Tongue Stretches Tongue Stretches· Open and relax your mouth with your lips apart, then stick out your tongue as far as it will stretch. Hold it there for 30 seconds while breathing. Check you are not tightening your neck muscles (use a mirror or put a hand on your neck to feel for tension) · Stick your tongue out and slowly draw a square with the tip of your tongue. Try differe

Feb 27, 2023 • 6:54

0787 – Tongue Fun

0787 – Tongue Fun

2023.02.26 – 0787 – Tongue FunThe TongueYour tongue is a major articulator helping form sounds into recognisable words (as well as being used in swallowing and eating). It moves courtesy of eight muscles: four intrinsic muscles run along its length and change and the shape of the tongue (lengthening and shortening it, curling and uncurling its tip and edges as in tongue rolling, and flattening and rounding its surface), and four extrinsic muscles change its position (for protrusion, retract

Feb 26, 2023 • 3:23

0786 – The Exaggeration Vocal Exercise

0786 – The Exaggeration Vocal Exercise

2023.02.25 – 0786 – The Exaggeration Vocal Exercise Over EnunciationSilently say a phrase (“Get A Better Broadcast, Podcast and Voice Over Voice”) with really exaggerated mouth, lip and jaw movements. Repeat it, with really big, animated and exaggerated articulation. Now put the sound in and keep the performance. Finally, relax and speak the phrase normally with your usual face and you should feel more freedom, and ease of movement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati

Feb 25, 2023 • 3:18

0785 – Jaw Massage

0785 – Jaw Massage

2023.02.24 – 0785 – Jaw MassageJaw Massage Let your jaw drop slightly and put the balls of your hands just under your cheekbones. Rub firmly into the hollows of your cheeks as you let the lower jaw drop into a more open position.Temple MassageWith the tips of your fingers, massage your temples as you open and close the jaw, circular movements in both directions. As you close your mouth you will feel a bulge of the associated muscles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat

Feb 24, 2023 • 4:14

0784 – The Toffee and Chipmunk Jaw Exercises

0784 – The Toffee and Chipmunk Jaw Exercises

2023.02.23 – 0784 – The Toffee and Chipmunk Jaw ExercisesThe JawIf you experience a popping or clicking in their jaw, it’s a possible sign that you are tensing or clenching it too much. But of course, you need to be able to drop the jaw when you speak, to allow the tongue to move freely and the sound to come out. Some of the muscles that close the jaw fan out towards the temple and skull, the ones that open it are linked to the neck and larynx, so any tightness here can affect a large area.·&nbs

Feb 23, 2023 • 8:39

0783 – The ‘Silent Laugh’ Vocal Exercise

0783 – The ‘Silent Laugh’ Vocal Exercise

2023.02.22 – 0783 – The ‘Silent Laugh’ Vocal Exercise The Silent LaughImagine you’ve just been told a joke but you’re not allowed to laugh out loud, instead do so silently and gently inside your throat with no sound. If you find this tricky at first, laugh vocally, and sense what is happening inside your mouth and throat and replicate this, silently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 22, 2023 • 1:19

0782 – The ‘Yawn Sigh’ Vocal Exercise

0782 – The ‘Yawn Sigh’ Vocal Exercise

2023.02.21 – 0782 – The ‘Yawn Sigh’ Vocal Exercise Throat The Yawn SighYawning opens and stretches muscles at the back of your throat.· Stand up and inhale as you yawn, a full-bodied one, wide and deep. Get your whole body involved: open your mouth, keep your tongue relaxed and gently touching your lower teeth, soft palate raised, stretching and widening at the back of your throat, scrunch your face, stretch your arms over your face and

Feb 21, 2023 • 7:02

0781 – The Ubiquitous Panting Exercise

0781 – The Ubiquitous Panting Exercise

2023.02.20 – 0781 – The Ubiquitous Panting Exercise PantingYour vocal folds make a tense and strained sound if they are closing too tightly over the airflow, but a pleasant and easy sound is made when the folds meet and vibrate, stimulated by air passing over them. In this exercise we’ll first work on ‘aspirant consonants’ which are produced with the vocal folds open and not vibrating at all.· You can let more air through, by making a breathier

Feb 20, 2023 • 4:23

0780 – Tarzan and The Wake-Up Hum

0780 – Tarzan and The Wake-Up Hum

2023.02.19 – 0780 – Tarzan and The Wake-Up Hum Let’s start with the larynx. Larynx Your voice needs to start slow, so we’ll start by awakening the cords with humming, a great go-to for easing-in your instrument.The Wake-up HumBe sure that your jaw is loose and your teeth are separated to create more room for resonance. Humm from your throat and chest in your usual register. That is, not from your lips. SireningNow gradually move up a register. Don’t stop and reset, but gli

Feb 19, 2023 • 9:23

0779 – Why Warm Up Your Voice?

0779 – Why Warm Up Your Voice?

2023.02.18 – 0779 – Why Warm Up Your Voice? Warming upThe intensity, speed and duration of any voice-over work can cause vocal fatigue. Not warming up will lead to a longer recovery time and possible ongoing injury. These exercises will improve your vocal flexibility and eliminate unnecessary levels of tension in your body and voice. The Exercises These easy-to-learn exercises are ones that you can do at home, in the car, in the shower or in the toilet at work. Do t

Feb 18, 2023 • 2:59

0778 – Vocal Exercise Advise

0778 – Vocal Exercise Advise

2023.02.17 – 0778 – Vocal Exercise Advise A quick health warning:· Like at the gym, always do a warm-up before you do a work-out· The first part of the warm-up (see below) should also include physical and mental work, which in this book you will find in separate chapters· Pace yourself. Vocal exercises should be challenging in a similar wa

Feb 17, 2023 • 4:22

0777 – Vocal Work-Outs, Warm-Ups and Winding Down

0777 – Vocal Work-Outs, Warm-Ups and Winding Down

2023.02.16 – 0777 – Vocal Work-Outs, Warm-Ups and Winding Down %VOCAL WORK-OUTS, WARM-UPS AND WINDING DOWNA dance or sports person wouldn’t dream of performing without a warm-up, or suddenly stop at the end of a race without a cool-down regime. To do otherwise would risk temporary or permanent injury to their muscles and ligaments, and they would not be working to the best of their ability. You are a ‘vocal athlete’ and you too need training, warm-ups and proper rest to le

Feb 16, 2023 • 5:01

0776 – Help! I’m Getting A Cold!

0776 – Help! I’m Getting A Cold!

2023.02.15 – 0776 – Help! I’m Getting A Cold! Help! I’m getting a cold! (Or blocked nose, sneezes and sniffles, itchy mouth, catarrh, sore throat, dry cough, headache, hoarseness and general feeling of being unwell… it’s all literally a pain in the neck.)During this period your voice will sound deeper, rougher and may almost disappear, because swollen vocal cords vibrate more slowly and unevenly. With a blocked nose, your sound will be nasally because of reduced resonance.

Feb 15, 2023 • 5:22

0775 – Vocal Fold Haemorrhage

0775 – Vocal Fold Haemorrhage

2023.02.14 – 0775 – Vocal Fold Haemorrhage Continued talking may lead to ‘vocal nodules’ on your folds, which are common with loud, tense, constant talkers. (Polyps are similar but usually occur after a single cough or shout, rather than long-term abuse, and happen when the folds haemorrhage.) Know your body. If your body is hurting (even a sore throat), stop. It’s a sign that something is not ‘quite right’. Speaking when hoarse, or worse still, shouting to deliberately ma

Feb 14, 2023 • 2:05

0774 – Voice Advice From Justin Timberlake and Larry Hagman

0774 – Voice Advice From Justin Timberlake and Larry Hagman

2023.02.13 – 0774 – Voice Advice From Justin Timberlake and Larry Hagman ‘Resting’ actorsLarry Hagman was best known for playing ruthless oil baron J. R. Ewing in the 1978–1991 primetime television soap opera ‘Dallas’ and the befuddled astronaut Major Anthony Nelson in the 1965–1970 sitcom ‘I Dream of Jeannie’. For 20 years he undertook “silent Sundays” after a doctor suggested that he did not talk for a few days after he strained his vocal cords. For one day a week he said not a wor

Feb 13, 2023 • 2:07

0773 – Polyps, Nodules and Phonal Trauma

0773 – Polyps, Nodules and Phonal Trauma

2023.02.12 – 0773 – Polyps, Nodules and Phonal Trauma Treating your voice badly, shouting[1], smoking or straining it, is not showing it the respect it deserves. These actions can lead to ‘phonal trauma’ such as nodules or polyps (small growths) on your vocal folds. These can be painful and if they heal at all can take a long time. At an extreme, they may need to be removed in an operation. (Wince…) “Once, a year or two back, I’d lost my voice during the evening… really lost it

Feb 12, 2023 • 2:21

0772 – The Greatest Vocal Athletes

0772 – The Greatest Vocal Athletes

2023.02.11 – 0772 – The Greatest Vocal Athletes The voice-overs with perhaps the most vocal stamina have to be the audiobook narrators. Recording day after day for a total of 70 hours is not unheard of, and on top of that (for fiction books at least) creating and remembering different voices and accents for different characters, and reading with different sets of emotions and volumes. Another skill is keeping up the enthusiasm, perhaps for page after page of content that you ar

Feb 11, 2023 • 2:21

0771 – Vocal Conditioning Through Proper Pacing

0771 – Vocal Conditioning Through Proper Pacing

2023.02.10 – 0771 – Vocal Conditioning Through Proper Pacing If your body is tired, your voice sounds tired: it’s one of the first areas where your lack of zeds shows itself. Before a recording session, get plenty of sleep so your voice doesn’t sound too husky or in a lower register than the producer was expecting when they booked you from your demo reel. Voice overuse and misuseTotal voice rest This is an important part of recovering from a voice injury, but not something that

Feb 10, 2023 • 1:44

0770 – Why Having A Secret May Be Hurting Your Voice

0770 – Why Having A Secret May Be Hurting Your Voice

2023.02.09 – 0770 – Why Having A Secret May Be Hurting Your Voice Whispering – Normal speaking is with a regular airflow and closure. With whispering you get no closure and you need more effort to make a lesser sound. Try it right now and feel the strain your vocal cords are under. What you are doing is pushing them into an unusual shape and then passing extra air over them that only adds to their dryness. Instead, if you are going hoarse or are speaking secretly, don’t be careless wi

Feb 9, 2023 • 1:14

0769 – Why African Elephants In Underpants May Be Hurting Your Voice

0769 – Why African Elephants In Underpants May Be Hurting Your Voice

2023.02.08 – 0769 – Why African Elephants In Underpants May Be Hurting Your Voice VowelsSay the following phrase aloud, word by word: “African. Elephants. In. Our. Underpants”. Each word begins with a vowel, A, E, I, O and U. And as we saw before, it’s these sounds that are made with a lot of potential pressure on the larynx. Say “African” again and you will feel that the initial sound is quite harsh (unlike, say “European” which is more of a gliding first sound), as the air that has

Feb 8, 2023 • 3:55

0768 – What To Say To An Anaesthetist

0768 – What To Say To An Anaesthetist

2023.02.07 – 0768 – What To Say To An Anaesthetist Surgery – Intubation is when a tube is fed into your mouth (‘endotracheal intubation’) or nose (‘nasogastric intubation’) and then into the airway to help you with breathing, deliver anaesthesia or medications, and bypass a blockage. Be aware of the potential damage to your vocal folds during intubation anaesthetics, and prior to planned surgery make sure that an anaesthetist is aware of your profession. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv

Feb 7, 2023 • 1:49

0767 – How A Kettle Can Help Your Voice

0767 – How A Kettle Can Help Your Voice

2023.02.06 – 0767 – How A Kettle Can Help Your Voice Steam inhaling - can help the health of the vocal folds and the mucous membranes that line the nasal and mouth cavities. Steaming once or twice a day for 10-15 minutes will:· allow the water vapour to get into places that no lozenge, gargle or linctus can ever reach, soothing and moisturising and helping to thin the mucus, so it’s more slippery·

Feb 6, 2023 • 2:15

0766 –Voice Problems Caused By Shouting and Smoking

0766 –Voice Problems Caused By Shouting and Smoking

2023.02.05 – 0766 –Voice Problems Caused By Shouting and Smoking Shouting – causes the folds are slammed together harshly. Consider why you are shouting – perhaps it’s because of a loud and busy newsroom, or maybe you are going slightly deaf…? If you are tempted to pick up some part time work say behind a bar where you have to raise your voice to be heard, you may want to think of another job that will put less strain on your folds. Try and speak less, and less harshly and to take regular m

Feb 5, 2023 • 3:21

0765 – How Snoring May Be Causing Voice Problems

0765 – How Snoring May Be Causing Voice Problems

2023.02.04 – 0765 – How Snoring May Be Causing Voice Problems Mouth breathing and snoring - can dry your vocal folds (as we saw previously, part of the job the nostrils have is to humidify the air as it enters your body). Although it’s OK to take gasps of air through your mouth as you speak, try to otherwise inhale through your nose. That’s especially true at night otherwise for many hours you will have dry, unfiltered air passing your larynx. If you sleep on your back, you’re especially p

Feb 4, 2023 • 2:03

0764 – How Meds Can Hurt Not Help Your Voice

0764 – How Meds Can Hurt Not Help Your Voice

2023.02.03 – 0764 – How Meds Can Hurt Not Help Your Voice Medications – Again, sticky-sweet, tongue colour-changing over-the-counter lozenges do not touch your vocal cords. Although they might have a placebo effect (you feel as though they are helping, and so your confidence returns), the ones with anaesthetic or numbing properties may actually be causing further damage, giving you a false sense that everything’s OK. Instead, focus on the root cause of your vocal fatigue by pract

Feb 3, 2023 • 4:19

0763 – How Your Voice Is Affected By Oestrogen, Progesterone and Androgens

0763 – How Your Voice Is Affected By Oestrogen, Progesterone and Androgens

2023.02.02 – 0763 – How Your Voice Is Affected By Oestrogen, Progesterone and Androgens Menopause can also affect the voice.[1] Vocally speaking, oestrogen:· affects how supple the vocal folds’ upper surface (the mucosal layer) is· supports the folds’ mucus-making glands· affects the deepest layer of the vocal folds, which produce lower and higher pit

Feb 2, 2023 • 3:39

0762 – How Hormones Affect Your Voice

0762 – How Hormones Affect Your Voice

2023.02.01 – 0762 – How Hormones Affect Your Voice Hormones - We know how boys’ voices change as they go through puberty, but so do girls’. Testosterone and oestrogen not only affect the voice directly in the vocal folds, changing their shape and so the sounds they make, but also indirectly as the overall body shape changes. Muscles and ligaments develop which can lead to increased lung capacity and other alterations affecting breathing and resonance. For women this is not a one-off hormon

Feb 1, 2023 • 2:49

0761 – The Voice Enemies Of Air Con, Carphones and Coughing

0761 – The Voice Enemies Of Air Con, Carphones and Coughing

2023.01.31 – 0761 – The Voice Enemies Of Air Con, Carphones and Coughing Air conditioning – a dry throat can be caused by heating or air conditioning in homes, offices, trains, planes and cars. Try getting more natural air into your life, or invest in a humidifier. Carphones – you tend to talk louder on them as the mic is further from your mouth, because the signal may not be good, you are talking to someone else who is also on a mobile, and to counteract the ambient traffic noise. &nb

Jan 31, 2023 • 3:40

0760 – Signs Your Voice Isn’t As It Should Be

0760 – Signs Your Voice Isn’t As It Should Be

2023.01.30 – 0760 – Signs Your Voice Isn’t As It Should Be (How To Use Your Voice For A Four Hour Show And Not Damage Or Lose It)??Signs that your voice isn’t as it should be Of course, only you really know how your voice usually sounds and how you usually feel, but there are some tell-tale red flags that may indicate a current or looming problem: Effort - it all needs more conscious energy to speak, not just after a one-off long day, but regularly Projection – you have to

Jan 30, 2023 • 1:13

0759 – Potentially Unhelpful Vocal Rest

0759 – Potentially Unhelpful Vocal Rest

2023.01.29 – 0759 – Potentially Unhelpful Vocal Rest Potentially ‘unhelpful’ vocal rest This might include:Not speaking for two days before a studio session to “prepare my voice” – as an athlete might do gentle warm-ups before a big race rather than lie in bed all day, so you should give your voice gentle exercises A voice actor or presenter who feels exhausted after a 4-hour studio session, and decides to skip ‘warming down’ exercises to “save my voice”.​ Think about

Jan 29, 2023 • 1:54

0758 – The Importance Of Voice Naps

0758 – The Importance Of Voice Naps

2023.01.28 – 0758 – The Importance Of Voice Naps If you are using your voice a lot, try and schedule some specific ‘voice naps’ into your day, where you don’t talk for 5-15 minutes at a time on several occasions throughout the day. By taking ‘voice naps’ you can top up your ‘voice battery’. This may mean:· Planning your schedule – spread out your vocal tasks, so for example taking a break from bulk-recording several podcasts in a row &nb

Jan 28, 2023 • 3:17

0757 – Outside Elements Damaging Your Voice

0757 – Outside Elements Damaging Your Voice

2023.01.27 – 0757 – Outside Elements Damaging Your Voice As well as external environmental issues such as:· Air humidity - dry air is thought to increase the stress on the vocal folds, so beware of studio air conditioning. Anything that cools it down or warms it up can dry out the air.· Hydration - dehydration may increase the effects of stress on the folds Keeping an eye on h

Jan 27, 2023 • 2:13

0756 – Your Vocal Battery

0756 – Your Vocal Battery

2023.01.26 – 0756 – Your Vocal Battery PROFESSIONAL VOCAL STRAINIt is of course better to ‘defend not mend’ – and prevention is easier than a remedy. So, look after your folds and everything else that helps your body create a great sound. Be aware of how much you are using your voice during the day, and how much rest you are giving it. The ‘Vocal Battery’Think of your voice-use as a battery: you start the day with it fully-charged but during the course of the day with the

Jan 26, 2023 • 4:45

0755 – Why Your Evening Meal Could Be Killing Your Voice

0755 – Why Your Evening Meal Could Be Killing Your Voice

2023.01.25 – 0755 – Why Your Evening Meal Could Be Killing Your Voice Acid reflux[1] This is when digestive juices (made up of strong acids and enzymes) find their way from the stomach into the oesophagus. Known by doctors as GERD (‘gastro-esophageal reflux disease) or GOR (‘gastro-oesophageal reflux), symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, coughing, belching, general discomfort and a sour taste in the mouth.For some people, these juices may even get into the trachea causing irrita

Jan 25, 2023 • 9:48

0754 – Why ‘Thirst’ Is Unreliable

0754 – Why ‘Thirst’ Is Unreliable

2023.01.24 – 0754 – Why ‘Thirst’ Is Unreliable Your unreliable dehydration warning systemWhen you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. That’s because whereas the body treats food with a ‘store now - use later policy’, excess fluid will simply be excreted. You’ll just pee. So, the ‘thirst mechanism’ is unreliable. To stop feeling thirsty (and so, dehydrated), and because your thirst is satiated before complete hydration is achieved, regular sipping is the common-sense approach. Set

Jan 24, 2023 • 2:40

0753 – Hydration Oughta Be Water, But…

0753 – Hydration Oughta Be Water, But…

2023.01.23 – 0753 – Hydration Oughta Be Water, But…Where hydration comes fromHydration oughta be water, plain, pure and at room temperature. But if you’re struggling to drink enough try:· Try flavouring your water with fruit· Drink caffeine-free tea like chamomile, ginger, or peppermint tea· Eat foods that contain more water, such as cucumbers or melonso&nb

Jan 23, 2023 • 6:51

0752 – Hydrate to Sound Great. Here’s Why…

0752 – Hydrate to Sound Great. Here’s Why…

2023.01.22 – 0752 – Hydrate to Sound Great. Here’s Why…The more dehydrated you are:· The drier the cords· The poorer the quality of your voice· The less you will get from each breath· The shorter the time you can talk or sing · The more likely it is that you will g

Jan 22, 2023 • 0:52

0751 – A Moment On Mucus

0751 – A Moment On Mucus

2023.01.21 – 0751 – A Moment On MucusSo, hydration affects the folds specifically in two ways:· ‘Systemic hydration’ is the term for hydrating your whole body, the cells and the tissues from inside out· ‘Topical (or ‘surface’) hydration’ affects the moisture levels of the surface of the vocal folds, keeping them slippery enough to vibrate. The vocal folds are covered in a thin protective coating o

Jan 21, 2023 • 4:13

0750 – The Hydration Situation

0750 – The Hydration Situation

2023.01.20 – 0750 – The Hydration Situation The Hydration Situation (or How to ‘Get A Wetter Broadcast, Podcast and Voiceover Voice’)Up to 60% of the human adult body is water[1]: the brain and heart are composed of 73% water; the lungs are about 83% water; skin contains 64% water; muscles and kidneys are 79%; bones 31% water.Each day we have to consume a certain amount of water to survive, depending on things like age, size and climate[2]. Generally, an adult male need about 3 litres (5 pi

Jan 20, 2023 • 2:42

0749 – Why Cough Sweets Are A Con

0749 – Why Cough Sweets Are A Con

2023.01.19 – 0749 – Why Cough Sweets Are A ConFirst up, it’s important to realise that nothing you swallow touches your vocal folds. Yep, those soothing cough sweets you take for example, go nowhere near them and any help they might give is either somewhere else in the vocal tract, or simply psychosomatic. (Indeed, as we’ll see later, such lozenges may actually be causing other problems!). I mean it stands to reason doesn’t it?: your voice comes from air from your lungs passing over your vocal c

Jan 19, 2023 • 3:25

0748 – Vocal Health as Asset Protection

0748 – Vocal Health as Asset Protection

2023.01.18 – 0748 – Vocal Health as Asset ProtectionAs we have seen, the vocal cords are super thin muscular folds the length of your thumb nail. Air exhaled from the lungs passes over the taut cords and they vibrate[1], producing sound waves. High-pitched sounds are made when the cords are short and taut[2]. They work best when they are really well hydrated and it’s really hard for them to work, and they are more-easily damaged, when they’re dry or have too much phlegm on them. Looking af

Jan 18, 2023 • 2:31

0747 – You Are A Vocal Athlete

0747 – You Are A Vocal Athlete

2023.01.17 – 0747 – You Are A Vocal AthleteWe are vocal athletes! Those of us who speak for a living are trained and skilled, we have physical strength, agility and stamina. We can get highly stressed and suffer from fatigue that affects our performance. And we use our body in an unusual way. So, be aware of what kind of foods, situations or symptoms are the precursor to poor vocal health. And then avoid them.We all vary how much we speak during a day because of everything from studio

Jan 17, 2023 • 3:01

0746 – Exercise Advisories

0746 – Exercise Advisories

2023.01.16 – 0746 – Exercise AdvisoriesOver the years in the many training sessions I have led, I have just known that the advice I have given to my clients in this area is going to be ignored: lip trills have been considered childish, to mindfully meditate was seen as ‘hippy’ hokum, stopping smoking as an unnecessary infringement. I am happy to say that in recent years those views have largely changed as people have become more aware of the value of looking after themselves vocally, physically

Jan 16, 2023 • 3:31

0745 – Your Vocal, Physical and Emotional Health: an introduction

0745 – Your Vocal, Physical and Emotional Health: an introduction

2023.01.15 – 0745 – Your Vocal, Physical and Emotional Health: an introduction ‘The first thing to be considered is what sort of voice we have and next, how we use it. The natural power of the voice is judged by its quantity and quality. The good qualities of the voice are improved by attention and deteriorated by neglect.’Quintilian, first century AD, a leading instructor in eloquence at the school of oratory in RomeLet’s take a look at some changes that can affect your voice almost overni

Jan 15, 2023 • 4:56

0744 – Telephony Voiceovers

0744 – Telephony Voiceovers

2023.01.14 – 0744 – Telephony VoiceoversTelephony voice over – (‘voicemail’, ‘Message On-Hold’, ‘MOH’, ‘Integrated Voice Response’ or ‘IVR’ “for sales press 1, for help press 3…”)These voices have to represent the brand and what they stand for and might sound like and who they’re speaking to. The voice is the representative of the company and so a more mature, experienced voice might be most appropriate. Doctors’ and dentists’ callers probably don’t want to hear a teenager, they want someon

Jan 14, 2023 • 3:46

0743 – Voiceover Cut-Throughs

0743 – Voiceover Cut-Throughs

2023.01.13 – 0743 – Voiceover Cut-ThroughsA voice-over might hope that with a commercial read they may be asked to record another ad for the same brand, but it’s not a given. That job may be a one-off. But with trails and promo voices, once chosen you are likely to be on contract for months, seasons or years. You may be on a retainer, and have to voice any number of items with a quick turnaround every single week. (Oh, and you may be paid a premium for ‘market exclusivity’ to stop your voice fro

Jan 13, 2023 • 1:53

0742 – Station Imaging Voiceovers

0742 – Station Imaging Voiceovers

2023.01.12 – 0742 – Station Imaging Voiceovers Station imagingThese are the branded voices that are used on promotional trailers for radio and TV stations. So not on the commercials advertising other brands (such as a car showroom or a breakfast cereal), but introduce or promote an individual show (or shows) on that station (“The News At Ten – with Kylie Johnson … Joe Smithson on sports and meteorologist, Troy Masters”, “Tuesday night is DIY night … on K-DIY Channel 9”), or on radio st

Jan 12, 2023 • 3:02

0741 – Voicing Public Service Announcements.

0741 – Voicing Public Service Announcements.

2023.01.11 – 0741 – Voicing Public Service AnnouncementsPSAsIn times of disaster, be it natural or human, a Public Service (or Safety) Message may be the best way to get information out fast and elicit help.An appropriate tone might be:· Calm and reassuring, clear and uncompromising, with a touch of urgency – for an informational read to those caught up in events· Inspiring, caring and authentically emp

Jan 11, 2023 • 1:33

0740 – The Tonal Scale on Political Voiceovers

0740 – The Tonal Scale on Political Voiceovers

2023.01.10 – 0740 – The Tonal Scale on Political VoiceoversWith negative ads, you are unlikely to be shouting and screaming in fury, instead, your style will be more measured and composed although still somewhere on the scale of:· Bewilderment· Disappointment · Concern· Incredulity· &nbsp

Jan 10, 2023 • 3:04

0739 – Political Ad Voiceover Styles

0739 – Political Ad Voiceover Styles

2023.01.09 – 0739 – Political Ad Voiceover Styles Like most advertising where the style of such campaigns was once very ‘announcery’, both of these content styles are now much more conversational, contemporary and authentic, inspiring and upbeat or authoritative and direct. And your accent is likely to be from the community (say Maine or rural Mississippi) and the demographic (Floridian Spanish, 18–24-year-olds, stay-home mums, over 75s), to whom the ad is targeted. In some ads, such as introduc

Jan 9, 2023 • 1:31

0738 – Finding The Key Points in Political Voiceover Scripts

0738 – Finding The Key Points in Political Voiceover Scripts

2023.01.08 – 0738 – Finding The Key Points in Political Voiceover ScriptsAs a voice-over you have to immediately identify:· Is this ad actively promoting the candidate, or doing so by knocking their opposition?· Who is it targeting? Undecideds, grass root supporters, soccer moms, small business owners…· What is the key message?· &nbsp

Jan 8, 2023 • 2:19

0737 – Political Voiceovers: Lead Ins and Pay Offs

0737 – Political Voiceovers: Lead Ins and Pay Offs

2023.01.07 – 0737 – Political Voiceovers: Lead Ins and Pay OffsAds of either style often start with a question, another rhetorical device that gets the listener to ‘fill the vacuum’ with an answer:· “Would you trust Tracey Garcia with your money?” · “We gave this man the keys to the Governor’s House … do you know what he gave us in return?”· “Just why shoul

Jan 7, 2023 • 5:49

0736 – Key Words to Highlight in Political Ads

0736 – Key Words to Highlight in Political Ads

2023.01.06 – 0736 – Key Words to Highlight in Political Ads All styles usually have a script that is clean, clear and sharp, one which has a point of view to catch the attention and emotion of its target audience. Common rhetorical devices will be used such as comparative balances (“the wealthy profited, and we paid”, “while they only care about their family, we care about yours”, “keep your tax dollars in Delaware, not in DC”), alliteration or rhyme (“problem solver, job creator”, “honest

Jan 6, 2023 • 4:23

0735 – Voiceovers For Political Ads

0735 – Voiceovers For Political Ads

2023.01.05 – 0735 – Voiceovers For Political Ads Political adsThese are most common in the US and can be divided into these categories: [1], [2]· Positive – promoting the attributes of the candidate with an uplifting, aspirational and honest message and tone· Negative (or ‘comparative’ or ‘attack’ ads) – promoting a candidate by highlighting the perceived mistakes of their opponent, in a voice that can

Jan 5, 2023 • 2:01

0734 – Movie Trailers Voiceovers

0734 – Movie Trailers Voiceovers

2023.01.04 – 0734 – Movie Trailers VoiceoversMovie trailersThe ‘god’ of these was the iconic voice of Don LaFontaine who recorded more than 5,000 film trailers and hundreds of thousands of television advertisements, network promotions, and video game trailers. At the height of his career, he was voicing 60 trailers a week. He became identified with the phrase "In a world...", used in so many movie trailers that it became a cliché. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG

Jan 4, 2023 • 3:35

0733 – Medical Narration Skills

0733 – Medical Narration Skills

2023.01.03 – 0733 – Medical Narration SkillsMedical VOsThese can be quite content-rich and may be for professional medical education or maybe for drug or equipment reps, and will likely have pharmaceutical and physiological terminology.Some of the information may be ‘patient facing’, for example explaining a situation for someone undergoing treatment. That will be made clear in your direction.Your voice needs to have clear, intelligent warmth to transform what could be dense and dry scripts into

Jan 3, 2023 • 2:38

0732 – The 4 P’s of Speaking Outdoors

0732 – The 4 P’s of Speaking Outdoors

2023.01.02 – 0732 – The 4 P’s of Speaking Outdoors VOICE BOXSpeaking outdoors ‘Public speaking’ at out-door events, garden parties, open-air weddings, theatres and so on can put an added strain on your voice, but some tips are the same as indoor work: warming up (even though the weather may be warm, you need to prepare your voice for what is to come), and hydration (again, the warmer weather may cause you to need more fluid both before and during your open-air speaking engagement[1]).T

Jan 2, 2023 • 6:13

0731 – Sport Stadium Announcing

0731 – Sport Stadium Announcing

2023.01.01 – 0731 – Sport Stadium Announcing In this category could also come ‘announcers’ such as those as sports events. Bob Sheppard was the long-time public address announcer for more than 4,500 Yankees baseball games over 56 years. He was also the in-house voice for New York Giants football games for more than a half-century. Wikipedia says “Sheppard's smooth, distinctive baritone and precise, consistent elocution became iconic aural symbols of both the old Yankee Stadiu

Jan 1, 2023 • 1:45

0730 – Skilling Up To Be Godlike

0730 – Skilling Up To Be Godlike

2022.12.31 – 0730 – Skilling Up To Be GodlikeAdditional skills· You need to be able to ask questions, use initiative and take direction when presenting in this situation. You need to be diplomatic: who are you taking direction from? The sound engineer, the stage manager, the MD of the company, the hotel manager…? · You need to work well under pressure, being script-accurate, possibly while hearing in-ea

Dec 31, 2022 • 2:54

0729 – Your Godlike Presentation

0729 – Your Godlike Presentation

2022.12.30 – 0729 – Your Godlike PresentationYour presentation· Don’t talk too fast or information may be missed. There may be a busy room with hubbub and people mid-way through a conversation. In a large warehouse-like conference centre your voice may echo slightly and so a slower read-rate may be best. Think about how the audience is receiving the message.· Be aware that you may need a gear chang

Dec 30, 2022 • 1:44

0728 – Your Bow Tie And Ball Gown Prep

0728 – Your Bow Tie And Ball Gown Prep

2022.12.29 – 0728 – Your Bow Tie And Ball Gown Prep· Seeing a script in advance will let you prep any unusual terminology. Perhaps it’s a sports event and you may need to give a score or a result. You may be expected to lead some kind of audience participation and explain a voting procedure or how to use a piece of tech. Even explaining where the buffet or toilets are will sound more authoritative if you know the route to the room yourself. If it’s

Dec 29, 2022 • 1:53

0727 – Prepping For ‘Voice of God’ Announcements

0727 – Prepping For ‘Voice of God’ Announcements

2022.12.28 – 0727 – Prepping For ‘Voice of God’ Announcements Preparation· Ensure you get the script well in advance so you can read and rehearse. There may be words, places, people’s names and technical terms (a trade show for medical equipment, a conference for engineers…) that you are not familiar with. At awards ceremonies, some of the categories-and-sponsor-credit names can be quite a mouthful. They may also have been written by someone who doe

Dec 28, 2022 • 2:12

0726 – Your ‘Voice of God’ Voice

0726 – Your ‘Voice of God’ Voice

2022.12.27 – 0726 – Your ‘Voice of God’ VoiceYour voice· In this position you are often the face, or rather the voice of the event: the conductor. Assess the brand of the events and the type of content you are reading. Is it a corporate gig or a relaxed and younger audience? Your voice needs to be representative of the client, and fit with the brand and vibe of the event. For example, if you are announcing winners at the “Scaffolder of the Year” awa

Dec 27, 2022 • 2:29

0725 – Live Event Announcement Skills

0725 – Live Event Announcement Skills

2022.12.26 – 0725 – Live Event Announcement SkillsLive Events Announcements (‘Voice of God’ aka VOG)These are the announcements made at an event (maybe a conference, ball or theatre), signposting what the delegates, guests or audience need to know or need to do. The voice-over is often not on the main stage, but disembodied, that is, never seen and ‘behind the scenes’ and from a loudspeaker in the ceiling, hence the name ‘Voice of God’. Announcements may be along the lines of: “Welcome to

Dec 26, 2022 • 2:19

0724 – Reading Cast Lists

0724 – Reading Cast Lists

2022.12.25 – 0724 – Reading Cast Lists This is the part of the cast list for an episode of the world’s longest-running continuing drama, BBC Radio 4’s “The Archers”:Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams Toby Fairbrother ….. Rhys Bevan Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed Writer, Nick Warburton Director, Julie Beckett Editor, Jeremy Howe In this situation, with agreement from a studio director, you m

Dec 25, 2022 • 3:24

0723 – Reading Lists

0723 – Reading Lists

2022.12.24 – 0723 – Reading Lists Lists (or ‘strings’) and creditsLists are boring so it is your job to make them sound less so. We’re talking about maybe a news story on the selling points of a showbiz star’s home that’s up for sale or a roll-call of credits at the end of an audio drama. You have to read the uninspiring script in an interesting way, rather than simply rattling it off. “It has eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, a heated garage and stables, a gym and home cinema, and an un

Dec 24, 2022 • 5:53

0722 – Possible Hazards in e-Learning Narration

0722 – Possible Hazards in e-Learning Narration

2022.12.23 – 0722 – Possible Hazards in e-Learning Narration Possible trip-upsWatch out for:· Jargon and unfamiliar terms and phrases – check each pronunciation as well as acronyms, dates and so on as well as any equations that you may need to read and then say it simply and confidently. Bear in mind that if the copy is heavy on technical terminology or with complex sentence structure (such as a read for a legal, technical or pharmaceutical company)

Dec 23, 2022 • 1:23

0721 – Explainer and Training Video Narration

0721 – Explainer and Training Video Narration

2022.12.22 – 0721 – Explainer and Training Video Narration Explainer videos by their definition are structured in the classic problem > solution style, often featuring the owner of the business or a member of staff (or an actor appearing to be a member of staff!) and 30-120 seconds. Like all of these e-learning formats, you have to sound as though you understand and care about the problem and the product, but you don’t need to ‘sell’ anything as you might have to in a commercial as the audien

Dec 22, 2022 • 2:51

0720 – Sight-Reading Skills For Your e-Learning Narration

0720 – Sight-Reading Skills For Your e-Learning Narration

2022.12.21 – 0720 – Sight-Reading Skills For Your e-Learning Narration Sight reading - As the scripts are likely to be quite long, you need to be able to scan once (to check for potential stumble-ridden words and acronyms), and then read pretty much by sight. Why so little rehearsal? Because the scripts can be so long, and dry it simply may not be viable to either rehearse it all or to make too many stumbles in the actual recording as editing time could make the whole project unviable. That

Dec 21, 2022 • 2:55

0719 – Stamina and Timing For Your e-Learning Narration

0719 – Stamina and Timing For Your e-Learning Narration

2022.12.20 – 0719 – Stamina and Timing For Your e-Learning NarrationOther skillsStamina - Such reads may be quite demanding: explaining a new procedure to an oncologist or orthodontist may involve complex language; leading people through new regulatory procedures may need careful intonation as your voice will help explain the changes; a series of modules may need lots of preparation, patience and studio time with a read that is consistent and seamless. So you will need to sound not just good but

Dec 20, 2022 • 2:48

0718 – Intonation and Projection For Your e-Learning Narration

0718 – Intonation and Projection For Your e-Learning Narration

2022.12.19 – 0718 – Intonation and Projection For Your e-Learning NarrationIntonation - people need to trust that you know what you are explaining to them, so correct intonation is paramount. A mis-stress can give the impression you are a ‘hired voice’ rather than a knowledgeable mentor. The script is very likely to be a training or explanation. By sheer definition, the point of the script may be to tell the staff about what has changed in a process, and so you will need to be able to identify w

Dec 19, 2022 • 1:36

0717 – Pace and Tone For Your e-Learning Narration

0717 – Pace and Tone For Your e-Learning Narration

2022.12.18 – 0717 – Pace and Tone For Your e-Learning Narration Your e-learning voiceYou will be the ‘brand voice’ of the product or service, so you will reflect those values as well as those of the target demographic. Pace - Almost by definition, the information being presented is new and may also be complex. Viewers may also have English as their second language. Having said that, be guided by the content and the visuals. Explaining new procedures over a fast-paced soundtrack over quick

Dec 18, 2022 • 7:53

0716 – e-Learning Narration

0716 – e-Learning Narration

2022.12.17 – 0716 – e-Learning Narratione-Learning NarrationFor every industry there is something to learn and the aim is to make it engaging and interesting, understandable and memorable. E-learning and explainer videos may be used in a formal education setting, ‘internal use’ to staff or ‘external’ and online, on YouTube or websites as a video, animation or podcast. They’re things like various courses; online webinars; in-house employee updates on health and safety, medical, diversity and incl

Dec 17, 2022 • 1:41

0715 – Voiceover Dubbing Multi-Skills

0715 – Voiceover Dubbing Multi-Skills

2022.12.16 – 0715 – Voiceover Dubbing Multi-SkillsYou don’t need to be able to understand the original language, in fact knowing it may be a distraction as you’ll be able to understand what you’re replacing. The work is invariably done in a studio as you will have to speak to time, not just for the specific lip-syncs but also for the ‘looser’ dubs, getting a duration correct for the scene is still important.So, it can be quite complex: reading the script, watching the screen for the lip-sync, li

Dec 16, 2022 • 3:30

0714 – Lip-Sync, Phrase-Sync, Non-Sync, Bilingual and Narration Dubbing

0714 – Lip-Sync, Phrase-Sync, Non-Sync, Bilingual and Narration Dubbing

2022.12.15 – 0714 – Lip-Sync, Phrase-Sync, Non-Sync, Bilingual and Narration DubbingDubbing can also be used to describe the voice given to animated characters or computer-generated characters in video games.Lip-sync dubbing – is when the new voice closely matches the lip movements of the original actor/presenter on the video so the difference is barely noticed which of course increases the audience’s emotional engagement. This is obviously difficult as not only are words different, but some lan

Dec 15, 2022 • 3:41

0713 – Full-Dubbing Skills

0713 – Full-Dubbing Skills

2022.12.14 – 0713 – Full-Dubbing SkillsFull dubbing (or ‘revoicing’) is when a whole new audio version of the dialogue is created, for example re-recording all of the characters in a Canadian English-speaking film, for the Spanish market. Again, the new words have to sync with the mouth movements of the on-screen actor. It may also be, not just actors, but presenters or interviewees or guests.In both cases, you are not so much a voice-over as a voice actor – acting out the part with your voice.

Dec 14, 2022 • 3:44

0712 – Dialogue Replacement Skills

0712 – Dialogue Replacement Skills

2022.12.13 – 0712 – Dialogue Replacement SkillsDubbingAutomated Dialogue Replacement (ADR)This is when a line or more of a movie or TV dialogue that was recorded on location, is re-recorded in a studio. It may be because of sound problems on the original (a plane, a misplaced microphone), or a change in the script (perhaps because of a plot inconsistency, a mistake that hadn’t been spotted, for a different overseas market with different regulations (for example on swearing) or to have a differen

Dec 13, 2022 • 3:06

0711 – Brand Voices

0711 – Brand Voices

2022.12.12 – 0711 – Brand VoicesBrand voicesGo back and read ep 258You need to be:· Adaptable and be able to voice different kinds of content – ads, phone system, podcasts, saving the client time and money· On a retainer so you can do quick-turnaround records. Negotiate extra costs · Longevity – you will only get better at understanding what’s wanted with y

Dec 12, 2022 • 3:07

0710 – Audio Guide Narration Skills

0710 – Audio Guide Narration Skills

2022.12.11 – 0710 – Audio Guide Narration SkillsSome of these parts may be played by actors, but often it may just be a narrator – the ‘glue’ that links all of the information together. They will do the ‘housekeeping’: the welcomes, how to operate the audio player, what’s in the exhibition, where the toilets and emergency exits are and so on: “now go through the door on your left…”, “you’ll be able to buy a copy of this painting in the gift shop later”, “the toilets are just here if you need the

Dec 11, 2022 • 4:18

0709 – Voicing and Producing Audio Guides

0709 – Voicing and Producing Audio Guides

2022.12.10 – 0709 – Voicing and Producing Audio GuidesAudio GuidesThese are pre-recorded guides for places such as museums, galleries and historic houses or street walks and are often on players you pick up at the entrance, on a loop system, downloadable apps or mp3s. They may also be on playout systems at fixed points either playing continuously or on push-to-play buttons, on pick-up headphones, on video walls and so on. They have some of the following attributes:·

Dec 10, 2022 • 3:24

0708 – Voicing Audio Descriptions

0708 – Voicing Audio Descriptions

2022.12.09 – 0708 – Voicing Audio Descriptions Audio description – ADThis is a voice-over describing what is happening in the scene of a movie to benefit those who are visually impaired, who can hear the dialogue but otherwise may find the plot difficult to follow.The script will be provided for you, in which elements such as the action, setting and costumes will be described, but also along with other visual elements that help tell the story: a facial expression of an actor, a character w

Dec 9, 2022 • 3:06

0707 – Growls and Grunts, Snorts and Squeaks

0707 – Growls and Grunts, Snorts and Squeaks

2022.12.08 – 0707 – Growls and Grunts, Snorts and SqueaksAnimal noises This is not giving a human voice to an animal, but literally making growls and grunts, snorts and squeaks. (Yep, we’re talking voices and noises here!) Very often these noises are incorporated into an anthropomorphic script that we looked at just now to better introduce the character, so a ‘dog’ may bark before a line (read in English). Specific ‘actor-made’ barks and clucks, meows and moos may also be used in animation, wher

Dec 8, 2022 • 2:53

0706 – Staccato Chickens and Hissing Snakes

0706 – Staccato Chickens and Hissing Snakes

2022.12.07 – 0706 – Staccato Chickens and Hissing SnakesThen read your lines with these attributes, threading the ‘animal sounds’ into human speech: words are perhaps growled (as a ferocious dog might) or in a bright and happy ‘puppy-dog’ style. Similarly, you can probably imagine how a cat may say ‘hello’ (with a ‘miaow’ in the voice), or how a chicken may talk (perhaps thinking of their head-bobbing, pecking style, so their voice may be quite staccato). A snake character may talk slowly with a

Dec 7, 2022 • 3:14

0705 – Animal Characterisations

0705 – Animal Characterisations

2022.12.06 – 0705 – Animal Characterisations Animal characterisationsAnthropomorphism is giving animals human-like characteristics and emotions – it’s the basis of many children’s books such as the famous Mickey Mouse or Winnie The Pooh as well as widely used in commercials (think of Martin the Geico Gecko the mascot of the insurance brand).[1]Of course, giving a voice to an animal is really voice acting, so many of the skills are similar to creating a voice for another human character, but ther

Dec 6, 2022 • 4:35

0704 – Advertisements / Commercials

0704 – Advertisements / Commercials

2022.12.05 – 0704 – Advertisements / Commercials Advertisements / CommercialsPerhaps one of the main attributes of a radio, tv or movie commercial read is a voice with charismatic qualities. That is one that is trustworthy, interesting and ‘listenable’. Even though the person behind the voice is rarely if ever seen, with a radio advert you have a lot of heavy lifting to do, whereas with the other, more visual mediums, your voice is in addition and often takes more of a back seat to what is

Dec 5, 2022 • 5:21

0703 – Animal Noises, Political Ads, IVRs and VOGs: Other voiceover roles

0703 – Animal Noises, Political Ads, IVRs and VOGs: Other voiceover roles

2022.12.04 – 0703 – Animal Noises, Political Ads, IVRs and VOGs: Other voiceover roles Advertisements / CommercialsAnimal characterisation and animal noisesAudio descriptionsAudio guidesBrand voicesDubbingeLearninghow to read lists and castsLive Events Announcements (‘Voice of God’ aka VOG)Speaking outdoorsMedicalMovies trailersPolitical adsPSAStation imagingTelephony voice over Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 4, 2022 • 6:40

0702 – At The End Of An Audiobook Recording

0702 – At The End Of An Audiobook Recording

2022.12.03 – 0702 – At The End Of An Audiobook Recording When recording Finish each session at an appropriate point in the plot – that’s usually at the end of a section, chapter or scene. It’s here that you can resolve the piece with an appropriate tone. At the start of the next session, listen to some of the previous audio before you start recording to get into a likely same style, pace and rhythm and keep consistency, albeit with a new ‘narrational tone’ to reset the storyline at th

Dec 3, 2022 • 2:29

0701 – Character Relationships In Audiobook Narration

0701 – Character Relationships In Audiobook Narration

2022.12.02 – 0701 – Character Relationships In Audiobook Narration A further step may be to note the relationships between characters. As we have seen before we adapt our vocal style depending on who we are talking to: 30-year-old Sam will speak to their mother in a different way to their spouse, friends or child, so consider who is in each scene and who each person interacts with. Also, relationships change over time: part of the arc of the book may be that two friends fall out and make up, and

Dec 2, 2022 • 2:02

0700 – Post-Dialogue Attributions In Audiobook Narration

0700 – Post-Dialogue Attributions In Audiobook Narration

2022.12.01 – 0700 – Post-Dialogue Attributions In Audiobook NarrationMark any ‘post-dialogue attributions’, where the name of the person who just spoke is written after their statement, (“Merlin said”, “Trayvon interjected”, “Marsha replied”, “Neville whispered”, “she said with a tremor in her voice”), so you know which voice to use for the preceding comment, and how to read it. You may also need to be aware that on occasion there may be a discrepancy between what someone says and how they say i

Dec 1, 2022 • 3:29

0699 – Preparing a Text For Audiobook Narration

0699 – Preparing a Text For Audiobook Narration

2022.11.30 – 0699 – Preparing a Text For Audiobook Narration Preparing the textSince you’re reading a long piece, it’s essential to skim the book beforehand. Mark unfamiliar words and check their pronunciation (imagine a character called Romè, but because of how your screen is set up, you have recorded the whole book calling them Rome, like the city…). Fantasy and science fiction books will inevitably have invented words and even languages within them. Work out how you will say these, consi

Nov 30, 2022 • 4:14

0698 – Story-telling For A Young Audience

0698 – Story-telling For A Young Audience

2022.11.29 – 0698 – Story-telling For A Young AudienceStory-telling for a young audienceFor younger pairs of ears, think particularly about the storytelling journey. Children’s books are often very much about emotion and change: the lonely girl who finds friends with seven dwarves; the poor boy who climbs a beanstalk and escapes from a new land with a pot of gold and so on. So play with those feelings and colour the changes which help the story arc: make the princess sound lonely, make Jack soun

Nov 29, 2022 • 2:48

0697 – Potential Problems When Voicing Audiobook Characters

0697 – Potential Problems When Voicing Audiobook Characters

2022.11.28 – 0697 – Potential Problems When Voicing Audiobook CharactersA potential problem - When you create a very distinctive voice for a minor character, who then has a greater role than you’d anticipated! Maybe you’ve developed a deep, gravelly, heavily-accented voice for a few lines, and then in book two of the series, that character is the lead… your vocal health is in trouble!Male and female voices - Don’t worry too much about reading a male role if you’re female and vice versa. Nothing

Nov 28, 2022 • 2:24

0696 – Voicing ‘Minor Characters’ in Audiobook Narration

0696 – Voicing ‘Minor Characters’ in Audiobook Narration

2022.11.27 – 0696 – Voicing ‘Minor Characters’ in Audiobook NarrationMinor characters - You don’t need a totally unique voice for each character. Listeners know you are telling a story, not pretending to be different characters or that the production has a cast of hundreds. Have changes in your voice, but don’t worry about creating 30 or 40 different characters, some of whom will only have a line or two.Similar characters - When the book calls for several similarly-sounding characters talking wi

Nov 27, 2022 • 3:03

0695 – Audiobook Character Voices

0695 – Audiobook Character Voices

2022.11.26 – 0695 – Audiobook Character VoicesCharacter voices(This is in addition to the in-depth look at character voices in the ‘animation’ section previously.)The main character – Create a voice that you can use in various emotions and one not so strong that it exhausts or hurts you. Individuality – having said that, each main character’s voice must be somewhat distinct from each other (and from you as ’narrator’), and consistent from page to page, matching any ‘character clues’ in the

Nov 26, 2022 • 4:10

0694 – Projection And Pace For The Audiobook Narrator

0694 – Projection And Pace For The Audiobook Narrator

2022.11.25 – 0694 – Projection And Pace For The Audiobook Narrator Projection – we have looked at loudness before, but as a quick reminder that with audiobooks especially, people will be listening alone perhaps through headphones, so talk to them with a one-to-one volume. A ‘big’ narration will be exhausting for everyone. Pace – don’t read too fast. Allow the listener to ‘see’ the scene you are painting with the words. Obviously, the speed goes hand-in-hand with the content (you will r

Nov 25, 2022 • 2:12

0693 – Impartiality For The Audiobook Narrator

0693 – Impartiality For The Audiobook Narrator

2022.11.24 – 0693 – Impartiality For The Audiobook Narrator Be interested, invested and informed …– only read the genres you enjoy to be more emotionally connected to the text and to draw the listener in. You are the knowledgeable guide on the journey through these characters’ lives; don’t mislead the listeners and even though you may surprise them, you should not be surprised yourself at what happens in the text. … and impartial – you are watching the scene from the sidelines, have a

Nov 24, 2022 • 2:12

0692 – Analysis and Agility For The Audiobook Narrator

0692 – Analysis and Agility For The Audiobook Narrator

2022.11.23 – 0692 – Analysis and Agility For The Audiobook Narrator Analysis – be somewhat of a student of literature. Understand what makes a story, a story and how one moves through a sequence (the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict and tension, and the resolution) and the six common themes in literature (good vs. evil, love, redemption, courage and perseverance, coming of age, revenge) and how a story arc can develop. Having basic knowledge will help you with your delivery in ter

Nov 23, 2022 • 2:40

0691 – The Audiobook Narrator’s *Own* Character

0691 – The Audiobook Narrator’s *Own* Character

2022.11.22 – 0691 – The Audiobook Narrator’s *Own* CharacterThe narrator’s own characterDepending on which POV you are reading the story from, your ‘character voice’ will be different. If you are one of the characters (First Person POV), be careful not to have such a strong accent characterisation that it becomes annoying to the listener and awkward for you to perform for any length of time. If you are the ‘author’ (Second Person or Third Person Omniscient or Limited), then you need to have

Nov 22, 2022 • 3:23

0690 – The Narrator’s Various Points of Views

0690 – The Narrator’s Various Points of Views

2022.11.21 – 0690 – The Narrator’s Various Points of ViewsNarration - First understand who you, the narrator, are in the story. That is, whose point of view (POV) is the story told from?[1]· First Person POV – when you as narrator say “I” and “we” (it’s how we all speak in real life). It is a more personal viewpoint (and so used in memoirs, romance and young adult fiction), but can suffer from feeling a bit too introspective. “I was furious as I tor

Nov 21, 2022 • 9:52

0689 – Fiction Audiobook Narration Skills

0689 – Fiction Audiobook Narration Skills

2022.11.20 – 0689 – Fiction Audiobook Narration SkillsFiction skills for an audiobook narratorFirst a few definitions:Solo narration – when a reader either differentiates between each character with their voice (different pitch, race, gender, accent and so on), or, when they do not, and presents a ‘straight’ narrated read with no variation between the different people in the text.Narrator – the person telling the story as written by the author, and also the word used for you, the person who is r

Nov 20, 2022 • 2:29

0688 – Non-Fiction Audiobook Narration Skills

0688 – Non-Fiction Audiobook Narration Skills

2022.11.19 – 0688 – Non-Fiction Audiobook Narration SkillsNon-fiction for an audiobook narratorRecording a non-fiction text is considered by some to be more straightforward than recording fiction. That’s because you’re delivering information, instruction, or facts, rather than navigating a narrative of characters and conflicts.Others say that’s just why non-fiction is difficult: the text can be flat and featureless and was usually not written to be read aloud. Indeed, the ‘read’ may include fore

Nov 19, 2022 • 3:19

0687 – Vocal, Physical and Mental Health For Narration

0687 – Vocal, Physical and Mental Health For Narration

2022.11.18 – 0687 – Vocal, Physical and Mental Health For NarrationGood vocal, physical and mental health – you will be spending a lot of time by yourself in a booth, concentrating, so you need to be mentally strong. A lot of reading will require a lot of vocal strength: warm-up exercises, hydration and built-in rest breaks. In the booth itself, you need to have everything set up ergonomically so you are not under too much stress physically as you read. You need to build in breaks at natural pau

Nov 18, 2022 • 2:00

0686 – Clarity, Consistency and Concentration in Voice Acting

0686 – Clarity, Consistency and Concentration in Voice Acting

2022.11.17 – 0686 – Clarity, Consistency and Concentration in Voice Acting A clear voice – people will be spending a lot of time with you, so you need to have a voice that will not jar or grate on their ears.Consistency – consistency in the style and energy of your read, and for fiction books, each character’s voice and accent.Concentration - In non-fiction especially, this could be content-rich and technical texts with long and unwieldy sentence structures, and with fiction books you may need t

Nov 17, 2022 • 2:20

0685 – ‘Punch And Roll’ Voice Recording

0685 – ‘Punch And Roll’ Voice Recording

2022.11.16 – 0685 – ‘Punch And Roll’ Voice RecordingVOICE BOXLearn the ‘punch and roll’ technique to save recording timeThis is when you mark (‘punch in’) the point in your recorded audio where you made a mistake. The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation recorder), then plays back a few seconds of you speaking before that point (the ‘pre roll’), at which moment it starts recording again. This enables you to make your correction and continue recording.Doing this will speed up your editing an

Nov 16, 2022 • 3:23

0684 – Voice Over Eye>Brain>Mouth Control

0684 – Voice Over Eye>Brain>Mouth Control

2022.11.15 – 0684 – Voice Over Eye>Brain>Mouth Control Eye-Brain-Mouth Control – you have to be good at reading accurately, just sticking to the text. You will probably have skim-read the text before you start[1], and in the studio, you need to be able to scan ahead as you read: more mistakes mean more editing time, leading to a disjointed read and less money-per-minute for your work. [1] You’re unlikely to have time to go through the book in advance, marking it up sentence -by-sente

Nov 15, 2022 • 2:11

0683 – Narration Stamina

0683 – Narration Stamina

2022.11.14 – 0683 – Narration Stamina Stamina – you will need to read a lot of words in a short period of time: 4-6 hours in front of a mic each day is not unheard of for an audiobook narrator. So, you need committed energy and the ability to sound the same at the end of the day as you did at the start.Performing a 30-second spot is like running a 50-yard dash; a 60-second spot is like a running 100-yard dash; an audiobook is like running a marathon.Marc Cashman, backstage.com[1] [1

Nov 14, 2022 • 1:42

0682 – Natural Narration Foundations

0682 – Natural Narration Foundations

2022.11.13 – 0682 – Natural Narration Foundations Natural Narration FoundationsIn the main, we have been looking at short reads, commercials and news stories and the like, but sometimes you may have a longer read to perform, such as an audiobook. Longer reads need to be approached in a slightly different way than shorter ones. Instead of a series of short sentences about the attributes of a car for a commercial, or the misdemeanours of a politician in a broadcast news story, there are sever

Nov 13, 2022 • 2:50

0681 – Audiobook Narration

0681 – Audiobook Narration

2022.11.12 – 0681 – Audiobook Narration Audiobook narrationAudiobooks have become increasingly popular[1] as people consume books while commuting, exercising or doing chores and with the ease of listening via smartphones and Bluetooth. There are broadly two different types of books: non-fiction and fiction, each with different skills required of the voice actor and also some cross-over themes. Narrating your memoirsMemoirs are not quite fiction or non-fiction, and it makes perfect sense for

Nov 12, 2022 • 2:50

0680 – Voice Acting In Gaming

0680 – Voice Acting In Gaming

2022.11.11 – 0680 – Voice Acting In Gaming Games Voice acting in the video game business is similar to doing animation work, although the portrayals have to be more ‘realistic’ than say, those ‘cartoon-caricatures’ of people or animals. In fact, gaming actors are more like those in movies – they just can’t be seen on screen. Your skillsAdaptability - Although you may read as a cast ensemble together (so each actor ‘works off’ one another, because it may be easier to direct everyo

Nov 11, 2022 • 3:21

0679 – Concatenation Concerns

0679 – Concatenation Concerns

2022.11.10 – 0679 – Concatenation ConcernsCharacter creep can cause particular problems when combined with concatenation. This is where a voice-over has to read a short list of incomplete sentences, and then a long list of places, numbers, or other ‘options’. You will have heard examples on transport services, telephone booking systems and sat navs: the original sentences are completed by the computer selecting the appropriate word or phrase from the second list (“The train now standing on platf

Nov 10, 2022 • 2:11

0678 – Character Creep

0678 – Character Creep

2022.11.09 – 0678 – Character CreepCharacter creepIf you try and be someone who you’re not[1], then there is a chance that over the course of a contract or studio session, your ‘persona’ might change. It may mean that you cannot keep up the voice that you created for the role, perhaps because it is too demanding vocally, or you forget how to create it. Maybe it’s not a specific decision, but the voice may lose its edge, vitality or accent, which is why it is called ‘character creep’. This can ca

Nov 9, 2022 • 1:31

0677 – Keeping In Character

0677 – Keeping In Character

2022.11.08 – 0677 – Keeping In CharacterWhen you have developed a voice from scratch and you’re comfortable with it and do it well, keep it and add it to your cast of characters, and then build another character that builds from that one. Merge the ‘evil witch’ with the ‘young woman’ say, to have another voice. Aim for quality not quantity of these voices. Write a few notes describing their voice, their personality and how they hold themselves (because the voice changes depending on the shape of

Nov 8, 2022 • 3:43

0676 – Vocal Exaggeration In Animation

0676 – Vocal Exaggeration In Animation

2022.11.07 – 0676 – Vocal Exaggeration In AnimationVocal exaggeration in animation[1]You must have the muscular strength to host the vocal gymnasium that is required in animation. Work on the instrument daily to achieve vocal strength. The voice you use will, for much of the time, be more, well, animated in animation. More ‘over the top’, energetic, projected and with greater variety and intensity. So you need to be physically fit – it’s virtually a sport as you ‘inhabit’ the part. Because

Nov 7, 2022 • 2:56

0675 – Using Props To Get Into A Character Properly

0675 – Using Props To Get Into A Character Properly

2022.11.06 – 0675 – Using Props To Get Into A Character ProperlyUsing props As well as holding yourself in a certain way to get into your character’s voice, some voice actors also hold an appropriate prop. Your voice may sound more authentic if, when playing an elderly person, you not only stoop but also hold a walking stick. A better ‘bossy voice’ may come from you standing on a box in the studio, the more dominant position making you sound more authoritative. Wearing a certain hat or coat may

Nov 6, 2022 • 4:43

0674 – Be A ‘Moody’ Voice Actor

0674 – Be A ‘Moody’ Voice Actor

2022.11.05 – 0674 – Be A ‘Moody’ Voice ActorSo, develop various attitudes in your voice: the tone, volume, speed, and energy. And remember that a character is more than one ‘mood’ and will go through various situations that you need to show in your voice. They may usually be fun, but then on occasion, frustrated, confused, or concerned … confident or shy, determined, silly, serious or self-important … and a million other attitudes. So you have to be able to think how your character will vocalise

Nov 5, 2022 • 3:43

0673 – Animation Attitudes

0673 – Animation Attitudes

2022.11.04 – 0673 – Animation AttitudesAnimation ‘attitudes’You should be good at reacting as well as acting, be able to read a situation and know what your character would do in that situation. This is not slow-turnaround theatre, TV or movies with lots of rehearsals and retakes and time to find your motivation. The characters may be drawn already, and you have to not only read the words that they will appear to be saying, but also react to what it has already been decided they do … and do with

Nov 4, 2022 • 3:07

0672 – More Non-Verbal Sounds in Voice Acting

0672 – More Non-Verbal Sounds in Voice Acting

2022.11.03 – 0672 – More Non-Verbal Sounds in Voice Acting· The performance may also require you to bring more physicality to your voice: your character may be out of breath, or I dunno, calling to someone in a tunnel. Obviously one of those will require more breath, the other more projection, perhaps with a tone of concern, so consider how your character may react with different moods and emotions as a story develops or in subsequent episodes. ·&nb

Nov 3, 2022 • 0:50

0671 – Non-Verbal Sounds in Voice Acting

0671 – Non-Verbal Sounds in Voice Acting

2022.11.02 – 0671 – Non-Verbal Sounds in Voice Acting· What is the rest of your body doing? The face obviously, but also your back and arms… Physically become your character, how they stand, how they use their hands: hands in pockets, upright, chin out, hunched over, shaky hands… · Personality and colour will come from your addition of ‘non-verbal sounds’, all of them in your character’s voice of course

Nov 2, 2022 • 4:33

0670 – Voice Acting Mannerisms

0670 – Voice Acting Mannerisms

2022.11.01 – 0670 – Voice Acting MannerismsOther voice mannerismsNow consider ‘fleshing out’ your character. Don’t add to the words on the page, but don’t only read the words on the page. · What are the voice qualities? More breathy, raspy, growly?· Is the pitch higher or lower than your usual voice? (a lot of boys’ voices are done by women as it avoids the problems of puberty when the actor outgrows th

Nov 1, 2022 • 9:27

0669 – How Visuals Help Your Animation VoiceOver

0669 – How Visuals Help Your Animation VoiceOver

2022.10.31 – 0669 – How Visuals Help Your Animation VoiceOverOf course, attributes of animated characters are usually extreme and will have been drawn in conjunction with the story editor. Everything you see is a clue to your character’s voice:· a larger person might have a bigger and lower voice. One with a larger, fatter face may sound more ‘jowly’· a tall and thin person might have a thinner and high

Oct 31, 2022 • 7:43

0668 – Getting An Animation Voice That Fits The Visuals

0668 – Getting An Animation Voice That Fits The Visuals

2022.10.30 – 0668 – Getting An Animation Voice That Fits The Visuals Getting a voice that fits the visuals When auditioning for an animation role you will be sent a ‘vocal reference’, a few lines of the script, as well as a character brief: a description and personality profile of the person or object you are reading for, their role and ‘journey’: “Barnard is a British steam engine. Played by a man in his 40s/50s, Bernard likes routine and safety, is dull, grumpy and easily annoyed. In this epis

Oct 29, 2022 • 4:26

0667 – Your Character’s ‘Voicernality’

0667 – Your Character’s ‘Voicernality’

2022.10.29 – 0667 – Your Character’s ‘Voicernality’ It’s more than the ‘voice’Remember that a character’s voice (including your very own!) is partly based on one’s physicality: how they talk is affected by how they walk, how they hold themselves as they speak, how they stand and sit, their physicality, their energy and more.All of these elements help create their ‘voice personality’, what voice actor Katie Leigh calls ‘voicernalities’. Some of these factors affect the voice indirectly (some

Oct 28, 2022 • 3:39

0666 – The Value of Creating Character Catchphrases

0666 – The Value of Creating Character Catchphrases

2022.10.28 – 0666 – The Value of Creating Character Catchphrases For example, perhaps you have created a character voice you call ‘Perfect Pat’. Pat is, as their name implies, bright and positive and speaks at pace with a smile in their voice. That ‘attitude’ is helped by imagining their neatly brushed hair, business wear, and wide-open eyes and arms. Imagine a puppy dog in human form, maybe an eager and positive religious minister, whose ‘character catchphrase’ that you say aloud to ‘find

Oct 27, 2022 • 4:45

0665 – Creating a Character Catalogue

0665 – Creating a Character Catalogue

2022.10.27 – 0665 – Creating a Character CataloguePlay around with it and practice and then when you think you have the character, give each a name (‘Smoking Susan’, ‘Sharp-suited Shaun’…) and a bit of a back-story to help you remember them, and then log each one in your ‘voice bank’ of voices that you can use for characterisations in the future. Your ‘catalogue of characters’ may include:· their vocal and physical attributes· &nbsp

Oct 26, 2022 • 7:35

0664 – How To Steal A Character Voice

0664 – How To Steal A Character Voice

2022.10.26 – 0664 – How To Steal A Character VoiceConcentrate on listening, not just hearing but truly paying attention to voices:· their accent· their pitch, projection, pace and so on (all the elements we have looked at before and with which you will by now be familiar)· where they speak from – their chest, their nose and so on· &nb

Oct 25, 2022 • 1:56

0663 – Creating a Cast of Core Character Voices

0663 – Creating a Cast of Core Character Voices

2022.10.25 – 0663 – Creating a Cast of Core Character Voices Creating a cast of core character voices(This section is also of use for the following part on ‘audiobook narration’ when you may be required to speak in the voices of different characters.)When you’re given an audition animation script, is not the time to start creating a voice for the character you’re about to play. That process has to start way earlier with you developing your very own ‘cast of characters’ which you ‘know and o

Oct 24, 2022 • 3:22

0662 – Characters in Cartoons, Animations and Gaming Acting

0662 – Characters in Cartoons, Animations and Gaming Acting

2022.10.24 – 0662 – Characters in Cartoons, Animations and Gaming ActingCharacters in Cartoons, Animations and Gaming Acting This is when the character you develop a voice for is heard but not seen in, for example:· Cartoons· Animations· Anime· Feature films· Games

Oct 23, 2022 • 5:21

0661 – The Variety of Voiceover Opportunities 2

0661 – The Variety of Voiceover Opportunities 2

2022.10.23 – 0661 – The Variety of Voiceover Opportunities 2· Gaming – Acting in character for online games· Live events (aka ‘Voice of God’) – from large sporting arenas to smaller concerts, theatres, balls and awards events. These may be live or recorded· Narration – Not necessarily audiobooks, but TV, radio or movie documentaries, and news articles. It m

Oct 22, 2022 • 8:41

0660 – The Variety of Voiceover Opportunities 1

0660 – The Variety of Voiceover Opportunities 1

2022.10.22 – 0660 – The Variety of Voiceover Opportunities 1Voiceover CategoriesThese could be as wide-ranging as – but not limited to – the following: · Animation – which may include character voices in TV cartoon shows and movies such as Tom Hanks playing Woody in “Toy Story” or Kristen Bell as Anna in “Frozen”· Announcements – recorded messages in places such as elevators, doctors’ wai

Oct 21, 2022 • 6:05

0659 – Specialised Scriptreading Skills

0659 – Specialised Scriptreading Skills

2022.10.21 – 0659 – Specialised Scriptreading Skills This chapter is looking at the variety of scripts you may be asked to read as a voice actor and the specialised skills that are called for in those various styles. They may be commercial or non-commercial and will be written and laid out differently because of the message, duration and intended audience. And what attracts you to, or will help you be good at one style or another, maybe the sound and quality of your voice and how you

Oct 20, 2022 • 2:38

0658 – Re-takes and Re-records

0658 – Re-takes and Re-records

2022.10.20 – 0658 – Re-takes and Re-records Re-takes and Re-recordsIf at all possible, try to avoid having to re-do lines. Whether in a pro-studio or a home-studio, the re-take may stand out:· It’s very difficult to recreate exactly the same setup - Make notes of mic and desk settings from your original studio session, to more easily replicate the original setup if you have to re-do lines later … or use pre-sets on the recording software so tha

Oct 19, 2022 • 3:23

0657 – Avoiding Studio Hiccups Caused By Hiccups

0657 – Avoiding Studio Hiccups Caused By Hiccups

2022.10.19 – 0657 – Avoiding Studio Hiccups Caused By HiccupsSneezing and hiccupsThis is another situation which will come sooner or later, and may either be a sneeze you feel approaching or one that suddenly attacks. There’s not much you can do about the latter unless you are quick enough to turn off your mic or turn your head. Hearing a sneeze on air is rare, and not particularly pleasant. If you feel a sneeze on the way, and if you can’t go to another item or stop recording, try an

Oct 18, 2022 • 4:18

0656 – On-Mic Panting

0656 – On-Mic Panting

2022.10.18 – 0656 – On-Mic Panting Being out of breathThis usually happens because you’ve run in the studio late or in the nick of time. You’ve probably not done a sprint, but the tense situation, panic and knowledge of what’s expected add to make a slight breathiness increase dramatically.With a newsreader the problem is much worse than for music presenters: they only have short (or possibly no) audio to play during which they can catch their breath, and a tone of formality is expected of

Oct 17, 2022 • 3:46

0655 – Why We Get Studio Giggles

0655 – Why We Get Studio Giggles

2022.10.17 – 0655 – Why We Get Studio GigglesThese are signs of nervousness and panic. Such laughter is seldom sparked off by genuine humour; it is the psyche’s safety valve blowing to release a build up of tension. Anything incongruous or slightly amusing can trigger it[1]. The audience doesn’t always see the joke, especially when the laughter erupts through a serious or tragic news item. Self-inflicted pain is a reasonable second line defence. Some presenters bring their mirth under control by

Oct 16, 2022 • 2:23

0654 – Dead Good Advice On Studio Corpsing

0654 – Dead Good Advice On Studio Corpsing

2022.10.16 – 0654 – Dead Good Advice On Studio Corpsing Corpsing (that is, laughing uncontrollably) ‘There’s one hazard that no amount of preparation can avoid: the collapse into inappropriate laughter. The Today programme website still treasures the moment when Charlotte Green kept a cool head while reading a news item about a Mr Twatt. And she would have sailed through it too, if it wasn’t for the next story — about a plucky sperm whale’[1] The smallest reference to something o

Oct 15, 2022 • 2:20

0653 – When your Insert Goes Down

0653 – When your Insert Goes Down

2022.10.15 – 0653 – When your Insert Goes DownIn a radio or podcast studio, confusing the audience with technical jargon can compound the problem, like: “I’m sorry, but that insert seems to have gone down”. Or, “We don’t seem to have that package”.’ A package to most people is what they get from Amazon. Practise what you are going to say when something goes wrong until it becomes almost a reflex action.[1]When that report does eventually arrive, the audience will have forgotten what it is about

Oct 14, 2022 • 4:54

0652 – Classic Voice-Over Cock Ups

0652 – Classic Voice-Over Cock Ups

2022.10.14 – 0652 – Classic Voice-Over Cock Ups“Police are finding it difficult to come up with a solution to the murders … the commissioner says the victims are unwilling to co-operate.” (US Radio)“Well, the blaze is still fierce in many places, and as a result of this fire, two factories have been gutted and one homily left famless.” (Australian Radio)“Following the warning by the Basque Separatist organisation ETA that it’s preparing a bombing campaign in Spanish holiday resorts, British terr

Oct 13, 2022 • 2:11

0651 – When To Expect Verbal Trips and Slips

0651 – When To Expect Verbal Trips and Slips

2022.10.13 – 0651 – When To Expect Verbal Trips and SlipsMany fluffs occur when you are expecting trouble, like a difficult foreign name, or when you have already fluffed and their mind is side-tracked. The irony is that the difficult name is usually pronounced flawlessly, but actually stumbles over the simple words before and behind it in the sentence. The art of the accomplished recovery is to prepare for every contingency. The worst mistake any presenter can make is to swear on air

Oct 12, 2022 • 4:27

0650 – Verbal Trips and Slips

0650 – Verbal Trips and Slips

2022.10.12 – 0650 – Verbal Trips and SlipsTrips and slips‘Things’ happen. Verbal and technical slips and trips. Mouths and machines can stop working. The wrong bit of audio can come out of either of them! [1] At the same time, it is also the case that given how well equipped and familiar news people are with the demands of the job, there really should not be flaws in most news programmes. A high level of professionalism is really the expectation of everyone no matter if they are in front of

Oct 11, 2022 • 5:16

0649 – Practicing Talking To Time

0649 – Practicing Talking To Time

2022.10.11 – 0649 – Practicing Talking To Time Practice Talking To TimeAs we saw in episode 427Take some copy which has a required duration indicated on it, and read it aloud like you might in a demo, and with a stopwatch to hand. How many words did you read in 30 seconds? Or how many seconds were you over? Keep practicing until you can sensibly get the copy in the seconds required, several times in a row. Then take another script and repeat the exercise before return to the first

Oct 10, 2022 • 3:53

0648 – Talking To Time

0648 – Talking To Time

2022.10.10 – 0648 – Talking To Time Talking to time Developing a sense of time is hugely important for most people speaking ‘on mic’.As a voice artist you may need to record a script to the half-second accuracy. For example, a director may ask you to record a three-word tag-line “just very slightly faster”, or dub an actor’s voice or deliver a commentary over pictures in just the time the corresponding video sequence has available.Music presenters often need to have a sense of time to get t

Oct 9, 2022 • 1:50

0647 – Why We Hit Script-Reading Speed Bumps

0647 – Why We Hit Script-Reading Speed Bumps

2022.10.09 – 0647 – Why We Hit Script-Reading Speed Bumps Why We Hit Speed Bumps· Not being prepped-up, to rev-up – if your engine of articulation is not properly warmed up then it could seize up! On TV dance shows, neither the pros or the celebs go straight onto the floor and perform. Athletes don’t just put on shorts and sprint. You have to gear your speaking gear, into gear. See our section on exercises to go through, various humms and glide

Oct 8, 2022 • 3:27

0646 – Speed-Reading

0646 – Speed-Reading

2022.10.08 – 0646 – Speed-Reading Speed readingWith commercial reads especially, you have to be able to talk to time, and that may mean talking faster than you may usually do. But this can often lead to getting tongue-tied, and the almost inevitable slips and trips, and the subsequent loss of confidence … and increased time in the studio as you record take after take. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 7, 2022 • 3:28

0645 – Rehearsing Cold Reading

0645 – Rehearsing Cold Reading

2022.10.07 – 0645 – Rehearsing Cold ReadingRehearsing Cold ReadingIt is easy to practice this at home or at work – sight-read stories from the newspaper, or print off the national summary and make yourself sight read it, changing the tone for each story as appropriate. Read loads of material aloud, sight unseen so you can get into the habit of adapting your vocal will build up your vocabulary, not just the meaning of the words, but also their pronunciation and also the context in whi

Oct 6, 2022 • 3:30

0644 – Script-Reading and Peripheral Vision

0644 – Script-Reading and Peripheral Vision

2022.10.06 – 0644 – Script-Reading and Peripheral VisionPeripheral visionIt also helps to be able to read in your head more than a few words ahead of what you are actually saying out loud. If a story has just flashed on your screen and there is no opportunity to read it through fully off-air before you go to it on air (perhaps there is no audio left to play), then you can allow yourself a second’s pause to scan the script for key words to give yourself a sense of what is to come. Then as you rea

Oct 5, 2022 • 2:51

0643 – Warming Up To Cold Reads

0643 – Warming Up To Cold Reads

2022.10.05– 0643 – Warming Up To Cold ReadsWarming up to cold readsSight-reading is what many rolling news presenters have to do: pick up a news script and read it straight off, with the correct pacing and intonation so it makes sense to the listener.One trick is to be able to sense from the first few words of the story what tone you should deliver it in. This can sometimes be tricky: a story which starts “a police officer who saved a woman from a burning house …” could continue, “…has been prai

Oct 4, 2022 • 1:51

0642 – Sight-Reading Scripts Tips

0642 – Sight-Reading Scripts Tips

2022.10.04– 0642 – Sight-Reading Scripts TipsCold-Reading (or ‘sight-reading’ or ‘off-the-page’) This is when you read a script aloud previously sight-unseen. You’ve not had a chance to proof read it, spot any awkward words or phrases and may not even know what it’s about. You won’t have read it aloud before, for example, breaking news, a fast-turn around commercial session or if you are a ‘Voice of God’ at an event. If you are reading an audio-book, you’ll have to read pretty cold too: it simpl

Oct 3, 2022 • 3:12

0641 – Extracting Distracting Fillers 2

0641 – Extracting Distracting Fillers 2

2022.10.03– 0641 – Extracting Distracting Fillers 2 · Increase your confidence and reduce your nerves – again, we have looked at this topic together in the past, but this will include factors such as knowing the material, the audience, the studio, the kit, the colleagues; vocal and muscular exercises; vocal health and so on· Slow down – It may be that your mouth is working faster than your brain an

Oct 2, 2022 • 2:31

0640 – Extracting Distracting Fillers 1

0640 – Extracting Distracting Fillers 1

2022.10.02 – 0640 – Extracting Distracting Fillers 1 Overcoming FillersNot all filler words need to be cut out, especially if you’re aiming to sound conversational (although it would be odd in a news bulletin, or if you’re sticking to a timed and signed-off script, to insert umms and errs!). And anyway, removing them all from your authentic speech pattern may get in the way of you genuinely connecting with you audience. Eliminate most of your filler words though and you will instantly

Oct 1, 2022 • 3:16

0639 – Why “Umm” May Make You Sound Dumb

0639 – Why “Umm” May Make You Sound Dumb

2022.10.01 – 0639 – Why “Umm” May Make You Sound DumbYou may not realise you’re using these words, but they could be really distracting to your listeners and the impression they give is that you’re poorly prepared and lacking confidence. “Umm” can make you sound dumb.You can of course, edit out these words and phrases from a pre-recorded show, but it’s a very time-consuming process and it’s very difficult to then have an impression of natural flow, eloquence, and confidence in the recording you

Sep 30, 2022 • 1:09

0638 – Do You Like “like”?

0638 – Do You Like “like”?

2022.09.30 – 0638 – Do You Like “like”?Do you like “like”?Many people find the developing use of this word infuriating. Critics say that it makes speakers sound stupid (“It’s like, when you’re, like…”), and there’s even an app, LikeSo[1], which listens to your speech and promises it can stop you using the word. “Like” tends not to, in comparison to “umm” and “err”, have an audible silence either side of it and it is used in many different ways, not just as a ‘filler’[2],[3]:It is used

Sep 29, 2022 • 3:51

0637 – Umm, Err, Well, Kinda

0637 – Umm, Err, Well, Kinda

2022.09.29 – 0637 – Umm, Err, Well, Kinda Filler wordsIt’s easy for your ad-libs, conversations and questions to be littered with verbal crutches (properly called ‘disfluencies’):· Sounds - such as “err”, “OK”, “umm”· Words and phrases - “y’know”, “I mean”, “you know what I mean”, “kind of thing”, “actually”, “basically”, “literally”, “right”, “sort of”, “so”[1] and the like. And indeed, “like”. [2]&nbs

Sep 28, 2022 • 3:00

0636 – Giving Good ‘Libbing’

0636 – Giving Good ‘Libbing’

2022.09.28 – 0636 – Giving Good ‘Libbing’Giving Good ‘Libbing’Be aware of adlibbing minefields. You may find yourself travelling down a conversational cul-de-sac unless you are very sure of your territory. So always engage your brain before putting your mouth into gear – think before you speak. Mostly then our adlibs come from preparation, and what we say just gives the impression of spontaneity. You may look or sound like you are making it up on the fly – but if you really are doing that then

Sep 27, 2022 • 9:07

0635 – Killing Your Presentation With Bullets

0635 – Killing Your Presentation With Bullets

2022.09.27 – 0635 – Killing Your Presentation With BulletsKilling It With BulletsUsually what appears to be a spontaneous adlib has actually been prepared to a certain extent, either a moment before we speak or after several hours of research. But the usual and best way to prepare is with a few notes (what some call ‘an invisible script’) – that may be a key word or two of something you just thought of, or a series of thought-out back-up bullet points. Benefits of using bullets:It gives str

Sep 26, 2022 • 6:25

0634 – When To Ditch The Studio Script

0634 – When To Ditch The Studio Script

2022.09.26 – 0634 – When To Ditch The Studio ScriptThe role of the scriptA script is great when you need to fit in the accepted role as a broadcaster, maybe on the news bulletins or news programmes. It is expected that you will be confident and assured, fluent and natural. As we have seen, to read a script conversationally is an artificial construct and I’ve shown you how to do it. (What would you prefer to hear – a newsreader stumbling through an unrehearsed bulletin bursting with up-to-the-min

Sep 25, 2022 • 6:10

0633 – Other Voice Skills: Adlibs, Cold Reading and Talking To Time

0633 – Other Voice Skills: Adlibs, Cold Reading and Talking To Time

2022.09.25 – 0633 – Other Voice Skills: Adlibs, Cold Reading and Talking To Time OTHER SPEAKING SKILLSAn alphabetical list of other conversational considerations, from ad-libs to coping with verbal slips, filler words and fluffs… and a few hot takes on cold-reading. Ad-libbingThis is what you say off the top of your head without a script, and is another good skill for any broadcaster or podcaster to have – although voice-over actors will of course have little use for it as they are mai

Sep 24, 2022 • 3:43

0632 – Giving Yourself Voice Direction

0632 – Giving Yourself Voice Direction

2022.09.24 - 0632 – Giving Yourself Voice DirectionSelf-directingIf you are a voice actor working from home, an ‘amateur’ podcaster[1], or broadcaster without an active producer or manager, then you will need to direct yourself and be able to notice what you need to do to improve. The problem you may have to overcome is that, if you don’t have a director, part of you is critically listening to yourself and your performance all of the time, and so you’re not fully immersing yourself in your role:

Sep 23, 2022 • 4:34

0631 – Your Role As A Voice Script ‘Meaning Miner’

0631 – Your Role As A Voice Script ‘Meaning Miner’

2022.09.23 - 0631 – Your Role As A Voice Script ‘Meaning Miner’Your Role As A ‘Meaning Miner’Sometimes when direction or a Brief is unclear, you need to do the hard work yourself. Well, you should always do much of this, but occasionally you need to get your hands dirty and unearth the hidden meaning in a script.Mine the text to find the seam of the story arc, pick away to discover the hidden message of what the advertiser wants the listener to do. Find the golden words that will help you to con

Sep 22, 2022 • 1:30

0630 – Voice-Over Studio Direction

0630 – Voice-Over Studio Direction

2022.09.22 - 0630 – Voice-Over Studio DirectionTaking directionPay attention, listen, ask questions, take advice and understand the process. Some directors don’t know how to explain things very well and it can be a challenge to interpret what they mean. Some directions may be straightforward. “A bit brighter” will suggest a lightness in tone and a slightly quicker read. But try and remember, or make notes, of what you did on different takes of the recording, so you can better interpret

Sep 21, 2022 • 5:11

0629 – Getting Feedback On Your Voice

0629 – Getting Feedback On Your Voice

2022.09.21 - 0629 – Getting Feedback On Your Voice VOICE BOXGiving and Receiving Notes Directors:· Only have you give the feedback not everyone in the control room. · Realise that everyone has different expectations about feedback or Notes:o For some it’s “tell me what to do”o “Share with me what you think I should do”o “This is what I’m doing, is it OK or not?”· &n

Sep 20, 2022 • 6:48

0628 – Voice Over Guide Tracks

0628 – Voice Over Guide Tracks

2022.09.20 - 0628 – Voice-Over Guide TracksGuide Track In some circumstances, a ‘dummy track’ of someone else reading the voice-over script may already have been recorded before you go into a studio. This is usually done on fast and tightly-edited video productions (think movie trails or promo videos) but may also be on audio creatives, again where there are lots of elements. It’s done so the editors can help shape the item in pre-production, sequencing the different clips togeth

Sep 19, 2022 • 6:05

0627 – How Voice Directors Can Help You Feel Part Of The Production Team

0627 – How Voice Directors Can Help You Feel Part Of The Production Team

2022.09.19 - 0627 – How Voice Directors Can Help You Feel Part Of The Production TeamVOICE BOXDirectors – make your talent feel part of the team:· Introduce them to those in the gallery· Include them in conversations from inside their booth· Explain what’s happening· Try not to turn your back on them when discu

Sep 18, 2022 • 3:49

0626 – The Limits Of Line-Reading

0626 – The Limits Of Line-Reading

2022.09.18 - 0626 – The Limits Of Line-ReadingSecond, in asking you to “sound like this” it’s likely they will be putting other elements into their read that they may not realise. And you as a professional will be copying not just their tone, but their speed, pauses, intonation, phrasing and so on. Which they may not have intended.And, think about it: you’ll end up doing an impression of them, doing an impression of you reading the script! That way no-one knows what’s going on and what’s actuall

Sep 17, 2022 • 3:33

0625 – Line-Reading For Voice Training

0625 – Line-Reading For Voice Training

2022.09.17 - 0625 – Line-Reading For Voice TrainingVOICE BOXLine readingA director may read your script to you, in the style they want you to emulate: a line-reading. This is slightly different from a line-by-line read mentioned above, as it’s when a director speaks a phrase or sentence exactly how they want it (regarding intonation, accent, pace and so on) and they record you repeating it back them exactly. Professional voice-over artists (or VT- voice talent) should rarely need this direction,

Sep 16, 2022 • 4:26

0624 – What’s Really Happening in a 1-by-1 Voice Over Read

0624 – What’s Really Happening in a 1-by-1 Voice Over Read

2022.09.16 - 0624 – What’s Really Happening in a 1-by-1 Voice Over Read· “I must be rubbish. They’re asking me to record every line one-by-one!” – this isn’t that unusual. It may be down to the timing or the exact intonation that’s needed. Perhaps your sentence, or just a phrase, has to fit with those of other people as part of a poem or montage. Maybe it’s got to fit with the beat of music or pictures. Or it may be that the director is not just thi

Sep 15, 2022 • 3:42

0623 – Don’t Nix The Mix

0623 – Don’t Nix The Mix

2022.09.15 - 0623 – Don’t Nix The Mix · “Is this going to be mixed with music?” – as we saw before, when you talk with music underneath you, it affects your read. Music elevates a voice and having it behind makes it more impactful, doing a lot of the ‘emotional lifting’ of the recording. You adapt your style (notably usually the pace and rhythm) to work in harmony with the track. If you can hear now, the bed that will be mixed with your vocals later

Sep 14, 2022 • 3:36

0622 – Take Your Time and Sound (More Than) Fine

0622 – Take Your Time and Sound (More Than) Fine

2022.09.14 - 0622 – Take Your Time and Sound (More Than) Fine· “This is taking ages…” Every job will have its challenges and it’ll all take as long as it takes. Work with the director/producer/sound engineer as they try and get the best out of you. Instead: understand that they may be trying out various styles of read to see what you can do with your ‘voice personality’ in case between you all, you discover something new that they hadn’t thought of.

Sep 13, 2022 • 2:16

0621 – What To Do If Your Script Has Alarming Timings

0621 – What To Do If Your Script Has Alarming Timings

2022.09.13 - 0621 – What To Do If Your Script Has Alarming Timings· “There’s no way I can fit all of this script into just 30 seconds” – there are too many words for the time allowed and you’re tempted to gabble to fit it all in. Instead: maybe the script has just been ‘over-written’ and there are a few words that can be lost or phrases that can be re-written. Obviously, this is down to the producer, not you – although you may perhaps make a polite

Sep 12, 2022 • 2:15

0620 – Don’t Introduce An Excuse For Your Poor Voice Performance

0620 – Don’t Introduce An Excuse For Your Poor Voice Performance

2022.09.12 - 0620 – Don’t Introduce An Excuse For Your Poor Voice Performance· “Yeah, I’m rubbish today because the cat was sick, I had a row with my daughter and I the bus was late” – Everyone has a similar story, and they don’t need to hear about yours. Winding yourself up will only make you nervous. Instead: Breathe, relax, de-stress with the exercises we’ve already gone through. Listen to the direction, and to how you follow it in your read. Be

Sep 11, 2022 • 1:35

0619 – When It Hits That the Script Is Sh*t

0619 – When It Hits That the Script Is Sh*t

2022.09.11 - 0619 – When It Hits That the Script Is Sh*t· “This script is really bad. It’s so poorly written, it makes no sense and ungrammatical” – don’t complain about the copy, it may’ve been written by the studio producer or the client themselves. Instead: The grammar may not look right, but it will probably sound right, and it’s your job to make it work. If you still think the words works better on the page than in your mouth (maybe too formal,

Sep 10, 2022 • 2:31

0618 – How To Return After A Verbal Slip

0618 – How To Return After A Verbal Slip

2022.09.10 - 0618 – How To Return After A Verbal SlipTurning Voice-Over Worries Into ‘Wonderful’· “Sorry, I slipped on that. Sorry. I gotta concentrate. That was stupid…” – trips, slips and stumbled are natural with a new script. Instead: Slow down, take a breath and concentrate and remember it’ll take a few reads to get the rhythm and the writer’s intended meaning. Ask a producer if they’d prefer you to carry on after any slip, or go back and do th

Sep 9, 2022 • 2:35

0617 – How To Make A Sound Engineer Your Friend

0617 – How To Make A Sound Engineer Your Friend

2022.09.09 - 0617 – How To Make A Sound Engineer Your FriendHow To Make A Sound Engineer Your Friend· Turning up on time and being ready microphone-ready· Be confident and competent in sight-reading. OK the odd slip or trip, but be able to see it and say it pretty quickly.· Be able to interpret what the message is and who it’s for· &n

Sep 8, 2022 • 2:02

0616 – The Voice-Over Studio Workflow

0616 – The Voice-Over Studio Workflow

2022.09.08 - 0616 – The Voice-Over Studio WorkflowLet’s just take a quick look at what happens when you go into a voiceover studio.· Read the Brief and the script· Assist the studio engineer in setting the mic position and levels, the level of your headphones and talkback and the position of any script stand· Have a first run-through of the script and get a

Sep 7, 2022 • 5:45

0615 – Voice Director Skills

0615 – Voice Director Skills

2022.09.07 - 0615 – Voice Director SkillsThe skills of a director[1]· They are a bridge between the actor and client. They are likely to work with voice artists more often than the script writer or the sharp-suited client, so they can explain what’s going on, know what language to use, how to get the best out of you and how to get the written word to be an effective spoken word. They understand that voice work is an art and not a science. Oh, and th

Sep 6, 2022 • 5:17

0614 – Talking About Studio Talkbacks

0614 – Talking About Studio Talkbacks

2022.09.06 - 0614 – Talking About Studio TalkbacksTalk-back micsThe gallery production area will have mics which are used to ‘talk back’ to you in the studio. Sometimes these may be left on (or ‘open’) as you record, either by mistake or deliberately, which means you will hear the coughs, comments, conversations and script suggestions from the producers, directors and clients, live, in your headphones as you read. This can be quite off-putting, so request that their mics can be muted so you can

Sep 5, 2022 • 4:47

0613 – How ‘Control Room Characters’ May Shape Your Voice

0613 – How ‘Control Room Characters’ May Shape Your Voice

2022.09.05 - 0613 – How ‘Control Room Characters’ May Shape Your VoiceThe Control Room (AKA: ‘gallery’, ‘production area’, ‘ops’ [operations area], or simply ‘studio’!)While you are alone in the studio, other people will be in the area just outside, where the recording actually happens.There could be several people in here, even eight or ten people in an agency studio situation. Maybe a creative director, a creative writer or two, clients, an account manager, a rep from the marketing department,

Sep 4, 2022 • 6:26

0612 – Taking Voice Production Notes

0612 – Taking Voice Production Notes

2022.09.04 - 0612 – Taking Voice Production NotesAlways keep a record of the takes that you do in a session, the number and the direction requested of you for it. That’s because in some recordings you may have upwards of 50 takes, with notes on each one. If you keep a written track of ‘what you did when’ then it will be easier to not only go back and reproduce a read in a certain way (“yeah, I think Take 23 was the kind of brighter sound we wanted…”), but also gives you a ‘roadmap’ of where you

Sep 3, 2022 • 2:11

0611 – What To Take Into A Voice Recording Session

0611 – What To Take Into A Voice Recording Session

2022.09.03 - 0611 – What To Take Into A Voice Recording SessionPerformanceOk here we go. All that training and preparing comes to the moment the red light goes on! But we’re not there yet. Not quite. What to take into a recording session:Headphones – closed-back or in-ear typesComfort and confidenceHealth Water – in a spill-proof bottleTo top up your hydrationTo give you something to do as the director and colleagues discuss the next takeTo give something to do when you need a break – to fi

Sep 2, 2022 • 6:31

0610 – Top ‘Studio Day’ Tips

0610 – Top ‘Studio Day’ Tips

2022.09.02 - 0610 – Top ‘Studio Day’ TipsOn the day of a recording or live ‘mic moment’· Eat early - Don’t take a growling bear into the studio with you: the mic will hear it as it will gurgles. Fizzy drinks will make you burp. Spicy food may cause acid reflux. · Lots of water – to top-up your systemic hydration· Exercise and fresh air – to be mentally and

Sep 1, 2022 • 5:46

0609 – What Is Not In Your Briefs

0609 – What Is Not In Your Briefs

2022.09.01 - 0609 – What Is Not In Your Briefs· Context is important for the style of the read. Words on a page describing a family of tigers, their lifestyle and diet could be read one way if the visuals are of them all playing on the savannah, but another way if the shot is of the dominant male stalking prey.Context may also refer to whether the recording is part of a series, either under the same title, or by the same producer or the same product

Aug 31, 2022 • 4:22

0608 – Your Voice Mixed With Music

0608 – Your Voice Mixed With Music

2022.08.31 - 0608 – Your Voice Mixed With MusicMusic and rough cuts – commercials, commentaries, documentaries and so on, often have the voiceover second-tracked together to play over the top of a music score. The choice of music for a documentary, commercial or whatever sets the ‘emotional attitude’ of the whole piece: hope, fear, confidence, desire or optimism for example. So as a reader, it’s useful to know what that music is. That way you can adapt your style, attitude and pace to fit with i

Aug 30, 2022 • 5:33

0607 – Your Voice Over Role

0607 – Your Voice Over Role

2022.08.30– 0607 – Your Voice Over RoleWhat is your role? – You are never ‘the voiceover’. Depending on the script, the situation, the story, the audience and so on, you may be a frazzled dad coping with the kids, a corporate CEO, a first-time DIYer, a reassuring uncle. And that relationship is important: your attitude will change if you are giving advice to that frazzled dad as a friend, or interfering neighbour, or parenting expert… in the same way as, for say a corporate e-learning project (s

Aug 29, 2022 • 7:10

0606 – Who Will Hear Your Voice?

0606 – Who Will Hear Your Voice?

2022.08.29– 0606 – Who Will Hear Your Voice?Where will this recording be played? – Again, it can change your tone as a voice actor if you know that it’s for TV or radio or cinema, or to be played in an airport lounge. It could be a corporate script for a video that every staff member will see, alone at their desk and through headphones… or played on the big screen at the annual staff announcement event.For example: a voiceover for the ‘blood donation service’ may at first sound quite serious, bu

Aug 28, 2022 • 4:48

0605 – What’s In Your Briefs

0605 – What’s In Your Briefs

2022.08.28– 0605 – What’s In Your BriefsWhat’s in your briefsWho is this for? - In other words, who is your target audience, the listener you want to hear this message and act upon it. That should usually be much narrower than “everyone”, so it could be a grandmother in her 70s, or a young businesswoman in her twenties, or new parents. Every different audience will lead you to have a different tone, or attitude, when you read the script. You can usually have a guess by looking at the script and

Aug 27, 2022 • 6:40

0604 – The Brief For A Voice-Over Recording

0604 – The Brief For A Voice-Over Recording

2022.08.27– 0604 – The Brief For A Voice-Over RecordingThe brief for a script recordingA written brief, a short but clear sheet of directions, will help everyone involved in a recording session in several ways:You, the ‘voice’, will have set targets for issues such as the tone and pace, the target audience, the characterisation, giving you time to prepare.Similarly, the director, producer and client all know the same information, so they are all approaching the recording with the same idea and e

Aug 26, 2022 • 2:58

0603 – Pre-Prep To Keep In Step

0603 – Pre-Prep To Keep In Step

2022.08.26– 0603 – Pre-Prep To Keep In StepFor radio and podcast presenters specifically, your preparation may include:· Planned spontaneity - Have a rough idea of what to say, maybe not every single word, but blocks of topics and bullet points within them of the points you want to make and how to transition from one block to another. A road map if you will, and one that you can veer off if you want to improvise and extemporise in the moment.Pre-rea

Aug 25, 2022 • 6:56

0602 – On The Day Prep To Get A Better Voice

0602 – On The Day Prep To Get A Better Voice

2022.08.25– 0602 – On The Day Prep To Get A Better VoicePrepping promotes polished performances. ‘With-the-script’ and ‘on-the-day’ Preparation.For anyone talking on mic, your preparation will include:· Hydration – yep, that again! Hydration preparation! It will take 24 hours for water you have drunk to properly benefit you systemically. Sipping water on the day is great, but that’s only a ‘top up’, to ease a tickle, to clean your mouth or to use a

Aug 24, 2022 • 3:00

0601 – How The Way We Sound Shapes Our Identities

0601 – How The Way We Sound Shapes Our Identities

2022.08.24– 0601 – How The Way We Sound Shapes Our IdentitiesHow The Way We Sound Shapes Our IdentitiesOur voices convey so much more than just information. They can tell other people something essential about who we are: our age and gender and personality (our feelings, our temperament, our identity).On this episode of the Hidden Brain podcast (link below), the presenters look at the relationship between our voices and our identities, how advances in technology might help people with vocal impa

Aug 23, 2022 • 2:11

0600 – Vocal Confidence Through Familiarisation With The Script And Situation

0600 – Vocal Confidence Through Familiarisation With The Script And Situation

2022.08.23– 0600 – Vocal Confidence Through Familiarisation With The Script And Situation · Familiarisation with the subject – the knowledge of the script, not just the words, but the meaning and the significance and intention of it, and the role your ‘character’ plays in conveying the message. Plus, who that message is targeted at, and what you want that recipient to do with the information… Nerves are what you are feeling – but think of the audien

Aug 22, 2022 • 3:48

0599 – Vocal Confidence Through Familiarisation With Yourself

0599 – Vocal Confidence Through Familiarisation With Yourself

2022.08.22– 0599 – Vocal Confidence Through Familiarisation With Yourself · Familiarisation with yourself – we have to turn nervous self-consciousness to self-confidence. That is, moving from being aware of every element of who you are and where you are and what you are doing to a more overall approach: that you have put in the time and the training, the prep and the practice towards your performance. The work on your skillset, helping create your m

Aug 21, 2022 • 3:00

0598 – Vocal Confidence Through Relaxed Breathing

0598 – Vocal Confidence Through Relaxed Breathing

2022.08.21– 0598 – Vocal Confidence Through Relaxed Breathing · Relaxed breathing – we have looked at this a few times. If you breathe properly your whole body relaxes, your mind calms. You are less tense, so your voice strengthens. You have breath control to get to the end of a sentence without panicking. Your heartrate steadies. You are less likely to commit verbal slips and trips. Every element is interconnected and starts with your br

Aug 20, 2022 • 1:23

0597 – The Vocal Confidence Quotient

0597 – The Vocal Confidence Quotient

2022.08.20– 0597 – The Vocal Confidence Quotient The Confidence QuotientEffortless attention is when the challenge and the skill, are in balance. That balance is called ‘confidence’. To put it another way: (Relaxed breathing + familiarisation with self, subject and situation = confidence) = you sound credible and authoritative Let’s look at those elements briefly over the next few days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 19, 2022 • 1:25

0596 – Work Variety To Increase Your Vocal Experience

0596 – Work Variety To Increase Your Vocal Experience

2022.08.19– 0596 – Work Variety To Increase Your Vocal Experience Work varietySome of that practice may come from lots of work in which you’ll be experiencing different kinds of reads and learning new styles, and keeping your eye-to-mouth co-ordination and staying in the ‘zone’. But if you have less work, then practice is good to make sure you are ready when the phone rings or the email pings And of course, the more auditions you do for say voice-over work, the more practice you’re ge

Aug 18, 2022 • 1:51

0595 – Why We Sound Different In Our Headphones

0595 – Why We Sound Different In Our Headphones

2022.08.18– 0595 – Why We Sound Different In Our HeadphonesSelf-feedbackYour voice is very personal to you – get used to hearing it, learn to like it – but be aware of what you need to do to improve it. And then practice!Why do we sound different when we listen to a recording of ourselves? It’s to do with the way we usually hear ourselves.When we speak, we hear our own voice two different ways at the same time, one slightly behind the other (out of phase).Convectively (through the air) – a

Aug 17, 2022 • 3:45

0594 – Wrapping Up Presenting Unboxing Videos

0594 – Wrapping Up Presenting Unboxing Videos

2022.08.17– 0594 – Wrapping Up Presenting Unboxing Videos On screen presenters, whether that is for livestreams, or video conferencing or pre-recorded videos for YouTube or webinars, often find it difficult to talk and do something else at the same time. It sounds odd as we do it all the time in real life, but whether it’s an unboxing of a new product or simply holding and describing a book, fluency often suffers. Be aware of this and plan for the possibility, make some notes and pract

Aug 16, 2022 • 2:47

0593 – How To Practice Ad Libbing Skills

0593 – How To Practice Ad Libbing Skills

2022.08.16– 0593 – How To Practice Ad Libbing Skills Looking lotsReally looking at the world around you. On your walk or commute to work (be careful if you are driving!), take an effort to notice what you pass by. Perhaps take a different route occasionally to force yourself to see what’s different. And then sharpen your awareness and increase your confidence by giving an out-loud running commentary (a bit of a problem on public transport, I grant!) of what you notice. Not just “a woman pu

Aug 15, 2022 • 3:55

0592 – How To Practice Talking To Time

0592 – How To Practice Talking To Time

2022.08.15– 0592 – How To Practice Talking To TimePractice Talking To TimeYou will also benefit from being able to ‘talk to time’, that is to fill exactly 10 seconds - or 7 or 12 or whatever - and to make sense and be a complete sentence. This is useful if you ever have to present a programme or bulletin that has a ‘clock end’, as well as knowing how to shave off a second or two (or half!) from a commercial voice-over script. As we saw in episode 427Take some copy which has a required durat

Aug 14, 2022 • 5:29

0591 – The ‘Two Brains’ Skill You Need To Master

0591 – The ‘Two Brains’ Skill You Need To Master

2022.08.14– 0591 – The ‘Two Brains’ Skill You Need To MasterPractice Having Two BrainsA way to practice receiving information and delivering it at the same time is to ‘parrot’ someone else’s news bulletin, or links on the radio. At home (and probably when you are alone!), listen to a station and repeat the script as it is being said. Or repeat ads a split second after the voice-over does so on the TV or radio. You will have to listen, process and repeat all at the same time, like having two brai

Aug 13, 2022 • 2:15

0590 – How To Practice Sight-Reading

0590 – How To Practice Sight-Reading

2022.08.13– 0590 – How To Practice Sight-ReadingPractice Sight-ReadingAnother way to help you sight-read is to read aloud and ad-lib around the credits at the end of a TV show as they scroll up. Doing this will help your muscle memory of sight-reading: being able to take almost any script and anticipate where it is going to get a good inflection and tone from the get-go. And if you have recorded it, play it back to yourself while looking back at the text. That way you can check your accurac

Aug 12, 2022 • 2:38

0589 – How To Practice Script-Reading Accuracy

0589 – How To Practice Script-Reading Accuracy

2022.08.12– 0589 – How To Practice Script-Reading AccuracyPractice AccuracyKeep up your eye-to-mouth accuracy by reading lots of every style, and out loud. It could be bedtime stories to the kids, newspaper or online articles, billboard ads as you are stuck in a traffic queue… some couples even read novels aloud to each other, taking turns at each chapter. Anything. To yourself, to someone else or even into a recording app on your phone. There are plenty of sites[1] with actual or mocked-up comm

Aug 11, 2022 • 1:41

0588 – The Cheeky Hack To Sound Like Other Voice Artists

0588 – The Cheeky Hack To Sound Like Other Voice Artists

2022.08.11– 0588 – The Cheeky Hack To Sound Like Other Voice Artists Listen to Other Voice Demos Go onto voice agent websites and listen to the demos of other voice artists. After all, they have got an agent so must be doing something right! Work out what it is: · How are different voice used for different messages and scripts?· How are they working to communicate the message and the meaning?The mo

Aug 10, 2022 • 1:08

0587 – Life’s Free Voice Training Opportunities

0587 – Life’s Free Voice Training Opportunities

2022.08.10– 0587 – Life’s Free Voice Training OpportunitiesListening lotsDon’t skip through the commercials on radio or TV, the internet or cinema! Watch and listen to every ad that comes on.[1] · Listen mindfully – that is, really listen· Think:o What is the service or product being advertised?o Why is this ad being played at this time, on this station, on this show?o W

Aug 9, 2022 • 4:29

0586 – 10,000 Kicks To A Better Voice

0586 – 10,000 Kicks To A Better Voice

2022.08.09– 0586 – 10,000 Kicks To A Better Voice Continual Practice I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once,but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.Bruce Lee You have to be continually ready for your next live or recorded voice session, much like an athlete must always be ‘match fit’. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Practice won’t make you perfect (what is ‘perfection’?), but it will make you better. Only amateurs believe that rehearsal

Aug 8, 2022 • 2:45

0585 – The 3-P Formula For A Better Voice

0585 – The 3-P Formula For A Better Voice

2022.08.08– 0585 – The 3-P Formula For A Better VoiceTHE THREE P’s FORMULAIf you want to claim you have a professional presentation (albeit sounding adlibbed), then you need to work at your craft.In the same way the starter guitarist doesn’t launch instantly into riffs and jams, you need to do the work to underpin your future career of having ‘your mouth on the mic’. Get the fundamental foundations, the mouth and mental muscle memory, before your creative communication excellence can begin. And

Aug 7, 2022 • 2:49

0584 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 3

0584 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 3

2022.08.07– 0584 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 3 Look at the lens· Keep looking the camera lens ‘in the eye’ in the same way as you’d look at someone if they were in the room with you. That doesn’t mean a stare or a glare, but with a natural ease (one of interested, informed involvement) alongside occasional glances at your paper-notes or maybe a colleague or monitor. Not only will this make you look conversational, because you will be emulat

Aug 6, 2022 • 4:09

0583 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 2

0583 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 2

2022.08.06– 0583 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 2 Rehearse· Have the font set to suit your sight. Although, the larger the font, the fewer words will appear at a time, it will save you squinting or slipping up and getting panicked. You can often switch the text from white on black to black on white if that makes it easier for you to read. You may also need to adjust your glasses as you’ll be focussing on the mid distance rather than close distance a

Aug 5, 2022 • 3:34

0582 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 1

0582 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 1

2022.08.05– 0582 – How To Be An Auto-Cutie 1 How to be an auto-cutie The speed of the read· The prompter operator should follow your pace. That is, you don't need to speed up or slow down to follow the words appearing, but trust that the words will be there when you need them. Don’t play ‘cat-and-mouse’: if you go quickly the scroll of the script will pick up pace too. · Develop rapport with t

Aug 4, 2022 • 2:32

0581 – Prompts On Using Your Voice With A Teleprompt

0581 – Prompts On Using Your Voice With A Teleprompt

2022.08.04– 0581 – Prompts On Using Your Voice With A Teleprompt TelepromptersWhile we are talking about reading from a screen, a few words on systems[1] which project the words you have to read, onto the lens of a TV camera, or alongside the lens of a mobile phone. Teleprompter positives· In using a teleprompter, presenters naturally look into the lens (or the text is so close to the lens that their eye-line doesn’t look askew), giving th

Aug 3, 2022 • 5:03

0580 – Video Call Voice Confidence Tricks

0580 – Video Call Voice Confidence Tricks

2022.08.03– 0580 – Video Call Voice Confidence TricksVideo confidence tricks:So once you have set the lights and background how you want them, find the button on your video-platform that allows you to turn off your ‘self-view’, which may help you feel more confident … because you wont have the dysmorphia we spoke about a few days ago. Then: · notes to one side of the screen· picture of someone friendly beyond the mic· &nbs

Aug 2, 2022 • 3:24

0579 – Why Video Calls Lead To Vocal Loading

0579 – Why Video Calls Lead To Vocal Loading

2022.08.02– 0579 – Why Video Calls Lead To Vocal LoadingBut then neither is the whole tech and protocol of video-conferencing:Talking to people we can see and hear but are not physically with and so can’t see their full body languageThe now-disrupted turn-taking rhythm we are used to in a conversation and working out the protocol if several people talk at once and how to give wayHow we can do work, school, church, a quiz with friends, talk with grandparents or the doctor … all while sitting in t

Aug 1, 2022 • 3:53

0578 – How ‘Zoom Dysmorphia’ Affects Your Video-Call Voice

0578 – How ‘Zoom Dysmorphia’ Affects Your Video-Call Voice

2022.08.01– 0578 – How ‘Zoom Dysmorphia’ Affects Your Video-Call Voice How ‘Zoom Dysmorphia’ Affects Your Video-Call Voice [1]Seeing ourselves (and others) on screen can cause micro-stresses, and so, tension in our frame, shallower breathing and a potentially lighter voice. · What we think of our face, hair, clothes and voice, room background (and so on)· What we think others may think of our face,

Jul 31, 2022 • 4:12

0577 – How To Prepare Your voice For Video-Calls

0577 – How To Prepare Your voice For Video-Calls

2022.07.31– 0577 – How To Prepare Your voice For Video-Calls How Your Schedule Affects Your Video-Call VoiceVideo-calls are perhaps more likely for those working from home, but try not to roll out of bed and go straight to your laptop and sit down and talk! Think what you used to do before our lazy lockdowns: busily getting ready, moving around, up and down the stairs, twisting into the car seat or running for the bus… and we’d be chatting along with all of that, to the kids, the person on the b

Jul 30, 2022 • 3:18

0576 – Why Video Calls Are Exhausting

0576 – Why Video Calls Are Exhausting

2022.07.30 – 0576 – Why Video Calls Are Exhausting And don’t forget video-calls are really quite exhausting[1]And dullness saps your energy – mentally, physically and vocally. Webchats:· Need more concentration on the conversation – as there’s little change of scenery. Dull backgrounds, green screens or even people wandering around in the office, but nothing much happens.· Are very repetitive

Jul 29, 2022 • 3:35

0575 – Why Voices Are Raised On Video Calls

0575 – Why Voices Are Raised On Video Calls

2022.07.29 – 0575 – Why Voices Are Raised On Video Calls Why voices are raised on video calls Research has shown that when we cannot hear someone well because of noise, we speak louder, and make their gestures more noticeable. Dr James Trujillo and colleagues at Radboud University Nijmegen, in the Netherlands, analysed video calls between 20 pairs of people[1]. For each pair, participants sat in separate rooms and chatted to each other in casual, unscripted conversation over a Zoo

Jul 28, 2022 • 4:28

0574 – The Zoom Settings To Make You Sound Better

0574 – The Zoom Settings To Make You Sound Better

2022.07.28 – 0574 – The Zoom Settings To Make You Sound BetterHow to sound better on ZoomThere are a few tweaks that you can make in the settings that will make a huge difference to your voice. Zoom automatically adds processing to the audio through the mic. This is turned on and works best if you are in a noisy environment, if your mic is far from you or you are using the built-in mic in your webcam or computer, or using EarPods or a Bluetooth mic. But if you are using a more pro mic and h

Jul 27, 2022 • 4:42

0573 - … And What You Can Do About It.

0573 - … And What You Can Do About It.

2022.07.27 – 0573 - … And What You Can Do About It.It stands to reason that the higher quality the input, the better you'll sound to your listeners, and it’s important to sound your best if you hope to leave a strong impression. So upgrade your work-station to reduce such problems:· If you can hear other people better as well as yourself, there’s less need to shout and strain. it sounds as if everyone is physically closer· &nb

Jul 26, 2022 • 3:10

0572 - How You Hear Affects Your Video-Call Voice…

0572 - How You Hear Affects Your Video-Call Voice…

2022.07.26 – 0572 - How You Hear Affects Your Video-Call Voice… How You Hear Affects Your Video-Call VoiceVideo-chat software compresses audio in a conversation, so it ends up not as clear as being face-to-face. This means that:· People tend to talk louder to make sure that their voice carries. But often they’re not projecting like stage actors do, but more ‘squeezing’ their voice, creating vocal pain. (See our tips elsewhere for talking more l

Jul 25, 2022 • 3:06

0571 - How You Sit Affects Your Video-Call Voice

0571 - How You Sit Affects Your Video-Call Voice

2022.07.25 – 0571 - How You Sit Affects Your Video-Call Voice How You Sit Affects Your Video-Call Voice Bad posture can affect how you sound: · We are likely to be sitting down· We tend to then look down at the laptop camera, affecting the neck position and then the range of motion and flexibility that your larynx and voice box have, as well as putting a kink in the airflow to the larynx.· &n

Jul 24, 2022 • 5:01

0570 – How Appearing On Video Calls Affect Your Voice

0570 – How Appearing On Video Calls Affect Your Voice

2022.07.24 – 0570 – How Appearing On Video Calls Affect Your VoiceLet’s briefly spend a few days looking at your voice on video such as home-studio webinars or YouTubes and Zoom-type classes or meetings. There is a very real possibility of vocal strain on video-calls because it’s a very different vocal demand:· You sit differently· You strain to be heard over poor quality links· &n

Jul 23, 2022 • 3:21

0569 – A Piece On Earpieces

0569 – A Piece On Earpieces

2022.07.23 – 0569 – A Piece On EarpiecesEarpiecesBecause TV presenters don’t usually wear headphones on screen (although social media video presenters often do), they have small earpieces which perform the same role as headphones, being able to monitor themselves and to hear any directions from the producer in the ‘gallery’ or ‘ops (operations) room’. Alongside those directions, injected directly into the ear through the earpiece, comes not only a countdown but everything said to the camera crew

Jul 22, 2022 • 2:29

0568 – What To Think Of When Buying Studio Headphones

0568 – What To Think Of When Buying Studio Headphones

2022.07.22 – 0568 – What To Think Of When Buying Studio HeadphonesHeadphone considerationsA pretty good pair of headphones are worth it:· Not all headphones will make your voice sound the same. You want a pair that reproduces your voice with a sound that you are comfortable with and doesn’t make you wince every time you hear yourself – that will only make you anxious and affect how you sound in the first place· &nb

Jul 21, 2022 • 1:59

0567 – Headphones: The ‘One Ear On, One Ear Off’ Style

0567 – Headphones: The ‘One Ear On, One Ear Off’ Style

2022.07.21 – 0567 – Headphones: The ‘One Ear On, One Ear Off’ StyleThe case for only partly wearing headphones Some presenters wear headphones so that one ear is covered and the other is not, as it helps them hear a ‘natural self’ in the studio as well as what they sound like on air: to hear themselves as they actually sound and how the mic and processing is making them sound like. There is a chance in doing this of feedback and that any direction via the talkback is heard through the mic and on

Jul 20, 2022 • 2:08

0566 – Why Some Presenters Go ‘Headless’

0566 – Why Some Presenters Go ‘Headless’

2022.07.20 – 0566 – Why Some Presenters Go ‘Headless’The case for not wearing headphonesSome voice-overs don’t wear headphones when they record their spot, so they can be more ‘in the moment of the copy’ rather than feel as though they are ‘performing’, and monitoring their melody, pitch and breaths. The thinking goes, and I totally understand this, is that if you are giving yourself feedback and tweaking your performance every moment, maybe convincing yourself you sound great or poor, then you

Jul 19, 2022 • 2:29

0565 – SQUEAEAEAL!! Headphone Volume And Feedback

0565 – SQUEAEAEAL!! Headphone Volume And Feedback

2022.07.19 – 0565 – SQUEAEAEAL!! Headphone Volume And FeedbackHeadphone volume and feedbackIn a studio you will be able to control the volume of the headphones to a certain extent. This is though, usually limited to stop accidental damage to your ears. It also stops the volume being turned up high so noise does not leak (or ‘bleed’) from them, causing feedback (that high-pitched squeak, which we looked at just now).But remember the volume you hear yourself through your headphones is not the volu

Jul 18, 2022 • 2:17

0564 – How Wearing Headphones Improves Your Voice

0564 – How Wearing Headphones Improves Your Voice

2022.07.18 – 0564 – How Wearing Headphones Improves Your VoiceWearing headphones improves your voice and presentationWearing headphones gives you immediate feedback on how you sound, and so you can make immediate adjustments to your voice and presentation style. Everything we have talked about so far to do with your voice can be tweaked or turned up, dialled down or downplayed: your pitch and pace, projection and diction. When it comes to delivering quality audio, headphones are your best f

Jul 17, 2022 • 1:04

0563 – The Weird Things About Hearing Yourself Through Headphones

0563 – The Weird Things About Hearing Yourself Through Headphones

2022.07.17 – 0563 – The Weird Things About Hearing Yourself Through Headphones Hearing yourself through headphones “Headphones take your ears from the side of your head and put them right in front of your mouthso you can hear exactly what you sound like to others.”Rachel Corbett, Podcast Trainer[1] Think about it, no-one else on earth hears our voice as we ourselves do. While an audience hears only the sound as vibrations through the air (either in person or via an electroni

Jul 16, 2022 • 3:15

0562 – Three *More* Reasons You Need Studio Headphones

0562 – Three *More* Reasons You Need Studio Headphones

2022.07.16 – 0562 – Three *More* Reasons You Need Studio Headphones· To hear a ‘split feed’, when the sound in one ear of the headphones is different from that of the other. For example, in a radio studio one channel may have the station output (what you would normally expect to hear) and the other maybe output from another source. It can be tricky to cope with hearing two different things at the same time, but as a presenter or newsreader it may be

Jul 15, 2022 • 4:08

0561 – Three Reasons You Need Studio Headphones

0561 – Three Reasons You Need Studio Headphones

2022.07.15 – 0561 – Three Reasons You Need Studio HeadphonesMonitors (or loudspeakers / speakers):So we can hear the final mix of recorded audio in a room-situation (that is, without headphones), so several people can hear the same audio at the same time and be able to hear each other’s comments. In a live studio, to enable us to hear the output when a microphone is closed[1] HeadphonesWhy you need headphonesTo better hear the sound of our own voice or that of a contributor, and monito

Jul 14, 2022 • 3:47

0560 – From Microphones To Headphones

0560 – From Microphones To Headphones

2022.07.14 – 0560 – From Microphones To HeadphonesMONITORS AND HEADPHONESThese are all ways to hear audio while in the studio, either the audio that we are creating inside it or audio from another source or from outside the studio. So why are we talking about them hear? Well, a great part of getting a better broadcast, podcast and voice-over voice is not only creating that sound, but also being able to hear it, monitor it, knowing what you are listening for, working out what you are perhaps

Jul 13, 2022 • 1:53

0559 – Using A Mic, Right

0559 – Using A Mic, Right

2022.07.13 – 0559 – Using A Mic, RightFinal mic thoughtsThe mic is your friend so look after it. Treat it with respect and don’t shout at it. It is there to help you, but it is sensitive.Having said that it simply wants to get on with the job in hand, to make you sound great. So, once it’s set up, leave it alone. Don’t talk to it. By ignoring the microphone and talking to your listener, you will sound more natural and relatable, conversational and real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Jul 12, 2022 • 1:05

0558 – Studio Bacteria

0558 – Studio Bacteria

2022.07.12 – 0558 – Studio Bacteria Pop shields, filters, headphones and desk controls in radio stations are a breeding ground for bacteria and Valhalla for viruses, with all the spit, sweat and skin deposits. They are all spoken into, worn or touched by many people and rarely if ever cleaned. If you value your voice, do what I do (even before Covid-19 struck) and invest in your own pop shield and headphones and wipe down the panel before you use it (only do this in someone else’s studio wi

Jul 11, 2022 • 2:22

0557 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Sibilance

0557 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Sibilance

2022.07.11 – 0557 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: SibilanceSibilanceThis is ‘too much’ (whatever that is) of an ‘s’ sound, and in our line of work the pitch of that sound can be picked up and exaggerated by the microphone (and different types of mic work better with different kinds of voices, picking up different frequencies better), and with podcasts can go right into someone’s ear.There is some fix for the problem (if indeed it is a problem – some may reasonably say that sibilance adds character to th

Jul 10, 2022 • 3:22

0556 – Pop Screens and Filters

0556 – Pop Screens and Filters

2022.07.10 – 0556 – Pop Screens and Filters Pop filters[1] work by either displacing or slowing down the flow of the air, to make it less aggressive on the mic head. There are two kinds.There’s the foam ‘hat’ that goes directly on the mic head to protect it from windblasts and usually seen on outside mics. But the microphone experts Neuman says these can reduce the treble part of a voice slightly. There’s also the filter that’s a ring of plastic or metal which holds two layers of a thin met

Jul 9, 2022 • 3:56

0555 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Popping Ps

0555 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Popping Ps

2022.07.09 – 0555 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Popping PsPlosives (or: ‘pops’)This is the name for the small blast of air that hits the microphone when someone says words starting with the letter ‘p’. Put your hand in front of your mouth and say: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers / A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked” or “Peter Rabbit’s burrow”. Microphones are sensitive to these sounds in a similar way and the rush of air can cause a distortion of the sounds to the listener eith

Jul 8, 2022 • 3:05

0554 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Off-Mic Audio

0554 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Off-Mic Audio

2022.07.08 – 0554 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Off-Mic AudioOff mic audioIf your voice is off-mic, it will sound thin, muffled and distant. Move closer to the mic, speaking more clearly across its top (not directly into it, and so avoid ‘plosives’) and with better level-monitoring. Choosing a different type of microphone with an alternative pickup range may also be the answer. Wear headphones so you can monitor the recording as you make it. Sometimes altering the EQ (equalisation) on the voice may he

Jul 7, 2022 • 1:50

0553 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Mouth Noise

0553 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Mouth Noise

2022.07.07 – 0553 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Mouth NoiseMouth noiseWe all have this to some extent, the sound of too much saliva in the mouth, or too little! The sound someone may make as they open their mouth to speak, or move their tongue and lips to form the words, can create an unpleasant noise. Some of this is caused by nerves and not enough saliva to lubricate the mouth, or by eating something recently which can cause too much! The creamy taste of chocolate can cause someone to speak less ‘cl

Jul 6, 2022 • 1:57

0552 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Interference and Hum

0552 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Interference and Hum

2022.07.06 – 0552 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Interference and HumInterference and humThis is another kind of distortion, usually from external factors such as air-con units, mobile phone signals (not phones ringing, but when a phone is searching for a carrier), fluorescent or neon lights, computer monitors, fridges, electrical cables and so on. Move away from them or turn them off if possible, put cell-phones into ‘airplane’ mode and uncoil cables. The interference may also be caused by one of the

Jul 5, 2022 • 3:49

0551 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Hiss

0551 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Hiss

2022.07.05 – 0551 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: HissHiss (or: ‘static’)This is usually caused when levels are set incorrectly during the recording and so the mic is picking up and boosting the ambient noise of an almost-silent room. It may also be down to a poor-quality microphone or one that has been damaged, or if the mic/line setting on a recorder (or on a connection built into the lead) is set incorrectly – in which case choose the alternate switch. The good news is that this kind of interfer

Jul 4, 2022 • 2:42

0550 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Echos

0550 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Echos

2022.07.04 – 0550 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: EchosEchoIt’s not quite the same echo as you get when talking in a tunnel or cave, where your sound comes back a split second later, but it’s the same principle: the sound of a voice is reflected off rather than absorbed by the environment in which you are making the recording. This ‘colours’ the voice and makes it sound thin – great if you want to paint a picture of being in a huge empty warehouse but less good if you are not. In fact, that’s a good poi

Jul 3, 2022 • 1:53

0549 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Recording Distortion

0549 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Recording Distortion

2022.07.03 – 0549 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Recording DistortionDistortion (or: ‘clipping’, ‘overmodding’)When the equipment is set at too high a level for the incoming audio, the resulting recording is distorted. It is ‘overflowing’ with the sound it is being asked to process. On a level or meter, the needle will barely move from the far-right hand side or lights will be fully-lit in the red. Set the level lower (give it some more ‘headroom’) so the levels can move more comfortably. Keep an eye o

Jul 2, 2022 • 1:46

0548 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Clicks

0548 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Clicks

2022.07.02 – 0548 – Mic Muck-Ups Solved!: Clicks Clicks Seemingly inexplicable clicks and bumps on a recording can often be traced to handling noise from the microphone. In a studio put the mic on mount and simply don’t touch it.Hand-held mics should be gripped firmly but not tightly and fingers should be kept still, as any movement can often be picked up as handling noise. So if you have a ring on your microphone hand, remove it, as mics are particularly susceptible to the small scraping

Jul 1, 2022 • 3:24

0547 – Listen Out For These Common Microphone Muck-Ups

0547 – Listen Out For These Common Microphone Muck-Ups

2022.07.01 – 0547 – Listen Out For These Common Microphone Muck-UpsAUDIO TROUBLESHOOTING Basic studio sound problemsForgetting to put the mic on or turn it on – even pros very occasionally omit to attach a lapel mic to themselves or start talking before they have faded their mic up.[1]Forgetting to take it off or turn it off – or walking away from a set and forgetting that people can still hear you, or leaving a mic ‘live’ in the studio and your words still being heard by a production team, or b

Jun 30, 2022 • 3:19

0546 – Noise-Gates and Ducking

0546 – Noise-Gates and Ducking

2022.06.30 – 0546 – Noise-Gates and DuckingNoise gating controls the loudness at which a sound will be picked up or recorded. If it’s too low a level, it simply will not be allowed to pass through the ‘gate’, which stops background noise such as traffic sounds from being heard. It’s what’s used in Automatic Level Control systems that we looked at earlier. Ducking controls the volume of one sound compared to another, so say a your mic channel takes precedence over that of a guest or mu

Jun 29, 2022 • 3:52

0545 – Equalisation, Compressors and De-Essers

0545 – Equalisation, Compressors and De-Essers

2022.06.29 – 0545 – Equalisation, Compressors and De-EssersEqualization – or EQ – is a form of audio processing which allows you (or rather the studio engineer) adjust the volume level of a frequency (or range of frequencies) within a sound. As everyone’s voice is different, this can to a certain extent, cure a sound of its imperfections. Compressors control the loudness of the signal by dampening the ‘peaks’ such as ‘puh’ and ‘tuh’ sounds in words, laughs, and particular amb

Jun 28, 2022 • 4:57

0544 – Studio Tech That Could Make Your Voice Sound Great

0544 – Studio Tech That Could Make Your Voice Sound Great

2022.06.28 – 0544 – Studio Tech That Could Make Your Voice Sound GreatAudio ProcessingThere are technical ways (such as EQ and compression) of adjusting the voice that is being (or has been) recorded to enhance it further to give it greater presence, depth and tonal quality. This is something you have done only after you have provided the tech the best possible original signal: having good acoustics and levels for example. Using processers will only enhance good audio, they won’t cure crap

Jun 27, 2022 • 2:45

0543 – Mike’s Mic Problem: A Case Study

0543 – Mike’s Mic Problem: A Case Study

2022.06.27 – 0543 – Mike’s Mic Problem: A Case Study Mike was referred for voice help by his studio engineer – a rather unusual route to consultation. The engineer’s problem was that where he placed the microphone, it would always pick up Mike’s breaths, and he determined that it was Mike at fault and not the studio equipment. And he was right! There could have been several reasons for the audible intake of breaths. Maybe Mike was breathing through his nose rather than his mouth

Jun 26, 2022 • 2:23

0542 – Your Mic Levels Mixed With Music

0542 – Your Mic Levels Mixed With Music

2022.06.26 – 0542 – Your Mic Levels Mixed With MusicYour levels with musicWe looked at the use of music beds before, but the important thing to remember here is the balance of levels between the music and your voice. Many beginners tend to have background music too high because they aren’t sure of their voices and their overall confidence, and so use the bed to cover them a bit. It’s a bit of a safety net. This is a mistake and should be avoided.Invariably, your voice must be the dominant sound

Jun 25, 2022 • 2:40

0541 – Your Mic Levels With Headphones

0541 – Your Mic Levels With Headphones

2022.06.25 – 0541 – Your Mic Levels With HeadphonesYour levels with headphonesIf you notice a lower level in your headphones, you might begin to speak more loudly to compensate, and suddenly you’re in a situation of talking at the listener, rather than telling them a story, or chatting with them in a conversational way, and lessening the ability to communicate with them.Incidentally, the best way to tell your sound levels are set correctly is to always use headphones, and to have them turned up

Jun 24, 2022 • 2:49

0540 – Mics At Noisy Events

0540 – Mics At Noisy Events

2022.06.24 – 0540 – Mics At Noisy EventsVOICE BOXMics at a Noisy EventIf you are simply shouting over other noises (perhaps to convey the excitement of the event[1]) then:· you may not be using the right type of microphone· you probably need to be wearing headphones so you can isolate the sound that the mic is picking up (rather than what you are hearing at that location), and determine the balance betw

Jun 23, 2022 • 4:32

0539 – The Magic Balance Between Mic Position, Projection and Recording Levels

0539 – The Magic Balance Between Mic Position, Projection and Recording Levels

2022.06.23 – 0539 – The Magic Balance Between Mic Position, Projection and Recording Levels You can increase the basic loudness of your voice by turning up the gain[1] on your mic, but this will make you sound thin and weak, partly because more room noise is also being picked up by the mic, for which you have increased the sensitivity. In other words, your voice will be louder, but it won’t have more energy, projection or robustness. We’re talking sheer naked ‘volume’. Audio processing make

Jun 22, 2022 • 3:06

0538 – Maddening Over-Modding

0538 – Maddening Over-Modding

2022.06.22 – 0538 – Maddening Over-Modding On occasion it may be impossible to anticipate external noise and so be unable to use any of the techniques described above, and therefore over-modding may be the (almost) inevitable result. For example: at a sports event when a goal is scored (or at a presidential event when a political point is scored) and “the crowd goes wild”; at a carnival or parade when a marching band passes by; on a street with the unexpected siren of an emergency vehicle a

Jun 21, 2022 • 4:25

0537 – How To Fix A Recorded Level That’s Too High… Or Low

0537 – How To Fix A Recorded Level That’s Too High… Or Low

2022.06.21 – 0537 – How To Fix A Recorded Level That’s Too High… Or LowIf your mic level is too lowYour ‘live’ level can be boosted, not just with the main microphone channel but also the booster ‘gain’ setting’. But this may also increase the background noise from the studio that’s picked up, that is the general ambience of the room, as well as making the mic more sensitive to your own mouth noises. If audio has been recorded at too low a level, it’s pretty easy to raise it higher without a cha

Jun 20, 2022 • 5:07

0536 – Automatic Level Control

0536 – Automatic Level Control

2022.06.20 – 0536 – Automatic Level ControlAutomatic Level Control versus ManualIn a home recording studio, your mixing desk or the recording set-up on a video call may have an ‘automatic level control’ that you can ‘set and forget’. They keep signals below distortion point, and when they fall too low they cut in and boost the signal upwards. But adjusting the recording levels manually gives you more control and creative freedom. You can use your professional judgement to choose settings to

Jun 19, 2022 • 3:16

0535 – Why A Studio Engineer Wants To Know About Your Breakfast

0535 – Why A Studio Engineer Wants To Know About Your Breakfast

2022.06.19 – 0535 – Why A Studio Engineer Wants To Know About Your BreakfastWhen asked for “a bit for level”, it is surprisingly difficult to think of what to say! It sounds obvious but many people simply say “testing, testing … 1,2,3,4,5” or “Mary had a little lamb” or a producer may use the classic line “tell me what you had for breakfast”. But all of those are too short and don’t encourage you to speak in the same way as you will do when you are ‘live’. Your volume may differ, as too may

Jun 18, 2022 • 3:22

0534 – “A Bit For Level, Please”

0534 – “A Bit For Level, Please”

2022.06.18 – 0534 – “A Bit For Level, Please”“A bit for level”Part of working out your correct mic position before you start recording or go live, will involve of course, you speaking in to the mic so your voice can be heard by you (wearing headphones) and by any engineer you might have (in a control room), and correct recording levels can be set. This is to check:The microphone, its channel and signal are working – a microphone such as lapel clip-on mic may have an on/off switch on it, or

Jun 17, 2022 • 2:53

0533 – Don’t Interfere With the Sound Engineer

0533 – Don’t Interfere With the Sound Engineer

2022.06.17 – 0533 – Don’t Interfere With the Sound EngineerA quick word to be kind to your sound engineer. This is the person in a voiceover or dubbing studio who is likely to be doing the technical side of things such as setting up your microphone, monitoring levels, doing the actual recording and playing back those recordings to a client. Another role will be turning on your talkback (the intercom system between the director and you in the studio) so you can hear (or not) the conversations abo

Jun 16, 2022 • 2:30

0532 – Why You Need To Love Your LUFS

0532 – Why You Need To Love Your LUFS

2022.06.16 – 0532 – Why You Need To Love Your LUFSSound levels are gauged with decibels and ‘LKFS’ and LUFS’[1] and on studio displays which light up vertically, or with needles that wiggle, but essentially your ‘moment-by-moment’ level should pretty much always be in a yellow-to-green area, with very occasional short peaks into a red. Or if you have a level marked up, around -10dB, or ‘peaking to PPM 6’[2], When recording for a podcast your host will most likely want Apple’s required level of -

Jun 15, 2022 • 4:34

0531 – Loudness Standards

0531 – Loudness Standards

2022.06.15 – 0531 – Loudness StandardsIn a network or voice-over studio, a sound engineer will adjust your volume settings so the volume of voice is balanced with a similar level of those of other sources, be they of other guests or music. (In smaller studios or for podcasting and so on, you will of course have to do this yourself.)A consistent level is necessary so the listener isn’t forced to keep increasing the volume themselves. It’s called ‘normalisation’. Imagine how annoying it would be i

Jun 14, 2022 • 2:44

0530 – How Recording Levels Affect Your Voice

0530 – How Recording Levels Affect Your Voice

2022.06.14 – 0530 – How Recording Levels Affect Your VoiceSo, you have optimised your recording space as far as you are able, and learnt about mic technique – knowledge of each will help you ‘get a better broadcast, podcast or voice-over voice’. So let’s move on to the actual recording of your sound, with a look at ‘loudness’.But we’re not so much looking at your own ‘projection’ or volume – which we looked at in some depth previously – but at what level that is recorded at.In this next section

Jun 13, 2022 • 1:58

0529 – What To Wear ‘On-Mic’

0529 – What To Wear ‘On-Mic’

2022.06.13 – 0529 – What To Wear ‘On-Mic’What you wear ‘on mic’The microphone is a sensitive piece of equipment which will ‘hear’ everything it can. That means your voice, your breathing, the squeak of a chair, the rustle of clothing or scripts. So when a microphone is open, move and act with care. This also includes not clicking your pen or tapping your feet.‘Jangling jewellery’ will be heard on a mic, so might a stiff cotton shirt, leather trousers as you cross your legs or shift in your seat.

Jun 12, 2022 • 1:20

0528 – On-Mic Breathing

0528 – On-Mic Breathing

2022.06.12 – 0528 – On-Mic BreathingTake a breath before opening the mic, so the first thing a listener hears is a word not a gasp. Also beware of lip-smacks when you take subsequent breaths when you are on air at the start of a new story or paragraph. This is the sound that occurs when you take a breath and utter a habitual ‘wet kiss’ sound (or ‘tsk’) as you open your mouth. It can be an unconscious habit and once spotted, very annoying to listeners. It can also be interpreted as a single ‘tutt

Jun 11, 2022 • 3:35

0527 – The Off-Chance of Being Off-Mic

0527 – The Off-Chance of Being Off-Mic

2022.06.11 – 0527 – The Off-Chance of Being Off-MicIt may sound obvious but make sure that you know which part of the microphone to talk into! With some you talk into the top, with others you talk into the side. Added to that, different mics pick up noise from different areas (their ‘pick-up pattern’), so that could be more from the front and back and not much from the sides, or only from the front and so on. So, if you are talking into the wrong part of it, then you will be ‘off mic’ and your v

Jun 10, 2022 • 1:44

0526 – Speaking On Mic

0526 – Speaking On Mic

2022.06.10 – 0526 – Speaking On MicSpeaking on micSo you are in the booth and you have your script stand, then you need to work out how you can talk into the microphone, but also be able to read from the script. You have to try and read it ‘through’ the pop-screen or stand, or off to one side slightly, or even up higher than the mic. One thing you shouldn’t do is have the script too far below the mic so you have to look down to read it. Doing this will cause a crease in your neck and constrict y

Jun 9, 2022 • 1:48

0525 – Finding The ‘Sweet Spot’

0525 – Finding The ‘Sweet Spot’

2022.06.09 – 0525 – Finding The ‘Sweet Spot’Having said that, a greater mic-to-mouth distance will give your voice a lighter pitch, with more treble, a thinness to the sound and more of the room acoustics, especially if you turn up the recording level. Conversely, standing away from the mic and raising the voice can make it sound as though you are speaking live on location – useful for giving a lift to studio commentary over outdoor scenes or sound effects. But somewhere in between wil

Jun 8, 2022 • 3:47

0524 – How To Get The ‘Barry White’ Effect

0524 – How To Get The ‘Barry White’ Effect

2022.06.08 – 0524 – How To Get The ‘Barry White’ Effect VOICE BOXMoving the mic slightly towards or away from you raises other issues to do with what’s called The Proximity effect. This is a phenomenon that leads to an increase in low frequency response, the shorter the distance is between mic and mouth. This can create problems, but at the same time it opens up ways to shape the sound. Close mic work – the pros· Your voice (especiall

Jun 7, 2022 • 4:08

 0523 – Why Six Inches Is A Great Length

0523 – Why Six Inches Is A Great Length

2022.06.07 – 0523 – Why Six Inches Is A Great LengthSo, what is “the right mic-to-mouth position”? It’s usually about 6-8 inches’ distance. Indeed, a good rule of thumb is the literal rule of thumb, the distance between the ‘noise creator’ of your mouth and the ‘noise receiver’, the mic, should be around about the same as the span between splayed tip-of-thumb to tip-of-small-finger, or a bit longer than a pen. Wearing headphones (we’ll come to more about headphones later), you will get to r

Jun 6, 2022 • 1:42

0522 – Microphone Headsets

0522 – Microphone Headsets

2022.06.06 – 0522 – Microphone HeadsetsSome radio presenters as well as podcasters and YouTubers use microphone headsets in which the mic is incorporated into the headphones, similar to the ones you might imagine an air traffic controller wearing. The mics on these are obviously smaller than a desk mic, but shop around and you can find good quality ones. The advantage is that you are never off-mic and you don’t bend your head to speak into mic on a desk stand. Also, it means that you can gesture

Jun 5, 2022 • 1:48

0521 – Reading Scripts From A Screen

0521 – Reading Scripts From A Screen

2022.06.05 – 0521 – Reading Scripts From A ScreenIn 2020, I started to read radio news bulletins from a screen. Before that, scripts were always printed out and reading them on air often meant that your head was nodded down to look at sheet on the desk in front of you. That of course cause a ‘kink’ in the throat and a subsequent reduction in the quality of presentation. Now, off-screen reading means that my head is naturally held up, allowing a better flow of air, and (hopefully!) better present

Jun 4, 2022 • 3:40

0520 – The Mic-To-Mouth Position

0520 – The Mic-To-Mouth Position

2022.06.04 – 0520 – The Mic-To-Mouth PositionMic positionLook back at earlier in the book when we discovered how to sit and breath better. Hopefully you are still using that ‘home balanced-breathing position’ (from which you can vary slightly), to enable a good flow of air to and from your lungs. In a TV studio it is sometimes ‘natural’ urge to lean in to the camera, but doing so squashes the abdomen. In the audio studio, try not to lean into the microphone to read as this will alter your

Jun 3, 2022 • 3:53

0519 – Mic Stands, Arms and Mounts

0519 – Mic Stands, Arms and Mounts

2022.06.03 – 0519 – Mic Stands, Arms and MountsMic stands, arms and mountsIt makes sense that desk mics are those on a stand, on a desk. And touch of the base of the stand, or a knock of the desk itself, may likely be heard through the microphone. That’s why many studios have the main mic held in an Anglepoise-type arm, which can often be adjustable inasmuch as you can alter the height or distance from you, to get that Goldilocks position that you are comfortable with. However, it’s a sad f

Jun 2, 2022 • 5:35

0518 – Types Of Mics

0518 – Types Of Mics

2022.06.02 – 0518 – Types Of MicsTypes of micsMost microphones in audio studios are on table stands or arms fixed to the desk which are height and/or distance-adjustable. TV presenters use either fixed, direction mics out of shot on the studio ceiling or, more likely small lapel mics powered by a battery/transmitter pack attached to their belt or (under a skirt or trousers) to their leg, or in a pocket. Handheld mics, or those on a pole (a ‘boom’) are used outside and are usually with an inbuilt

Jun 1, 2022 • 4:42

0517 – What You Need To Know About How Mics Affect Your Voice

0517 – What You Need To Know About How Mics Affect Your Voice

2022.06.01 – 0517 – What You Need To Know About How Mics Affect Your VoiceOK now we are in the studio, the next important piece of kit to make the most of your voice is of course, the mic. Speaking with a microphone is different from speaking with another human being. And there are various ‘mic environments’ each of which will make your presentation and voice projection a little different:Using a microphone to amplify your voice – for example in an auditorium where there are hundreds of rea

May 31, 2022 • 4:22

0516 – The Clap Test For A Better Voice

0516 – The Clap Test For A Better Voice

2022.05.31 – 0516 – The Clap Test For A Better VoiceThe Clap TestAs you are treating your room, check the acoustic changes you have made by carrying out the ‘clap test’: stand in the middle of your space and make a single sharp clap. How does the sound, well, sound? It should sound crisp and clear, with no other echoes, thinness or muffles. The technical term is that is should sound ‘dead’ (with few reflections of sound), rather than ‘live’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform

May 30, 2022 • 1:51

0515 – Treating Your Studio: At The Very Least Do This

0515 – Treating Your Studio: At The Very Least Do This

2022.05.30 – 0515 – Treating Your Studio: At The Very Least Do ThisIf sound-treatment is challenging for you to try to at least do three things:· Have a sound-wave absorber on your table – as you will be sitting here in front of the mic and the recording device, your voice is likely to bounce off the hard surface and back into the mic, changing its effect. A towel or a large gaming mouse pad will help deaden the acoustic.· &nb

May 29, 2022 • 6:30

0514 – The Difference Between Sound ‘Proofing’ and Sound ‘Treating’

0514 – The Difference Between Sound ‘Proofing’ and Sound ‘Treating’

2022.05.29 – 0514 – The Difference Between Sound ‘Proofing’ and Sound ‘Treating’There is a difference between ‘sound-proofing’ and ‘sound-treating’. The former is stopping the unwanted sound getting in and can be a big an expensive job, whereas sound treating is quicker, cheaper and easier and involves working with the sounds inside the room. Ideally, they will both be done, but if you can’t then certainly do the latter: ‘treating’ the inside of the space, reducing sounds within it from bouncing

May 28, 2022 • 2:13

0513 – All About Acoustics

0513 – All About Acoustics

2022.05.28 – 0513 – All About AcousticsWhat is in your studio space is important for your voice because if your sound bounces around too much, it will appear to be ‘thin’ and ‘hollow’ rather than warm and natural. Then consider how the room itself sounds: the acoustics.· The size of the room – usually a smaller room is going to be easier to be less echo-ey and easier to ‘sound-treat’ than a larger one, a lower ceiling preferable to a higher one

May 27, 2022 • 6:45

0512 – How The Studio Space Affects Your Voice

0512 – How The Studio Space Affects Your Voice

2022.05.27 – 0512 – How The Studio Space Affects Your Voice THE STUDIORecording locationThe studio space will affect your voice because too much other noise may be a distraction, you may be lost in the mix, or the acoustics of the room will simply alter how your voice sounds. Outside of a professional recording studio, the podcaster will ideally choose a recording location that has the least amount of background noise or the one which will be easiest to soundproof. So, review any pote

May 26, 2022 • 4:23

0511 – What’s Stuff About The Studio Got To Do With My Voice?

0511 – What’s Stuff About The Studio Got To Do With My Voice?

2022.05.26 – 0511 – What’s Stuff About The Studio Got To Do With My Voice?What’s all this got to do with my voice?Knowing more about studios, mics and the electronic processing of your voice will simply help you sound better. For example, knowing the best mic for your voice, how far to sit from it, how to hold it and what side to speak into. Knowing this, as well as the rest of the studio paraphernalia will help you become more relaxed in the booth and as we have already seen, that will hel

May 25, 2022 • 2:15

0510 - Your Voice In The Studio

0510 - Your Voice In The Studio

2022.05.25 – 0510 – Your Voice In The StudioThis Part of the book is divided into three chapters. First, we will look at the different equipment in the studio. Don’t worry we won’t be getting too technical and talk about the transmission chain, but there are a few bits of kit in a home or pro studio that you need to know about and about how to use it right to make the best of your voice. For example, there’s no point doing breathing exercises and great resonance if you don’t know which side

May 24, 2022 • 2:27

0509 – Vocal Variety

0509 – Vocal Variety

2022.05.24 – 0509 – Vocal VarietyVarietyIf your inflection patterns are too consistent, then you're sounding bored rather than interesting. Depending on the material, sometimes your delivery should be fast, sometimes slower. Sometimes you should be excited, sometimes calm. Sometimes your voice should carry a smile, sometimes you should sound dead serious. By constantly varying your pattern (without sounding like a pastiche) you increase the possibility of being perceived as human rather than aut

May 23, 2022 • 3:06

0508 – Your Injection Into The Output

0508 – Your Injection Into The Output

2022.05.23 – 0508 – Your Injection Into The OutputRapport begins with realising that each ‘consumer’, viewer or listener is an individual who in most cases, has invited you into their home, their world, their ears. Consider yourself a guest, an acquaintance or even a friend, who’s been welcomed in because you have a story to tell. You can easily forget about the audience. Cocooned within the four walls of the studio, you can begin to sound as though you are talking to yourself or to the st

May 22, 2022 • 4:28

0507 – Personality and Rapport

0507 – Personality and Rapport

2022.05.22 – 0507 – Personality and RapportPERSONALITY AND RAPPORTGood presenters are ones who establish rapport with their audience. “A lot of people have complimented me for sounding warm and I think that’s important… warm but authoritative at the same time. You can read really bad news without emoting about it but on the other hand not being cold and too factual either and I think I’m very happy when people say that because that’s what I’m aiming for.(I’m) calm, even though you’re not fe

May 21, 2022 • 2:54

0506 – Stop Thinking What You’re Doing

0506 – Stop Thinking What You’re Doing

2022.05.21 – 0506 – Stop Thinking What You’re DoingFinally - stop thinking about what you’re doingWhen you read a story or a script for the first time, be mindful as to its immediate meaning. What jumps out of the page at you? What’s surprising or shocking? What’s confusing or concerning? Capture the sense of discovery and realisation so you can bring it to your performance later, to make it more naturalistic. Just don’t think about creating that feeling … don’t act it or read it. Just open the

May 20, 2022 • 1:25

0505 – Rehearsing Conversationality

0505 – Rehearsing Conversationality

2022.05.20 – 0505 – Rehearsing ConversationalityRehearsing reading out loud makes you a better communicator; it’s a skill that must be learnt and practiced so it sounds as though you are speaking off the top of your head.Another killer of the conversational read is being in the ‘performance zone’. If you feel as though you are ‘acting the part’ of a voiceover artist or newsreader, that should be a sign to rethink your ‘attitude’. Clues might be:· Sp

May 19, 2022 • 6:19

0504 – A Giveaway That You’re Reading

0504 – A Giveaway That You’re Reading

2022.05.19 – 0504 – A Giveaway That You’re Reading A Giveaway That You’re ReadingSometimes it’s obvious you’re reading something because it contains too much information that you couldn’t possibly know or remember. As an example, here is something that if read as written will definitely sound as if it is being read:“On Thursday July 7th 2005, three bomb explosions hit London Underground trains…”The reason it sounds as if it’s being read is because few people would remember what day of the w

May 18, 2022 • 2:48

0503 – 20/21 - Suspensions and Stumbles

0503 – 20/21 - Suspensions and Stumbles

2022.05.18 – 0503 – 20/21 - Suspensions and Stumbles 20 - Suspensions and Stumbles Consider leaving in any genuine slips and trips - so OK, your recording may not be not perfect but it will be more naturalistic.Again, you can’t do this in a news script or voice-over session, but you may be able to in a podcast.21- Focus on The Message – Not Your Voice Or Breath All this will give the impression that these words, in this order are being thought and said for the very first time, right now. H

May 17, 2022 • 1:02

0502 – 19 - Unlock the Full Stops

0502 – 19 - Unlock the Full Stops

2022.05.17 – 0502 – 19 - Unlock the Full Stops 19 - Unlock the Full StopsFree the periods and commas to recreate a natural verbal fluidity. Don't pause where the full stop/period is. Instead, ignore them – and break the flow of the words where it feels more natural to. And that’s not necessarily at the end of a grammatical chunk.And we saw before, sentences are an artificial way to marshal the written word. Conversationally we don’t use them. So you need to break away from the normal struct

May 16, 2022 • 3:14

0501 – 18 - Play With Your Voice

0501 – 18 - Play With Your Voice

2022.05.16 – 0501 – 18 - Play With Your Voice 18 - Play With Your VoiceWhen you are able to, surprise yourself with what you can do with your voice. For example, you don’t just say “no” as a single note and syllable, it could be “Noooo”. Imagine for example that your other half is teasing you for taking a newly baked bun from the cooling tray. They know you have taken it, and you know they know, and they’re not bothered, and they’re joking as they caught you out: “Have you taken a bun?!” th

May 15, 2022 • 3:36

0500 – The Anchor/Reporter Rapport

0500 – The Anchor/Reporter Rapport

2022.05.15 – 0500 – The Anchor/Reporter RapportStructureYou are a reporter and so you need to be able to succinctly communicate the distinct points that ‘make the story the story’, boiling down the issue or the scene to what’s important. If you get stuck in the weeds of detail, you could end up the creek without a paddle. What is the main story here? What are the elements that took us from where we were to where we are, what order should they logically go in, and how do you explain them to someo

May 14, 2022 • 4:00

0499 – Off-The-Page and Off-The-Cuff

0499 – Off-The-Page and Off-The-Cuff

2022.05.14 – 0499 – Off-The-Page and Off-The-CuffConversationalThe best two-ways are a balance between what’s off-the-page and what’s off-the-cuff. ‘Structured improvisation’ if you like, working with the script but not word for word. Choreographed. Reading every question and answer just as it was composed at a desk makes the flow, go … and unless you and the host are great actors, may sound stilted and artificial.So usually, you can both reply in bullet points – key facts and figures. For a com

May 13, 2022 • 2:00

0498 – TV Two-ways

0498 – TV Two-ways

2022.05.13 – 0498 – TV Two-ways VOICE BOXTV Two-ways A two-way is when a studio presenter on radio or t,v interviews a reporter colleague (usually one who is on location, but maybe in the studio) about a story. The reporter:· Is not working to a script· Has to sound fluent and confident· Must get over the main points in a succinct and accurate way·&nb

May 12, 2022 • 3:57

0497 – The Lead In – Working Example

0497 – The Lead In – Working Example

2022.05.12 – 0497 – The Lead In – Working ExampleSCRIPT:“I’m fed up. Another Christmas lunch on the way battling with my worn-out kitchen. Stuck drawers, crammed cupboards and simply not enough surfaces. I’m heading to Kittyhawk Kitchens. They have an in -house design and fitting team, to advise and help every step of the way to your new dream kitchen. From their house to yours, Kittyhawk Kitchens. They soar above the rest.”So faced with that script, build in the imagined prompts for you to natu

May 11, 2022 • 4:23

0496 – React To Act

0496 – React To Act

2022.05.11 – 0496 – React To ActOne way to do this is a ‘lead in’ (sometimes called ‘the moment before’ technique): think first (or maybe say aloud) part of the conversation that’d take you into that first line. What was said or what happened to cause your character to make this comment? So your scripted sentence is a natural reaction. Having a ‘lead in line’, that you either record and then edit off, or simply think, helps you find the emotion in what a scriptwriter at a desk has asked you to s

May 10, 2022 • 2:34

0495 – 17 - Lead in Lines

0495 – 17 - Lead in Lines

2022.05.10 – 0495 – 17 - Lead in Lines 17 - Lead in LinesBy creating the atmosphere of a conversation, it’s easier to pretend you’re in one.Most commercial copy sets up a problem, and then provides a product, brand or service as a potential solution. For example, “Want to get your laundry whiter than white?” After that you will presume that the answer will be “Yes I do, but how?” Acting is re-acting to the response that you got. You are having a conversation albeit a one-sided one. Do that

May 9, 2022 • 3:14

0494 – 16 - Rhythm Nation

0494 – 16 - Rhythm Nation

2022.05.09 – 0494 – 16 - Rhythm Nation 16 - Rhythm NationA formal script will sound ‘script perfect’. Each phrase and sentence will come with the regularity of waves on a shore, every one much like the previous one. Think perhaps of a documentary style of presentation or an announcer. It sounds like a script has been written, read, rehearsed and recorded. But that’s not how we speak in real life. In real life our utterances have ebb and flow. We don’t really talk in sentences at all,

May 8, 2022 • 3:43

0493 – Sounding Like An Expert

0493 – Sounding Like An Expert

2022.05.08 – 0493 – Sounding Like An ExpertBe conscious of how you sound when you explain something to a friend and try and capture that feeling, mood, zone and so on to sound conversational on air.Here’s an example[1] Read the following aloud as if you are reading it to someone:“The future behaviour of America as the current lone superpower is terribly important to China not only because America can disrupt China's vision of a harmonising world by doing its own thing in the Middle East and else

May 7, 2022 • 4:10

0492 – 15 - Pausing

0492 – 15 - Pausing

2022.05.07 – 0492 – 15 - Pausing 15 - PausingPut pauses in different places - as you ‘search’ for the right word or phrase (just don’t make it too often). These may be silent, or vocalised (“errr”). I have heard (but been unable to verify) that Ira Glass the producer/presenter of the podcast “This American Life”, does not use commas or full stops/periods in his scripts … he uses ellipses. When you listen to him, he sounds as though he is talking and yet he’s actually reading … phrase to phr

May 6, 2022 • 2:25

0491 – 14 - Gestures

0491 – 14 - Gestures

2022.05.06 – 0491 – 14 - Gestures 14 - GesturesBig gestures and facial expressions can be ‘over the top’ in a conversational presentation. Reign them back to sound more real and believable. But still keep doing some kind of gestures. ‘Talking with your hands’ will help you talk with your voice. Sitting on them will make you sound stilted. Don’t be afraid to smile or laugh where appropriate, shake your head as you read something worrying or surprising. Use ‘air quotes’ to help you lift

May 5, 2022 • 2:14

0490 – 13 - Conversational Intonation

0490 – 13 - Conversational Intonation

2022.05.05 – 0490 – 13 - Conversational Intonation 13 - Conversational IntonationFlattening out your intonation (but keeping it in the correct place) will, usually make your sound more conversational and move away from the ‘announcery sound’, or as though you’re on stage or to a room full of people. Look back at the section when I brought you the barbecue story and how you change your intonation and loudness levels depending on who you are talking to, how familiar you are with them, how man

May 4, 2022 • 4:03

0489 – 12 - Volume and projection

0489 – 12 - Volume and projection

2022.05.04 – 0489 – 12 - Volume and projection12 - Volume and projectionA conversational read is low key, subtle, friendly, authentic and so the voice you need is one of sharing not shouting. You need to engage not enrage. It’s a ‘closer’ voice, one you use when someone is near you and when you are giving calm and reassuring help or advice. Not the voice you use from the other side of a crowded pub when you spot a ‘long lost’ schoolfriend. Consider either taking your headphones off altoget

May 3, 2022 • 3:18

0488 – The ‘Word Merge’

0488 – The ‘Word Merge’

2022.05.03 – 0488 – The ‘Word Merge’As we saw much earlier, stringing words together can be good because talking too precisely leads to a clunky script. Another issue is, and again we touched on this before, the ‘glottal stop’ – where the last letter of one word is the same as the next word starts with:· You never forget your first time· It’s often a good idea to keep pet insurance· &nbs

May 2, 2022 • 4:00

0487 – 11 - Contractions and Elisions

0487 – 11 - Contractions and Elisions

2022.05.02 – 0487 – 11 - Contractions and Elisions11 - Contractions and ElisionsEnsure you have natural conversational contractions in your delivery: “they’ll”, “couldn’t” and (if appropriate for your programme or podcast) “coz”, “wanna”. (Obviously check with a director for ‘signed off’ scripts that you can make these kinds of changes.)We saw earlier how elision makes a read sound more natural. That is, the slight running on of words into one another, with a less choppy presentation that comes

May 1, 2022 • 6:31

0486 – A ‘Stream Of Consciousness’

0486 – A ‘Stream Of Consciousness’

2022.05.01 – 0486 – A ‘Stream Of Consciousness’Ad-libbing is a way to inject some personality into a read, to humanise it. You’re not supposed to be just releasing the words, you are meant to be like the listener, so (if allowed) make the script your own, different and interesting. In the ‘stream of consciousness’ that makes a script sound conversational, maybe:· Chuckle - as though something just occurred to you “Pfff – remember when you were as yo

Apr 30, 2022 • 6:39

0485 – 10 - Ad-libs

0485 – 10 - Ad-libs

2022.04.30 – 0485 – 10 - Ad-libs10 - Ad-libsAd-lib around, swapping out words as you come across themIt’s acting, isn’t it? And OK, it’s a bit odd to script sentences and then ignore the structure. And so too is creating a logical argument and then creating the impression that it’s ad-libbed!When I write a script, I’m certainly doing so with an ear for it to be read aloud. But sometimes on air, the rhythm or a word seems wrong and I adlib something different, with, I hope, greater effect.We

Apr 29, 2022 • 3:05

0484 – Articulation In Conversationality

0484 – Articulation In Conversationality

2022.04.29 – 0484 – Articulation In Conversationality YOUR ARTICULATION Of course, people have to understand what it is you are saying, and as we saw before, the level of articulation has to be appropriate for the message and the audience, but if you worry too much about them sounding right, then you may sound artificial rather than conversational. Robotic rather than warm. And that means that in some situations it may be possible not to have to read every single word. When you have a

Apr 28, 2022 • 2:06

0483 – Eliminate Banality and Formality

0483 – Eliminate Banality and Formality

2022.04.28 – 0483 – Eliminate Banality and FormalityObviously, the kind of words you use will differ depending on your audience – another reason why you should have your target demographic front of mind. If someone feels left out of the conversation, confused by the formal phrases or technical terms, they’ll feel left out and will turn off.Using unnecessary jargon doesn’t make you sound smart, it makes your listeners feel excluded.So, eliminate banality, formality unnatural business-speak wherev

Apr 27, 2022 • 1:29

0482 – 9 - The Form Of The Words

0482 – 9 - The Form Of The Words

2022.04.27 – 0482 – 9 - The Form Of The Words THE SCRIPTSpoken language doesn’t need grammar to give a meaning to the sequence of words. The grammar of the written word evolved to replace the intonation of the spoken voice, and that’s what causes problems when we try and read a sentence and make it sound natural.Spoken language doesn’t have sentences: we speak in a collection of phrases.9 - The Form Of The Words To sound conversational, use conversational language.A reason why studio

Apr 26, 2022 • 4:07

0481 – Conversation Questions

0481 – Conversation Questions

2022.04.26 – 0481 – Conversation QuestionsTo summarise, ask yourself· Who is this information important to?· How can you talk to them 121?· What are you telling them?· Why should they listen to you?· What are they likely doing while you’re telling them?· &nbsp

Apr 25, 2022 • 2:17

0480 – Focus On The Message More Than Your Voice

0480 – Focus On The Message More Than Your Voice

2022.04.25 – 0480 – Focus On The Message More Than Your VoiceYou may find it useful to go further and question:· What exactly is this product or service I’m advertising / recommending? What does it do and how? What are the benefits? How is it different from similar products or services on the market? What are the details not actually in the script so I can read it with a greater sense of understanding?· &nbsp

Apr 24, 2022 • 2:05

0479 – Pitching Your Presentation

0479 – Pitching Your Presentation

2022.04.24 – 0479 – Pitching Your Presentation Changing the words, the style, the pace and so on helps the message become more effective. Having a picture in your mind of the ‘target listener’ and their needs (a worried first-time dad, a time-poor businesswoman, a holiday-hungry teenager…), will help you pitch your presentation in a way that they will care more about the message. That ‘vocal connection’ will give you a more genuine delivery. The more you can get under their skin and wo

Apr 23, 2022 • 2:17

0478 – The Emotion Duplication

0478 – The Emotion Duplication

2022.04.23 – 0478 – The Emotion DuplicationYou need to be able to identify the different parts of the script that instil those emotions in you, so you are better able to replicate them in your voice and so connect with potential buyers:· How will this new gadget improve someone’s life?· What is the emotion that the copywriter wants to achieve in a listener to this car commercial?· &nbsp

Apr 22, 2022 • 2:57

0477 - 8 – Know What The Desired Response Is Of That Audience

0477 - 8 – Know What The Desired Response Is Of That Audience

2022.04.22 – 0477 - 8 – Know What The Desired Response Is Of That Audience 8 – Know What The Desired Response Is Of That Audience[1]So, you have the message and the person it’s being delivered to, but you also need to know the intention of what you are saying. Is the point of the message to inform them, drive them to action, amuse them, get them to sign up or buy, to change their habits, to tell someone else …? Knowing the answer to this will help you direct your voice to them in a mea

Apr 21, 2022 • 3:09

0476 - 7 – Imagine Where That Audience Is Listening / What They Are Doing

0476 - 7 – Imagine Where That Audience Is Listening / What They Are Doing

2022.04.21 – 0476 - 7 – Imagine Where That Audience Is Listening / What They Are Doing 7 – Imagine Where That Audience Is Listening / What They Are DoingSo now you know the kind of person the story or the script is aimed at, and why they should be interested. In a moment we’ll consider the desired response of that audience, but first let’s spend a short time thinking of where that audience is when they are listening to you – because that too will help ‘direct’ your voice appropriately.&nbsp

Apr 20, 2022 • 2:20

0475 – The Geller Principle

0475 – The Geller Principle

2022.04.20 – 0475 – The Geller Principle Radio presentation trainer Valerie Geller[1] says “there are no boring stories, only boring storytellers” and she’s right: it’s how you tell the story the images you create and the words you use… but also your voice. She says “be interested and you will be interesting”, in other words if you know what you are talking about, believe in and care about it, and want to share that knowledge, then you will become more engaging. [1] https://www.gellerm

Apr 19, 2022 • 4:40

0474 – The Information Equation

0474 – The Information Equation

2022.04.19 – 0474 – The Information Equation Information + Presentation = Communication Successful communication is largely a matter of presentation, and that depends on how it’s written and how it’s read. A good presenter will remember that they are not reeling off information or reading from a script, but telling someone a story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 18, 2022 • 0:54

0473 - The Listener's B-S Detector

0473 - The Listener's B-S Detector

2022.04.18 – 0473 - The Listener's B-S Detector If you do not care, don’t know the audience, or do not understand the content - and let it show - the listener is very likely not to bother either. Their natural B-S detector will be triggered at a hundred paces. If you sound as though you are ‘reading aloud’, you’re doing it wrong. If you sound like you are talking to someone about something interesting, and ‘telling them the story’, or better still explaining something to them, you are

Apr 17, 2022 • 2:00

0472 - 6 – Understand The Story Or The Message

0472 - 6 – Understand The Story Or The Message

2022.04.17 – 0472 - 6 – Understand The Story Or The Message 6 – Understand The Story Or The MessageOnce you know who you are talking to you need to understand the message that you are giving them. Putting them together is part of a ___ step process to engaging naturally with your voice (the tone, words, rhythm, pace, pauses etc etc). What do I mean by ‘understanding’? You have got to actually be interested in the material, and understand why others might be too. In a news situatio

Apr 16, 2022 • 3:03

0471 - 5 – Know Who *You* Are

0471 - 5 – Know Who *You* Are

2022.04.16 – 0471 - 5 – Know Who *You* Are 5 – Know Who You AreYou need to know your role in this script-reading, what perspective you are speaking from, what gives you the ‘right’ to pass on this information or advice:· Voice Of God – a disembodied, unnamed voice that makes announcements and pronouncements without any emotion.· Representative – perhaps seemingly an employee or brand ambassado

Apr 15, 2022 • 5:07

0470 – NPR Advice

0470 – NPR Advice

2022.04.15 – 0470 – NPR Advice “So many of us listen to audio stories through earbuds. It becomes really intimate. One person standing really close and telling a story right to someone's ear. And this is the other key thing to remember about effective audio storytelling. This is really a one-to-one medium. It isn't about you orating to a big audience. You're not performing for a crowd when you tell an audio story, you're talking directly to one person. And that's the experience the listener

Apr 14, 2022 • 2:38

0469 - Keep yourself single

0469 - Keep yourself single

2022.04.14 – 0469 - Keep yourself single Keep yourself singleIt will be easier to talk conversationally, as though to one person, if your script reflects that hypothesis. Radio people often talk in terms of ‘the listener’ rather than ‘the listeners’, because we speak to them on an individual basis. So it’s never ‘all our listeners’, it’s ‘you’; it’s never ‘all of you’, it’s ‘you’; it’s never ‘some of you’, it’s ‘you’; it’s never ‘everybody’, it’s ‘you’, etc. Don’t talk abo

Apr 13, 2022 • 1:46

0468 – Intimate Audio

0468 – Intimate Audio

2022.04.13 – 0468 – Intimate Audio To sound credibly intimate, and less like ‘an announcer’, you need to convince yourself that you are talking to one single person. That way each listener will fantasise that that person is them. Direct your comments to this person, and in doing so you’ll become more ‘real’; communicating on a one-to-one basis with someone that you know and with whom you feel at ease. You will feel freer to express real emotions, and so become more relatable and believable.

Apr 12, 2022 • 3:29

0467 – Talk To Teddy

0467 – Talk To Teddy

2022.04.12 – 0467 – Talk To TeddyWhen I’m podcasting I… talk and feel like I am having a conversation with somebody, as do other people.When I started off I actually got my old teddy bear out and I sat him in front of my computer and I talked to him. It gave me a focus for my conversation, I was explaining to him. And I did find to start off with that helped me, particularly for solo episodes to come across more naturally, rather less robotically than when I was starting!Podcaster John Colley on

Apr 11, 2022 • 2:51

0466 – Where Are They Listening

0466 – Where Are They Listening

2022.04.11 – 0466 – Where Are They Listening The next step is, in your mind’s eye, place ‘your listener’ in an appropriate location to hear your message. It’s what we do naturally when we call someone on the phone, whether it’s a colleague or a call-centre, mum or a mate: we ‘see’ them and where they are in our mind’s eye.· The room in which they’re watching the YouTube video· The kitchen as they

Apr 10, 2022 • 2:51

0465 – Your Audience Reminder

0465 – Your Audience Reminder

2022.04.10 – 0465 – Your Audience Reminder That person should be:· A specific person· A real person – so not a character in a film· Someone to whom you have some connection – so not a celebrity· Not someone who might be disapproving or with whom you have a parent /child relationship – such as your actual p

Apr 9, 2022 • 5:34

0464 – 4 – Talk To Them One To One

0464 – 4 – Talk To Them One To One

2022.04.09 – 0464 – 4 – Talk To Them One To One 4 – Talk To Them One To OnePart of feeling comfortable is also being able to continually monitor the audience, their face, body language and voice for signs of agreement or understanding, or other emotions such as disgust, anger, humour or enthusiasm. But that’s difficult when we are in an environment such as a studio, or with a microphone pointed towards us recording every word we say. Or to a camera or to an auditorium of people. Or whe

Apr 8, 2022 • 2:47

0463 – 3 - Know Who Your Audience Is

0463 – 3 - Know Who Your Audience Is

2022.04.08 – 0463 – 3 - Know Who Your Audience Is 3 - Know Who Your Audience IsWhether it’s a news bulletin for a radio station, a YouTube video or a voice over, you need to know who you are talking to. We have already seen how we change our voice, tone, language, speed … everything! – when we speak to different people in our everyday life. So we need to do it with a script as well. Your tone and style will need to change so there is no ‘relationship disconnect’: you want to sou

Apr 7, 2022 • 3:12

0462 - 2 - Be Comfortable

0462 - 2 - Be Comfortable

2022.04.07 – 0462 - 2 - Be Comfortable 2 - Be Comfortable You will sound more natural, conversational and as though talking to a friend, if you are feeling confident and comfortable, warm and relaxed. It’s easy to work your way up to the state of a ‘fairground barker’[1] announcer, but less easy to pull back, step back and sit back, relaxing into a conversational tone. (We have more on how stress affects the voice and how relaxation in your mind and body also relaxes the voice, later in th

Apr 6, 2022 • 3:21

0461 – 1 - Study Natural Conversations In The Wild

0461 – 1 - Study Natural Conversations In The Wild

2022.04.06 – 0461 – 1 - Study Natural Conversations In The Wild1 - Study Natural Conversations In The WildTo sound conversational, you need to give the impression that you are talking without a script. If the audience has the perception that you are reading pre-written, edited, and rehearsed words then that sheet of paper or computer screen has come between you and the message. You need to give the impression that you are talking to them unimpeded, with adlibbed fluency. If you want to repl

Apr 5, 2022 • 6:49

0460 – The Keys To Conversationality

0460 – The Keys To Conversationality

2022.04.05 – 0460 – The Keys To ConversationalityTHE KEYS TO CONVERSATIONALITY or ‘Tips To Make It Sound Like You’re Making It Up’or ‘ABCDE: A Better Conversational Delivery for Engagement’.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2022 • 2:11

0459 – Does A Conversational Read Lessen Your Authority?

0459 – Does A Conversational Read Lessen Your Authority?

2022.04.04 – 0459 – Does A Conversational Read Lessen Your Authority? VOICE BOXThe best reads are a combination of intonation, volume, speed, pause, pitch – all slightly dialled up or down depending on the story, the sentence, the word, the situation, the audience… But does being conversational lessen one’s authority? For example, in news reading. Presenting ‘the facts’ you are the voice of authority, the trusted conveyor of important information. But if you sound too official, yo

Apr 3, 2022 • 5:26

0458 – BBC Presentation Advice

0458 – BBC Presentation Advice

2022.04.03 – 0458 – BBC Presentation Advice ‘Be yourself. Keep your style natural, conversational, lively and engaging. Try to help the listener feel they’re part of the discussion. Address the listener in the first person — this is more intimate and encourages a sense of belonging. Use the present tense wherever possible — it gives a sense of immediacy. Five Live vocabulary should be accessible, jargon-free, simple, clear and intelligent. Be careful not to overcomplicate things and don’t b

Apr 2, 2022 • 2:00

0457 – Don’t Be A Micro-Phoney

0457 – Don’t Be A Micro-Phoney

2022.04.02 – 0457 – Don’t Be A Micro-Phoney Radio presenters talk to millions of listeners, one at a time and yet the best ones still sound natural. But some new (and young) presenters hide behind an artificial ‘radio persona’ of what they think a presenter ‘should’ sound like. They sound ‘micro-phoney’. In the following pages/podcasts, learn how to read aloud and sound as though you are not reading, but talking, as though the words are just coming to you spontaneously: Levels 2 and 3

Apr 1, 2022 • 1:40

0456 – The ‘Level 1’ Read

0456 – The ‘Level 1’ Read

2022.04.01 – 0456 – The ‘Level 1’ Read Level 1Style: A very loose style, more ‘street speak’ perhaps. The style may be almost ‘throwaway’. Further contractions in the script, and the ‘slurring’ of words (not in a drunk style, but meaning looser articulation). The pace may be quite fast, or changeable, the projection might be more, the voice having a variety of tone and life, possibly with some up-tone at the end of sentences, and maybe some other vocalisation such as a chuckle, a sigh, or a

Mar 31, 2022 • 3:54

0455 – The ‘Level 2’ Read

0455 – The ‘Level 2’ Read

2022.03.31 – 0455 – The ‘Level 2’ Read Level 2 - ConversationalStyle: More ‘articulate’ than 1 (below), but not too much more. It’s still a conversational ‘speak’, casual but more ‘chilled’ than ‘street’. Even though you need to sound like you’re having a conversation, you still have to read the actual scripted words, and that’s quite a feat.You may, if the director allows, be allowed to play with pace and pause and include some authentic adlibs, an appropriate sigh, chuckle or a laugh. Thi

Mar 30, 2022 • 7:29

0454 – The ‘Level 3’ Read

0454 – The ‘Level 3’ Read

2022.03.30 – 0454 – The ‘Level 3’ Read Level 3Style: The style relaxes further, with a bit more character in the voice. In some situations, this may mean less projection, less pace, with a touch of ‘sell’ and a few conversational and casual contractions in the text. Becoming more authentic, relatable and believable. Brand: Conversational e-learning and commercials for businesses in, say, the finance and medical fields, not targeted at traders and medics, but the users of the services,

Mar 29, 2022 • 3:34

0453 – The ‘Level 4’ Read

0453 – The ‘Level 4’ Read

2022.03.29 – 0453 – The ‘Level 4’ Read Level 4Style: Serious, focused and formal; less ‘heavy’ and ‘polished’ than Level 5, and certainly warmer, but still reasonable slow, dry and articulate. At this Level and Level 3 below, your presentation style is to give trusted information to a broad market, Brand: Perhaps for a corporate HR statement on a serious protocol such as health and safety, or a medical or ethical narration, training programs, e-learning or instructional videos or audi

Mar 28, 2022 • 3:38

0452 – The ‘Level 5’ Read

0452 – The ‘Level 5’ Read

2022.03.28 – 0452 – The ‘Level 5’ Read Level 5 Style: Clear and paced diction, shorter sentences (or even ‘statements’), and quite directive. There’s a still a heightened performance, it’s energised, direct, animated and salesy. Slick and polished. Brand: Less common nowadays for many companies, products and services but still used for presentations where luxury or class is being suggested – although in these situations although the delivery may be clipped and formal it will carry less

Mar 27, 2022 • 3:13

0451 – “Can You Dial It Down A Bit?”

0451 – “Can You Dial It Down A Bit?”

2022.03.27 – 0451 – “Can You Dial It Down A Bit?” And in doing so, if a director says “Hmm, you may wanna dial that down a bit”, you’ll be more aware of what it is that you need to dial down on, to give them the read that they need. VOICE BOX(The list is subjective and not definitive.) Level 6 – Announcer[1] readsStyle: Loud and fast, this presenter almost shouts at the audience with energy and emotion. They are ‘in your face’ and designed to be clear and directive – although the

Mar 27, 2022 • 5:59

0450 – Considerations For Other Reading Styles

0450 – Considerations For Other Reading Styles

2022.03.26 – 0450 – Considerations For Other Reading Styles There are of course many styles in between these two extremes of presentation, all with differing levels of some of those variables and more. For example, your style may change depending on some or all of these (and there may be many, many more considerations):· The content of the message – an emergency announcement or a soft sell· The ite

Mar 26, 2022 • 6:06

0449 – The Conversational Style of Reading

0449 – The Conversational Style of Reading

2022.03.25 – 0449 – The Conversational Style of Reading The Conversational StyleNow the desired sound is someone who is more authentic, relatable, believable and conversational. Consumers don’t want to be told what to buy, but to have the benefits of that item explained to them by someone ‘like me’, a friend or neighbour. This ‘real read’ style is deemed to be better at building a relationship. It’s one that’s less talking (or shouting!) ‘at you’ to one that’s more talking ‘with you’,

Mar 25, 2022 • 5:04

0448 – The Announcer Style of Reading

0448 – The Announcer Style of Reading

2022.03.24 – 0448 – The Announcer Style of ReadingREADING STYLESThe Announcer StyleThe ‘announcer style’ was typically an American format in the 1980s and 90s, scripts read with aggression, projection and stress. The announcer was almost telling you what to buy – in fact sometimes literally shouting at you! It was over the top and cheesy and fake. It’s a style now rarely heard apart from perhaps some local ‘used car showroom sale’ type adverts, or in parodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv

Mar 24, 2022 • 1:41

0447 – Conversational Contradictions

0447 – Conversational Contradictions

2022.03.23 – 0447 – Conversational ContradictionsSo, let’s take what we have learnt so far to the next level. Some of what follows will enforce what we have looked at before, but other parts may seem a bit contradictory for example, building in hesitations, softening intonations and ignoring punctuations – but that doesn’t mean the previous pages/podcasts have been a waste of time. Far from it! You have to ‘know the rules’ before you can break them. After all, we don’t follow ‘the rules of the w

Mar 23, 2022 • 3:15

0446 – Sounding Conversational - Introduction

0446 – Sounding Conversational - Introduction

2022.03.22 – 0446 – Sounding Conversational - Introduction Kids rarely say “can you read out loud to me?” they say “can you tell me a story…?” And that’s what this section is all about: sounding natural when you’re reading a story.Ideally listeners should not notice you, but just the material – it should appear that there is no presenter, with the audience almost absorbing the message without that verbal go-between. That’s not possible if the script is mumbled and stumbled, read without a s

Mar 22, 2022 • 3:39

0445 – Expression Conclusion

0445 – Expression Conclusion

2022.03.21 – 0445 – Expression ConclusionGestures will enhance your vocal presentation.They help you focus on the person you’re communicating with and the sense of the story, to concentrate on truly understanding and ‘living’ the message you are delivering rather than simply reading the words. And the audience hears the result of the gestures in your voice, through the resulting intonation and authenticity. So don’t sit on your hands, but give in to the natural impulse to punctuate and stre

Mar 21, 2022 • 1:22

0444 – Choosing The Right Gesture

0444 – Choosing The Right Gesture

2022.03.20 – 0444 – Choosing The Right GestureIf you are nervous (and there’s more on overcoming stress, later), it may be that you suffer from ‘expression suppression’: the life drains from your presentation and you become stiff and starchy. It’s the last bit of the ‘fight, flight or freeze’ trio of possible automatic physiological responses to a threatening event. You’re not going to ‘fight’ the feeling of stress, you’re not going to flee from the studio, but the ‘freeze’ is still a possibilit

Mar 20, 2022 • 2:22

0443 – The Nodding Dog Syndrome

0443 – The Nodding Dog Syndrome

2022.03.19 – 0443 – The Nodding Dog SyndromeSome people get into the habit of ‘self-conducting’ while they are talking, especially when reading from a script. They nod along to the rhythm of the words, or when they ‘highlight’ or ‘lift’ a word’s intonation. That’s not so bad if you are presenting audio (indeed it can help create the rhythm of the read), but on video it can look rather unusual and be off-putting: viewers will be watching your mannerism rather than listening to your message. Hoste

Mar 19, 2022 • 2:14

0442 – Expression Suppression

0442 – Expression Suppression

2022.03.18 – 0442 – Expression SuppressionSometimes you may need to sit on your hands and suppress the pressure to gesture. For example, if a newsreader, if it’s a sensitive or emotional story you may benefit from having your whole body ‘small’ and still. Genuine gestures onlyBe you – don’t just use someone else’s gesture because you think it looked good. It has to fit with your personality and culture: you have to feel comfortable using it, and it has to be genuinely part of you if it is t

Mar 18, 2022 • 3:19

0441 – Signature Gestures

0441 – Signature Gestures

2022.03.17 – 0441 – Signature Gestures What to Remember When You Gesture Mind your mannerismsWhen does your ‘signature gesture’ cross from being a trademark (such as, for UK listeners, the Anne Robinson wink[1], the Huw Edwards pose[2], or Magnus Pike’s ‘windmill arms’[3] ) to being irritating, a distraction or a self-parody? When will viewers cheer or jeer what you do, could they be a distraction to the information, rather than helping them concentrate on your content? [1] https://ww

Mar 17, 2022 • 3:36

0440 – Thaw Your Frozen Face

0440 – Thaw Your Frozen Face

2022.03.16 – 0440 – Thaw Your Frozen Face The most communicative voices have active facial language. The voice from a poker face – one that looks like a ventriloquist’s dummy, with no life in the eyes, brow or mouth - sounds mechanical bored and disengaged. You need to thaw them out! Don’t read with a blank face, but animate it. This may be tiring at first but find a balance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 2022 • 1:08

0439 – More Advantages of Gestures

0439 – More Advantages of Gestures

2022.03.15 – 0439 – More Advantages of Gestures More advantages of gesturesGestures affect your energy, help lower your tension and raise your resonanceOn video people will see your energy – it’s obvious, you will be animated. And using energy will releasing happy hormones into your body, affecting how you feel and sound. Smiling and moving will help release tension, rather than having stored-up stress in places such as your shoulders and jaw. Again, that will be heard vocally. Br

Mar 15, 2022 • 3:07

0438 – Gestures In Voice Acting

0438 – Gestures In Voice Acting

2022.03.14 – 0438 – Gestures In Voice ActingVoice-over is acting, it’s not just about ‘reading out loud’. Getting your whole body involved will help you develop your character: a ‘little old lady’ voice will be easier and more authentic if you ‘become small’, maybe hunched over, pulling your clothes near you to keep out the cold. But it’s not just humans. The ‘voice’ of a steam train will be more on track in its express-ion, if you ‘act like a train’: big, powerful and forceful. The sound

Mar 14, 2022 • 4:54

0437 – Eye Contact For Video And Stage Performers

0437 – Eye Contact For Video And Stage Performers

2022.03.13 – 0437 – Eye Contact For Video And Stage PerformersEye contact for video and stage performersOK this isn’t about the voice per se but let’s just spend a short time looking at this closely associated topic. When you speak, involve your listeners with your eyes: it’s natural, personal and conversational and helps create a bond with them. That’s easy of course if it’s a one-to-one conversation or with a handful of people as you can look at each of them in turn. With an auditorium of peop

Mar 13, 2022 • 5:32

0436 – Gestures For TV and Video Presentations

0436 – Gestures For TV and Video Presentations

2022.03.12 – 0436 – Gestures For TV and Video PresentationsExpressions on Televisions - Gestures on TV and VideoTV video work can be a bit different. With audio production (either radio or voice over work) you can make many and large gestures to help your vocal presentation, partly to give life to your words. TV is more intimate. Gestures are small and your delivery is more conversational. On TV viewers can see your natural reactions, and see them quite close-up too! And even though y

Mar 12, 2022 • 7:07

0435 – ‘Verbal’ Gestures

0435 – ‘Verbal’ Gestures

2022.03.11 – 0435 – ‘Verbal’ GesturesVerbal gestures – ones which enhance what you are saying or replace what you’re thinking, maybe:· Moving hands in front of you from one side… and then another – indicates comparisons (that while A was happening here, B was happening there)· Closed fists being put on top of one another – showing the stages of something (a structure or the ‘building blocks’ of an idea)

Mar 11, 2022 • 5:30

0434 – ‘Leading’ and ‘Ideas’ Gestures

0434 – ‘Leading’ and ‘Ideas’ Gestures

2022.03.10 – 0434 – ‘Leading’ and ‘Ideas’ GesturesDifferent types of gesturesWhen you are speaking with an audience face to face you employ any of these types of gestures to help you influence them. So even if they are not there in front of you, you may still want to use them:[1]Leading gestures – show people what you want them to do, such as:· Point – to make them look in a certain direction· Raise you

Mar 10, 2022 • 5:54

0433 – Adopting Authentic Gestures

0433 – Adopting Authentic Gestures

2022.03.09 – 0433 – Adopting Authentic Gestures So, gestures along with the words we choose and the way we deliver those words (for example a timid or a robust voice) helps in communication – the message we are delivering and the understanding of it and the impact that it has. In most of the situations that we are looking at here, radio/podcast/video and stage delivery, we want to be imparting information with confidence and naturalness, conversationality and authority. Therefore, if w

Mar 9, 2022 • 1:24

0432 – Your Lesson In Physical Expression For Better Verbal Connection.

0432 – Your Lesson In Physical Expression For Better Verbal Connection.

2022.03.08 – 0432 – Your Lesson In Physical Expression For Better Verbal Connection. Now this is where we start your lesson in physical expression for better conversation and connection. Of course, we use gestures all the time:· when we are looking for the remote control at home, we may tap one palm with a finger of the other hand as though we are using the device we are searching for· we may

Mar 8, 2022 • 2:21

0431 – Face-To-Face Gestures When Talking Face-To-Mic

0431 – Face-To-Face Gestures When Talking Face-To-Mic

2022.03.07 – 0431 – Face-To-Face Gestures When Talking Face-To-Mic The ‘father of modern public speaking’ Dale Carnegie, wrote, “A person under the influence of his feelings projects the real self, acting naturally and spontaneously. A speaker who is interested will usually be interesting”. If you are interested in your subject, believe in what you are saying, and want to share your message with others, your physical movements will come from within and be appropriate to what you’re saying.&

Mar 7, 2022 • 2:03

0430 – ‘Using Your Hands To Help Your Voice’

0430 – ‘Using Your Hands To Help Your Voice’

2022.03.06 – 0430 – ‘Using Your Hands To Help Your Voice’Hold on, this is supposed to be all about talking, with your mouth, isn’t it? Well yes and no. Talking also involves the rest of your body. Certainly, in breathing you use your diaphragm and throat … but talking also involves your hands, your head – in fact a lot of the rest of the body too: posture and gesture go hand in hand (!) to affect your vocal delivery. Earlier we looked at how to imagine another person in the room with y

Mar 6, 2022 • 1:24

0429 – What is A ‘Natural’ and ‘Conversational’ Sound?

0429 – What is A ‘Natural’ and ‘Conversational’ Sound?

2022.03.05 – 0429 – What is A ‘Natural’ and ‘Conversational’ Sound?Now let’s enter a new section in the [1]‘voyage of the voice’, with more communication skills.So far we’ve looked at how the voice is produced – with a series on breathing - and how words are formed when we spent some time on articulation. Then we examined the various aspects of speaking from intonation to projection, pace, pause and pitch. So, now we know what goes on in the ‘chest and the head’ – what does it take to go one ste

Mar 5, 2022 • 2:24

0428 – The Speed Of The Read – A Summary

0428 – The Speed Of The Read – A Summary

2022.03.04 – 0428 – The Speed Of The Read – A SummaryAnd that’s the challenge: to maintain clarity and inflection throughout the script.“Sometimes the most powerful sound in stories is a lack of sound, or a pause, or a silence, or a cadence of the way we speak in person that you can't really get when you're reading print. You hear that in your mind, but you don't really know how it's intended to sound. So, I think there's a musicality to audio storytelling that gives it also a little bit of an a

Mar 4, 2022 • 8:48

0427 – Peter’s PT For Talking To Time

0427 – Peter’s PT For Talking To Time

2022.03.03 – 0427 – Peter’s PT For Talking To Time Take some copy which has a required duration indicated on it, and read it aloud like you might in a demo, and with a stopwatch to hand.How many words did you read in 30 seconds? Or how many seconds were you over?Keep practicing until you can sensibly get the copy in the seconds required, several times in a row. Then take another script and repeat the exercise before return to the first script and seeing if the rate and the rhythm are still

Mar 3, 2022 • 1:27

0426 – Peter’s PT For The Fast Talker

0426 – Peter’s PT For The Fast Talker

2022.03.02 – 0426 – Peter’s PT For The Fast Talker VOCAL YOGA – PETER’S PT for the fast-talkerHere’s one of those infamous ‘Terms and Conditions’ statements you often hear at the end of ads. Can you clearly communicate this script at speed and at ease? “Representative example cash price 13-4,2,0. Deposit 4,8-9,9-41 Credit amount 8,5,2,0-5936 months optional final payment 6,2,3,7-67Total payable 14-7,3,6-72Based on 8-thousand miles per annumRepresentative APR 5.9%Fixed interest 3.05%”&n

Mar 2, 2022 • 0:54

0425 – Pod-Fasting

0425 – Pod-Fasting

2022.03.01 – 0425 – Pod-FastingPOD-FASTINGThis is when listeners play back your podcast really fast, perhaps 1.5 or even twice the originally recorded speed (often referred to as “2-ex” speed). They may be short of time, or they may find your delivery either not compelling enough – just too drawn out, or not enough wheat for the chaff, or simply your presentation just. Too. Slow. The podcast player removes the micro-pauses in and between words, without affecting your pitch. So you seem to speed

Mar 1, 2022 • 3:11

0424 – The Pregnant Pause

0424 – The Pregnant Pause

2022.02.28 – 0424 – The Pregnant Pause Pregnant pauseThis is a pause that is full of meaning (‘pregnant’ means ‘full’) – it builds suspension and signifies significance.“And Prime Mionsiter, did you ever take drugs?” [Pause] “Yes. Yes I did.”“And now we come to who will inherit the vast percentage of grandad’s estate…” [Pause] or perhaps could happen when no-one knows quite what to say:“You know Nigel? He’s been arrested for murder…” [Pause]Pregnant pauses can be natural as in th

Feb 28, 2022 • 2:58

0423 – The Difference Between A Pause And ‘Dead Air’

0423 – The Difference Between A Pause And ‘Dead Air’

2022.02.27 – 0423 – The Difference Between A Pause And ‘Dead Air’A Pause and Dead Air – the differenceA pause is purposeful production. It’s been included for a reason, for effect, for punctuation and a dozen other reasons (see below). Dead air is a gap caused by a gaffe – a miscalculation, a technical mistake, a brain freeze. A pause is intentional, dead air is accidental. “A pause is a silence filled with meaning; an empty lapse of time is a wait.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv

Feb 27, 2022 • 0:52

 0422 – Pausing Practicalities

0422 – Pausing Practicalities

2022.02.26 – 0422 – Pausing Practicalities Pausing practicalitiesIf recording a voice over often it doesn’t matter if you pause for several seconds in the middle of a script. A producer or director will understand that if you have an intense, heavy technical read, or maybe one with subclauses or no punctuation (for example a ‘terms and conditions’ section), then you may have to record several versions starting at different points and leave it to them to edit together. Obviously only do this

Feb 26, 2022 • 1:47

0421 – Too Many Pauses

0421 – Too Many Pauses

2022.02.25 – 0421 – Too Many Pauses Too many pausesEven though it’s important that each word be properly pronounced, overly precise diction with a micro-pause after each word, can sound very unnatural. Another potential problem is, a we saw before, the speakers who chunk words together by how many there are rather than their sense, and then repeat the pattern. So you get, say three words, then a pause, then three more, and another pause ….. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo

Feb 25, 2022 • 1:29

0420 – Silence In An On-Air Studio

0420 – Silence In An On-Air Studio

2022.02.24 – 0420 – Silence In An On-Air StudioVOICE BOXSilence in an on-air studio If an audio signal is not sent to a radio station transmitter for a set period of time, an emergency ‘tape’ kicks in.That’s if equipment senses that a silence is too long, and maybe ‘something’ has happened in the broadcast studio … say the studio desk has broken, there’s a power cut, fire or evacuation.So if you’re being melodramatic with a super-long pause, you may just get more than you bargained for. Th

Feb 24, 2022 • 1:31

0419 – The Problem With Pauses

0419 – The Problem With Pauses

2022.02.23 – 0419 – The Problem With Pauses PROBLEMS WITH PAUSESIn commercial voiceovers, the pauses are often edited out to leave a ‘word-wall of sound’. I was once asked to record a daily podcast for an (in)famous media company. They loved my voice and presentation style, but had one request: could I please go back and edit out all of my breaths from the recording as “people don’t want to hear them”. Errr!Removing breaths disrupts this natural rhythm and therefore interferes with our unde

Feb 23, 2022 • 2:19

0418 – Pausing In Podcast Presenter Teams

0418 – Pausing In Podcast Presenter Teams

2022.02.22 – 0418 – Pausing In Podcast Presenter Teams VOICE BOXPausing in teamworkA brief look at the pause when you have several presenters on your radio show or podcast. When you have one or more co-presenters, it’s important to know when one of them has paused, for effect, or stopped. Knowing each other, trust and on-air communication will avoid the problem of one of the rest of the team trampling all over a carefully timed link or bit. These might be hand signals – a raised h

Feb 22, 2022 • 2:10

0417 – The Janice Pause

0417 – The Janice Pause

2022.02.21 – 0417 – The Janice Pause The ‘Janice pause’The exaggerated pause indicating stunned surprise, or comedic drama: a trend from ‘Friends’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSmp1ZSvelY Having said that, don’t fall into the pattern of pausing so much between words, so often, that your delivery becomes ‘bitty’, with you saying. Each. Individual. Word. Such a delivery is unconventional, un-conversational and un-emotional – sucking energy out of what may actually be exciting content

Feb 21, 2022 • 1:30

0416 – Silence In Different Cultures

0416 – Silence In Different Cultures

2022.02.20 – 0416 – Silence In Different CulturesSilence for different cultures In general, eastern cultures value silence more than word-rich western ones. In their book ‘Communication between cultures’ Samovar and Porter, elaborate using an example: “In response to the question: ‘Will you marry me?’ Silence in English would be interpreted as uncertainty, in Japanese it would be interpreted as acceptance, in Igbo (Southeastern Nigeria) it would be considered as a denial if the woman

Feb 20, 2022 • 2:07

 0415 – Silence Shows You’re Listening

0415 – Silence Shows You’re Listening

2022.02.19 – 0415 – Silence Shows You’re Listening Silence shows you’re listening In an interview, your guest has just made a significant or poignant remark, and to show respect and empathy – pause. The strategic pause adds tension and anticipation and indicates comprehension and reflection. It shows you are actively listening and value their comment. It helps build trust. …. but only if it is not followed by an “errrm” or “ummm”. Those kinds of words will merely show you are ill

Feb 19, 2022 • 1:29

0414 – Silence Skills In Interviewing

0414 – Silence Skills In Interviewing

2022.02.18 – 0414 – Silence Skills In Interviewing Silence in interviewingMaybe you have a guest on your radio show or podcast, consider using pausing the way it’s used by counsellors, coppers and court-room legal teams. Silence creates a vacuum that cries out to be filled. Experienced interviewers let the silence fill the air, to create an awkward or a hostile pressure. And the other person feels obliged to break that pressure by saying something – possibly, under anger

Feb 18, 2022 • 1:54

0413 – Scanning Scripts And Audiences

0413 – Scanning Scripts And Audiences

2022.02.17 – 0413 – Scanning Scripts And AudiencesTo rescan the scriptA pause gives a moment for the reader to look ahead in their script or notes to refamiliarize themselves with what comes next: the upcoming point they will make, maybe spotting the awkward word or name they need to concentrate on getting right, the ‘pitch and tone’ reset as they start a new topic.That is: Stop. Breath. Look ahead. Or indeed, if working without notes, to think of what to say next.Stop… and lookIf you are workin

Feb 17, 2022 • 1:20

0412 – A Beat For A Breath

0412 – A Beat For A Breath

2022.02.16 – 0412 – A Beat For A Breath A beat for a breathFor the reader, pauses create a ‘breath-space’ for you to take in some air at an appropriate place, and not somewhere that’d interrupt the flow and confuse the listener. We looked at breathing and where to do it to keep the sense of the sentence, earlier on in these podcasts. Remember the audio I mentioned of the famous British newsreader who creates new sentences in [pause] her script she merges sets of phrases [pause] together and

Feb 16, 2022 • 1:37

0411 – Using Silence as a Substitute

0411 – Using Silence as a Substitute

2022.02.15 – 0411 – Using Silence as a SubstituteUsing silence as a substitute for filler words If you pause rather than add in a vocal bridge – “err”, “ahh”, “y’know”, “so” – then it will make you sound more interesting. Try a pause and a mental ‘reset’, rather than a verbal, “um”.There is nothing wrong with the occasional hesitation word, as long as it's not used too frequently, but you don’t need to fill every second with sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 15, 2022 • 0:51

0410 – A Pause For Thought

0410 – A Pause For Thought

2022.02.14 – 0410 – A Pause For Thought A pause for thoughtIn conversation we hesitate, search for the right word or phrase, perhaps weigh what we want to say with the context and the audience. To sound natural, to create the illusion of life, when you need the listener to believe you’ve just had a new thought, a gap is required: “I don’t get mad, I [pause] get even.” That moment (or beat) between the thinking and the speaking translates into a pretty powerful pause.&nb

Feb 14, 2022 • 2:30

0409 – Comic Timing

0409 – Comic Timing

2022.02.13 – 0409 – Comic TimingComic timingThere’s great importance of the pause before a punchline. It’s the ‘gap gap’ between the stress of the set up and the relief of the reward – laughter. The anticipation within the pause adds punch to the punchline, it creates a beat and is a social signifier of “this next bit’s the gag, when I’ve said it, you laugh!” That silence often gives the audience just long enough to settle into a false sense of security, but short enough so they don’t

Feb 13, 2022 • 4:46

0408 – Pauses In A Visual Description

0408 – Pauses In A Visual Description

2022.02.12 – 0408 – Pauses In A Visual Description Pauses in a visual descriptionThat is, when you’re describing a person, a room or any environment or object, the use of the beat allows the listener to create the visual for themselves.“Are you ready to swap loungewear for swimwear? [pause] Or Zoom calls for stunning waterfalls? [pause] Maybe you’re dreaming of that first blissful moment of sand between your toes, [pause] or the excitement of exploring somewhere completely new. [pause

Feb 12, 2022 • 1:58

0407 – Pauses as an Indication of Quality

0407 – Pauses as an Indication of Quality

2022.02.11 – 0407 – Pauses as an Indication of QualityPauses as an indication of qualityIn commercial reads, less copy, fewer words, slower speed and time taken, is often the algorithm to indicate luxury.“Imagine waking up to the feel of rich luxury satin silk sheets … [pause] gently caressing your skin … [pause] with the cool breeze and sounds of the ocean through your veranda windows … [pause] eased open to allow just a chink of early morning sunlight to dapple the room…” Hosted on Acast. See

Feb 11, 2022 • 1:15

0406 – Using Pauses After Rhetorical Questions

0406 – Using Pauses After Rhetorical Questions

2022.02.10 – 0406 – Using Pauses After Rhetorical QuestionsCreating silence in which the listener can answer your questionAsk the audience a rhetorical question and then pause at the end of it so they can digest it and answer it internally.“Fed up with that dirty stain around the bath? [pause] Tired of the weekly scrub of the tub? [pause] Want a better way to have shiny ceramics? [pause] Introducing the all-new Bathroom Wonderclean…” “Want to hear every edition of the podcast a week before

Feb 10, 2022 • 3:30

0405 – Pauses As The Fulcrum In A Story’s ‘See-Saw’

0405 – Pauses As The Fulcrum In A Story’s ‘See-Saw’

2022.02.09 – 0405 – Pauses As The Fulcrum In A Story’s ‘See-Saw’ The pause as a see-saw fulcrum A pause can help explain the balance of two parts of the story – while this is happening over there, this is happening over here.“The mayor said that it was the fault of the police [pause] the police are claiming it was a council error.”“Jones is alleged to have killed the three men [pause] he denies all the charges.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 2022 • 2:10

0404 – Pauses As Intonational Devices In Quotes and Sub-Clauses

0404 – Pauses As Intonational Devices In Quotes and Sub-Clauses

2022.02.08 – 0404 – Pauses As Intonational Devices In Quotes and Sub-Clauses They are used as intonational devices in quotes, brackets/parenthesis and sub-clausesAs we saw previously when we talked about pitch and intonation, we leave a micro-gap either side of a quote from someone else to indicate that they are their words, not ours. The quote itself is often also said in a slightly different pitch and at a slower speed: “Perkins told us [pause] ‘I’ll sue if those allegations are repe

Feb 8, 2022 • 2:58

0403 – A Pause Helps You Say What You Can’t Actually Say

0403 – A Pause Helps You Say What You Can’t Actually Say

2022.02.07 – 0403 – A Pause Helps You Say What You Can’t Actually Say A pause helps you say what you can’t actually sayA pause might be inviting the audience to ‘read between the lines’ pointing them to a possible irony – the verbal equivalent of a raised eyebrow: “And Melania Trump, has delivered a farewell address ...saying the last four years have been 'unforgettable' and calling for an end to division”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2022 • 2:05

0402 – Silence to Let Sound Tell the Story

0402 – Silence to Let Sound Tell the Story

2022.02.06 – 0402 – Silence to Let Sound Tell the Story Silence to let sound tells the storyRadio consultant Tracy Johnson tells the story[1] of former Dodgers baseball play-by-play ‘personality announcer’ Vin Scully and quotes his commentary[2] of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run, the blast that “made him baseball’s home-run king”. Scully later talked[3] about using silence to capture the drama when he was asked what he did as soon as he made the home run call. “(I) shut up. &nb

Feb 6, 2022 • 2:47

0401 – Pauses To Engage Attention After Significant Content

0401 – Pauses To Engage Attention After Significant Content

2022.02.05 – 0401 – Pauses To Engage Attention After Significant Content After significant content A pause after a phrase or story gives listeners time to reflect on what they’ve just heard, to allow it to sink in, giving the audience time to digest information, not drown in it. “The four people who died in a house fire this morning, were two sets of twin boys aged 4 and 6. In the last few minutes a woman from the same address has been arrested [pause]. The fatal fire broke out at aro

Feb 5, 2022 • 1:43

0400 – Pauses To Engage Attention Before Significant Content

0400 – Pauses To Engage Attention Before Significant Content

2022.02.04 – 0400 – Pauses To Engage Attention Before Significant Content To engage attention before significant content A brief moment of silence adds suspense, adds anticipation and indicates incoming important information that may require attention.“This just in from Downing Street” [pause] “There are new rules for the lockdown…”“We are just getting news in from Paris…” [pause] “The Princess died at around 4.30 this morning…”“A statement from The White House in the last few minutes

Feb 4, 2022 • 2:47

0399 – Pauses As Script Divisions

0399 – Pauses As Script Divisions

2022.02.03 – 0399 – Pauses As Script Divisions As script divisions to aid understandingPauses divide a script into ‘sense groups’ for the ‘heard word’, the same way that a comma or full stop/period does for the written word. A dash or ellipses (…), comma, full stop/period, paragraph, page or chapter – they all indicate in text or when translated into speech, different kinds of pause to help marshal thoughts and aid understanding. In these situations, the length of the pause may differ.

Feb 3, 2022 • 2:26

0398 – The Importance Of Pauses In Lists

0398 – The Importance Of Pauses In Lists

2022.02.02 – 0398 – The Importance Of Pauses In Lists Sometimes you have a list of two or three items in a sentence: So, on an airline when the cabin crew offer you a meal (we used a similar example previously): “Would you like chicken or fish with vegetables or pasta?” Are you being offered:· “Would you like chicken / or fish with vegetables / or pasta?”o Chicken, fish with vegetables, or pasta?· &nbs

Feb 2, 2022 • 4:14

0397 – My Manager’s A Jerk…

0397 – My Manager’s A Jerk…

2022.02.01 – 0397 – My Manager’s A Jerk…“What’s that on the road ahead?”“What’s that on the road, a head?” A pause can make all the difference between seeing traffic problems, and the scene of a murder… If your friend said to you: “My manager who’s in the New York office / is a jerk” the pause would indicate that they have more than one manager, and they are referring to the one in New York, rather than the one in London or Paris.If instead they said “My manager / who’s in t

Feb 1, 2022 • 1:49

0396 – Pauses As A Signpost To Meaning

0396 – Pauses As A Signpost To Meaning

2022.01.31 – 0396 – Pauses As A Signpost To MeaningAs well as the above reasons, you pause to help signpost the sense of the sentence. You can pause between setting up a statement and presenting it:“Crafted in stunning 9ct white gold / each of these studs boast a brilliant-cut solitaire diamond.”You can pause to make a statement stand out:“This / is the BBC” or as I say at the end of my podcast: “From London / I’m Peter Stewart”But the meaning is the key-thing. Remember that for when you co

Jan 31, 2022 • 1:33

0395 – When We Pause

0395 – When We Pause

2022.01.30 – 0395 – When We PauseWhen we use a pauseNot all pauses are created equal. We use them to help both the reader and the listener in many different ways.Pauses – together with intonation - aid understanding Pauses should be at speech-natural places within a script, rather than appearing at random within it. But you don’t pause at every comma or after every phrase. The commas are there in the main to help you and not to dictate to you and to break whenever you reach one will give yo

Jan 30, 2022 • 1:34

0394 – Don’t Fear The Silence

0394 – Don’t Fear The Silence

2022.01.29 – 0394 – Don’t Fear The Silence “Pauses strengthen the voice. They also render thoughts more clear-cut by separating them.”Rhetorica ad Herennium - the oldest surviving Latin book on rhetoric, dating from the late 80s BC Broadcasters can fear silence. We want to have a wall of sound on air – music and talking, or music and talking. It causes some people to talk, without ‘saying anything’, verbal diarrhoea just to keep the volume meter waggling on the studio

Jan 29, 2022 • 2:53

0393 – Pauses: An Introduction

0393 – Pauses: An Introduction

2022.01.28 – 0393 – Pauses: An Introduction PAUSESThe huge majority of this book is about noise and sound. From how words are written to how they are uttered … their volume, intensity, pitch and pace. But now we’re going to look at what’s missing. Literally. The silence. The bits between the words. The change of pace that’s a reduction to a complete standstill: the pause. Pauses are hugely important and effective, and they go hand-in-hand with ‘pace’. They are perhaps th

Jan 28, 2022 • 1:38

0392 - How Fast We Can Speak… and Listen

0392 - How Fast We Can Speak… and Listen

2022.01.27 – 0392 - How Fast Can We Speak… and Listen?How Fast Can We Speak?“In just 600 milliseconds, the human brain can think of a word, apply the rules of grammar to it and send it to the mouth to be spoken.” How Fast can We Listen?The average rate of speech for an American is about 125 words per minute; the human brain can process about twice that speed (“the average adult can readily comprehend spoken audio at 2X speed or at a compression rate of 50%. This roughly correspo

Jan 27, 2022 • 2:53

0392 - How Fast Can We Speak… and Listen?

0392 - How Fast Can We Speak… and Listen?

2022.01.27 – 0392 - How Fast Can We Speak… and Listen?How Fast Can We Speak?“In just 600 milliseconds, the human brain can think of a word, apply the rules of grammar to it and send it to the mouth to be spoken.” How Fast can We Listen?The average rate of speech for an American is about 125 words per minute; the human brain can process about twice that speed (“the average adult can readily comprehend spoken audio at 2X speed or at a compression rate of 50%. This roughly correspo

Jan 27, 2022 • 3:31

0391 - Backtiming 2

0391 - Backtiming 2

2022.01.26 – 0391 - Backtiming 2 Of course, the duration of a song or a report is known in advance, but there are variables such as live interviews (especially with non-professional guests who may talk in in half-sentences or whole paragraphs!). At the end of a show, presenters may adlib to fill time, or a buffer item such as a weather report is included, which can often be extended or cut short depending on an over- or under-run. On radio, presenters can often dip a song to get to a news bullet

Jan 26, 2022 • 3:52

0390 - Backtiming 1

0390 - Backtiming 1

Backtiming Some stations or programmes hand back to a network (possibly automatically) at a certain time. As this has to be ‘to the second’ there may be silence (‘dead air’) if a presenter ends too early, or a ‘crash out’ if their output is taken over mid-way through a sentence or story. So, each script is timed at the average speaking rate of three words per second. With this figure, the presenter or producer calculates the time they need to have started reading the script by, if they are to fi

Jan 25, 2022 • 5:45

0389 - How To Talk To Time

0389 - How To Talk To Time

2022.01.24 – S2024 – 0389 - How To Talk To TimeA sense of timing can be developed in the same way as an experienced driver can tell the speed of a car as it passes, or while they’re in it, and with experience you will be able to slightly adjust your reading rate ‘speedometer’ (or a ‘read-ometer’!) to say, shave a second or two off a script:· Taking shorter breaths – or longer ones (that can be edited out) that will allow you take fewer breaths over

Jan 24, 2022 • 1:34

0388 - Talking To Time

0388 - Talking To Time

2022.01.23 – S2023 – 0388 - Talking To TimeOne of the skills of a broadcaster is being able to talk to just the required length of time to ‘hit a junction’ (for example, a news bulletin or commercial break), up to the vocals in a song introduction or before a ‘music bed’[1] runs out.Similarly, a commercial voice over artist must be able to talk to time, to fit the approved copy into the time allowed for that commercial, while keeping correct characterisation, inflection, phrasing and pausing and

Jan 23, 2022 • 1:38

0387 - Rehearsing Your Read-Speed

0387 - Rehearsing Your Read-Speed

2022.01.22 – S2022 – 0387 - Rehearsing Your Read-SpeedRehearsing Your Read-SpeedEver seen the rehearsal rooms from the tv shows “Strictly Come Dancing” or “Dancing With The Stars”? You will have seen, or can imagine, how the pros show the celebs the steps: slow to start, then get fast. And it’s like that with learning a new instrument, a new song, heck even reading itself … and now with script-reading: start slow, practice getting your tongue around the words, a phrase at a time. Pract

Jan 22, 2022 • 1:27

0386 - Slow-Speed Speed Traps

0386 - Slow-Speed Speed Traps

2022.01.21 – S2021 – 0386 - Slow-Speed Speed Traps· By itself, reading slowly does not make you sound more authoritative or serious. You still have to understand the content, have intentional intonation, proper pronunciation, a sense of context and so on.· And neither does a slow read, by itself, make a script easier for a listener to understand. Telling a tale like a tortoise may actually make it more

Jan 21, 2022 • 1:28

0385 - Slowing Down To Highlight Importance

0385 - Slowing Down To Highlight Importance

2022.01.20 – S2020 – 0385 - Slowing Down To Highlight Importance Saying a single word or phrase slower, slightly elongating its pronunciation, highlights it within a sentence and so can be used as part of your arsenal to highlight its importance. These variable speeds contrast with the text around it, and therefore take on additional significance. · “The cost is over one-billion pounds…”· “Th

Jan 20, 2022 • 1:41

0384 -The Message Given By ‘Slowing Your Talking’

0384 -The Message Given By ‘Slowing Your Talking’

2022.01.19 – S2019 – 0384 -The Message Given By ‘Slowing Your Talking’· Slower speed may add tension, or suspense before a surprise, (and you can use the pause – which we discuss later - as a ‘drumroll’ before a punchline, or a release)· A slower speed is often required for a video voiceover, to give the viewer time to absorb any images or graphics on screen· &nb

Jan 19, 2022 • 1:42

0383 - The Message Given By ‘Slowing Your Talking’

0383 - The Message Given By ‘Slowing Your Talking’

2022.01.18 – S2018 – 0383 - The Message Given By ‘Slowing Your Talking’· Slower speakers can be seen as ‘slow-witted’, overly-thoughtful and lacking in confidence…· Or as so super-confident they can go at their own speed, despite what others may think, they may be thoughtful and considering every nuanced word in what they say. Again the context and content of your message will help you decide which imag

Jan 18, 2022 • 2:41

0382 - EXTREMES OF SPEED - The Slower Read

0382 - EXTREMES OF SPEED - The Slower Read

2022.01.17 – S2017 – 0382 - EXTREMES OF SPEED - The Slower ReadEXTREMES OF SPEED - The Slower Read“Slow down, you move too fast, You got to make the morning last”The 59th Street Bridge Song (“Feelin’ Groovy”), Simon & Garfunkel 1966If you want to communicate an important point well, naturally, you may need to fight the urge for urgency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 2022 • 1:42

0381 - The Speed of T&Cs

0381 - The Speed of T&Cs

2022.01.16 – S2016 – 0381 - The Speed of T&CsThese ‘disclaimer statements’ are often heard at the end of an ad … so, after the enticing offer comes the ‘boring bit’ and information on the limitations.Let’s be honest, the client doesn’t want to highlight this detail and certainly doesn’t want to spend vital airtime having it read at the same speed as the main deal. But in 2008 the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority ruled[1], perhaps not unreasonably, that disclaimers on radio adverts must b

Jan 16, 2022 • 3:19

0380 - Fast Talking Speed Traps 2

0380 - Fast Talking Speed Traps 2

2022.01.15 – S2015 – 0380 - Fast Talking Speed Traps 2· A fast read can lead to reduction in intonation, leading to a machine-gun fire style as you rush to squeeze more script into fewer seconds· If you are reading quickly, you have less time for your eyes to ‘read ahead’; and your brain to process what’s coming up … which could lead to more tongue-tied talking·

Jan 15, 2022 • 1:20

0379 - Fast Talking Speed Traps

0379 - Fast Talking Speed Traps

2022.01.14 – S2014 – 0379 - Fast Talking Speed TrapsSome people speak fast naturally and can still be understandable and engaging. But:· If you read a script too fast, then for the listener it might be like watching the landscape from an express-train window: they get a general idea, but not a full understanding. To use another analogy: they will be gobbling down your nuggets rather than digesting them· &nbsp

Jan 14, 2022 • 3:17

0378 - The Message Given By Talking Fast

0378 - The Message Given By Talking Fast

2022.01.13 – S2013 – 0378 - The Message Given By Talking Fast The Message Given By Talking Fast· Fast talkers are often seen as confident and clever. It’s almost as though they have so much great content to share that they can’t wait to get it all out….· Or they can be perceived as nervous and excitable, unable to control themselves, “letting their tongue run away with them”. So, think of the image

Jan 13, 2022 • 2:23

0377 - Being Chased By The Music

0377 - Being Chased By The Music

2022.01.12 – S2012 – 0377 - Being Chased By The Music · You are being ‘chased by the music’ Many presenters like to talk with music running underneath them. Such a track is called a ‘bed’. It makes them feel safe and less exposed as they can pause for a moment and know that there’s no silence or ‘dead air’. But music beds can encourage someone to talk too fast as presenters confuse pace for ‘momentum’ or ‘excitement’. Although your deliver

Jan 12, 2022 • 6:08

0376 - The Script’s Too Long Or The Time’s Too Short

0376 - The Script’s Too Long Or The Time’s Too Short

2022.01.11 – S2011 – 0376 - The Script’s Too Long Or The Time’s Too ShortIn a commercial voice-over situation, the duration of the piece is of the essence. If the spot has to be a certain length (to fit with the pictures, or because that’s the duration that has been bought, or it’s the duration of all commercials on that network so all breaks are balanced on different transmitters), then that is the length it has to be. This can cause some problems:· &nbsp

Jan 11, 2022 • 3:40

0375 - Why You May Talk Fast

0375 - Why You May Talk Fast

2022.01.10 – S2010 – 0375 - Why You May Talk Fast· Fast-talking may be from how you were brought up. Perhaps you had several siblings and in a busy home you had to take any gap in a conversation to blurt out your contribution as fast as possible, and then keep talking to keep attention and ‘hold the floor’· It may be that you have developed a fast-talking speed: perhaps as a sports commentator in a fast

Jan 10, 2022 • 3:40

0374 - Extremes Of Speed: The Faster Read

0374 - Extremes Of Speed: The Faster Read

2022.01.09 – S2009 – 0374 - Extremes Of Speed: The Faster Read EXTREMES OF SPEED - The Faster ReadUsually, your listeners won’t have a second chance to process what it is that you have said. There’s no easy ‘rewind’ button on live radio or video and certainly not in an auditorium presentation. When speaking face to face, we can change our pace in response to the feedback we get and our feeling of their understanding of the topic – but not with pre-recorded audio, or live audio in a radio st

Jan 9, 2022 • 1:57

0373 - Changing speed within a story

0373 - Changing speed within a story

2022.01.08 – S2008 – 0373 - Changing speed within a storyChanging speed within a storyOn occasion you may change the speed within a paragraph or a story: starting slowly because of the content which is new, important and serious: ‘Multiple fatalities this morning, as a bus carrying commuters into the city, left the road and mounted a pavement in Stockbridge…’ And then, when giving information later in the story that is less important, throwaway or a ‘filler fact’, speeding up slightly:

Jan 8, 2022 • 6:21

0372 - When You May Change Your Reading Rate

0372 - When You May Change Your Reading Rate

2022.01.07 – S2007 – 0372 - When You May Change Your Reading RateFor example, a weather script on a sunny summer’s day may be quite rushed – listeners are expecting it to be blue sky and high temperatures. But tell them about a forthcoming storm and your speed will slow (and your tone will also change) to reflect the severity of the situation. A lighter story can be read more quickly than a serious one, a complex story will be presented more slowly (although not patronisingly so) than a straight

Jan 7, 2022 • 2:44

0371 - Changing Your Reading Rate

0371 - Changing Your Reading Rate

2022.01.06 – S2006 – 0371 - Changing Your Reading RateChanging Your Reading RateIf you speak too slowly an audience may lose interest; if you speak too quickly, they may lose the thread of what you are saying. If you keep up the same pace throughout you may sound like a wall of sound – or a smartspeaker A.I device with a monotonous pace and style of delivery. It’s important therefore to consider variety if you want to move your content from ‘boring’ to ‘absorbing’. Having a subtle chan

Jan 6, 2022 • 3:34

0370 - The Average Read Rate

0370 - The Average Read Rate

2022.01.05 – S2005 – 0370 - The Average Read RateThe Average Reading RateThis is one which is comfortable for the reader, clear to the listener, and which suits the style of the content. For example, on a radio station that could be anywhere between 140 and 220 words per minute, depending on whether it’s a music station or a news station. The standard calculations are:· Conversational speed - about 150 words per minute· &

Jan 5, 2022 • 4:21

0369 - Your Natural ‘Read Rate’

0369 - Your Natural ‘Read Rate’

2022.01.04 – S2004 – 0369 - Your Natural ‘Read Rate’YOUR NATURAL READ-RATEThere is no ‘correct’ speed to read. It is likely to be determined by:· the amount you have to say· the time that you have got to say it in· the content of the script and· the energy that you are being asked to bring to it. Let’s tak

Jan 4, 2022 • 2:46

0368 – The Speed of the Read

0368 – The Speed of the Read

2022.01.03 – S2003 - 0368 – The Speed of the ReadWith voice skills I often think of one of the last scenes of the classic film “The Wizard of Oz,” when Toto pulls away the curtain to show the Wizard pulling various levers, spinning dials and cranking handles.Reading aloud or presenting, also involves changing (albeit with more finesse and care) so many different ‘settings’: your pitch, tone, projection, and also your speed (sometimes called ‘the tempo’).In this chapter we’ll look at the differen

Jan 3, 2022 • 4:12

0367 - The Speed of the Read - Introduction

0367 - The Speed of the Read - Introduction

2022.01.02 - S2/002 - The Speed of the Read - IntroductionA new year and a new topic to get your teeth in to.Today, an overview of the skills in reading fast and slow, and everything in between - including dead slow or stop: the pause!Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021, 2022 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better s

Jan 2, 2022 • 5:15

0366 – A Look Ahead To Season 2

0366 – A Look Ahead To Season 2

2022.01.01 – S2001 – A Look Ahead To Season 2Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021, 2022 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniques and voice care tips... with exercises and anecdotes from a career spent in TV and radio studios. If you're wondering about how to start a podcast, or have had one for

Jan 1, 2022 • 5:24

0365 - The End of Season One

0365 - The End of Season One

In which I look back at the voice topics covered in Season 1 of the unique, daily podcast series.Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniques and voice care tips... with exercises and anecdotes from a career spent in TV and radio studios. If you're wondering abou

Dec 31, 2021 • 4:27

0364 - Bonus Guest Episode - Live Announcing

0364 - Bonus Guest Episode - Live Announcing

The last of three bonus episodes in which I’m joined by a fellow broadcaster and voice over artist ANTHONY DAVIS with his own insight and perspective on voice and presentation skills. Anthony is a British broadcaster, writer and voiceover artist, born in London and now based in LA, he’s worked on radio and TV shows, in news and presentation, and has voiced campaigns and commercials, documentaries and live events.Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these aroun

Dec 30, 2021 • 9:25

0363 - Bonus Guest Epsiode - Voice Overs and Accents

0363 - Bonus Guest Epsiode - Voice Overs and Accents

Over three bonus episodes I’m joined by a fellow broadcaster and voice over artist ANTHONY DAVIS with his own insight and perspective on voice and presentation skills. Anthony is a British broadcaster, writer and voiceover artist, born in London and now based in LA, he’s worked on radio and TV shows, in news and presentation, and has voiced campaigns and commercials, documentaries and live events.Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episo

Dec 29, 2021 • 7:51

0362 - Bonus Guest Episode - Mics and The Fonzie Factor

0362 - Bonus Guest Episode - Mics and The Fonzie Factor

Over the next three bonus episodes I’m joined by a fellow broadcaster and voice over artist ANTHONY DAVIS with his own insight and perspective on voice and presentation skills. Anthony is a British broadcaster, writer and voiceover artist, born in London and now based in LA, he’s worked on radio and TV shows, in news and presentation, and has voiced campaigns and commercials, documentaries and live events.Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-min

Dec 28, 2021 • 8:02

0361 – Projection Through A Mask

0361 – Projection Through A Mask

2021.12.27 – 0361 – Projection Through A Mask As I write this, the world is still mid-pandemic, and even though the use of masks has declined somewhat it’s a chance to write some notes on what we have learnt since early 2020.Wearing a mask:· it is harder to be heard, which can lead to a strained voiceo so, you need to be clearer with your diction· it is harder to be heard, which can lead to a

Dec 27, 2021 • 2:02

0360 – Volume and Your Vocal Strength

0360 – Volume and Your Vocal Strength

2021.12.26 – 0360 – Volume and Your Vocal Strength A loud voice, when it is necessary, comes from having a good foundation in ‘vocal strength’, and as we saw earlier, the foundations of that come from things like good breath support, how you sit and stand, and relaxation. It’s a bit like a family car and a supercar: they can both do 50mph but the supercar will do it more easily and comfortably with more support. It is a capability more within its range. When you raise your voice and s

Dec 26, 2021 • 3:10

0359 – Volume, Mics and Processing

0359 – Volume, Mics and Processing

2021.12.25 – 0359 – Volume, Mics and ProcessingStudio work is different from stage work: as we have already discussed you usually don’t need to be projecting your voice or raising it beyond the level of a normal animated conversation with someone sitting close to you. That is, a level that if someone was siting almost touching you, they’d neither lean in to catch what you were saying, nor move away. Presenters who shout, are often pushing their listener away from them. Again, it is this real, co

Dec 25, 2021 • 1:58

0358 – Volume In Character

0358 – Volume In Character

2021.12.24 – 0358 – Volume In CharacterA certain volume or projection may be part of a character you play – perhaps in an animation, video game, commercial, voiceover or book reading. You need to be able to recall the vocal characteristics of that character so they sound the same page after page, or (hopefully) booking after booking. You can make notes describing the level but that can be a tricky. What you may find better is a description of who you ‘channel’ when in character, the kind of pers

Dec 24, 2021 • 1:30

0357 – Volume Variety

0357 – Volume Variety

2021.12.23 – 0357 – Volume VarietyOne of the most important tools to use to engage and persuade is a variety of voice volume - there is a huge power in dropping or raising your voice.To read every story with the same projection level is wearing on your voice and on the listeners’ ears and is not conducive to understanding. Information as a wall of sound is less-easily interpreted than ‘light and shade’, where you might present significant news with more projection than a lighter ‘and finally’ st

Dec 23, 2021 • 2:07

0356 – Getting A Louder Voice

0356 – Getting A Louder Voice

2021.12.22 – 0356 – Getting A Louder Voice This obviously depends on which of the above issues (or others) is the cause but here are a few pointers:For (suspected) physical reasons – consult your family doctor or GP in the first instance about issues to do with breathing, and talk with them about a possible referral to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist, or a speech therapist. For confidence issues – speak with a doctor about any worries, insecurities or anxieties you may have and who

Dec 22, 2021 • 1:56

0355 – Reasons Why Some People Talk More Softly

0355 – Reasons Why Some People Talk More Softly

2021.12.21 – 0355 – Reasons Why Some People Talk More SoftlyThere may be physical, psychological and social reasons someone speaks softly.Physical:· Weakness in their vocal cords or breathing problems· Nerves can lead to a feeling that your vocal cords are ‘closing down’ – we looked at this previously – a mental attitude that can lead to tension and shallow breathing·

Dec 21, 2021 • 2:42

0354 - Voice Extremes: The Softer Voice

0354 - Voice Extremes: The Softer Voice

2021.12.20 – 0354 - Voice Extremes: The Softer VoiceThe softer you sing, the louder you're heardDonovan, musician, ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine (9th November 1967) We saw some elements about a quieter voice earlier, when we looked at the situations in which we used different volumes, and compared ‘loud’ with ‘soft’. The advantages of the ‘soft sound’:· People responded better to being ‘connected with’ rather than being ‘talked at’. It’s a matt

Dec 20, 2021 • 3:25

0353 – Screaming And Shouting – Part 2

0353 – Screaming And Shouting – Part 2

2021.12.19 – 0353 – Screaming And Shouting – Part 2 Remember that screaming and shouting isn’t necessarily about sheer volume. A similar affect may be achieved perhaps by a shaking voice and a whimper, an “urgh” or exclamation may replace a ‘level eleven’ guttural shout. And even if you are specifically screaming or shouting, the microphone itself can do a lot of your work for you. After all, you’re in a recording studio, not an open-air theatre, and the effect of loudness can be made more

Dec 19, 2021 • 2:02

0352 – Screaming And Shouting – Part 1

0352 – Screaming And Shouting – Part 1

2021.12.18 – 0352 – Screaming And Shouting – Part 1Screaming and shoutingIt may be that a script, say in an animation, calls for you to scream – the epitome of projection. This can potentially cause damage to your folds if you don’t prepare correctly, and could limit your work for the next few hours, days or longer. ‘Hydration before violent projection’ is part of the answer. Wet folds are less easily damaged than dry ones slamming against each other. But as we have seen this is more than s

Dec 18, 2021 • 3:52

0351 – Sounds That Drown

0351 – Sounds That Drown

2021.12.17 – 0351 – Sounds That DrownWhat loudness means‘Authority’ does not mean talking loud. ‘Authority’ comes, as we have seen before, from understanding the story and having the confidence to explain its significance to your listeners, with appropriate vocal expression. The louder you are, the more control of a conversation or of someone you are trying to achieve. That’s not ‘authority’, that’s ‘bullying’. Shouting does not necessarily mean excitement. It does, though, usually mea

Dec 17, 2021 • 3:13

0350 – Voice Extremes: The Louder Voice

0350 – Voice Extremes: The Louder Voice

2021.12.16 – 0350 – Voice Extremes: The Louder VoiceFrom a whisper to a booming voice of a ‘hurry, hurry, buy now, offer ends on Saturday’ commercial, your volume speaks volumes about the message and the character. The ‘size’ and drama of a louder delivery can indicate urgency, importance, confidence, power, resolve or anger. A softer voice can convey a secret, an intimate word, a warmth, discretion, or indeed indiscretion.Getting the volume and energy right can often be the key to the read

Dec 16, 2021 • 3:00

0349 – Projection And The Audience

0349 – Projection And The Audience

2021.12.15 – 0349 – Projection And The AudienceThe audienceYour volume will alter depending on how many people are listening, where they are and what they are doing. We have seen some of this already when we discussed vocal proxemics and how you adjust your projection if you can’t see your audience.Let’s develop that a little. What if your audience is captive?Not in a hostage situation you understand, but if they are watching a video presentation such as an online training or webinar as part of

Dec 15, 2021 • 3:48

0348 – Projection And The Message

0348 – Projection And The Message

2021.12.14 – 0348 – Projection And The MessageThe messageLowering your volume has a double effect: it not only makes your voice softer and quieter, but it also becomes more resonant. As we saw earlier, this means the sound is more-full and more pleasant to listen to. Think about it, a loud voice or shout is far from ‘smooth’ or ‘rich’ or ‘resonant’.Therefore, a softer voice may be appropriate for messages that convey trust, experience, maturity and warmth. That isn’t to say you whisper – it’s a

Dec 14, 2021 • 1:41

0347 – Projection And The Location

0347 – Projection And The Location

2021.12.13 – 0347 – Projection And The LocationThe locationWe have already seen how we usually speak louder outside than in, and, obviously speak louder when there are other noises to compete against. But there are other elements which affect the volume we choose to use too. We may speak more loudly when we are trying to excite, and perhaps more softly when encouraging – but I’m sure you may be able to think of circumstances when we do quite the opposite. For instance: the manager of a school sp

Dec 13, 2021 • 2:03

0346 – Projection And Character

0346 – Projection And Character

2021.12.12 – 0346 – Projection And CharacterVolume is a key part of presentation from a script, whether in voice overs, voice acting, reading or presenting, and that volume needs to be appropriate for the character, the location, the message and the audience.The clues to the volume you use will be in the script, the written or studio direction, or in the outline / brief / specs provided by the scriptwriter / agency / client. It is your job to take all the clues and direction and create cont

Dec 12, 2021 • 3:03

0345 – Imagining Your Hidden Audience – Where They Are

0345 – Imagining Your Hidden Audience – Where They Are

2021.12.11 – 0345 – Imagining Your Hidden Audience – Where They Are Summon up an image of where that person will be when they are watching you on tv or listening to you on the radio, will also alter how you talk live, or record a piece of copy. Will it be played on breakfast TV? Is it for an instore commercial? Is it for a podcast? If you are presenting on the radio, you are likely to have a different style of presentation for a breakfast show to a late-night show. Not only will the content be d

Dec 11, 2021 • 2:34

0344 – Imagining Your Hidden Audience – Who They Are

0344 – Imagining Your Hidden Audience – Who They Are

2021.12.10 – 0344 – Imagining Your Hidden Audience – Who They Are Imagining Your Hidden AudienceWho are they?One way to achieve an appropriate ‘point of vocus’ for your projection is by putting a photo of someone at a distance from you in the studio, that you’d imagine an actual listener to be if they were with physically you.So, if the voice-over is personal and intimate then the image would be close to you and the mic, and a louder, announcer read may require a photo the other side of the room

Dec 10, 2021 • 1:40

0343 – The Point of Vocus

0343 – The Point of Vocus

2021.12.09 – 0343 – The Point of VocusThe Point of VocusPut simply, the microphone is usually positioned in our ‘inmate’ zone 6-8 inches from our mouth. If it was a human ear rather than a mic that we were talking to at that distance, we would be very friendly indeed with that person! Our voice would drop in volume, the tone would change (and so too would the content – but that’s another book). But it would be inappropriate to read the news or usually to introduce a song in that kind of ‘i

Dec 9, 2021 • 3:17

0342 – Vocal Proxemics – Part 2

0342 – Vocal Proxemics – Part 2

2021.12.08 – 0342 – Vocal Proxemics – Part 2So, you have a different voice when you are with your lover in the ‘Intimate Zone’ (a very soft level that you might use to tell a secret to a friend or whisper ‘sweet nothings’ to a lover), than you use to a room of people in a ‘Public Zone’ (a louder volume used in front of lots of people who may be further away). Translate that into the studio situation. The ‘Personal’ voice level is one to use when you’re neither making-out… nor want to shout

Dec 8, 2021 • 2:24

0341 – Vocal Proxemics

0341 – Vocal Proxemics

2021.12.07 – 0341 – Vocal ProxemicsVocal ProxemicsAssociated with ‘Human Spacing’ are our vocal proxemics: the kind of voice we use in each Zone. The further away someone is, the louder and less personal your voice becomes. ‘Proxemics’ is a branch of linguistic science which describes the effects of nearness or distance in signalling attitudes. We all[1] have an inbuilt ‘virtual voice volume’ dial, which we use to adjust our loudness level depending on what we judge is needed. The brain au

Dec 7, 2021 • 3:44

0340 – Your 12-Inch Voice

0340 – Your 12-Inch Voice

2021.12.06 – 0340 – Your 12-Inch VoiceSometimes people refer to a “12-inch voice”. But what is that? It is the volume required for you to be heard only up to a 12-inch radius around yourself (approx. 30 centimetres). 12 inches is certainly in the intimate zone!Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by

Dec 6, 2021 • 0:35

0339 – Human Spacing And Its Part In Projection Theory

0339 – Human Spacing And Its Part In Projection Theory

2021.12.05 – 0339 – Human Spacing And Its Part In Projection TheoryHuman SpacingWhat the barbecue has illustrated is Human Spacing, the ideas of anthropologist Edward T. Hall[1] from which we understand the projection needed to speak conversationally[2]. It’s because, as we have seen, there are very specific ‘social rules’ about this social distance[3]. The Public Zone This is generally over 3 metres. That is, when we are walking around town, we will try to keep at least this distance betwe

Dec 5, 2021 • 3:34

0338 – The Anniversary Party Analysis

0338 – The Anniversary Party Analysis

2021.12.04 – 0338 – The Anniversary Party Analysis VOCAL PROXEMICS AND THE FOUR VARIETIES OF VOCAL VOLUMEYour natural volumeWe are not ‘prehistorically programmed’ to speak to people that we can’t see, let alone speak to millions of people all at once but supposedly in a friendly one-to-one conversational way. The two elements are in dichotomy. So, we try and manipulate our mind to create a false version of reality. Let’s take a step back, and consider what we do naturally. Picture th

Dec 4, 2021 • 5:51

0337 – Projection Advice to BBC Presenters

0337 – Projection Advice to BBC Presenters

2021.12.03 – 0337 – Projection Advice to BBC Presenters On 2nd January 1928, 5XX (the forerunner of the BBC) broadcast its first ‘Daily Service’ from Savoy Hill in London, with The Rev H.R.L Sheppard C.H., D.D. A booklet “Hints For Preachers” was published for those who would be speaking on this new medium and were unsure how to ‘use it’. The advice: “Remember that your vast audience isn't a crowd or congregation,but various individuals to whom you are speaking in the intimacy of their home

Dec 3, 2021 • 2:12

0336 – The Feedback Loop – Part 2

0336 – The Feedback Loop – Part 2

2021.12.02 – 0336 – The Feedback Loop – Part 2When we are in a studio, we don’t have this verbal and non-verbal feedback loop because the audience is unseen: we can’t see their nods of agreement, or hear their “uh-huhs” of understanding, and so it’s tricky for us to adjust our mode of delivery, and therefore to sound natural. We need to create a construct of conversationality while reading a written text aloud. You know what it’s like when you’re talking to someone at a barbecue or business

Dec 2, 2021 • 2:54

0335 – Mouth Open, Eyes Closed

0335 – Mouth Open, Eyes Closed

2021.12.01 – 0335 – Mouth Open, Eyes ClosedI once knew a man who spoke in a very loud voice. He commanded the conversation both with his volume and also with his body language, because when he spoke in his overbearing, bumptious tone… he’d close his eyes. What he was doing was shutting out all external signals that would have told him to cede the floor: he would not see someone stepping back, looking away, shaking their head and so on, which meant he could continue barking until he had fini

Dec 1, 2021 • 2:30

0334 – The Broken Feedback Loop

0334 – The Broken Feedback Loop

2021.11.30 – 0334 – The Broken Feedback LoopIn a face-to-face or even voice-to-voice conversation (such as a phone call), most people constantly monitor their role in relation to others:· taking turns so they don’t monopolise a conversation· the speaker adds verbal checks to confirm that the other person is listening and understanding (“you know what I mean?”)· &

Nov 30, 2021 • 2:48

0333 – The Big Projection Problem

0333 – The Big Projection Problem

2021.11.29 – 0333 – The Big Projection ProblemThe big problem is that in our line of work - broadcasting, podcasting or voice-overing – we are in an ‘unnatural situation’. A million years ago, our prehistoric ancestors would talk, live, to a handful of people who were standing nearby. Then as communities grew, people would talk live to larger crowds standing in front of them. Today, we sit alone in a room, and talk to far greater numbers of people, who we can’t see but who are all listening alon

Nov 29, 2021 • 1:20

0332 – Presenting Projections on TV and Radio

0332 – Presenting Projections on TV and Radio

2021.11.28 – 0332 – Presenting Projections on TV and RadioIn television a conversational projection is more appropriate because the reader has an illusion of eye contact with the audience, and television audiences offer more of their undivided attention than do radio listeners.Radio presenters have to work harder to cut through distractions and background noise before reaching the listener, especially if you are being heard on somebody’s car radio or in a living room full of hyperactive two-year

Nov 28, 2021 • 1:44

0331 – Interpretations of Projections

0331 – Interpretations of Projections

2021.11.27 – 0331 – Interpretations of Projections Loud speakers can come over as assured and energetic - or aggressive or bumptious, full of themselves, larger than life, maybe a bit of a bully. They can’t or won’t monitor how their message is being received – and so don’t dial back from 11, and leave the listener feeling attacked and wanting to disengage from the message. Softer speakers can seem meek, mild and unsure of themselves or their content. A listener may consider they have less

Nov 27, 2021 • 2:06

0330 – Why Various Voice Volumes Are Vital

0330 – Why Various Voice Volumes Are Vital

2021.11.26 – 0330 – Why Various Voice Volumes Are VitalWhy ‘Various Voice Volumes Are Vital’So why is cranking the dial up or down so useful both with scripts and adlibs? In natural English-presentation, more volume and projection are used:·        to add emphasis to important content·        when we are excited about the content·        when we are speaking with a several people, or those who are further away·        when we are angry·        when we consider the listener doesn’t understand the

Nov 26, 2021 • 1:31

0329 – What Is ‘Energy’?

0329 – What Is ‘Energy’?

2021.11.25 – 0329 – What Is ‘Energy’?Energy (or ‘presence’)This is slightly different from both volume and projection, but does have elements of those within it. ‘Energy’ is subtle and complex, and is a mix of various elements of your body and mind. So, an ‘energetic presentation’ might be a mix of varying degrees of:Your Body· Volume – but you’re not shouting· Projection – but you’re not too inten

Nov 25, 2021 • 4:03

0328 – The Shower Head Analogy

0328 – The Shower Head Analogy

2021.11.24 – 0328 – The Shower Head AnalogyProjection is ‘your voice with focus’. Think of the settings on a shower head: one may be a wide ‘rain shower’ spray, another a ‘full body’ spray covering a smaller area, and then a ‘intense jet’ that uses the same overall force of water but concentrates it in a smaller more-clearly targeted area.So, think of the soundwaves leaving your mouth as being more intense in their focus, but with little or no additional volume. Flick the setting and have the wa

Nov 24, 2021 • 2:52

0327 – What Is ‘Projection’?

0327 – What Is ‘Projection’?

2021.11.23 – 0327 – What Is ‘Projection’?Projection – There is a subtle difference between ‘volume’ and ‘projection’, where the latter is a more nuanced way of ‘throwing one’s voice’ when speaking on mic in a studio to ‘reach out’ to those who you cannot see. Projection is more about the power of the voice rather than the volume. It suggests intensity and focused strength. Like a focused laser beam rather than a strong, wide torch beam. Yes, projection involves ‘loudness’ but it is less to

Nov 23, 2021 • 2:42

0326 – What Is ‘Volume’?

0326 – What Is ‘Volume’?

2021.11.22 – 0326 – What Is ‘Volume’?DEFINITIONSVolume – is a basic degree in softness or loudness of your voice along the path from whispering to shouting (or ‘raising one’s voice’). Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is about 30 dB, normal conversation is about 60 dB (a motorcycle engine running is about 95 dB).Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathin

Nov 22, 2021 • 1:21

0325 – How You Naturally Pump Up The Volume

0325 – How You Naturally Pump Up The Volume

2021.11.21 – 0325 – How You Naturally Pump Up The VolumeHow You Naturally Pump Up The VolumeAs we saw many chapters ago, your voice is produced by air from the lungs moving over the vocal cords in the larynx in the throat. As the cords’ combination of muscle and cartilage contract and relax, the space between them increases or decreases, and the tone and pitch of the voice changes. But it’s the force and speed of air passing over them which changes the volume. Think about a shout

Nov 21, 2021 • 1:27

0324 – A Mix Of Modulators

0324 – A Mix Of Modulators

2021.11.20 – 0324 – A MIx Of Modulators Of course, volume and projection are part of the overall ‘mix of modulators’ which combine in varying degrees to give you your unique voice that you use in different situations. They are perhaps more closely related to ‘tone’ which we spoke about earlier, and that in itself is related to the content of a message: you rarely shout “I love you” but say it in a softer voice. Similarly, at a sports event you’re unlikely to whisper “C’mon you Reds…”.

Nov 20, 2021 • 1:58

0323 – The Volume of Your Voice – plus a shout out to projection and energy

0323 – The Volume of Your Voice – plus a shout out to projection and energy

2021.11.19 – 0323 – The Volume of Your Voice – plus a shout out to projection and energy “The mouth is a true index of character.It is through the mouth and eyes that all emotions are expressed”A.A. Milne In this chapter we’ll look at how loud you sound. There’s a section on vocal proxemics, the times you may use a softer or louder voice and a bit on mic technique too. Plus, your vocal health when it comes to both whispering and straining when projecting. Everything from int

Nov 19, 2021 • 1:45

0322 – Intonation Summary

0322 – Intonation Summary

2021.11.18 – 0322 – In SummaryA common failing of script readers is banging out every, say, fifth word, like a beat on a drum.Or banging out unimportant words, the ‘grammar glue’ that simply link a sentence together, rather than the words which do the ‘heavy lifting’ and help explain the story. (Here I have underlined the correct ones to lift!)Having this kind of intonation gives the impression that you don’t understand the story – and of course it is your job to explain it. Intonation exists to

Nov 18, 2021 • 2:26

0321 – Final Intonation Considerations

0321 – Final Intonation Considerations

2021.11.17 – 0321 – Final Intonation ConsiderationsOnce you have pre-read and rehearsed and are confident in what the sense of the script is, don’t necessarily read it exactly the same way each and every time. To sound convincingly conversational, you need to ‘feel’ the words each time your eyes see them, as though the thoughts are just occurring to you. As long as it’s true to the intended meaning, each time should sound like it is the first time.Intonation is important: highlighting one differ

Nov 17, 2021 • 1:12

0320 – What Am I Talking About

0320 – What Am I Talking About

2021.11.16 – 0320 – What Am I Talking AboutWhat am I talking about?“She is a miniature horse breeder and is married to an English professor.”Is she a horse breeder who is small in height, and married to a woman who is English and teaches science? Or does she breed miniature horses and married to a German who tutors in the subject of English?“The new solicitor was very concerned about his brief case and allegations about his clients’ milking machines.”Is he worried about his bag and the fate of h

Nov 16, 2021 • 2:31

0319 – Intonations In Different Languages

0319 – Intonations In Different Languages

2021.11.15 – 0319 – Intonations In Different Languages INTONATIONS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGESEach language has its intonation and some are more musical than others. In English, a wide range is used. In some instances, intonation carries the meaning of a phrase. For example, in question tags the intonation used can indicate whether the speaker is looking for agreement. It is important for speakers of other languages to be aware of intonation. If their language does not have the same range, they can s

Nov 15, 2021 • 3:03

0318 – Prick Up Your Ears

0318 – Prick Up Your Ears

2021.11.14 – 0318 – Prick Up Your EarsThis ‘skeleton script’ comprising of just the meaning-full words, are the ones which are lifted and if you only heard these ones perhaps on the radio in the car when the kids were chattering, you get a gist of what the story was. Like catching your name being said amongst the hubbub of a party, they are the ones which prick up your ears.It’s like, as a child, listening from the upstairs bannisters to your parents talking downstairs. You can’t get every word

Nov 14, 2021 • 1:41

0317 – The Magic Skeleton

0317 – The Magic Skeleton

2021.11.13 – 0317 – The Magic SkeletonYou have to be careful with intonation of course:· If you lift the wrong words that you begin to sound like a bad robot and thus not conversational or natural· If you lift the wrong words, it can actually change the meaning of a sentence, and may even land you in trouble legally· If you lift too many words then the whol

Nov 13, 2021 • 3:34

0316 – Hearing Your Own Intonation

0316 – Hearing Your Own Intonation

2021.11.12 – 0316 – Hearing Your Own IntonationIt is difficult to be aware of the exact intonation of your own presentation, partly because of how we hear ourselves ‘inside ourselves’ through our own sound passages and vibrations. And also, it’s because we know our ‘intention of intonation’, and therefore it’s difficult to judge how exactly that message has been received. To put it another way, we hear what we said, not what others have heard and have understood by it.Those who speak in a monoto

Nov 12, 2021 • 1:24

0315 – The ‘Question Intonation’

0315 – The ‘Question Intonation’

2021.11.11 – 0315 – The ‘Question Intonation’Those who have a ‘sing-songy’ voice which goes unnecessarily up-and-down in tone (the ‘sea-sick syndrome’), can come over as patronising. It may sound ‘up and bright’ to them but to the listener it sounds cheesy and as though the presenter is on ‘auto-pilot’ without a care for the content of the message. Other presenters go up at the end of every sentence? Like this? Whether it’s necessary or not? Are they really asking a question? Or have they got in

Nov 11, 2021 • 4:05

0314 – Circumflex Intonation

0314 – Circumflex Intonation

2021.11.10 – 0314 – Circumflex IntonationBut the human voice is capable of much more intonational gymnastics! Within some words we can go down … and then up and then down again. Or up, down, and up again. And these intonation alterations give additional clues to the listener as to what we mean.Down > up > down ( ) This is often a sneery tone, or used to signify uncertainty. · &nbs

Nov 10, 2021 • 4:21

0313 – The Flat Intonation

0313 – The Flat Intonation

2021.11.09 – 0313 – The Flat IntonationAnd in some situations, I may just have an almost flat intonation (with a slight raise) on a word, to signpost a meaning to the listener. For example, if I am talking, it’s the way that I would say that I’m in the middle of my sentence, and I don’t want you to interrupt me yet because I’ve got more to say about this subject, but when I have finished what I’m saying, I’ll finish and go down.Let’s take a look back at that: “So, it’s t

Nov 9, 2021 • 1:37

0312 – The Downward Circumflex Intonation Within A Word

0312 – The Downward Circumflex Intonation Within A Word

2021.11.08 – 0312 – The Downward Circumflex Intonation Within A Word This is, unsurprisingly, a word said in a higher pitch followed by a lower one, and as you might expect often signifies closure, certainty, finality – and is what we often use at the end of a sentence, as well as:· Usually for straight questions expecting more straight answers – “Is the team playing today or tomorrow?” / “Tomorrow.”· “

Nov 8, 2021 • 2:53

0311 – The Upward Circumflex Intonation Within A Word

0311 – The Upward Circumflex Intonation Within A Word

2021.11.07 – 0311 – The Upward Circumflex Intonation Within A Word This is when you start saying a word in one tone, and then end it on another, giving the word an upward tonal spin from one syllable to another. It suggests a wavering lack of finality as well as: · Doubt – “I’m not sure what I think about that…” · Worry – “Will you finish now?” ·

Nov 7, 2021 • 3:06

0310 – The ‘Intonation Circumflex’

0310 – The ‘Intonation Circumflex’

2021.11.06 – 0310 – The ‘Intonation Circumflex’But one doesn’t always merely ‘push’ a whole word, sometimes by changing your inflection within a word it carries another meaning. This is the ‘word-wobble’ or ‘circumflex intonation’, denoting doubt by the reader. Consider the statement “the Moon is made of cheese” and the reply “Really?”. That reply could be said:· Really? – a matter-of-fact slightly disbelievingly, with a low, emphatic tone· &nbs

Nov 6, 2021 • 5:09

0309 – Intonation for Comedians

0309 – Intonation for Comedians

2021.11.05 – 0309 – Intonation for ComediansOK this is a bit off topic, but let’s spend a moment looking at intonation in respect of the delivery of a joke. One of the reasons something is funny is because it is unexpected. And that may mean you have to change your intonation to signpost the humour. So (and this is not the joke!) what do you call the situation when lots of cars are filling a road and none of them are moving? A ‘traffic jam’ right? And you would naturally put the colour

Nov 5, 2021 • 4:03

0308 – How Mis-Intonation Can Cause Mis-Direction

0308 – How Mis-Intonation Can Cause Mis-Direction

2021.11.04 – 0308 – How Mis-Intonation Can Cause Mis-DirectionNot intonating the correct words can completely alter its meaning and tone, leading to a completely different message given to the listener. He said their action had made a walkout inevitable. Stressing the word “he” might suggest there are others who would disagree with this statement. He said their action had made a walkout inevitable. Emphasising the word said casts doubt on the truth of the statement, implying

Nov 4, 2021 • 1:39

0307 – 13 – A Brief Bit on Brackets (or ‘A Pause for a Part on Parentheses’)

0307 – 13 – A Brief Bit on Brackets (or ‘A Pause for a Part on Parentheses’)

2021.11.03 – 0307 – 13 – A Brief Bit on Brackets (or ‘A Pause for a Part on Parentheses’)You will be unlikely to find these in news or commercial reads (although sometimes you might), these are clauses which may appear with brackets around them, or – just like this – with dashes… or maybe ellipses. On other times, depending on the style of the writer, they may appear inside commas. As bracketed phrases (or those in parenthesis) may appear in an ebook narration, let’s spend a few moments loo

Nov 3, 2021 • 4:06

0306 – 12 – Positive Intonation About Negative Information

0306 – 12 – Positive Intonation About Negative Information

2021.11.02 – 0306 – 12 – Positive Intonation About Negative InformationRemember earlier we looked at the fulcrum of facts in a story or sentence? That is, ‘this person says this and that person says that’? Well that can be developed into situations when ‘that person says this happened and that person says it did not’. In other words, negatives, opposites, contrasts and contradictions. Words such as “didn’t”, “disagreed”, “refused”, “never”, “hadn’t”, “not”, “no” and “none” are usually key w

Nov 2, 2021 • 6:48

0305 – 11 – Positive Intonation About Positive Information

0305 – 11 – Positive Intonation About Positive Information

2021.11.01 – 0305 – 11 – Positive Intonation About Positive InformationThe ideas about highlighting contrasting and new information join together, when we look at ‘positive’ words such as ‘any’, ‘all’ and ‘always’. “Police found a body in a house on Devilgate Drive, and they didn’t allow anyone to walk up there.” Remember our shades of colour in intonation. The fact that they didn’t allow anyone up the road, is new information and “anyone” may be lifted slightly. But in the following senten

Nov 1, 2021 • 3:00

0304 – Grammar Glue Part 2

0304 – Grammar Glue Part 2

2021.10.31 – 0304 – Grammar Glue Part 2or – and and or are often two sides of the same coin. “And” is often giving additional information, whereas “or” usually suggests options or alternatives are available.In a simple ‘either/or’ phrase, the “or” is often subdued, to allow the basic options either side to be coloured. “You can have chicken or fish”. But in a more complicated sentence, when there are two sets of options compared with two more you may want to highlight the “or” to be a ‘pivot poi

Oct 30, 2021 • 6:16

0303 – 10 – Grammar Glue

0303 – 10 – Grammar Glue

2021.10.30 – 0303 – 10 – Grammar GlueConsider a dodgy phone connection and you can only hear some of what a friend is saying. You get the gist of the content from the meaningful words in the sentence: the words which actually are full of meaning, give detail and context and move the story along.Some words in a sentence don’t add much information, they are there to give it structure and hold the important words together. They act as grammar ‘glue’. You can usually dampen down these delete-ab

Oct 29, 2021 • 6:02

0302 – 9 – By Super-Stressing One Insignificant Word, You Downplay The Sense Of The Sentence

0302 – 9 – By Super-Stressing One Insignificant Word, You Downplay The Sense Of The Sentence

2021.10.29 – 0302 – 9 – By Super-Stressing One Insignificant Word, You Downplay The Sense Of The Sentence“Christmas is the best time of the year.” It’s a short, straightforward sentence: this speaker loves Christmas! It is simply the best! Therefore, the words that are most-coloured are:· Christmas · BestAnd slightly-coloured:· Year “Christmas is the best t

Oct 28, 2021 • 2:37

0301 – More Intonation Confusion

0301 – More Intonation Confusion

2021.10.28 – 0301 – More Intonation Confusion In a news item about the Kashmir earthquake, one presenter said that she was going to speak to “someone who was in the country [Pakistan] at the time of the earthquake”. But she highlighted “country”, which made it seem that this person had gone off to a quiet rural retreat. The new and newsworthy information is that that person being spoken to was an eye-witness, experienced what happened, and so the phrase that needed to be highlighted was that the

Oct 27, 2021 • 4:52

0300 – 8 – Beware of Potential Intonation Confusion

0300 – 8 – Beware of Potential Intonation Confusion

2021.10.27 – 0300 – 8 – Beware of Potential Intonation Confusion We have already seen how colouring different words in a sentence leads to a change in meaning of that sentence. Therefore, if you colour the wrong word, the meaning of the sentence becomes wrong too. In 2021 there was a lack of lorry drivers in the UK which hit distribution companies and threatened to lead to higher prices for products and stock shortages. It was suggested this was because of the Coronavirus pa

Oct 26, 2021 • 7:01

0300 – 8 – Beware of Potential Intonation Confusion

0300 – 8 – Beware of Potential Intonation Confusion

2021.10.27 – 0300 – 8 – Beware of Potential Intonation Confusion We have already seen how colouring different words in a sentence leads to a change in meaning of that sentence. Therefore, if you colour the wrong word, the meaning of the sentence becomes wrong too. In 2021 there was a lack of lorry drivers in the UK which hit distribution companies and threatened to lead to higher prices for products and stock shortages. It was suggested this was because of the Coronavirus pa

Oct 26, 2021 • 7:01

0299 – 7 – Take Notice Of What Is Implied

0299 – 7 – Take Notice Of What Is Implied

2021.10.26 – 0299 – 7 – Take Notice Of What Is Implied When no contrast is impliedThere are some phrases in which to colour one part over another, suggests a contrast that does not or cannot exist. On occasion you are able to rewrite the sentence so the anomaly disappears: “Police have found a dead body on wasteland in the city centre”. A ‘body’ in this context is by sheer definition, dead (otherwise the discovery would be referenced as “an injured man” for example). It would

Oct 25, 2021 • 5:06

0298 – Purposeful Mis-Intonation

0298 – Purposeful Mis-Intonation

2021.10.25 – 0298 – Purposeful Mis-IntonationIt’s similar in this e-learning script: “Human beings inhales mainly oxygen and exhales mainly carbon dioxide…” – we might normally say ex-HALE, but because of its contrast with an earlier word we say EX-hale. And on this government website: “… whether it’s national or international trade…” – instead of the more usual pronunciation of inter-NATIONAL, we say INTER-national so it contrasts with the NATIONAL mentioned previously. Or this traini

Oct 24, 2021 • 4:14

0297 – 6 – Shades of Colour

0297 – 6 – Shades of Colour

2021.10.24 – 0297 – 6 – Shades of ColourIn your ‘vocal palette’ you:· slightly colour new information…· give slightly more colour to the first part of contrasting information…· and slightly more again to the second part of contrasting information. That’s because you have to give credit to your audience: they understand that there is a pattern in the ‘e

Oct 23, 2021 • 6:20

0296 – Guiding The Listener

0296 – Guiding The Listener

2021.10.23 – 0296 – Guiding The ListenerIt’s a complicated explanation, and your intonation will help the listener through who is doing what with who and when. And that of course is the point of intonation – to signpost the sense of a story. Here’s another example. Read it aloud naturally and then look at the construction and with what you know so far, work out the contrasts and therefore the ‘colour words’ that are there. “The climate action group said humans were felling too man

Oct 22, 2021 • 3:06

0295 – Contrasts Within Contrasts

0295 – Contrasts Within Contrasts

2021.10.22 – 0295 – Contrasts Within Contrasts Let’s make it a bit more fun, because sometimes there’s more than one contrast, or contrasts within contrasts! “Some dealerships give you a free vehicle wash with every service, we give an internal valet too … with every service and every winter tyre change.” Note the contrasts between “some dealerships” and “we” … “free vehicle wash” and “internal valet” … and “every service” and “every service and every winter tyre change”. “The uni

Oct 21, 2021 • 9:09

0294 – 5 – Look For The Balance

0294 – 5 – Look For The Balance

2021.10.21 – 0294 – 5 – Look For The BalanceLook for the fulcrum in the story – what balances one side of it with another. A story is often a story because the arc is based around an axis-point: ‘while this is happening over here, that’s happening over there . . .’, or ‘he says this, but she says that’. In your head you probably just read that sentence, slightly lifting the words “this”, “here”, “that”, and “there”. That’s because those words are giving ‘context through contrast or comparis

Oct 20, 2021 • 6:26

0293 – 4 – How Long Before An Old Idea Is New Again

0293 – 4 – How Long Before An Old Idea Is New Again

2021.10.20 – 0293 – 4 – How Long Before An Old Idea Is New AgainYeah, good point. I mean, if you’re reading a longer script, a word, term or idea may keep reappearing. You can’t subdue every subsequent reference to it just because you said it two paragraphs or pages before. Indeed not. It becomes a new idea when other information has been introduced subsequently and taken the listener’s attention away from that ‘new thing’. It may be a ‘recycled’ new idea quite quickly – sometimes

Oct 19, 2021 • 7:09

0292 – 3 – Synonyms: simple and advanced

0292 – 3 – Synonyms: simple and advanced

2021.10.19 – 0292 – 3 – Synonyms: simple and advancedWe looked at the basic synonyms earlier. This is when “the Prime Minister” is then referred to as “she”, or “The Green Fingered Gardening Group” is called “the business”. And we discussed how, just because it’s a different word, the idea is still old: that person, organisation or idea has already been introduced and so a further reference to them using either the same word or a substitute term, should not be lifted. There are exceptions –

Oct 18, 2021 • 5:23

0291 – ‘Reading In’

0291 – ‘Reading In’

2021.10.18 – 0291 – ‘Reading In’ In broadcast newsrooms, the person who writes the introduction to a story (the cue) may not be the person who goes on and actually records the script of the story itself. That’s because larger newsrooms might have specialist writer and those who are on-air. In smaller newsrooms it’s because the newsreader (who will read the cue on air) is usually the person who finds and writes the whole story and asks a colleague to ‘voice up’ the main report (a ‘voicer’).

Oct 17, 2021 • 4:49

0290 – Grades Of Lifting And Subduing

0290 – Grades Of Lifting And Subduing

2021.10.17 – 0290 – Grades Of Lifting And SubduingYou will remember the musical stave earlier, and realise that it’s not a matter of rising up from and down to your ‘home tone’ of intonation, in many cases you need to go below that tone to ‘un-colour’ or ‘subdue’ a word or phrase, such is its insignificance. I have used the word ‘subtle’ and ‘nuanced’ before, and that is deliberate, because I want to show the shades of colour you can bring to words within a sentence when you intonate. The

Oct 16, 2021 • 3:56

0289 – Subduing Old Information: Examples

0289 – Subduing Old Information: Examples

2021.10.16 – 0289 – Subduing Old Information: ExamplesLet’s look at the idea of subduing old information with a few more examples:· “The England football captain and other members of the team” – you would not highlight “team” as you have suggested that is what you’re referring to (with the use of the words “captain” and “other members”), and so would simply lift the word “other” and subdue “members of the team”· &n

Oct 15, 2021 • 4:09

0288 – When Information Is Implied

0288 – When Information Is Implied

2021.10.15 – 0288 – When Information Is Implied VOICE BOX This subduing of old information also, as I mentioned before, goes for information which – although never explicitly said – is implied: A large fire has broken out at a coffin makers in Strabane, County Tyrone.The Northern Ireland Fire Service is at the blaze at O'Doherty's on Railway Street.Julie Journo reports. Let’s look at that very last line “Julie Journo reports”. We all understand the ‘grammar of news repo

Oct 14, 2021 • 4:28

0287 – The Synonym Intonation Substitution.

0287 – The Synonym Intonation Substitution.

2021.10.14 – 0287 – The Synonym Intonation Substitution. Here’s a quick way to work out whether you should be ‘colouring a synonym’: simply put into effect The Synonym Intonation Substitution. This is: take a word or phrase that you think may be a synonym for something you have already said, and replace it with that first mention. Then read those same sentences again – with the repeated word in both. If you naturally drop the second reference (as you likely will), then:·&nb

Oct 13, 2021 • 5:29

0286 – What To Do About Synonyms

0286 – What To Do About Synonyms

2021.10.13 – 0286 – What To Do About SynonymsThe same goes when synonyms (other words which have the same meaning) are used:· “A man’s been stabbed on Epsom Common. He was attacked as he walked on wasteland near the Wells estate.” o Colour “stabbed” as this is new information, but un-colour “attacked” as it is a synonym. The same principle goes for “Common” which is highlighted, and “wasteland”, which is another word for the same thing.·&

Oct 12, 2021 • 7:29

0285 – 2 - Un-colour Old Information

0285 – 2 - Un-colour Old Information

2021.10.12 – 0285 – 2 - Un-colour Old InformationUnimportant or old information (that is, detail which is already known or presumed to be known), can be ‘thrown away’ in your delivery and does not need to be highlighted. It can stay on your level tone or subdued. “The crash was between two cars. The blue car hit the red car.” We just saw how you would naturally slightly highlight “crash” and “two cars” in the first sentence but would you colour the word “car” in the second? Go ahead a

Oct 11, 2021 • 6:01

0284 – What Are Meaningful Words?

0284 – What Are Meaningful Words?

2021.10.11 – 0284 – What Are Meaningful Words? VOICE BOXMeaning-ful wordsThese are the words which help make the story, the story. They are the ‘magic key’ words to help the listener understand what is being said, rather than the (usually) shorter, more common words which are the ‘glue’ that holds the sentences together. When talking conversationally, we instinctively lift these key words, even without the benefit of a script or rehearsal time! It just naturally happens as the words tu

Oct 10, 2021 • 1:38

0283 – 1 - Colour Important New Information

0283 – 1 - Colour Important New Information

2021.10.10 – 0283 – 1 - Colour Important New Information Here are then, some keys to a good read. 1 – Colour Important New Information In ad-libbed speaking we naturally highlight the detail that ‘makes the story, the story’ – the information that is new and important, the facts that we want to draw attention to, and which propel the message… the ‘meaning-ful’ words and phrases. So ask yourself what the script is about and what makes it unusual. What is different, new or unexpect

Oct 9, 2021 • 6:20

0282 – Intentional Intonation

0282 – Intentional Intonation

2021.10.09 – 0282 – Intentional IntonationTHE GUIDE to INTENTIONAL INTONATIONYour intonation education and behaviour modification, starts here!Accurate intonation is the most important of all elements in spoken delivery. It allows yourmessage to be communicated with precision.There is no point in reading if your listeners don’t understand the meaning. If you have any doubt in ‘how to read out loud’ think, “how would I say this?” rather than “how would I read this?” – that’s a trick that often re

Oct 8, 2021 • 1:46

0281 – Emma’s Story

0281 – Emma’s Story

2021.10.08 – 0281 – Emma’s StoryIf you understand the sense of the story, why it is relevant and interesting, then you stand a better chance of making it compelling when you read it. Put yourself in the place where the story happened, see it as you read it to add to your conviction… – like Emma, the travel reporter…  I was called in by the manager of a radio station to train his travel news presenter, let’s call her Emma Leven. He was at a loss to know what to do. She had a great voice and perso

Oct 7, 2021 • 4:21

0280 – - How to Sound Like You Know What You’re Talking About.

0280 – - How to Sound Like You Know What You’re Talking About.

2021.10.07 – 0280 – - How to Sound Like You Know What You’re Talking About.- How to sound like you know what you’re talking about.You can do this by actually knowing what you’re talking about. (You can’t fake sincerity.)If you don’t know the meaning of what you’re reading, then how will you will be able to convey the meaning to your audience? Good comprehension leads to good intonation.If you are not interested, your viewer and listener won’t be. You don’t want one (or more) of them to thin

Oct 6, 2021 • 3:39

0279 – The Bus Driver Analogy

0279 – The Bus Driver Analogy

2021.10.06 – 0279 – The Bus Driver AnalogyIf you have ‘randomisation of intonation’ then it’s like travelling on a bus with a driver who keeps clipping the curb. You get so caught up with hanging on to the seat that you’re not ‘hanging onto their every word’.Your listeners have to be reassured where you are going with a script, so they can ‘enjoy the view’ of the message. That way they forget about the driver, and just enjoy the journey.Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter Stewar

Oct 5, 2021 • 1:24

0278 – Intonation Is Easier If…

0278 – Intonation Is Easier If…

2021.10.05 – 0278 – Intonation Is Easier If…‘Read intonation’ becomes easier if you:· Understand the message of the script or story· Realise its significance – if you are interested you will sound interesting· Know who the intended listener is· And their ‘desired response’ Audio recording script and show n

Oct 4, 2021 • 0:55

0277 – Nervous Newbies

0277 – Nervous Newbies

2021.10.04 – 0277 – Nervous NewbiesThis person is a beginner in reading, perhaps live on air. Their problem is that they start their read not on their ‘home pitch’ but one or two octaves higher, which means that when they need to intonate a word using a slightly higher pitch there’s little head room to move in to. It can sound painful for humans to hear – although dogs may be able to! As well as internal and external stress contributing to a higher register, the style and content of some p

Oct 3, 2021 • 6:15

0276 – The ‘Grand Old Duke Of York’ Readers

0276 – The ‘Grand Old Duke Of York’ Readers

2021.10.03 – 0276 – The ‘Grand Old Duke Of York’ ReadersThese are the presenters who rise in pitch as the sentence goes on, then pause three words from the end of it before completing it on… [1] a [2] downward [3] inflection. They are in effect, marching their words to the top of the hill… and then down again. (Say those two previous sentences with a rising intonation on each word up to the ellipses, and then drop it … word by word.) You may have heard people like this: they’re o

Oct 2, 2021 • 1:51

0275 – ‘Intonation Stew’ Readers

0275 – ‘Intonation Stew’ Readers

2021.10.02 – 0275 – ‘Intonation Stew’ ReadersSometimes I hear a script that sounds like an ‘intonation stew’, with intonations rising and falling for no apparent reason, and emphasis either in all the wrong places.It’s always hard to listen to that kind of read, because it’s completely un-natural. That is, it doesn’t mimic the way we speak in conversation, which is one of the skills you need for successful voice acting. It sounds like a really poor ‘robotic’ voice you hear on kids’ games fo

Oct 1, 2021 • 2:33

0274 – Action Intonators

0274 – Action Intonators

2021.10.01 – 0274 – Action IntonatorsI have also read advice to “stress every verb, because they’re action-words”. That is simply wrong! There may be some sense in colouring (not ‘stress’ please!) some action words (as long as they are keys to the sense of the script (see below) such as run, fight, punch, jump and so on. They are certainly ‘action verbs’. But what about other verbs? Sleep, cry, collapse…? Verbs simply do not always express action. So such advice is ‘intonatio

Sep 30, 2021 • 2:16

0273 – Plonking

0273 – Plonking

2021.09.30 – 0273 – Plonking“Just a little tip, you don’t underline every third word for emphasis because it sounds really unnatural” that’s what Ira Glass the host and producer of the radio and television series ‘This American Life’ is quoted as saying.[1] Similarly, NPR says: “You should give certain words a little punch, but in a way that doesn’t just mean you scream every fourth word and whisper all the others.”[2] Plonking in intonation on every ‘however-many-words’, shows yo

Sep 29, 2021 • 2:08

0272 – Intonation Constipation

0272 – Intonation Constipation

2021.09.29 – 0272 – Intonation ConstipationThis is when there is barely any intonation at all – your presentation style is as flat as Ian McDonald on diazepam.[1] With such a delivery, all the ‘story signposts’ are at the same level. Low. And even though the delivery may be unemotional – good on occasion – it may also be considered uninvolving or uncaring, or rude and does little to help lead a listener through the lanes of learning. Rather than get a full understanding, they’re more l

Sep 28, 2021 • 3:03

0271 – The Stale Story Read

0271 – The Stale Story Read

2021.09.28 – 0271 – The Stale Story ReadAnother close relation, The Stale Story read is also the style of the 24-hour news channel presenter, who is reading the same script for the umpteenth hour and forgets to inject an element of understanding into it. It’s the style of the autocue automaton who forgets that someone is hearing this information for the very first time and to them it should be presented as ‘fresh facts’ and ‘new news’ and an intonation that will help signpost its significan

Sep 27, 2021 • 2:55

0270 – The News Channel Read

0270 – The News Channel Read

2021.09.27 – 0270 – The News Channel ReadThis is the style of intonation in which every story is read in a similar style. It takes its name from the ’24-hour news’ style, where presenters don’t have time to read new stories off air before they do so on air. They get into a ‘reading rut’, a muscle-memory delivery that has the same pattern and intonation, rise and fall. Such a delivery is usually not very wrong, but not completely right either. It’s a basic non-committal, neutral safe style that ‘

Sep 26, 2021 • 3:03

0269 – Sing-Song Reads

0269 – Sing-Song Reads

2021.09.26 – 0269 – Sing-Song ReadsHere then is my ‘Reading Rogue’s Gallery’ – ‘criminal intonations’ committed by newbies who haven’t been trained properly, and old hands who’re stuck in a rut. Sing-song readsThese are scripts read with a repetitive rhythm, with a similar rise and fall in one sentence as another. This kind of delivery shows that rather than intoning the correct words, you’re merely intoning the ones that appear in the same place in each sentence. Each sentence should come

Sep 25, 2021 • 3:39

0268 – When Wrong Words Are Intoned

0268 – When Wrong Words Are Intoned

2021.09.25 – 0268 – When Wrong Words Are Intoned If the wrong words are ‘intoned’, you are not achieving the main part of your job: effective communication.· the listener may not be able to follow· you may lose their attention entirely· they may become annoyed as they struggle to understand the sense of the story· &nb

Sep 24, 2021 • 1:24

0267 – When Intonation Goes Wrong

0267 – When Intonation Goes Wrong

2021.09.24 – 0267 – When Intonation Goes Wrong When Intonation Goes Wrong Later we will look at intonation, the lift or suppression of individual words and phrases to indicate significance. Mis-emphasis destroys the authority and believability of your delivery. Intonation is greatly misunderstood and badly taught – if at all. While researching content for this book to add to my extensive notes and experiences, I came across a company offering training in ‘how to speak like a broadcast

Sep 23, 2021 • 5:01

0266 – Un-Colouring Words

0266 – Un-Colouring Words

2021.09.23 – 0266 – Un-Colouring Words And the counterbalance to colouring or lifting a word or phrase, is ‘un-colouring’ or dropping a word or phrase. It’s part of ‘throwing away’ unimportant information, and is just as important as highlighting the ‘best bits’. Without one, there would not be the other. People do not process every word you utter in their heads - they listen only for key words that unlock the meaning of the sentence, and they interpret words that you leave alone (or

Sep 22, 2021 • 3:25

0265 – The Intonation Colour Chart

0265 – The Intonation Colour Chart

2021.09.22 – 0265 – The Intonation Colour Chart Intonational ‘colour chart’;There are four basic levels: Level 4 - Special Stress – more energy emphasis Level 3 - Primary Lift - slightly raised in range Level 2 - Home Base – your natural resting ‘mono-tone’Level 1 - Finality - low pitch This is how that framework can be used: [1]· Statements of fact/command: “Now tell him” 2-3-1· &nbs

Sep 21, 2021 • 9:21

0264 – Graduations of Intonations

0264 – Graduations of Intonations

2021.09.21 – 0264 – Graduations of Intonations Intonation GradationsIntonation requires you to give the correct degree of colour to ‘key’ words or phrases in asentence, to show which of several possible meanings is intended. ‘Colour’ is a nuanced combination of:· Pitch – when we change the inflection or tone of the word by lifting it (this happens most frequently in intonation) · Projection –

Sep 20, 2021 • 2:24

0263 – The Intonation Code

0263 – The Intonation Code

2021.09.20 – 0263 – The Intonation CodeSo you will see by now that your intonation can greatly influence the meaning of the message and you have to select the weight of your intonation carefully to ensure that the correct information is communicated to your audience.Intonation is the code we have to unlock the meaning of what people ‘really’ mean – without them having to explain it all for us.And that is all great when we are adlibbing, discoursing and generally being gabby conversationalists. B

Sep 19, 2021 • 1:20

0262 – An Intonation Exercise

0262 – An Intonation Exercise

2021.09.19 – 0262 – An Intonation Exercise You want another example? Try this: “He lost the point”. But depending how it is ‘intoned’ it could mean: · “He lost the point” – everyone else tried really hard, but that point loss? It was down to him.· “He lost the point” – we had all hoped that the point was going to be won, it was down to the wire, on a knife edge, and against the clock, but in the end, ye

Sep 18, 2021 • 4:13

0261 – The Red Hat Mystery

0261 – The Red Hat Mystery

2021.09.18 – 0261 – The Red Hat MysteryThose examples were with a single word, so now let’s try a similar exercise with the basic sentence “I didn’t say Roger took the red hat”. How we say each of those words, in relation to the others, helps explain more of meaning behind the statement than the actual words themselves. I didn’t say Roger took the red hatI didn’t say that – but Maddy did. I didn’t say Roger took the red hatI said nothing of the sort. Everything you say is false. I didn

Sep 17, 2021 • 7:15

0260 – “Hello…”

0260 – “Hello…”

2021.09.17 – 0260 – “Hello…”Intonation is what we all use naturally every day in our conversational speech. As native speakers of whatever language, we have the rhythms and flows, the up and downlifts, the speed, projections and pauses, all in-built. That’s because we have heard the lilt of the language from inside the womb and every day since. And it’s the same when we hear people too: if your partner calls you on the phone you can tell immediately what kind of day they’re having – not so

Sep 16, 2021 • 3:31

0259 – Intonation Illustrations

0259 – Intonation Illustrations

2021.09.16 – 0259 – Intonation Illustrations Intonation illustrationsIntonation is the ‘punctuation of the spoken word’ used to signpost meaning when we’re talking.Of course, in the written word there are various devices that can be used instead:“When did you get here?” Susan snapped, sarcastically.“SHUT UP!” he replied.To help the reader, the author and printer have worked together to tell the reader what’s going on:· Italicisation – dra

Sep 15, 2021 • 3:14

0258 – The Goldilocks Rules Of Intonations

0258 – The Goldilocks Rules Of Intonations

2021.09.15 – 0258 – The Goldilocks Rules Of IntonationNuanced and naturalThe first thing to stress (!) is that intonation is usually a subtle blend of various vocal elements, nuanced and natural. It is usually not ‘stressing’, ‘emphasising’, ‘barking’ or ‘shouting’, all of which are the vocal equivalent of a thump on the table. And although we use CAPITALISATIONS to or underlining to mark our scripts and where to lift, we do so for practicalities’ sake. But in your mind, instead of emboldened wo

Sep 14, 2021 • 1:55

0257 – My Guide To Reading Out Loud, Naturally

0257 – My Guide To Reading Out Loud, Naturally

2021.09.14 – 0257 – My Guide To Reading Out Loud, NaturallyHere is my guide on ‘how to read out loud naturally’[1] which I developed as a BBC news presenter and then went on to use while train colleagues in national and local stations across the UK.It’s a framework on how to vocalise various constructions of grammar, punctuation and logic which make up most news stories and scripts. Note I did not say ‘rules’, because although some sentences can only be read in one way, most can be read in a cou

Sep 13, 2021 • 2:48

0256 - Weight And Pitch in Intonation

0256 - Weight And Pitch in Intonation

2021.09.13 – 0256 - Weight And Pitch in IntonationAn Introduction to IntonationIntonation is, then, the weight and pitch one puts on individual words or phrases that draw attention to their significance and thereby communicate the overall message. Correct intonation leads a listener through a story, with the reader an interpreter or trusted guide of the facts about what ‘makes the story, a story’. The reader of a newspaper is led around the printed page by its layout. Television approa

Sep 12, 2021 • 2:47

0255 – Intonation Definitions

0255 – Intonation Definitions

2021.09.12-0255 – Intonation Definitions Intonation – is the subtle combination of tone, pitch and volume that you give to individual words or phrases as part of your overall musicality of inflection – and that’s the point of this chapter.Therefore, I will refer to intonation rather than inflection as the way to read conversationally and with meaning.I shall be careful not to use ‘stress’ as the word can also be used to mean ‘physical or mental stress’ (causing tension in the body and leading to

Sep 11, 2021 • 5:02

0254 – Inflection Definitions

0254 – Inflection Definitions

0254 – Inflection Definitions INFLECTION AND INTONATION DEFINITIONSDefinitions for words surrounding different parts of speaking are many, varied and often interchangeable. For clarity I shall use:Inflection – the overall sound of a language. Listen to someone speaking in a language that you do not understand and the overall rise and fall of their sound, its musicality, is the inflection. ‘Cadence’ or ‘prosody’ could be considered other words for ‘inflection’. Inflection is the ‘sum of all the p

Sep 10, 2021 • 5:06

0253 – An Introduction To Intonation

0253 – An Introduction To Intonation

0253 – An Introduction To IntonationIn this Intonation Section· How to recognize the principles of intonation used naturally in everyday speech· How to apply these principles in ‘unnatural’ scripted words, written by someone else· How to communicate the meaning of the reading – even with complicated content· Ho

Sep 9, 2021 • 1:09

0252 – Non-Word Sounds

0252 – Non-Word Sounds

0252 – Non-Word SoundsIt’s not just words that are requested in voice overs and voice acting. As we just saw, there are sighs gasps and screams too. Here are a few more sounds which are often requested at sessions, and which might be worth you practicing:· burping· cheering· crying· drinking· &

Sep 8, 2021 • 4:08

0251 - How To Sound Happy And Friendly… And Sad

0251 - How To Sound Happy And Friendly… And Sad

0251 - How To Sound Happy And Friendly… And SadWhen you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. But what if they can't see you? What if they can just hear you? Smile and raise your eyebrows. That’s because smiling affects how we speak, to the point that listeners can identify the type of smile based on sound alone, according to a study by scientists at the University of Portsmouth.[1] The research suggests smiling and other expressions pack a strong informational punch and m

Sep 7, 2021 • 4:31

0250 - Tone and Your Mood

0250 - Tone and Your Mood

0250 - Tone and Your MoodYour natural unforced vocal tone at any moment (and tone is different from ‘pitch’ remember) is partly a reflection of how you are feeling, your general mood, and physical and mental state. If you feel positive and upbeat, so will your voice. If your car broke down, the dog’s been sick on the cat and your wife is threatening to leave you, such worries will also be reflected in your voice. Saying “leave your troubles at the studio door” is easier said than done

Sep 6, 2021 • 2:03

0249 - A Change of Mood

0249 - A Change of Mood

0249 - A Change of MoodThose voicing commercials or longer presentations such as e-books or explainers will have to work to alter their ‘performance attitude’ during a script. That’s because:· The script will call for different ‘delivery feels’ to be reflected within the same read· A single ‘mood’ will be wearing on the presenter and the listener· A sometim

Sep 5, 2021 • 2:23

0248 - Brand Voices

0248 - Brand Voices

0248 - Brand VoicesEarlier we looked at the different kinds of emotional voice tones you may be required to replicate in your script-reading and also mentioned the ‘mood’ of the overall project.Brands often create a ‘tone-of-voice’ for their product or service, to better explain their marketing focus for certain demographics. That could be the design, font and colour of their logo, the celebrities associated with the item, their social media attitude and so on. The literal ‘tone of voice’ of the

Sep 4, 2021 • 1:44

0247 - Script Direction

0247 - Script Direction

0247 - Script Direction More clues to your tone of voice will of course come from the direction both written in your script and from your human director in the studio. It should also set out who you are speaking to, the answer to the cliché actor’s question “what’s my motivation?” as well as the mood of the overall project (see below) and the demographic of the intended audience. You can use this information to help you visualise the scene and the situation, and in turn that will help

Sep 3, 2021 • 2:00

0246 - The Gravity > Levity Tonal Scale

0246 - The Gravity > Levity Tonal Scale

0246 - The Gravity > Levity Tonal Scale THE GRAVITY > LEVITY TONAL SCALELet’s take that inexhaustive list again and re-work it so the emotions progress over time from a serious to a lighter emotion on our Gravity>Levity Scale. This is of course only my interpretation and you may have other thoughts. You will get further indication of the tone not just from the content but also the context of the script, also from directions on the script, and also from an in-studio producer of

Sep 2, 2021 • 2:19

0245 – Onomatopoeia

0245 – Onomatopoeia

2021.09.02-0245 – Onomatopoeia Occasionally you will find it appropriate to use words which, when you say them, sound like what they mean. “So why don’t you zzzzip up your new winter coat and…”“… and all fresssshhhhly delivered to your door.”“… with the smell of crisssp green apples.”“… relax in the luxurious bubbles and your tension will soak away”“…if it’s a tough job, this is the digger to do it”I’m exaggerating a bit in the text, but you get the idea. Take the sentence “with this conditioner

Sep 1, 2021 • 2:30

0244 – I Love You

0244 – I Love You

0244 – I Love You“I love you” can be said in many different ways, but if you say it with the wrong tone for the moment, you may be in trouble…There will be clues in the script and the direction. If the intention is to excite someone, then sound excited. If you are talking about a miserable event, then say it in a downbeat tone. If you are using the actual words “passion”, “excitement”, “adventure”, match your tone and volume with how the words are intended to make the listener feel. For example,

Aug 31, 2021 • 4:18

0243 - The Message Gives The Voice

0243 - The Message Gives The Voice

0243 - The Message Gives The VoiceSinging coach Judy Rodman suggests this exercise.[1] Sing or say the phrase “you're the reason I feel this way” and with the same seven words, intend to send these different messages to the listener: · “you're the reason I feel this way” (you make me happy)· “you're the reason I feel this way” (you made me angry)· “you're t

Aug 30, 2021 • 3:39

0242 – When Tonal Emotions Clash

0242 – When Tonal Emotions Clash

0242 – When tonal emotions clash Previously we looked at how a good understanding of vocabulary will help you as a broadcaster/podcaster, so you are better able to speak a script with significance – and we’ll come to much more about intonation and inflection later. But being a bit of a wordsmith will help you here as well: if you are in a recording session and a director asks you to read, for example, “more ominously” – will you know what they mean and how to replicate it vocally? What if t

Aug 29, 2021 • 3:36

0241 - Twenty-Two Tonal Emotions

0241 - Twenty-Two Tonal Emotions

0241 - Twenty-Two Tonal EmotionsThese aren’t by any means the only emotions which may be prompted by a script, but are here as a sample you can use in various rehearsal readings to explore your range. They are in alphabetical order. 1. bemused2. bright3. corporate4. cynicism / doubt5. discovery – “I just found this / h

Aug 28, 2021 • 4:26

0240 - Tone In Voice Acting

0240 - Tone In Voice Acting

-0240 - TONE IN VOICE ACTINGWhereas in newsreading you have to be more impartial, with commercials you are quite the opposite: most definitely partial! You want to persuade people to your point of view, to get them to, for example, buy the product or buy into your idea. The trouble is that many people get so focussed on reading a script that they forget the ‘emotional understanding’ of the character. That ends up with them saying words in a nice voice rather than conveying authentic meaning

Aug 27, 2021 • 1:24

0239 - More on Changing ‘Tonal Tracks’

0239 - More on Changing ‘Tonal Tracks’

0239 - More on changing ‘tonal tracks’A TV game show or shopping channel may also have to ‘turn on a sixpence’ with the presenter’s tone:· “Congratulations! You’ve just won 50-thousand pounds!” (cheers, applause, music sting) “Now, are you ready to gamble that… for the chance to win 100-thousand pounds, by answering just one question correctly..?” (heartbeat effect)· “Lines are open… NOW! Our operatives

Aug 26, 2021 • 2:35

0238 -The Tonal Construct for a Presenter

0238 -The Tonal Construct for a Presenter

0238 -The tonal construct for a presenterThere are then certain parameters for a news reader, but not so for a presenter. Those on the radio, TV or fronting a video will benefit from showing more, authentic emotional tone in their voice. But there again there are tricks and techniques in doing so. First, don’t forget what the emotion is that you want to convey to your audience. It’s easily said, but so many presenters have that disconnect that we talked about earlier when they get in front

Aug 25, 2021 • 4:25

0237 – Tonal Changes From Heavy to Light

0237 – Tonal Changes From Heavy to Light

0237 – Tonal changes from heavy to lightSerious/sad ­– another sad story from the ‘universal emotions’ file. A serious tone, perhaps tinged with a hint of resignation as if to say “everyone had not dare fear the worse but…”. If you were reading this on a station closer to this event, and perhaps had this story as a lead in the bulletin, the tone may become slightly more serious as friends and relatives of the family concerned may be hearing the news for the first time.A body has been found by em

Aug 24, 2021 • 5:34

0236 – Rehearse Your Tone With These Real Scripts

0236 – Rehearse Your Tone With These Real Scripts

0236 – Rehearse your tone with these real scriptsStraightforward tone – Be careful. This is a political story, and even though it may look on the face of it as ‘good news’, it may be that the ‘devil is in the detail’ that the money has already been announced or there are caveats to the scheme. The government has announced a 172-million pound funding package to train 8-thousand more nurses on degree apprenticeships in England over the next 4 years. At the moment, the NHS and social care empl

Aug 23, 2021 • 2:37

0235 - Marking up a Script for Tonal Changes

0235 - Marking up a Script for Tonal Changes

0235 - Marking up a script for tonal changesYou can mark your scripts with smiling or frowning emojis to remind you the kind of tone you need to adopt as you read it. Practicing appropriate toneAs I said previously, one of your greatest assets in getting a better voice are your ears, so open your earlids and use them to listen to people around you in normal conversation and the tonal variety they use to engage and explainHere are several real news scripts, with notes on each regarding the e

Aug 22, 2021 • 4:49

0234 - Working Out Appropriate Emotional Tone

0234 - Working Out Appropriate Emotional Tone

0234 - Working out appropriate emotional toneWhen you pre-read your script, work out the appropriate tone for the delivery of each story by asking yourself “How would I communicate this information if I was telling it to a friend in an interesting and committed way?” That goes for each item, and the tone may be substantially or subtly different for each one, but each one will be appropriate. Doing this will make:· each story, differen

Aug 21, 2021 • 1:30

0233 - Your Start-of-Bulletin Tone

0233 - Your Start-of-Bulletin Tone

0233 - Your start-of-bulletin toneAnd a quick thought: many news bulletins start with the reader saying “good morning” (or something similar), and all bulletins start with the most important story. As the most important is often also the most serious, possibly involving the loss of or threat to human life, be careful not to begin your update crassly with a smiley “Good morning” and then a dramatic gear change “100 people are dead after…” Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter

Aug 20, 2021 • 1:21

0232 - Emotional Tone in the News as a Story Develops Over Time

0232 - Emotional Tone in the News as a Story Develops Over Time

0232 - Emotional tone in the news as a story develops over timeLet’s take another example. A toddler has been mauled by an out-of-control dog, and has died. You would likely read that with concern. Then a week later, something similar happens to another child. Is your concern more or less than previously. It’s happened again so do that make it more serious that nothing was done? Good news / bad news and your appropriate toneAlso consider, what may be good news for one listener may be bad n

Aug 19, 2021 • 4:01

0231 - Emotional Tone Within a Story

0231 - Emotional Tone Within a Story

0231 - Emotional tone within a storyBeware of tonal shifts within a script. A story that starts “300-million pounds is being given to…” sounds a ‘good news’ story, but how it continues may require a slight tonal change by the reader:· “street parties for the king’s coronation…”· “abattoirs to dispose of diseased cattle…” Or one that starts off as ‘good news’ but later takes a turn, or two:&nbs

Aug 18, 2021 • 2:50

0230 - Tonal changes within a bulletin

0230 - Tonal changes within a bulletin

0230 - Tonal changes within a bulletinTone also affects how you read each different story. The top one usually has more seriousness, and the last one a lighter tone. A well-constructed bulletin usually has this kind of flow to it, with a variety of hard, middle and lighter stories.[1] But not always. It may be that your news format is to have sports stories at the end of a bulletin. In that case your running order may start with a serious story and then become lighter as it progresses

Aug 17, 2021 • 1:14

0229 - Changing ‘tonal tracks’

0229 - Changing ‘tonal tracks’

0229 - Changing ‘tonal tracks’As a presenter you may be required to present a story about a singing parrot one moment and then deliver breaking news of a terrorist attack. Each of these stories needs to be read in a different tone, which require you to swap tracks or gear from one tone to another, not only over the course of a bulletin, from one story to another, but also within a headline sequence. In this situation you may have just a half-second beat between stories in which to re-set your to

Aug 16, 2021 • 3:36

0228 - Appropriate emotional tone in the news

0228 - Appropriate emotional tone in the news

0228 - Appropriate emotional tone in the newsYou would appear to be a robot or psychopath if you read every story with the same amount of ‘tone of voice’ – from a landslide burying children in a school to a tap-dancing ferret. You need to give appropriate emotional weight to the script, depending on its content and context. Although you should not be wailing in grief over a royal death, or announce with anger the latest unemployment figures, you can and should usually show some understandi

Aug 15, 2021 • 6:53

0227 - Too little emotional tone in the news

0227 - Too little emotional tone in the news

0227 - Too little emotional tone in the news The requirement of balance leads to many news readers or broadcast journalists putting an emotional chasm between themselves and their story and such disassociation can signal to the listeners:· that the reader doesn’t care about the content - so they can be similarly indifferent to the information· that the reader doesn’t understand the content – so why shou

Aug 14, 2021 • 1:01

0226 - Tone In the News

0226 - Tone In the News

0226 - Tone In the NewsTONE IN THE NEWSIn the UK and many other countries, broadcast news is different from the printed press in that news has to be fair, balanced and impartial. That even-handedness is not just what you say, but how you say it. Suggesting a personal view on what you are reading, by your tone of voice could be called editorialising. We will touch on this later when we look at the words you intonate to signpost meaning of the story and how some mis-intonations can sugge

Aug 13, 2021 • 3:40

0225 - Auditory Disconnections

0225 - Auditory Disconnections

0225 - Auditory DisconnectionsWe’ll look at the amount of tone and emotion a little later, but for now let’s examine a bit more, the claim that the words you say and the tone in which they are said, have to be congruent. Think of the phrase “I’m happy” and you’d expect it to be said in a happy tone, bright, light, smiling, laughing. If it’s said slowly, in a flat dull tone, it may not fit with the context and make you sound dull, bored, disinterested, fake, rude, sarcastic or even bord

Aug 12, 2021 • 2:32

0224 – Tone And Emotion

0224 – Tone And Emotion

0224 – Tone And Emotion“We often refuse to accept an ideamerely because the tone of voice in which it has been expressed is unsympathetic to us.”Friedrich Nietzsche - German philosopher The right words alone won’t necessarily persuade. The tone of your voice matters too if your listeners are to believe what it is you are telling them. Some people use the term ‘tone’ when they mean ‘pitch’. Again, this can be confusing, as the English phrase ‘tone of voice’ means something quite different, and us

Aug 11, 2021 • 5:18

0223 - Pitch and Politicians

0223 - Pitch and Politicians

223 - Pitch and PoliticiansThat having been said, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that political leaders with lower voices were perceived as more dominant and attractive. Conversely, those who spoke with higher frequencies were viewed as submissive and benevolent.[1] Participants rated politicians’ voices with 67 adjectives such as dishonest, scary, dynamic, attractive, convincing and fair. What made a voice sound charismatic was viewed differently

Aug 10, 2021 • 4:06

0222 – Pitch And Perception

0222 – Pitch And Perception

0222 – Pitch And Perception Pitch and perceptionIn the past, society has judged people according to the pitch of their voice. Hopefully the days are gone, but even in the recent past, women with a high pitch may have been perceived by some as an ‘airhead’, a man with a lighter voice perhaps as effeminate. Conversely, a woman with a low voice was often seen as sexy, or indeed overly ‘masculine’. Several studies[1] have found that in general, women prefer lower-pitched men's voices to higher-

Aug 9, 2021 • 4:27

0221 – Pitch Variety

0221 – Pitch Variety

0221 – Pitch VarietyTry and use a wide vocal range when speaking to make what you say more interesting. Some broadcasters compress their range (say, 4,5 and 6 in our example above), thinking that that gives them more authority. It actually makes them sound flat, boring, monotonous and without feeling, reducing their ability to convey a message appropriately. Using natural pitch diversity (as most people use in natural everyday conversation) and you will come over as more real and authentic,

Aug 8, 2021 • 2:02

0220 – What A Carry On! Kenneth Williams On How His Comic Voice Caused Serious Injury

0220 – What A Carry On! Kenneth Williams On How His Comic Voice Caused Serious Injury

0220 – What A Carry On! Kenneth Williams On How His Comic Voice Caused Serious InjuryForcing your voice to do anything unusual is not good, as the British comic actor Kenneth Williams recounted about the over-the-top ‘cowboy drawl’ voice he adopted, together with a misaligned jaw, when he played the part of Judge Burke in ‘Carry On Cowboy’ (1965): (AUDIO) “…and I was doing all this on the first day of the film, and at the end of the day I was in agony. And my jaw… it had strained all the li

Aug 7, 2021 • 2:52

0219 – What Accents Are The Most Sexy?

0219 – What Accents Are The Most Sexy?

0219 – What Accents Are The Most Sexy? Interested in this? Watch this video to find out more on what accents are considered sexy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/reel/playlist/the-laws-of-attraction?vpid=p09f7crq Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter StewartThrough these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniques and voic

Aug 6, 2021 • 6:11

0218 – Research: Men With Deeper Voices Are More Attractive – But Cheat More

0218 – Research: Men With Deeper Voices Are More Attractive – But Cheat More

0218 – Research: Men With Deeper Voices Are More Attractive – But Cheat MoreIn October 2020, Chinese researchers[1] claimed that although men with deep voices are more likely to attract a partner, they are also more likely to cheat on them The team said that women are often attracted to men with low, rich voices because they are associated with high testosterone levels which, in evolutionary terms, suggests the speaker will be a good mate for producing healthy children.However, men with hig

Aug 5, 2021 • 1:42

0217 – How Imperfect Pitch Got Jamal Into A Jam

0217 – How Imperfect Pitch Got Jamal Into A Jam

0217 – How Imperfect Pitch Got Jamal Into A Jam Forcing your voice into a ‘false pitch’, can literally cramp your style. A voice that is deliberately pushed low can sound unnaturally strained and can cause physical harm to the speaker. Additionally, if you start speaking at an enforced low pitch you will restrict your ability for natural nuance when it is necessary for selected words, leading to a voice that sounds monotonous. Oh and some people deliberately speak in a high register i

Aug 4, 2021 • 2:58

0216 – Margaret Thatcher’s Pitch Profile

0216 – Margaret Thatcher’s Pitch Profile

0216 – Margaret Thatcher’s Pitch Profile “From tape recordings of speeches made before and after receiving tuition a marked difference can be very hear. When there are played through an electronic pitch analyser, it emerges that she achieved a reduction in pitch of 46 Hz, a figure which is almost half the average difference in pitch between male and female voices.”[1] But forcing your voice into a lower pitch can be damaging. In the short term it can be tiring: you are unnecessarily us

Aug 3, 2021 • 1:50

0215 – Lowering Your Pitch

0215 – Lowering Your Pitch

0215 – Lowering Your PitchLowering your pitchYour register is not only dictated by the speed your vocal folds vibrate, but also how taught they are. So, it stands to reason that to lower it, your folds need to be less-taught. They cannot be relaxed by themselves, but only with the rest of the body. So, less stress, better posture and breathing, will all contribute to a more relaxed state overall … and so slightly lower the pitch of your voice. Refer back to the 1-10 range mentioned be

Aug 2, 2021 • 3:14

0214 - Politicians’ Different Pitches For Different People And Different Policies

0214 - Politicians’ Different Pitches For Different People And Different Policies

0214 Politicians’ Different Pitches For Different People And Different Policies A study at UCLA[1] found that the best speakers, usually politicians, varied their voice within a single speech to appeal to listeners of different ages, genders and backgrounds, and depending on the topic being talked about. A savvy politician may sound authoritarian when discussing foreign policy, for example, and more caring when addressing health issues.[1] https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/got-charisma-look

Aug 1, 2021 • 1:20

0213 - The ‘Higher And Louder’ Pitfall

0213 - The ‘Higher And Louder’ Pitfall

0213 - The ‘Higher And Louder’ PitfallWe look at the volume of a voice a little later, but for now let’s take a glance its relationship with pitch, because there is a potential pitfall of using volume for emphasis, instead of pitch. Doing this might cause people to perceive your voice as shrill, and you as hysterical (something that Hillary Clinton was accused of[1]). Both in a studio and in an auditorium, you should usually be letting the microphone do the work of boosting your volume. Emp

Jul 31, 2021 • 3:15

0212 - Your Pitch Range

0212 - Your Pitch Range

0212 - Your Pitch Range If you use a wide pitch range when speaking will help engage your audience. That’s not to say it should be super-wide: swooping up and down from sentence to sentence will make you sound very odd indeed, at best patronising at worse, manic. No, the range needs to be appropriately engagingly expressive. Now that you have found your natural pitch, you will realise that you vary from it in normal conversation, a few notes up and a few notes down. And when you

Jul 30, 2021 • 4:12

0211 - Your Actual Natural Voice Pitch

0211 - Your Actual Natural Voice Pitch

0211 - Your Actual Natural Voice Pitch Now you are stress-free, and belly-breathing, simply say your name, as though you have been asked it by as new acquaintance. The pitch you use when you say that in a stress-free state is your natural pitch. Another technique is to agree with me, yes? “Uh-huh” you reply and the pitch at which you say that is likely your home note. Another is to sigh. All of these should produce a note that is comfortable and natural for you to start your ‘pitch ran

Jul 29, 2021 • 5:08

0210 – Michael Caine on How Your Voice Pitch Can Be Affected By Nerves

0210 – Michael Caine on How Your Voice Pitch Can Be Affected By Nerves

0210 – Michael Caine on How Your Voice Pitch Can Be Affected By Nerves Nerves and Pitch When you are nervous and your body is tense it has little breath support, and you will tend to start a sentence in the upper half of your natural pitch range, which restricts your ‘intonational ability’: you simply have less ‘vocal head room’ in which you can give words and phrases their due inflection. Even the most illustrious of names can have nerves affect their voice pitch: (AUDIO) “I was nervo

Jul 28, 2021 • 3:27

0209 – Stressful Sally’s Story

0209 – Stressful Sally’s Story

0209 – Stressful Sally’s Story Sally worked as a TV presenter out of a small and busy newsroom where everyone was expected to do everything. She loved her job but was concerned about the pitch of her voice, and wanted to know ways to lower it because she thought it too shrill. Would smoking help, she wondered, or maybe more late nights with friends? On visiting Sally in her office, the cause of her concern was apparent.Even though she was the presenter of the evening news show, she also had

Jul 27, 2021 • 2:21

0208 – Your Resting Pitch

0208 – Your Resting Pitch

0208 – Your Resting PitchYour resting pitchYour pitch will have a centre note, a ‘home’ from which you will be able to inflect words and sentences up and down within a range. It’s where your natural speaking voice mostly sits, in the centre of your vocal range, that gives you optimal resonance, the sound that you will produce without force or strain, and will make you feel and sound confident and focussed. There are several tricks to finding this note and you should do this once you have de

Jul 26, 2021 • 4:46

0207 – Why You Sound Different To You

0207 – Why You Sound Different To You

0207 – Why You Sound Different To YouThe reason your voice sounds different to you rather than how everyone else hears it, is because of acoustics.Everyone else hears exactly the same ‘end result’ of sound from your mouth as it is heard within the situation that you are speaking – a sound-conditioned studio, the reflective surfaces of a bathroom or whatever. (At least we presume everyone hears the same thing, we have no way of knowing that specifically!)You hear the sound you make, with your own

Jul 25, 2021 • 3:09

0206 - So what is ‘pitch’?

0206 - So what is ‘pitch’?

0206 - So what is ‘pitch’?Whether a voice is high or low in tone is determined by:· the rate of vibration of the vocal cords as air passes over them - the more vibrations per second, the higher the pitch. And as we saw earlier, the rate of vibration is to do with:· the length, thickness and degree of tension of the vocal folds, so slow-moving short, thick, relaxed folds make a lower pitch. Car

Jul 24, 2021 • 2:25

0205 – An Introduction to Pitch

0205 – An Introduction to Pitch

0205 – An Introduction to Pitch“Words mean more than what is set down on paper.It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning”Maya Angelou - Poet and civil rights activistDefinitionsI try to be very careful when using language around voice, because of how terms have been used over time and the effects that’s had on people’s perceptions of explanations. Pitch, tone and intonation all refer to different aspects of our voice. Pitch is the degree of highness or lowness with which

Jul 23, 2021 • 3:29

0204 – Don’t Be Too Much

0204 – Don’t Be Too Much

0204 – Don’t Be Too Much1. Too much punch – you will be running short of breath2. Too extreme use of upward inflection – you will sound like a child3. Too slow on long phrases – you will sound patronising4. Too many obvious pauses – you wil

Jul 22, 2021 • 1:23

0203 – Reading Out Loud

0203 – Reading Out Loud

0203 – Reading Out LoudOf course on radio and podcasts, when you aren’t seen, sound is all that you have to create visuals. That may be music or sound effects, and also the words that you utter, but it is your disembodied voice that creates much of the ‘picture’ on the kind of the listener.Let’s be honest, reading is an unnatural process. We have evolved over millions of years communicating via grunts and then quite recently, by using words. Our ancestors told each other stories and passed on in

Jul 21, 2021 • 2:57

0202 – The Story So Far

0202 – The Story So Far

0202 – The Story So Far“The tongue can paint what the eyes can’t see.”Chinese proverb You can see how our ‘voyage of the voice’ continues; let’s chart the progress we have made so far:· We started off talking about the basics of how to sit and breath to give the voice support· Then we tracked the journey of air from our lungs to the larynx and into the mouth and nose. There we talked about the reso

Jul 20, 2021 • 4:06

0201 - Be Prepared But Flexible

0201 - Be Prepared But Flexible

0201 - Be Prepared But Flexible Be prepared but flexibleFlexible? Yes, many times the director and the clients at a voice-over production will disagree amongst themselves on how a script should be read, what words are the most important, or the tone of the overall read. As the voice actor your job is to bring your experience but to read in the way that the client asks you to. And if you have rehearsed so much that you have become too ‘set in your speak’, it may be tricky to break out from i

Jul 19, 2021 • 2:17

0200 - Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 3

0200 - Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 3

0200 - Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 3 · Big Name Kitchen Electricalso Another way to signify importance of a words is to give initial capitalisations. That’s what’s happened here, but it’s unclear why. · AT STEWART’S!!!o Another punctuation combination: capitals and not one but three exclamation marks. Certainly, as the name of the store, the information is important, b

Jul 18, 2021 • 3:58

0199 - Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 2

0199 - Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 2

0199 - Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 2 That script is not helpful!· Save o This is bold and italicised, but it’s unclear why. Certainly there needs to be an emphasis on this key word, but how that emphasis differs from the not-bolded, but capitalised and underlined word that follows is unclear.· BIGo Again, an emphasis on another key word at the start of the script is go

Jul 17, 2021 • 3:02

0198 – Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 1

0198 – Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 1

0198 – Taking Apart A Voice Over Script Pt 1The marks ‘built in’ to the script by the writer should give you an idea of the intention behind the words, how they ‘heard the words’ in their head as it was being written. But sometimes the various bolds, underlinings, italicisations and CAPITALISATIONS and exclamation marks can be more confusing and contradictory rather than give reassuring direction!!!! (Direction: energised and excited.) Save BIG up to HALF PRICE off ALL Big Name Kitchen

Jul 16, 2021 • 3:29

0197 – How To Be A Better Reader

0197 – How To Be A Better Reader

0197 – How To Be A Better ReaderHow to be a better readerTo be a better reader… become a better reader! · Read more content – magazines, games cartridges, cereal packets…· Read out loud· Read umpteen different styles, even ones that you have no immediate interest in· Read without initial proof-reading first.·&n

Jul 15, 2021 • 2:18

0196 – She Fell From Her House

0196 – She Fell From Her House

0196 – She Fell From Her HouseWhen You Make A Mistake On AirThis may simply be a result of poor sight reading, not having enough time to pre-read a script, not marking it up correctly, reading too fast, being distracted, being stressed, not understanding a story well enough to be able to presume where the grammar was taking the reader … or because of a scriptwriter who has not checked their work before submitting it – someone who has neither a spell-check or sense of professionalism or responsib

Jul 14, 2021 • 1:55

0195 – Over-Rehearsing

0195 – Over-Rehearsing

0195 – Over-RehearsingOver-rehearsingHowever, (!) recording a script over and over until it’s perfect (whatever that is!) doesn’t necessarily help. It’s possible that you read it so much that you forget what the overall message is, or you see too many conflicting messages, causing you to get locked in a certain rhythm or tone pattern. With a voiceover you may have recorded so many versions that you don’t know which is the best ‘take’. You’re suffering from ‘ear fatigue’, so it’s probably best to

Jul 13, 2021 • 3:24

0194 - Rehearsing Your Script

0194 - Rehearsing Your Script

0194 - Rehearsing Your Script Rehearsals If you have every watched “Strictly Come Dancing” or “Dancing with the Stars” on the tv, I would imagine that you have never presumed that neither the pros not the amateurs simply rock up to the studio, take to the floor and perform faultlessly.In a similar way to the dancers having to get their legs and arms and torsos (and everything!) to learn the routine (‘muscle memory’), you have to rehearse your articulators, such as your lips and tongue to make so

Jul 12, 2021 • 5:42

0193 – Marking Up For… An Awkward Word

0193 – Marking Up For… An Awkward Word

0193 – Marking Up For… An Awkward WordMarking up for… an awkward wordTo flag troublesome terms (ones that might cause pronunciation problems, we looked at these before), consider drawing a box or circle around it, with a how-to-say-it guide just above. It’s back! It’s big! It’ll save you money!{Stewart’s Big Holiday Weekend Sale!}Big money deals from big household names!Krupps! Philips! Zanussi! And remember! Every sixth customer, gets an additional 16% off!Certainly, after marking-up, your

Jul 11, 2021 • 2:36

0192 – Marking Up For… A Faster Read

0192 – Marking Up For… A Faster Read

0192 – Marking Up For… A Faster ReadMarking up for… a faster read (more on the ‘speed of a read’ later)Some texts are presented quickly to add excitement and others more slowly to give perhaps a more luxurious feel. But sometimes scripts aren’t read at a constant speed at all, but have different flow-rates within them. This adds interest to the message and also allows the reader to ‘skip over’ some of the less interesting information and spend a bit more time on what’s important.To indicate that

Jul 10, 2021 • 1:58

0191 – Marking Up For… Tone

0191 – Marking Up For… Tone

0191 – Marking Up For… ToneMarking up for… tone (more on tone later)It is usually straightforward to record a commercial voice over in the correct tone, because you will have had a chance to read it in advance, rehearse aloud, and focus on that single say, 30 seconds, before the recording starts.Trickier is newsreading when you have story-after-story, all of varying content, and even though you will have read each one ahead of time, you need to hit the first few words of each news story with jus

Jul 9, 2021 • 3:26

0190 – Marking Up For… Questions

0190 – Marking Up For… Questions

0190 – Marking Up For… Questions Marking up for… questionsDo you know how question marks are used?Of course, you do! But I wrote that sentence to illustrate how, when you read it aloud or in your mind, your tone of voice rose when you spotted that ‘?’ at the end. In English intonation, sentences usually rise in the middle, and end on a downward note. Sometimes called ‘uppers and downers’, they are signposts to the listener, showing the way the sentence and the thought is progressing. When t

Jul 8, 2021 • 2:45

0189 – Marking Up For… Inflection

0189 – Marking Up For… Inflection

0189 – Marking Up For… InflectionMarking up for … inflection (more on the inflection, later)Where emphasis is the basic ‘thumping’ of a word, inflection is the gentler (and often more effective) tonal-lift. This is sometimes within a word. The former may be marked with an underlining, the latter perhaps with an arrow above, indicating the direction of the inflection.{Stewart’s Big Holiday Weekend Sale!} &nbs

Jul 7, 2021 • 6:02

0188 – Marking Up For… Emphasis

0188 – Marking Up For… Emphasis

188 – Marking Up For… Emphasis Marking up for … emphasis (more on the emphasis later)Usually, such terms are either written in CAPITALS, or underlined. A double underlining, or a CAPITALISATION that is also underlined, will usually mean something needs to be stressed (I dislike that word too – see later for why!) even more. The product name – mark this in some way. The ‘rules of intonation’ state that this is one of the most important words in the script – people have got to know the n

Jul 6, 2021 • 4:59

0187 – Phrase Markings: A Practical

0187 – Phrase Markings: A Practical

2021.07.06-0187 – Phrase Markings: A Practical So you could spit a sentence into phrases, or cluster phrases with an elongated circle or bunch the words together by-hyphenating-them.Marking up your script in this way shows you at a glance that everything within the oblong has to be said as a complete thought. It’s less often used than some other mark-ups, and difficult to show in print but you can perhaps see how it may be useful in a situation such as these. It’s back! It’s big! It’ll save

Jul 5, 2021 • 6:46

0186 – Marking Up For…Phrases

0186 – Marking Up For…Phrases

2021.07.05-0186 – Marking Up For…PhrasesMarking up for … a phraseYour script will have punctuation for sure, but of course, that’s an ‘artificial articulatory construct’ – in other words, we don’t speak using punctuation. We adlib stories, conversationally sharing information as inspiration strikes us.And as very often a sentence carries more than a single message you need to be aware of where each one starts and ends as well as what the key points are within each.For example look back at that p

Jul 4, 2021 • 3:15

0185 – Dashes and Ellipses in… Scripts

0185 – Dashes and Ellipses in… Scripts

2021.07.04-0185 – Dashes and Ellipses in… ScriptsBut in scripts for news or commercials, they (or dashes --) are likely to be used as a more eye-catching alternative to a comma. They help break up a sentence more obviously so the reader can see a series of phrases, and where a slight pause may need to be taken, either for a breath or for effect. Take the sentence:The leader of the council has resigned, after just three days.You probably read the four words after the comma almost running on

Jul 3, 2021 • 6:55

0184 – The Full Stop/Period and Comma

0184 – The Full Stop/Period and Comma

2021.07.03-0184 – The Full Stop/Period and CommaThe full stop / periodThis indicates:· Where a breath may be taken· A half-beat’s pause in the read-back· A change of idea (and likely then, a change of tone)· Or all of the above.You may circle a full-stop or indicate it with a ‘double slash-mark’ // in the scrip

Jul 2, 2021 • 2:34

0183 – Now *You* Mark-Up For Breaths

0183 – Now *You* Mark-Up For Breaths

2021.07.02-0183 – Now *You* Mark-Up For BreathsTransatlantic flights from the UK to the United States could take longer because of climate change. Researchers at the University of Reading say that global warming is likely to speed up the jet stream slowing down planes heading for America.Transatlantic flights from the UK to the United States could take longer because of climate change. //Researchers at the University of Reading say that global warming is likely to speed up the jet stream / slowi

Jul 1, 2021 • 7:00

0182 – A ‘Marking Up’ Practical

0182 – A ‘Marking Up’ Practical

2021.07.01-0182 – A ‘Marking Up’ PracticalHere’s our raw script.New data has revealed car production in the UK fell to its lowest September level for a quarter of a century. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said just under 115-thousand cars rolled off production lines last month. The industry says uncertainty caused by the pandemic and a potential no-deal Brexit is undermining confidence. Mike Hawes, the society's chief executive, says the overall outlook for the year is bleak.&nbs

Jun 30, 2021 • 9:02

0181 – Marking Up For… Phrases and Breaths

0181 – Marking Up For… Phrases and Breaths

2021.06.30-0181 – Marking Up For… Phrases and BreathsMarking up for … phrases and breathsIn copy written by someone else, full stops (or ‘periods’), commas and other punctuation (such as dashes and ellipses…) will, obviously, already have been included. They show the author’s intended or suggested way of reading, but don’t necessarily follow it to the letter (!).After all, the script is unlikely to have been written with you specifically in mind, so there is usually some leeway for you to read t

Jun 29, 2021 • 2:54

0180 – ‘Marking Up A Script’ Tips

0180 – ‘Marking Up A Script’ Tips

2021.06.29-0180 – ‘Marking Up A Script’ TipsMaking annotations on your page will help you communicate your message.Normal punctuation will only get you so far, commas giving a basic idea of phrases within a sentence, and full stops showing you the end of a complete thought. To help you interpret copy to be read aloud, particularly for broadcast and particularly to make it sound ‘conversational’[1] then you need to get out your pen and mark up some additional punctuation. Marking up a scrip

Jun 28, 2021 • 3:17

0179 – If *You* Don’t Understand It…

0179 – If *You* Don’t Understand It…

2021.06.28-0179 – If *You* Don’t Understand It…It may be at this stage, or certainly after you have read the item a couple more times that those questions are still unanswered. It is rare to go on air and reading something that you do not understand yourself. You are the conduit of the content from say, a reporter or a copywriter to a listener. You have to understand the story or the message to be able to inject it with a tone of natural relevance. If questions are raised in your mind, then the

Jun 27, 2021 • 3:51

0178 – Basic Script Analysis

0178 – Basic Script Analysis

2021.06.27-0178 – Basic Script Analysis You may think it’s easy to ‘read out loud’ from a script. But converting copy to authentic audio is a skill. After all it may not be written the way that you yourself would have written it, perhaps with different phrases, sentence length or rhythm. This is where we start to explore such issues.Now read it:· What is it about, its main theme or reason for being written? Does it make sense to you? You may natural

Jun 26, 2021 • 4:14

0177 – Marking Up A Script

0177 – Marking Up A Script

2021.06.26-0177 – Marking Up A ScriptThis is where we start to turn a bland page of text into something more resembling a musical score, giving us directions of how to say each word and phrase, in a polished and conversational style.If the script has been written by someone else, a one-second glance will tell you:· Whether it’s ‘easy on the eye’, broken up into sentences and paragraphs or whether it is one large speech block. When reading short news

Jun 25, 2021 • 3:00

0176 - Writing A Script To Be Translated

0176 - Writing A Script To Be Translated

2021.06.25-0176 - Writing A Script To Be TranslatedWriting a script that’s to be translatedForeign languages may be, literally, all Greek to you, in which case don’t rely on auto-translators. They’re increasingly accurate but they miss the nuance of a language, and you could end up being an ‘idiom idiot’.Instead hire a professional translator who’s not only studied that second language but also has ‘lived it’ and knows how it’s spoken in real life in that country – a native speaker perhaps. That

Jun 24, 2021 • 3:04

0175 – Your Written Direction

0175 – Your Written Direction

2021.06.24-0175 – Your Written DirectionThe written directionThe script should match the content, and the audience, and the reader and their tone.Let’s go through that!:· The script should match the content – it would sound odd to have a script about a modern music festival with formal, business-like language – unless that was part of a deliberate creative· … because the target audience is likely to be

Jun 23, 2021 • 2:51

0174 – Proof Reading

0174 – Proof Reading

2021.06.23-0174 – Proof ReadingProof readingDone your script? Now proof read – read it out to test it out.Yes, if you or someone is going to read it out loud then that’s the process you have got to go through first – to hear it in your ears and not just your head.Check for the things we’ve been talking about: grammar, spelling and flow (so, the pace and the rhythm of the piece). LayoutOne of the skills you will need to develop is knowing how to work with scripts that are unhelpfully structured,

Jun 22, 2021 • 2:50

0173 – Unintended Scripted Jokes

0173 – Unintended Scripted Jokes

2021.06.22-0173 – Unintended Scripted JokesUnintended jokesAmbiguity offers the audience a rich source of humour at the newsreader’s expense. Orchestra musicians at the Royal Opera House are threatening to strike next week, if the management turn down a 10 per cent no-strings pay rise. Teams of traditional dancers from various parts of Kenya exposed themselves to world scouts’ delegates in a grand performance. About 50 students broke into the college, smashing glass and chanting, ‘No c

Jun 21, 2021 • 4:12

0172 – Typo Tragedies

0172 – Typo Tragedies

2021.06.21-0172 – Typo TragediesTyposI was once left a story to read on-air “A woman has died after falling from her house” after a slapdash colleague had meant to write “horse”, but the first sentence looked entirely plausible at first glance. It wasn’t until the second line (“the animal had to be put down”) that the mistake became obvious (and I had to find the original source material to double-check that the “animal” was indeed a horse). =Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 P

Jun 20, 2021 • 2:21

0171 – Sing-Song Scripts

0171 – Sing-Song Scripts

2021.06.20-0171 – Sing-Song ScriptsSing-song scriptsSentences of varying length will help you avoid a sing-song rhythm and incorrect intonation (with the emphasis on the repetition of a beat rather than where it’s meant). That means that longer sentences like this one, are often made up of a series of phrases which can be subtly read as a ‘unit’, as long as the correct intonation is kept.Read this story and see if you can spot a problem. A fire has torn through a factory in Manchester.

Jun 19, 2021 • 6:10

0170 – Similarly Spelt Words

0170 – Similarly Spelt Words

2021.06.19-0170 – Similarly Spelt WordsIt may be that the writer has incorrectly spelled a word, or that you know from your own experience that your eye-to-mouth co-ordination on some words always catches you out.I am always worried about reading “was arrested by an uninformed police officer” rather than “a uniformed police officer” (or something similar) because I have ‘word-blindness’ when it comes to those two similar spellings.Here are some more to watch out for, and maybe highlight on your

Jun 18, 2021 • 3:32

0169 – Rhyme Time

0169 – Rhyme Time

2021.06.18-0169 – Rhyme TimeRhyme-timeThese are invariably unintended and are only realised when a script comes to be read aloud:Mr Grimes said at the time he didn’t mind the fine, Defence Counsel Simon Gee said the jury had to set the men free on their not guilty plea.One defendant, a stocky Croatian, yelled no justice was done in this nation. For disturbance in court, the judge said he ought to serve six further months on probation.==Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter St

Jun 17, 2021 • 3:45

0168 – Can I Quote You?

0168 – Can I Quote You?

2021.06.17-0168 – Can I Quote You?Quote marks It is rare that you will have a direct quote in a script, news or otherwise, but if you do, it indicates that the words must not be changed. That’s usually for a legal reason:He said he had “absolutely and categorically” no knowledge of the attack on his colleague.Or to distance yourself the reader personally from the words you are about to say: And called the judge “a complete cow”.A quote may be in a script to make the line more dramatic

Jun 16, 2021 • 5:13

0167 – Problematic Punctuations

0167 – Problematic Punctuations

2021.06.16-0167 – Problematic PunctuationsPunctuationA good script should be properly punctuated… to be read aloud! So that may not stick strictly accurately to the grammar and structure were taught at school, but whatever works to help the reader make sense of the sentence, where to place inflection or where to pause.All the dots and dashes are there for a reason: to help the reader read correctly so they can better communicate with their audience.CommasNot only do commas indicate a slight paus

Jun 15, 2021 • 6:26

0166 - Problematic Pronunciations

0166 - Problematic Pronunciations

2021.06.15-0166 – Problematic PronunciationsPronunciationsCheck any word of phrase you are not familiar with, or with which you just know you will trip up over:· The engineering company Thales is actually pronounced ‘tar-les’ and not ‘thayles’· The word bombardier is ‘bom-ber-DEER’, but when it refers to the French locomotive company it is ‘bom-BARDY-AY’· A

Jun 14, 2021 • 4:07

0165 – Initially Speaking

0165 – Initially Speaking

2021.06.14-0165 – Initially SpeakingInitialisationsBeware of initials of organisations that are said as individual letters:· The RMT Union· The BBCAnd initials which are said as words (acronyms) · NICE, NATO, AIDSAnd abbreviations which make no obvious logical sense, but we know how to say them, almost instinctively. It would look odd to see “missus” in a s

Jun 13, 2021 • 2:21

0164 – (Talking In Parenthesis)

0164 – (Talking In Parenthesis)

Brackets / parenthesisIn broadcast scripts, words or phrases in brackets are usually not to be read out loud:· A direction to a presenter “(TURN TO CAMERA 1)”, (READ WITH PASSION”)· Additional information “(Source: Metropolitan Police)”· A guide to pronunciation “Henry St John-Stevens (pron: SIN’jn stevens) says it’s a great opportunity.” Words in brackets

Jun 12, 2021 • 1:53

0163 – All About Alliteration

0163 – All About Alliteration

0163 – All About AlliterationA little alliteration (try saying that out loud!) may occasionally be acceptable, but sometimes several similar sounds spoken aloud sound stupid, while a series of superfluous hissing s and c sounds sound senselessly sibilant.==Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter Stewart Through these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scrip

Jun 11, 2021 • 0:44

0162 – How To Say ‘100’

0162 – How To Say ‘100’

0162 – How To Say ‘100’A copywriter once showed me a script:“This bed is now only 126.99 that’s down by 259.06!” And said:“If it’s the price you’re selling it’s ‘a hundred and 26-99’, not ‘one-hundred’, because ‘a-hundred’ sounds cheaper than ‘one-hundred’... And if it’s the saving you want to promote, say ‘one-hundred’ because it sounds bigger.”==Through these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection,

Jun 10, 2021 • 1:21

0161 – Cut The Number Of Numbers

0161 – Cut The Number Of Numbers

0161 – Cut The Number Of Numbers “The current estimate of £200m is around £50m lower than this time last year”“The current estimate of 200-million pounds is around 50-million lower than this time last year”.England opener Dom Sibley says he should have scored five Test centuries and is "greedy" for "more big runs" in the final two Tests against Pakistan. The 24-year-old former Surrey man averages 39.50 with the bat for his country and has scored two hundreds in 10 Tests since making his debut in

Jun 9, 2021 • 4:59

0160 – Put The Best Word On The Beat

0160 – Put The Best Word On The Beat

0160 – Put The Best Word On The Beat“The mood between the Prime Minister and the President as gone from bad to worse today, because of the new trade war.” “Police say the body of a man has been found in the remains of city hall that caught fire at the weekend”.“With radio … people tend to listen with half an ear. So… the first few words of a news item may easily slip by unnoticed. Avoid putting key words right at the beginning.”“Broadcast Journalism” Routledge https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broad

Jun 8, 2021 • 4:30

0159 – Where To Put The Word You Want To Emphasise

0159 – Where To Put The Word You Want To Emphasise

0159 – Where To Put The Word You Want To EmphasiseAs Mervin Block and Joe Durso say[1] , such a construction creates tension and interest. In the English language it’s what we do in conversation: “I’m going into town to buy some new red shoes”“because I want to buy some new red shoes, I am going into town” “I’m going in to town because some new red shoes is what I want to buy”. “The proper place in the sentence for the word or group of words that the author desires to make most promi

Jun 7, 2021 • 5:22

0158 - Cut Clichés And Keep Familiar Words

0158 - Cut Clichés And Keep Familiar Words

0158 - Cut Clichés And Keep Familiar Words Shakespeare often made fun of pompous speech.“An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.” (Richard III)And when the first English dictionary was published in 1604 (“A Table Alphabeticall of Hard Usual English Wordes”) its compiler Robert Cawdrey appealed for plain language: “Some men seek so far for outlandish English, that they forget altogether their mother’s language, so that if some of their mothers were alive, they were not able to tell, o

Jun 6, 2021 • 2:21

0157 - Say Who Says Something, Before Saying What They Said

0157 - Say Who Says Something, Before Saying What They Said

0157 - Say Who Says Something, Before Saying What They Said “It’s the best new podcast mic that has been released in 10 years… that’s what newpodcastmics.com said in a recent review…”. “Newpodcastmics.com said in a recent review that it’s the best new podcast mic that’s been released in 10 years…”“My YouTube videos are showing growth signs”“My YouTube videos are showing signs of growth”.==Through these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on b

Jun 5, 2021 • 1:58

0156 – Don’t Use An Introductory Phrase Or Clause

0156 – Don’t Use An Introductory Phrase Or Clause

0156 – Don’t Use An Introductory Phrase Or Clause“So I can rise up the Apple podcast charts, I’m going to ask you to leave a review” “I’m going to ask you to leave a review so I can rise up the Apple podcast charts”. “In this video you will discover how to make at home – and with only three ingredients and a few minutes in a microwave, and it’ll taste unbelievably great – a chocolate cake in a mug”.“In this video you will discover how to make at home a chocolate cake in a mug. It only has three

Jun 4, 2021 • 2:52

0155 – Keep Words Short And Relatable

0155 – Keep Words Short And Relatable

0155 – Keep Words Short And RelatableAs well as keeping sentences short, keep words short. Most people use short words when they talk in ‘real life’, so if you’re trying to emulate this style then think of doing the same. Clarity is the key, without resorting to baby talk. If you’re used to saying, and people are used to hearing words such as phone, TV, fridge and plane, then why start using telephone, television, refrigerator and aeroplane?==Through these around-5-minute episodes, you can build

Jun 3, 2021 • 1:47

0154 – The Easy-Listening Formula

0154 – The Easy-Listening Formula

0154 – The Easy-Listening FormulaAmerican broadcaster Irving E. Fang researched what makes broadcast copy easy or difficult to understand. He devised the Easy Listening Formula, which is based on the length of words in a sentence. The idea is to add up all the syllables in a sentence, then subtract from that the number of words. If the final score is higher than 20, the sentence contains too many long and abstract words that would make it hard to understand, and it should be cut down.==Through t

Jun 2, 2021 • 1:31

0153 – Multi-Syllable Sentences

0153 – Multi-Syllable Sentences

0153 – Multi-Syllable SentencesThe Schools Minister Nick Gibb says allowing students in England to use their mock exam results is an extra safety net for a small group of pupils. This follows a decision by the Scottish government to reinstate grades estimated by teachers because of the complaints that a calibration method had unfairly impacted on disadvantaged students. Nick Gibb said the changes to the system in England would help address this. ==Through these around-5-minute episodes, you

Jun 1, 2021 • 2:16

0152 – Keep Sentences Short

0152 – Keep Sentences Short

0152 – Keep Sentences Short“I have invited her onto the podcast this week in order for you to be able to literally hear for yourself the changes she’s in the process of making” becomes “I’ve invited her so you can you to hear the changes she’s making”. “Scientific advisers to the government have calculated that a short so-called ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown over the October half-term break could save thousands of lives” becomes “Scientific advisers to the government say a short lockdown over

May 31, 2021 • 2:08

0151 – Length Is Not Important

0151 – Length Is Not Important

0151 – Length Is Not ImportantOne problem is often that people write the same way they used to write essays at school or university, or are too used to writing in a business setting – reports, and presentations and so on.Another is that they write to be read with the eye, not read with the mouth.Put those two factors together and you have scripts, whether for news or voiceovers, which are often unwieldly and overwritten, too formal and too formulaic. So don’t write to be read, talk to write… to

May 30, 2021 • 2:26

0150 – When We Write For The Eye And Not The Ear

0150 – When We Write For The Eye And Not The Ear

0150 – When We Write For The Eye And Not The Ear Here are some of the scripts I refer to in today's episode:The new three-tier system for coronavirus restrictions has come into force in England.We are used to hearing information in conversations in a certain pattern – a rhythm and a structure. Therefore, scripts should mimic that style if we are to read them aloud with ‘conversational conviction’. In short: write the way you talk.So, let’s help you, with my copy about ‘copy’, that you can copy.=

May 29, 2021 • 2:30

0149 – If A Script Is Easily Understood By The Reader, It’s More Easily Understood By The Listener

0149 – If A Script Is Easily Understood By The Reader, It’s More Easily Understood By The Listener

0149 – If A Script Is Easily Understood By The Reader, It’s More Easily Understood By The ListenerBig-buck, big-brand broadcasting businesses have brilliant creatives and productions.But there’s also elearning, internal videos, podcasts. And with calls for more voices, the scripts come from more sources, and that’s where problems creep in.A bit like everyone thinks they are a photographer because they’ve got a camera on their phone, or can be a voice-over because they’ve been talking since they

May 28, 2021 • 2:29

0148 - Why A Good Script Can Help Your Presentation

0148 - Why A Good Script Can Help Your Presentation

0148 – Why A Good Script Can Help Your Presentation So, why is a good script important in helping you get a better voice?:It will be clearly laid out Sentence structure will be clearThe sentences will be short-to-mediumThere will be an understanding of rhythm in the sentencesFor voice-over scripts, they will have clear ‘production direction’Any awkward words will be clearly signposted and explainedAnd many more!And yet, a lot of scripts are simply ‘not great’!==Through these around-5-minute epis

May 27, 2021 • 1:49

0147 – How Better Writing Leads To Better Reading

0147 – How Better Writing Leads To Better Reading

0147 – How Better Writing Leads To Better ReadingHow a script is written can make a huge difference to how you read it. So first we’ll look at preparing your own script, and then we’ll look at how to mark-up someone else’s and how to identify what you need to inflect and why, where you need to pause and so on.Not every presentation needs to have a specific word-for-word script. Obviously a signed-off commercial campaign needs to have one, so too a news bulletin or documentary voice over: partly

May 26, 2021 • 2:14

0146 – How To Say Acronyms, Dates, Numbers and Scores

0146 – How To Say Acronyms, Dates, Numbers and Scores

0146 – How To Say Acronyms, Dates, Numbers and ScoresAcronymsAcronyms are sometimes spelt out and sometimes read as words. There is AEE union, the Association of Engineering Employee (“A-double-E”), but then again there is the teaching group “BECTU” (“BECK-too”) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is more commonly known as ‘AIDS’, the office of president is ‘POTUS’. DatesIn most parts of the world, the format is day > month > year, but in the US it’s month > day > year,

May 25, 2021 • 6:54

0145 – Word Blindness

0145 – Word Blindness

0145 – Word BlindnessWe all have words with which we have ‘blocks’ when it comes how to say them. This may be because of a fear of pronouncing them incorrectly and looking daft or because you simply find them awkward to say. In the first category, there’s where you put the stress in the word ‘laboratory’ (it’s not the same as in ‘lavatory’ – which I’m always fearful of doing). There’s an obvious fear of mixing up the initial syllable of ‘country’ when you mean to say ‘county’, and there can

May 24, 2021 • 4:29

0144 - How To Make A Word Easier To Say

0144 - How To Make A Word Easier To Say

0144 – How To Make A Word Easier To SayWriting a pronunciation phoneticallyOne of the easiest ways to write a word phonetically is to break it down into syllables, clearly indicating any inflection and run-on sounds, for example aluminium is written as al-you-MINNY’m’ – with the run-on indicated at the end of the word with the ‘m. Be careful if you write that a word “rhymes with…”, as in doing so you may be presuming to know how their accent pronounces that other word! Let’s take the name o

May 23, 2021 • 5:36

0143 – Saying An Awkward Name Is Not A Game

0143 – Saying An Awkward Name Is Not A Game

0143 – Saying An Awkward Name Is Not A Game People’s namesLike places, these can often be awkward to pronounce: are Smith and Smyth said the same way, or is that second one ‘smithe’? What about Cholmondeley (actually pronounced ‘chum-ly’), or the surname Death (which is often said as Dee-ATH). “Eyewitness John Montmorency (pron: MONT-mor- ENSY) says at least a dozen police vehicles are at the scene…” The acclaimed British actress Julie Hesmondhalgh has such an unusual name, her IM

May 22, 2021 • 4:57

0142 – The BBC’s Official Pronunciation Test - The Answers

0142 – The BBC’s Official Pronunciation Test - The Answers

0142 – The BBC’s Official Pronunciation Test See how accurately you would have read this script, I’ve borrowed from one of the BBC’s online training courses: “Police in Fife say they’ve seized heroin worth £30 million in a raid on a house in the Kirkcaldy[1] area. Other officers are searching a barn near Kingussie[2] where a 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today. More arrests have been made at Machynlleth[3] and Pwllheli[4] in Wales, Puncknowle[5] in Dorset, Ansty[6] in West

May 21, 2021 • 2:18

0141 – The BBC’s Official Pronunciation Test

0141 – The BBC’s Official Pronunciation Test

0141 – The BBC’s Official Pronunciation Test See how accurately you would have read this script, I’ve borrowed from one of the BBC’s online training courses: “Police in Fife say they’ve seized heroin worth £30 million in a raid on a house in the Kirkcaldy area. Other officers are searching a barn near Kingussie where a 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today. More arrests have been made at Machynlleth and Pwllheli in Wales, Puncknowle in Dorset, Ansty in West Sussex and at Magh

May 20, 2021 • 1:28

0140 – Quirky Ways Of Saying A Word

0140 – Quirky Ways Of Saying A Word

0140 – Quirky Ways Of Saying A Word Local and regional pronunciations As far as local pronunciations go, any regional TV or radio station should have a written guide (and perhaps an audio one as well) to unusual names and places in their area, thereby reducing the possibility of newbies falling headlong into pronunciation bear-traps and taking the station’s credibility with them. Listeners may not care (or know) if you mispronounce the name of the city of Vienna in Georgia, USA (it’s ‘vye-e

May 20, 2021 • 5:22

0139 – Pronouncing Foreign Words

0139 – Pronouncing Foreign Words

0139 – Pronouncing Foreign Words Foreign namesForeign names can be quite awkward to come across, but with the increasingly global village, they are much more likely to appear. A produced commercial script should have been past so many people to sign it off, that a pronunciation is supplied. If it’s not, perhaps in the case of a news story, a call to native speaker of that language (or maybe the country’s embassy or consulate) might be helpful. Alternatively, there may be some occasions wher

May 18, 2021 • 6:35

0138 – Pronunciation Guides

0138 – Pronunciation Guides

0138 – Pronunciation Guides Pronunciation guidesPronunciation guides are available online: use a reliable one such as ‘The Oxford BBC Guide to Pronunciation’[1]. For BBC staff, the Corporation has its own Pronunciation Unit whose staff are on hand to answer questions especially on newly-emerging names. For that of a foreign politician who is suddenly in the news, the experts are able to quickly carry out brief research of person, their country of origin and language to see what the ‘root’ o

May 17, 2021 • 6:42

0137 – Misheard Words

0137 – Misheard Words

0137 – Misheard WordsCommunication confusionA particular problem in clear communication may occur for your listener if they mishear one word for another which could make sense – but have a very different meaning. Depending on your accent:“Can” may sound like “can’t” – “The president said he can/can’t support the bombing”“Facial” is very similar to “fatal” – “The driver received facial/fatal injuries”“Million” can sound similar to “billion” – “… will cost seven million/billion pounds”==Throu

May 16, 2021 • 2:52

0136 – Why English Is Such A Tough Language To Learn

0136 – Why English Is Such A Tough Language To Learn

0136 – Why English Is Such A Tough Language To Learn VOICE BOXOur Strange Lingo[1]The Chaos I take it you already knowOf tough and bough and cough and dough?Others may stumble, but not you,On hiccough, thorough, lough and through?Well done! And now you wish, perhaps,To learn of less familiar traps?Beware of heard, a dreadful wordThat looks like beard and sounds like bird,And dead: it's said like bed, not bead— For goodness sake don't call it deed!Watch out for meat and great and threat(They

May 15, 2021 • 1:57

0135 – Pismronunciation Errors

0135 – Pismronunciation Errors

0135 – Pismronunciation Errors Some speaking errors may be because of a lack of understanding of the language (maybe if English is a second language), not having seen it written down, or having seen it but not heard it.[1] [1] A colleague once pronounced the English city Middlesbrough as ‘middles-BRUF’ as they’d never heard it said before (it’s ‘MIDDLES-brer’). ==Through these under-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, in

May 14, 2021 • 2:57

0134 – “Where’s My Demmyster?”

0134 – “Where’s My Demmyster?”

0134 – “Where’s My Demmyster?” PRONUNCIATIONYou may have superb articulation, with every twist of the tongue and every placement of the palate and location of the lips perfect in every way, but how you say an individual, specific word is incorrect.[1] Pronunciation is linked with articulation, but also includes the subtleties of the light and shade of stress and intonation within a word (which we’ll help you with in a later chapter). And as we will see, better pronunciation is also aff

May 13, 2021 • 4:53

0133 – Verbal Fluidity

0133 – Verbal Fluidity

0133 – Verbal Fluidity Verbal fluidityA little fluidity in your speech sounds more melodic than the almost-stuttering caused by giving stress to very single letter, down to, literally, the last ‘t’. The Prime Minister said she wanted to go ahead, but we don’t know the President’s response. You would be unlikely to sound the ‘m’ in “Prime” as doing so would cause a stop between that sound and the following sound, also an ‘m’. So, run them on to say “priminister”, but not “pry mini

May 12, 2021 • 4:49

0132 – Diction For Communication

0132 – Diction For Communication

0132 – Diction For Communication Diction for communicationTimes and expectations change, so exacting and over-clear clarity of every single syllable is usually unnecessary. It can make you sound at best old-fashioned and at worst pedantically petulant. Heck, even the Queen has changed how she speaks![1],[2] So even though there are few calls nowadays for a cut-glass pronunciation such as Celia Johnson in the 1945 film “Brief Encounter”[3], appropriate diction is still important for suc

May 11, 2021 • 2:37

0131 – The Voice Over Wannabe Who Faked His Audition Tape

0131 – The Voice Over Wannabe Who Faked His Audition Tape

0131 – The Voice Over Wannabe Who Faked His Audition Tape“I’ve been chewing a lot of gum, and I’ve only found one with an all-day flavour … pop it in your mouth in the morning and it’ll be pepperminty right through til nightime. The name? ‘Five Gum’ – find it in a cool black pack. Five Gum – for all day flavour.”==Through these under-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scriptin

May 10, 2021 • 2:19

0130 – Overcoming Articulation Issues

0130 – Overcoming Articulation Issues

0130 – Overcoming Articulation Issues Some articulation issues may be because of a physical problem with the tongue or palate. Winston Churchill, actors James Stewart, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, and James Earl Jones, and singer Carly Simon all had similar problems which they overcame.[1]Whether it’s rhotacism (unusual pronunciation of the letter r, or too much emphasis on this sound), a lisp (the sound produced when s and z are pronounced like a soft ‘th’ sound), stutter (repeating sounds

May 9, 2021 • 3:08

0129 – More Of The Most Common Articulation Alterations

0129 – More Of The Most Common Articulation Alterations

0129 – More Of The Most Common Articulation Alterations Distortions – either in vowels or consonants, sometimes down to a regional accentOmissions (or deletions) – when certain sounds are not includedSyllable errors - weak syllables are left out of the pronunciation==Through these under-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniques and vo

May 8, 2021 • 5:03

0128 – Some Of The Most Common Articulation Alterations

0128 – Some Of The Most Common Articulation Alterations

0128 – Some Of The Most Common Articulation Alterations Here then, are some of the most common ‘sound-alterations’ to ‘standard English’ articulation. Substitutions - Swapping sounds (or, when reading, ‘letters’) for other soundsAdditions - Including extra sounds, where they don’t existAffectations – ‘putting on’ a pronunciation because of a misplaced sense of ‘coolness’ or ‘authority’, and sometimes those pronunciations becoming recognised new words or spellings.==Through these under

May 7, 2021 • 4:01

0127 – The US Waitress Who Didn’t Understand My UK Accent

0127 – The US Waitress Who Didn’t Understand My UK Accent

0127 – The US Waitress Who Didn’t Understand My UK Accent VOICE BOXIt is well acknowledged that we often adapt our diction or pronunciation to fit in with those around us. If you’ve ever spent time in another country or another area of your own you may have started to speak in a similar way to those who were born and raised there. A friend of mine who moved to the north of England speaks with a southern accent until she talks about the bathroom, when ‘barth’ is replaced with ‘bath’ w

May 6, 2021 • 5:11

0126 – Don’t Be A Dick With Your Diction

0126 – Don’t Be A Dick With Your Diction

0126 – Don’t Be A Dick With Your Diction DICTIONIf ‘articulation’ is the process of moving the jaw, tongue, lips and palate to produce different sounds, ‘diction’ is the use of those different ‘packets of sound’ to create understandable words. Don’t be a dick with your dictionAgain, as I have said several times, I’m not saying you must or should change the way you speak, I’m just putting these ideas out there to be of some help if you want to change. And remember it doesn’t really mat

May 5, 2021 • 3:57

0125 – Ten More Great Accent Tips

0125 – Ten More Great Accent Tips

0125 – Ten More Great Accent Tips Some other accent tips· Vocal fillers of other languages may also be important · You have to have a good ear… and a good mouth· Listen to authentic, native speakers, speaking in an English accent · That a character’s voice is more than just their accent ·

May 4, 2021 • 5:15

0124 – Accents Are Not Just How A Word Sounds

0124 – Accents Are Not Just How A Word Sounds

0124 – Accents Are Not Just How A Word Sounds Accents are not just how the words soundAll accents have a character. Think of a soft projection of highland Scottish, a harsher New-Yorker, the slow drawl of someone from a southern U.S state, the almost operatic excitability of an Italian speaker. Of course, everyone is different but there are ‘cultural averages’ and is partly to do with the melody or song of the accent. Italian has one kind of melody and ‘bounce’, German has another, so

May 3, 2021 • 5:45

0123 – How A Rat Can Help You Learn A New Accent

0123 – How A Rat Can Help You Learn A New Accent

0123 – How A Rat Can Help You Learn A New Accent Unsurprisingly, you can learn other accents via mimicry: simply listening and accurately repeating how a native speaker speaks, including the subtle nuances. And there are some resources to help you do that. There are several short texts (including “Arthur The Rat”, “Comma Gets A Cure” and “The Rainbow Passage”) which are contain all of the phonetic constructs in the English language – every consonant and vowel structure, and when one so

May 2, 2021 • 4:39

0122 – How Different Languages Have Different Pitches

0122 – How Different Languages Have Different Pitches

0122 – How Different Languages Have Different Pitches VOICE BOXLanguage experts[1] say that our speech is made up of a huge number of frequencies – base tones and overtones. It’s claimed that every language has a different range, for example British English moves between 2,000 and 12,000 Hz and French much less so between 125 and to 2,000 Hz and Russian between a wide 125 to 12,000 Hz. It’s thought that a new-born baby can recognise the entire range of human s

May 1, 2021 • 3:25

0121 – Learning Accents

0121 – Learning Accents

0121 – Learning AccentsLearning accentsWe looked at vowels and consonants earlier and how they are formed, and it’s true to say that accents are usually down to how you sound the vowels. Yes, consonants are sometimes pronounced differently from your native tongue, but they are much more likely to be the same. There are vowel sounds in some languages that do not exist in standard English. So it’s not a matter of making the same sound but in different situations, you have to first perfect a w

Apr 30, 2021 • 4:39

0120 – Speaking’s Most Important Body Part

0120 – Speaking’s Most Important Body Part

0120 – Speaking’s Most Important Body PartWhat is the most important part of the human body when it comes to speaking? Arguably the ears: we need to be able to hear sounds and process them before we can reproduce them. And similarly, we all adapt to be able to process different people’s voices. So, scientists say, it is amazing that even though my vocal anatomy is different from yours, if we met we would both be able to hear and understand each other. We are able to calibrate our brains to proce

Apr 29, 2021 • 2:37

0119 – The ‘Global Accent’

0119 – The ‘Global Accent’

0119 – The ‘Global Accent’A global accentWith around 2 billion speakers (either as a first or second language), English is the most understood language in the world. Spread by traders, invaders and slave owners, explorers, teachers and preachers through the printed word and, literally, the word of mouth, it’s now mostly learnt via American TV and films (rather than, unfortunately, through the culture of its motherland). It is though the language of entertainment, information and business.

Apr 28, 2021 • 2:57

0118 – How Advertisers Use Accents To Sell Us Stuff

0118 – How Advertisers Use Accents To Sell Us Stuff

0118 – How Advertisers Use Accents To Sell Us Stuff VOICE BOXMarketers know exactly how to manipulate our feeling towards different accents. Call-centre switchboards are so sophisticated that they often route calls from different geographical locations or from customers with specific enquiries, to operatives with certain accents. So a bank customer from Alabama might get an adviser with a similar Southern accent, even though the call centre may be at the other end of the country. That’

Apr 27, 2021 • 2:33

0117 – Voice Morphing

0117 – Voice Morphing

0117 – Voice Morphing Voice morphingThere’s is nothing wrong in having two or more speaking styles: a ‘personal voice’ and a ‘professional voice’. Linguists refer to ‘style shifting’: a kind of chameleon camouflage in which we unconsciously or deliberately alter our speaking style depending on who we are talking with and factors such as our perception of the relative social class of us and them, and what we want from the interaction. We all do it all of the time: one to use with frien

Apr 26, 2021 • 3:31

0116 – The Story Of Bailey And The Beach

0116 – The Story Of Bailey And The Beach

0116 – The Story Of Bailey And The BeachBailey was brought up in New Zealand and so spoke English with that fantastic accent. She was a great newsreader and applied for a job at a radio station in the south-east of England. The news editor didn’t mind the slightly different inflection, Bailey was perfectly understandable and her slight accent added a certain point of difference to the sound of the station.Just because her vowels in ‘short e’ words like ‘dress’ or ‘bed’ sounded more like an ‘i’ (

Apr 25, 2021 • 2:08

0115 – How An Accent May Make Or Break Your Career

0115 – How An Accent May Make Or Break Your Career

0115 – How An Accent May Make Or Break Your CareerIf you are working for a regional radio or tv station then having a pronounced accent from outside that area may cause you problems, particularly if it’s from the ‘wrong side of the river’ in a neighbouring state or an area with whom there’s some historical, sporting or religious antipathy.[1] Presenters with an accent from a foreign country may have an added problem, certainly for broadcast stations who will want to reflect their listeners.

Apr 24, 2021 • 4:30

0114 – The Accent That Killed

0114 – The Accent That Killed

0114 – The Accent That KilledWhen the Tribe of Gilead defeated the Ephraimites in The Bible, they used accent as a means of identifying surviving Ephraimites trying to escape. People were asked to say the Hebrew word "Shibboleth", which means ‘stream’. People from Gilead pronounced it with a ‘sh’ sound, whereas Ephraimites did not, so anyone who said "Sibboleth" was killed on the spot. According to the Old Testament 42,000 people failed the test.[1] [1] Non-native English speakers ca

Apr 23, 2021 • 1:39

0113 – All About Accents

0113 – All About Accents

0113 – All About AccentsACCENTSAccents are wonderful things. None of us think we have one, but we all do! They are what helps make us who we are, reflecting our family history, heritage and where we grew up. They are the product of the dominant speech patterns of those around us, picked up almost by osmosis, as to fit in to a group. We emulate or mimic the sounds from the community and culture around us, including from TV and movies. Accents are wonderful[1]… as long as the peo

Apr 22, 2021 • 3:25

0112 – Six Tongue Exercises – Including The One You Won’t Be Able To Resist Trying

0112 – Six Tongue Exercises – Including The One You Won’t Be Able To Resist Trying

0112 – Six Tongue Exercises – Including The One You Won’t Be Able To Resist TryingVOCAL YOGA - Peter’s PT for the tongueThese exercises stretch your tongue, releasing tongue root tension to give you a more resonant voice and gain fine control and make the most of the tongue’s ability and agility.· Stick your tongue out (sorry mum!) Curl it back to touch your chin, then up towards your nose, then left and right. Do this action three times. Then combi

Apr 21, 2021 • 4:19

0111 - Face Yoga

0111 - Face Yoga

0111 - Face YogaVOCAL YOGA - Peter’s PT for the facePull a face! - Make an exaggerated expression and then release, and express again. The Lion – a scary face, baring your teeth and angry eyesThe Clown – full and bright, with your mouth wide openThe Lemon Eater – tight and acidic==Through these under-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniqu

Apr 20, 2021 • 2:08

0110 – Getting’ Lippy With It! Pucker Up For Some ‘Lip PT’

0110 – Getting’ Lippy With It! Pucker Up For Some ‘Lip PT’

0110 – Getting’ Lippy With It! Pucker Up For Some ‘Lip PT’VOCAL YOGA - Peter’s PT for the lips· Humming – yes something as easy and straightforward as this can help loosen your lips and free up your facial muscles ready for a voice session. · Lips trills – like humming this is an opportunity to wake up your resonators especially after a night’s sleep. Simply make a shiver-type noise that a child would a

Apr 19, 2021 • 3:39

0109 – Morgan Freeman’s Favourite Voice Exercise

0109 – Morgan Freeman’s Favourite Voice Exercise

0109 – Morgan Freeman’s Favourite Voice Exercise VOCAL YOGA - Peter’s PT for your throat· Here’s how to reduce tension in the back of your mouth and throat, and create a better resonance in your voice. You will notice that when you say ‘car car car’, the back of your tongue touches the roof of your mouth. Now say ‘ga ga ga’ and the tongue moves down a bit. And when you pronounce ‘ha ha ha’ it clears away completely to allow a breathier sound. Take a

Apr 18, 2021 • 2:42

0108 – Tension-Busting Jaw Exercises

0108 – Tension-Busting Jaw Exercises

0108 – Tension-Busting Jaw Exercises VOCAL YOGA – Peter’s PT for the jaw· Beware of clenched teeth which may be a sign of stress. The most relaxed position for your jaw is with the teeth slightly apart. Open your mouth slightly and carefully move your lower jaw from side to side. Do this slowly and gently and just six times a side.· Be like a cow chewing cud. Pretend to do this, or loosen your jaw

Apr 17, 2021 • 1:41

0107 – The 1941 ‘Radio Announcer’s Test’ To Help With Speaking Skills

0107 – The 1941 ‘Radio Announcer’s Test’ To Help With Speaking Skills

0107 – The 1941 ‘Radio Announcer’s Test’ To Help With Speaking Skills The Radio Announcers Test[1]This was created by Radio Central New York in 1941 to test new announcers’ speaking skills. It covers a variety of vowel and consonant sounds and you can either say it line-by-line, in just one breath without sounding rushed or out of breath, or read line 1, then 1 and 2, then 1,2 and 3 and so on.Potential staff would be graded for clarity, enunciation, diction, tonality and expressiveness. ·&n

Apr 16, 2021 • 2:39

0106 – Our Amazing and Unique Alphabetised Exaggerated Articulation Exercises

0106 – Our Amazing and Unique Alphabetised Exaggerated Articulation Exercises

0106 – Our Amazing and Unique Alphabetised Exaggerated Articulation ExercisesVOCAL YOGA – Peter’s PT for ArticulationTraditional tongue twisters are great to warm up your mouth and to help increase your clarity and overall oral muscularity, because despite their name they also help you develop the better use of your jaw, lips and soft palate too.Our Amazing And Unique Alphabetised Exaggerated Articulation ExercisesStart slowly and carefully. Make sure the start and end of each word is crisp, the

Apr 15, 2021 • 6:31

0105 – Mouth Clicks And Audio Processing

0105 – Mouth Clicks And Audio Processing

0105 – Mouth Clicks And Audio ProcessingMouth clicks and audio processing What is audio processing? After sound is recorded it often goes through a professionally post-production process. This obviously won’t happen if you are going live to say YouTube/Zoom from your phone or laptop, but will happen if you are live or recorded from a professional studio, or if your home studio has a processer as part of the audio chain between the mic and the output (for example, if the sound goes through a

Apr 14, 2021 • 3:18

0104 – Cutting Mouth Clicks By Balancing Proximity, Projection And Levels

0104 – Cutting Mouth Clicks By Balancing Proximity, Projection And Levels

0104 – Cutting Mouth Clicks By Balancing Proximity, Projection And Levels So the closer you are to the mic when you speak, the softer your voice will be and the input level on that mic channel will be tweaked to achieve appropriate recording level. If you get close and shout then the input level will need to be low to avoid distortion on the playback of the recording. If you move away from the mic and also drop the loudness of your script, then the mic input level will need to be increased.

Apr 13, 2021 • 3:01

0103 – Mouth Clicks And Mic Technique

0103 – Mouth Clicks And Mic Technique

0103 – Mouth Clicks And Mic TechniqueMouth clicks and mic techniqueWhatever the cause, being too close to the microphone will certainly accentuate clicks. It stands to reason, if someone whispers in your ear you are far more likely to hear their tongue, cheeks and lips at work making those word-formations. This could be sensuous in some circumstances but, maybe not when you’re trying to understand an ad, notice the news or follow a thought leader. How your voice is picked up by the micropho

Apr 12, 2021 • 2:01

0102 – Kissing When Speaking: The ‘Lip Smack’ Sound

0102 – Kissing When Speaking: The ‘Lip Smack’ Sound

0102 – Kissing When Speaking: The ‘Lip Smack’ SoundSubconcious vocalisationFinally (although you may be able to think of some more), distracting and unnecessary non-verbal sounds may be the subconscious ‘kiss-sound’ as someone vocalises an in-breathe a split-second before talking. As this often happens in a news-reading situation just before a new story, and because the sound can also sound like a ‘tut’, it could be mistaken for a comment on the item that’s just finished, so impartial broad

Apr 11, 2021 • 2:11

0101 – Two More Reasons Our Mouth Clicks And Pops

0101 – Two More Reasons Our Mouth Clicks And Pops

0101 – Two More Reasons Our Mouth Clicks And PopsMouth-shape pops and clicksWe are of course all made slightly differently, and there’s a million varieties in the shape, size and position of all our ‘bits to help us broadcast’ – it’s why we all sound a bit different from each other. So some people will inevitably suffer more from ‘mouth noises’ than others. That may be a click in the jaw (as we just saw), or pops caused by bubbles in your mouth as saliva is caught between, for example, your chee

Apr 10, 2021 • 2:31

0100 – Clicks From Your Jaw

0100 – Clicks From Your Jaw

0100 – Clicks From Your JawTension clicksSo far, we have talked about the mouth and throat, but there may also be clicks from tension caused in your jaw. Inevitably, physical and psychological relaxation techniques work well to dissipate this tension, but if you often hear your jaw popping or clicking, it can be a sign of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. This is to do with the your ‘jaw joints’ and can lead to pain or stiffness in your jaw, face, neck, shoulders, or frequent headaches. (a

Apr 9, 2021 • 1:57

0099 – The ‘Glottal Choke’ Mouth Noise

0099 – The ‘Glottal Choke’ Mouth Noise

0099 – The ‘Glottal Choke’ Mouth NoiseNervous glottal chokeThis is nervous tension at the back of the throat which stops you speaking naturally and you can simply stop mid-way through a word, often on a glottal ‘k-sound’, and it’s almost like a small choke. It’s something I have experienced a few times when presenting on stage, and as I say, have put it down to tension. A sip of water can trigger the ‘swallow reflex’ and ‘reset the throat’, otherwise, a hard swallow. As this kind of situati

Apr 8, 2021 • 2:32

0098 – Sidebar on Saliva: What Actually Is It?

0098 – Sidebar on Saliva: What Actually Is It?

0098 – Sidebar on Saliva: What Actually Is It? The mouth has saliva – 99 percent water and a variety of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and phosphates. We make about three pints of it a day.[1] Saliva helps you taste, makes it easier to chew and swallow and washes away food particles. Its enzymes aids digestion and helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing acids. [1] https://www.thejpd.org/article/S0022-3913(01)54032-9/fulltext#:~:tex

Apr 7, 2021 • 1:56

0097 – ‘Wet Mouth’ Sounds: Causes and Solutions

0097 – ‘Wet Mouth’ Sounds: Causes and Solutions

0097 – ‘Wet Mouth’ Sounds: Causes and Solutions ‘Too much hydration’ related mouth smacks – caused by over-salivatingIt’s odd that our old ‘foe’ tension can cause too little or too much saliva to be produced. As well as helping to lubricate our tongue for its speaking role, we also produce saliva to help chew and swallow food. So, if you eat soon before you speak on air, your saliva glands still might be overly stimulated. Similarly, if you’re on-air and anticipating eating soon after

Apr 6, 2021 • 2:42

0096 – Why You Should Take ‘Dry Mouth’ Super Seriously

0096 – Why You Should Take ‘Dry Mouth’ Super Seriously

0096 – Why You Should Take ‘Dry Mouth’ Super Seriously A dry mouth may actually be caused by xerostomia, when the glands in your mouth simply don't make enough saliva. This could be because of: Medications Aging Cancer therapy Legal and illegal drugsAnd – diabetes and stroke and of course snoring and breathing with your mouth open!Signs to spot:Dryness or stickiness in your mouthThick and stringy salivaBad breathDifficulty chewing, speaking and swallowingSore throat and hoarsenessGroov

Apr 5, 2021 • 3:26

0095 – Stopping Hydration-Related Mouth Clicks In The Studio

0095 – Stopping Hydration-Related Mouth Clicks In The Studio

0095 – Stopping Hydration-Related Mouth Clicks In The StudioDuring the recording:· Don’t guzzle lots of water· Wash the water around the mouth before swallowing it· Eat green apple slices or sip fresh pineapple juice· Trick yourself into producing more saliva · Wea

Apr 4, 2021 • 3:49

0094 – How To Stop Hydration-Related Mouth Clicks From Happening

0094 – How To Stop Hydration-Related Mouth Clicks From Happening

0094 – How To Stop Hydration-Related Mouth Clicks From HappeningReducing hydration-related mouth clicks and smacks Leave the scary mouth noises to the monsters you may be animating, by doing as many of these as you can before you go into a live or recording studio:· Being well hydrated – as ‘horse’ goes with ‘cart’, ‘air’ goes with ‘water’! Yes, H20: the articulator lubricator!· Brushing your teeth - th

Apr 3, 2021 • 2:52

0093 – Hydration-related Mouth Clicks

0093 – Hydration-related Mouth Clicks

0093 – Hydration-related Mouth Clicks1. Hydration-related mouth clicksWe’ve all been in a situation in a studio, where we’ve needed some water for vocal lubrication. Indeed, it’s literally called ‘drying up’, when your mouth is as dry as the Sahara, your cheeks are like sandpaper and you’ve a tongue like a Ryvita crispbread. Pops, clicks and smacks are the usually the result of poor hydration and lubrication, and the effect of thick and sticky saliva on th

Apr 2, 2021 • 2:32

0092 – The Seven Kinds Of Extra Weird Mouth Noises

0092 – The Seven Kinds Of Extra Weird Mouth Noises

0092 – The Seven Kinds Of Extra Weird Mouth NoisesMOUTH NOISESThese are the pops, clicks and smacks that can be heard as someone speaks. They may be amplified by a microphone and audio processing[1] to such a degree it can sound as though you’ve been eating Rice Krispies, or gargling with space dust.[2] The seven kinds of extraneous oral noises:1. ‘Too little hydration’ related mouth smacks - at a basic level such noises are the slight smack as someo

Apr 1, 2021 • 3:03

0091 – Relaxing Your Mouth

0091 – Relaxing Your Mouth

0091 – Relaxing Your Mouth For your articulators to work properly you must have a relaxed mouth to allow your tongue and soft palate to move freely. Try saying some of the words above through clenched-teeth! Now go to pronounce the word “go” (!) and feel how the back of your tongue and soft palate move? An issue that I have noticed when people come to me wanting better articulation or resonance, is that that placement may be semi-permanent during much of their speech. This cuts of the flow of ai

Mar 31, 2021 • 2:12

0090 - Relaxing Your Tongue

0090 - Relaxing Your Tongue

0090 - Relaxing Your Tongue Of course, there’s more to your tongue than meets the eye – literally. It is longer and has a deeper root than you may imagine and indirectly connects (via the hyoid bone) to your larynx. Therefore a ‘tense tongue’ will affect your voice. So, it’s another reminder to de-stress to sound your best: relax all the tension from your shoulders and neck. And try and monitor the situation and let your tongue lie on the floor of your mouth when not being used.Through thes

Mar 30, 2021 • 1:04

0089 – The ‘Wood Man’ Sound

0089 – The ‘Wood Man’ Sound

Bilabial sounds are made with both lipsWoodManBabySpy From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:· To get you a

Mar 30, 2021 • 3:05

0088 – The ‘Every Fall’ Sound

0088 – The ‘Every Fall’ Sound

Labiodentals are consonants articulated with the lower lip and the upper teeth.EVeryFall From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal im

Mar 28, 2021 • 1:11

0087 – A ‘Thought Breath’

0087 – A ‘Thought Breath’

Interdental consonants are produced by placing the tip of the tongue between the upper and lower front teethBreatheThought From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your voca

Mar 28, 2021 • 1:39

0086 – ‘Top Dad’ But ‘Sad Zebra’

0086 – ‘Top Dad’ But ‘Sad Zebra’

Alveolar consonants are made with the tip of tongue TopDadSadZebraButterNopeLightFrom BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:· To get y

Mar 27, 2021 • 3:10

0085 – ‘Should Asia Read?’

0085 – ‘Should Asia Read?’

Post-alveolar sounds are articulated with the tongue near or touching the back of the throat.ReadShouldAsia From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio a

Mar 26, 2021 • 1:22

0084 – The ‘Yes’ Sound

0084 – The ‘Yes’ Sound

Palatal is the name given to sounds that come when the body of the tongue is raised against the hard palate (the middle part of the roof of the mouth). Yes From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing

Mar 25, 2021 • 1:32

0083 – Cats Go Singing

0083 – Cats Go Singing

Velar sounds are created with the back part of the tongue (the dorsum) against the soft palate, the back part of the roof of the mouth (known also as the velum).CatGoSingFrom BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, bot

Mar 24, 2021 • 1:06

0082 – The Uh-oh Sound

0082 – The Uh-oh Sound

I am fascinated by this area of phonetics!, so let’s take a look how different English-language word-sounds are formed and by what (sometimes very small) change in what articulators:Glottal sounds are made by obstructing the airflow in the vocal tract, the glottis.Uh-ohFrom BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers a

Mar 23, 2021 • 1:37

0081 – Articulatory Differences in Language And Accents

0081 – Articulatory Differences in Language And Accents

Not every language makes use of all the potential articulators. You may know people personally or maybe a celebrity whose first language is not English and who perhaps has difficulty pronouncing the letter ‘L’. As an English speaker you will no doubt have trouble with some of the more back-of-throat sounds that our French, Spanish and German friends pronounce like natives (!). Even within a language there will be places where natives pronounce words differently (think of the dialects of a New Yo

Mar 22, 2021 • 3:02

0080 – Verbal Gymnastics

0080 – Verbal Gymnastics

So, different sounds of speech are formed in different ways as the articulators do verbal gymnastics inside your mouth. Now say the phrase “My to-do list: quickly send that dog a letter”. And now say it really s-l-o-w-l-y, and concentrate on all the work that is going on in your mouth as you say this series of vowels and sounds. The lips purse, the tongue curls like a wave, tucks in behind the teeth and then arches at the back of the mouth, and air is syphoned through the mouth to crea

Mar 21, 2021 • 2:54

0079 – The Elvis Muscle

0079 – The Elvis Muscle

The muscle with the longest name of any in the human body is right here connecting with the lips. It’s the levator labii superiosis alaeque nasai and its main job is to open the nostrils and move the upper lip into a ‘snarl-like’ expression, and so it’s sometimes called 'The Elvis Muscle’.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podc

Mar 20, 2021 • 1:12

0078 -  When It Comes To The Crunch, The Word ‘Crisp’ Is A Great Articulatory Example

0078 - When It Comes To The Crunch, The Word ‘Crisp’ Is A Great Articulatory Example

Say the word “crisp”. Easily huh? But it’s actually made up five letters, and five distinct sounds, which are each formed in a distinct way. So, now say “crisp” really slowly and deliberately, sounding out each individual part, and realise how various articulators move to create them.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, vide

Mar 19, 2021 • 3:20

0077 – Why Your Tongue Is So Important In Articulation

0077 – Why Your Tongue Is So Important In Articulation

The tongue is not one muscle but eight. They run in all three directions: from front to back, from the sides to the middle and from top to bottom. Parrots’ thick tongues help them imitate human language (they mimic whatever is in their surroundings so they can show off their skills to a potential mate). Their other speech organs are very basic but they can make similar sounds to us by moving the tip of their tongue to certain points of articulation in their mouth in a similar way that we d

Mar 18, 2021 • 1:24

0076 – Your Multi-Function Mouth Muscle

0076 – Your Multi-Function Mouth Muscle

Although the teeth, lips and tongue work hard in synchronicity to convert sound in to words, the part played by the tongue is generally unsung. The mouth’s multi-function muscle is an Inspector Gadget of the human body:· Saliva production · Sucking · Eating and drinking · Tasting· &

Mar 17, 2021 • 3:48

0075 – The Final Articulator Is Right Under Your Nose!

0075 – The Final Articulator Is Right Under Your Nose!

The final articulator is right under your nose! The lips – mainly channel sound in its final moments before being heard by the world, whether it’s the soft breeze of a ‘fooo’, ‘wooo’, the caress of an ‘mmmm’, the buzz of a ‘vvveee’ … or holding a ‘p’ back for a split-second before it explodes.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and

Mar 16, 2021 • 2:21

0074 – The Articulatory Gymnastics Of Your Tongue

0074 – The Articulatory Gymnastics Of Your Tongue

Altering the shape and position of the tongue allows us to create sounds which we form in to words. We will see later in this chapter how the tongue twists and curls, arches and relaxes, and teases the teeth – tucking behind them and slipping between them – to create pronunciation. Even the basic exercise of saying the name of the AA Milne donkey character ‘Eeyore’, you will feel what your tongue does in just two syllables: it arches and relaxes at the back of the throat. From BBC presenta

Mar 15, 2021 • 2:14

0073 – Weird Facts About Your Tongue

0073 – Weird Facts About Your Tongue

The strongest muscle in the human body based on its weight, are the jaw muscles (‘masseters’). They can close the teeth with a force as great as 55 pounds (25 kilograms) on the incisors or 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms) on the molars. So relax the jaw when you can, let it drop to a slightly-open rest position (you can keep your mouth closed so you don’t look gormless!) and reduce the tension there and in the whole neck area. (Depending on how you measure ‘size’ and ‘strength’, other strong mus

Mar 14, 2021 • 2:46

0072 – How The Slightest Change Affects How Your Voice Sounds

0072 – How The Slightest Change Affects How Your Voice Sounds

You can of course, alter the shape of your oral cavity and its furniture (tongue and lips), and every alteration will change the kind of sound that you make. In fact, even a slight, temporary cosmetic change (such as dental work) will alter how you the sound.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinar

Mar 13, 2021 • 3:34

0071 – How We Create Recognisable Language

0071 – How We Create Recognisable Language

The shape of your mouth and the position of the tongue in relation to the teeth and lips, determine each sound that we translate into recognisable language. Sounds from the larynx will just remain unintelligible mumbles and mutters unless they are formed into words. Words, and therefore ‘meaning’, are comprised of an often-complicated combination of individual sounds (phonemes), which are shaped by our oral ‘articulators’:TongueTeethLipsJawHard palate (the roof of your mouth)Soft palate (th

Mar 12, 2021 • 2:50

0070 – The Tip Of The Tongue And The Teeth And The Lips

0070 – The Tip Of The Tongue And The Teeth And The Lips

Speaking requires a complicated combination of ‘articulatory gymnastics’ to create what, on screen or paper, seems a simple sentence. After our brain processes the hieroglyphic word-forms, we instantaneously and sub-consciously order our diaphragm to send a supply of air across the vocal folds, which are tilted and turned to produce pockets of sounded-air which are sent up the vocal tract. Some of that air is diverted through the nasal cavity depending on what’s needed to create just a fra

Mar 11, 2021 • 2:30

0069 - Giving Your Larynx A ‘Wake-Up Workout’

0069 - Giving Your Larynx A ‘Wake-Up Workout’

Scrunch your shoulders, stretch and yawn. The latter warms up the throat, particularly important for breakfast newsreaders whose first words uttered that day may be on air! Do not let that be the case with you - sing in the car on the way in to work. Give your larynx a ‘wake-up workout’: gently see how high and low you can go. One of the greatest ‘resonance helpers’ is basic relaxation. Being in this state mentally as well as physically, will enhance your sound by diverting it to the resona

Mar 10, 2021 • 2:31

0068 - How To Discover If You're A 'Nasal Whiner'

0068 - How To Discover If You're A 'Nasal Whiner'

· Here’s how to check if you are a ‘nasal whiner’. Lightly pinch your nose at the bridge (the top bony part) and say “Sing a song of sixpence”. When you pronounce the ‘ng’ sounds you should feel a slight buzz on your fingertips. That’s just what should happen when you say this sound. Now say “Ba ba black sheep”. If you can still feel the vibration on the ‘ba’ sounds, then you may potentially have a nasal problem.·

Mar 9, 2021 • 7:31

0067 - How To Reduce Neck Tension To Help Your Voice

0067 - How To Reduce Neck Tension To Help Your Voice

To reduce tension in your neck, carefully drop your head to your left shoulder and hold it there for a few seconds, then bring it back carefully to its normal, central position and hold it, before dropping to the right shoulder, and back. Then drop your chin to your chest and then tip your head back.As with any of these exercises stop if anything feels uncomfortable. Repeat this left, right, back, front routine a few times. Now, drop your head forward and roll it to each position (right shoulder

Mar 8, 2021 • 4:48

0066 – Society's Attitudes To High and Low Pitched Voices

0066 – Society's Attitudes To High and Low Pitched Voices

Society seems to usually want a tone that is of a lower rather than a higher register. It is claimed that they are “easier to listen to” and “carry more authority” but there seems little scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that we are programmed to prefer such a tone. However, it seems to be true that men and women with a slightly lower tone are often called upon as presenters and voice-over artists, in a way that those with higher pitches are not.  No longer deep booming voices, but r

Mar 7, 2021 • 2:25

0065 - Pitch Perfect

0065 - Pitch Perfect

Your pitch, or register, is your ‘vocal frequency’, basically how high or low your voice is. This is affected mainly by the body you inhabit, mainly your vocal folds but also links with your frame and yes, your breathing and resonance cavities too. Nervousness contracts and tightens muscles throughout your body, including the throat, and that will cause the average pitch of the voice to rise, maybe leading to a strangled sound… As we keep seeing, everything is intertwined!There are some twe

Mar 6, 2021 • 2:47

0064 -  Hypernasal and Hyponasal Velopharyngeal Dysfunctions.

0064 - Hypernasal and Hyponasal Velopharyngeal Dysfunctions.

Hypernasal speech is the classic ‘nasal voice’ when more air is expelled through your nose as you speak, causing additional resonance.The similarly named hyponasal speech or ‘denasality’ is when there’s little air getting through your nose while you speak, which reduces the amount of resonance in your voice. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator o

Mar 5, 2021 • 5:16

0063 - Here's What We Knows About The Nose

0063 - Here's What We Knows About The Nose

Most people have no idea that much of their sound is affected by their nasal cavity. If you want to check out the effect it has on your tone, close your mouth, say a long ‘nnnnnnn’ sound and gently hold a finger over each nostril. Here’s another ‘trick’ to discover how much nasality your voice has: say ‘ahhhh’ and hold your nose, and your voice should continue almost unaltered. If it does change then you may have excess sound going through your nasal cavity. That may not be a problem a

Mar 4, 2021 • 4:08

0062 - How 'Sounded-Air' Through Your Nose Affects Your Voice

0062 - How 'Sounded-Air' Through Your Nose Affects Your Voice

Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. You feel the movement that happens at the back of your throat? That’s the velum swishing open and closed to divert air in through one hole (OK, two!) and out through the other. Now imagine that happening with sound leaving the body. Most of the time the curtain is closed, so the majority of the sound is diverted to the mouth, but occasionally it swishes open so we can make the sounds ‘m’, ‘n’, and ‘ng’. Say “my new song”, and you will

Mar 3, 2021 • 5:53

0061 - Use Your Soft Palate To Kick The Can

0061 - Use Your Soft Palate To Kick The Can

If you put your tongue-tip just behind your top teeth and trace it back along the roof of your mouth for an inch or two, you will feel your hard palate the ‘roof of your mouth’. A little bit further back (be careful you don’t gag or choke!) and you will feel the texture change. Where it does is the start of the soft palate. It moves and helps you say sounds like ‘k’ as in ‘kick’ (or better, ‘king’) and ‘ng’ as in ‘sing’, and ‘g’ as in ‘gas’ so say “kicking the can along to the gas stat

Mar 2, 2021 • 3:37

0060 - Be An Experimenter With Your Resonators

0060 - Be An Experimenter With Your Resonators

We can help the ‘resonator areas’ (the nasal cavity and oral cavity) to work to their full potential as the sound waves enter (or try to enter) them. And today we'll run a few experiments to hear the different effects that the cavities or resonators have on the sound you make.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voice

Mar 1, 2021 • 5:14

0059 -  Making Tweaks To Your 'Voice Recipe'

0059 - Making Tweaks To Your 'Voice Recipe'

One of my favourite Bolognese recipes[1] includes garlic, rosemary, basil and bay leaves. Each one of them adds to the overall flavour. In an orchestra, each instrument adds a quality to the complete sound. In the human body each of the elements I mentioned a few days ago, and especially the mouth and nose resonators – and the amount of ‘sounded air’ going through them – adds to the timbre. [1] https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe From BBC presentation trainer Pe

Feb 28, 2021 • 3:53

0058 -  So What is Timbre (And Mucus!)?

0058 - So What is Timbre (And Mucus!)?

The vocal tract produces lubricatory mucus - 97% water and 3% mucins, non-mucin proteins, salts, lipids, and cellular debris. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4048736/ From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name,

Feb 27, 2021 • 2:57

0057 - So What Is 'Tone'?

0057 - So What Is 'Tone'?

THE VOCAL LISTYour physique plays a large part in shaping our voice. These include:· Your overall frame – often larger people have more resonant voices· Your hormones – we know how puberty affects the male voice, but so too can menstruation and menopause· Lung capacity – which gives us confidence to get to the end of a sentence, which in turn relaxes us·&nb

Feb 26, 2021 • 4:27

0056 - So What Is Speech?

0056 - So What Is Speech?

If ‘voice’ is the sound we make, then ‘speech’ is manipulation of those sounds by our mouth, tongue and lips to create understandable words. If a listener has to work hard to ‘decode’ your message and understand what it is you are saying, they have less headspace to process the actual content.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podca

Feb 25, 2021 • 4:20

0055 - Off With Their Head!

0055 - Off With Their Head!

At this point in the process, you have sound but no actual voice. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:·

Feb 24, 2021 • 3:36

0054 - Use It Well

0054 - Use It Well

It’s interesting to note that you don’t need a lot of breath for a good voice, just to use it well. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two m

Feb 23, 2021 • 3:09

0053 - What Happens When You Shout

0053 - What Happens When You Shout

The folds collide harder when you make a louder sound such as projecting, shouting or singing, and they collide more often the higher your pitch whether speaking or singing.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing ex

Feb 22, 2021 • 4:31

0052 - Party Balloons

0052 - Party Balloons

You’ll get an idea of what’s happening in your larynx as you speak if you imagine holding the neck of a blown-up party balloon and letting the air out bit by bit: different sounds are made as you release your pinch.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's

Feb 21, 2021 • 2:37

0051 - The Guy Who Fractured His Throat!

0051 - The Guy Who Fractured His Throat!

More on these stories here: https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/lions-frank-ragnow-fractured-throat-injury and https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/profootballdoc/sd-sp-pfd-henry-anderson-throat-surgery-colts-1109-story.html From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of

Feb 20, 2021 • 3:05

0050 - Your Speaking Pipe

0050 - Your Speaking Pipe

Some of the cartilage of the larynx creates the bump on the front of the throat, commonly known as the ‘Adam’s Apple’, behind which are, stretched across the trachea, membranes or tissues known commonly as the ‘vocal cords’ (or more accurately ‘folds’), just the size of a thumbnail.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video,

Feb 19, 2021 • 5:16

0049 -  Factoid: Smell and Swallow

0049 - Factoid: Smell and Swallow

Humans used to be able to smell and swallow at the same time… and even though we lost that ability, we kept another very useful one, which is centred on our throats.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusivel

Feb 18, 2021 • 1:35

0048 - A Focus on Phonation

0048 - A Focus on Phonation

You may have used the phrase “it’s gone down the wrong way” when you choke while eating, probably as a result of talking with your mouth full! It’s the epiglottis, a flap in the throat that normally diverts air or food/drink down the right tube, closing to stop food from entering the windpipe and the lungs, and opening during breathing, allowing air to flow to and from the lungs.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a sh

Feb 17, 2021 • 1:59

0047 -  How A Paper Straw Can Help You Be A Better Breather

0047 - How A Paper Straw Can Help You Be A Better Breather

Breathing in and out through a paper straw in your mouth will force you to concentrate on your breathing.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two m

Feb 16, 2021 • 2:03

0046 - Vocal Yoga - Take The Hiss

0046 - Vocal Yoga - Take The Hiss

Inhale until you are comfortably full, then slowly exhale with a long ‘ssssss’. Then repeat, increasing the time you’re inhaling and hissing, aiming to go longer with each hiss until you find yourself beginning to run out of breath.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of

Feb 15, 2021 • 2:41

0045 - Vocal Yoga For Breath Control

0045 - Vocal Yoga For Breath Control

Do you run out of breath or feel your voice doesn’t have enough support? These exercises will help you get air in, extend your breath for a consistent, confident sound and so support your voice to the end of sentences.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter

Feb 14, 2021 • 1:38

0044 - Cleaning While Breathing

0044 - Cleaning While Breathing

When we exhale, we are not exhaling all of what we have just inhaled: some stays in the lungs. So some people believe it’s a good idea to cleanse lungs of that ‘stale’ air and in so doing, energise the body.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing

Feb 13, 2021 • 1:42

0043 -  This Could Be The Best Sport For Voice Performers

0043 - This Could Be The Best Sport For Voice Performers

As we have seen you have to be comfortable in letting sufficient air drop in to your lungs after one sentence, so it can power the next. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image o

Feb 12, 2021 • 0:58

0042 -  How Breath Control Will Help You Breathe Less Often And Less Obviously

0042 - How Breath Control Will Help You Breathe Less Often And Less Obviously

Breath control will… give the ability to breath less often, and less noticeably, so you can time your breaths to coincide with the natural breaks in your speech.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on

Feb 11, 2021 • 3:04

0041 - Get A More Relaxed Sound

0041 - Get A More Relaxed Sound

Y’know breathing is a reflex, the most natural thing in the world. But panic, such as a new situation or studio, a big story, the number of viewers … stops us breathing naturally.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focus

Feb 10, 2021 • 2:40

0040 -  How Breath Control Will Help You Get A Stronger Voice

0040 - How Breath Control Will Help You Get A Stronger Voice

Breath control will… give you a voice that’s stronger and more confident, rather than thin and breathy.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two mai

Feb 9, 2021 • 2:05

0039 - A ‘Belly-Breathing Bonus’!

0039 - A ‘Belly-Breathing Bonus’!

If your voice has more support it will have more ‘expressive agility’ to make your message more engaging.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two m

Feb 8, 2021 • 2:02

0038 - Vocal Fry

0038 - Vocal Fry

Using vocal fry (sometimes referred to as ‘scraping the barrel of the voice’) reducing your ability to project and have colour, and using it for too long will cause your voice to tire. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name,

Feb 7, 2021 • 5:18

0037 - Breath Control For Broadcasters

0037 - Breath Control For Broadcasters

The slow relaxation of the diaphragm controls your airflow in a measured and consistent way. Such breath control will:· Give you more ‘vocal fuel’ for longer sentences and proper intonation, avoiding mumbling and ‘tailing off’ · Give you a voice that’s stronger and more confident, rather than thin and breathy· Give a more relaxed sound· &nb

Feb 6, 2021 • 3:00

0036 - Breath Control - Introduction

0036 - Breath Control - Introduction

If you practice ‘fast-snatch, fast-release’, it can lead to gabbled sentences and a garbled meaning, and so we need to be able to control the air as we exhale it.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively o

Feb 5, 2021 • 5:17

0035 - How To Know If You’re An Abdominal Or Clavicular Breather

0035 - How To Know If You’re An Abdominal Or Clavicular Breather

Sit up straight and place a hand on your abdomen and the other in the centre of your chest. Then breathe in deeply and you should find the abdomen rises and then the chest expands and then on the exhale the abdomen falls and then the chest falls. So, you’re creating little waves with your body as you breathe. Such ‘leading from the abdomen’ helps create calm. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guid

Feb 4, 2021 • 3:26

0034 - How Diaphragmatic Breathing Will Work Wonders

0034 - How Diaphragmatic Breathing Will Work Wonders

Diaphragmatic breathing:· Relaxes the larynx which means you can speak for longer without getting hoarse· Brings in more air so you can get to the end of a sentence without running out· Better breathing gives you more confidence leading to a more relaxed body and a slightly lower register· Your shoulders are no

Feb 3, 2021 • 2:16

0033 - Breathing Out Is Like Pushing Air From A Lilo

0033 - Breathing Out Is Like Pushing Air From A Lilo

The air comes into the body ideally through the mouth or ideally the nostrils. It is natural to breathe through your mouth when presenting or in general conversation, as it is faster, but air breathed in through your nose is warmed, humidified and filtered before it travels to your lungs.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts,

Feb 2, 2021 • 2:58

0032 - How To Breathe Properly

0032 - How To Breathe Properly

It’s easy! Even a baby could do it. In fact, they do, and so did we all until many of us ‘unlearnt’ it!From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars.It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two mai

Feb 1, 2021 • 3:43

0031 - How To Breathe *Badly*!

0031 - How To Breathe *Badly*!

It’s the military-type ‘stomach in, chest out’ way of breathing that makes the shoulders rise … and creates a pain in the neck, literally. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal imag

Jan 31, 2021 • 2:40

0030 - Why Breathing Is The Key Thing

0030 - Why Breathing Is The Key Thing

‘Breathing for broadcasters’ – how to do it properly; what ‘breath control’ is and how it will help you on air; how to cut down on ‘breath-snatches’; the various ways breath can help your voice sound richer and fuller; how CO2 can help your on-air COnfidence; breathing exercises; loads more tips and a few ‘voice coach’ stories… and the best sport for newsreaders to do.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily

Jan 30, 2021 • 3:06

0029 - How To Perfect Your Posture

0029 - How To Perfect Your Posture

Here’s how to perfect your posture.Have your feet shoulder-width apart and in line with your hips. Rock slightly on your soles so you feel a good balance between pressure on your toes and your heels. Your feet should feel ‘grounded’, with your big and small toes and your heel feeling in contact with the floor. Your back should not be ram-rod straight (there are natural curves in the back for a reason, to support parts of the body at different parts of the abdomen and torso), but it should still

Jan 29, 2021 • 2:59

0028 - Make A Stand For A Good Voice

0028 - Make A Stand For A Good Voice

Better breathing leads to less tension and more confidence, which is often the boost you need to get through your on-air miles.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and vi

Jan 28, 2021 • 2:19

0027 - Reading Off Screen

0027 - Reading Off Screen

When you are sitting, your guts, stomach (and your large lunch) are displaced, and pushed into the dome of the diaphragm, restricting its ability to work properly. Standing allows things to settle back into a better place, and so help your breathing technique. If you need to sit and things feel a bit tight, then loosen a belt or undo a button to feel easier… just do it out of sight, and remember to do them up again later.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER

Jan 27, 2021 • 2:22

0026 - A Quick Shout Out To Projection

0026 - A Quick Shout Out To Projection

With radio and TV we are speaking to people we can’t see and yet they are sometimes many hundreds of miles away. To our prehistoric brain this doesn’t make sense. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclus

Jan 26, 2021 • 2:41

0025 - Sitting For a Video Presentation

0025 - Sitting For a Video Presentation

Sitting close to someone else with that person’s ear maybe two feet away, they may not project their voice quite as much as a sound engineer would like.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vo

Jan 25, 2021 • 6:00

0024 -  The Confidence Shot From Your Chair

0024 - The Confidence Shot From Your Chair

The chair you are sitting on can give you a ‘confidence shot’, or a ‘confidence shock’.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:· &

Jan 24, 2021 • 2:46

0023 - Sidebar: The Coccyx

0023 - Sidebar: The Coccyx

The coccyx is commonly referred to as the tailbone, is at the bottom of your spine, and is the remnant of the tail that our ancestors had several million years ago. Indeed, other mammals have a similar bone and still have a tail, such as horses.The term coccyx is derived from the ancient Greek for ‘cuckoo’, as the last three or four bones of the coccyx resemble the beak of that bird.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is

Jan 23, 2021 • 1:49

0022 -  De-stress To Sound Your Best

0022 - De-stress To Sound Your Best

Consider that altering the settings on your chair is a little like altering the ‘settings’ in your physical stance or sitting position. A notch or two changes the backrest, a turn of the wheel to alter the tilt of the seat, a slight alteration of the armrest … Now review your own position: shifting your feet forward an inch or two, moving your body weight onto your bottom, raising your head a ‘notch’ or two. A series of slight alterations to ‘man and machine’ will relax you, create more confiden

Jan 22, 2021 • 2:30

0021 - Get Air-Care From Your Chair

0021 - Get Air-Care From Your Chair

Most presenting roles happen from a seated position. And you can get a lot of help with sitting and therefore breathing by having an ergonomically adjustable chair. Every model is slightly different, and they can be quite expensive, but get one on which you can alter various parts of the mechanism.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV,

Jan 21, 2021 • 5:36

0020 - How Mental Pressure Can Affect Your Voice

0020 - How Mental Pressure Can Affect Your Voice

Air comes from breathing depends on breathing and muscle control, muscles which are almost always holding your hold body in a state of ‘relaxed tension’. Mental pressures are soon shown as ‘bad’ physical tension (for instance in your stomach, shoulders or jaw), which will affect your posture, breathing, and voice.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator o

Jan 20, 2021 • 3:28

0019 - The 'Back Against The Wall' Exercise

0019 - The 'Back Against The Wall' Exercise

An exercise I have used with clients is to:· Have your back against the wall…· with shoulders and buttocks touching it too· Position your feet nearly touching the bottom of the wall, maintaining a good ‘grounded stance’, supporting your body on each complete foot (rather than the ball or the heel)· Now bend the

Jan 19, 2021 • 5:11

0018 - Is Your Spine Fine?

0018 - Is Your Spine Fine?

Your spine affects your breathing – and you’re probably already starting to see now how all of your body is interconnected in helping you produce a good voice.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on

Jan 18, 2021 • 5:44

0017 - Screaming

0017 - Screaming

Humans known how to breath instinctively, it’s a natural responsive thing to do. Individually since our first few seconds on Planet Earth we have filled our lungs and screamed!But now we’ve got to unlearn all the bad posture and breathing habits we have picked up on that journey from bawling baby to baby broadcaster.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicato

Jan 17, 2021 • 1:35

0016 - Proper Posture

0016 - Proper Posture

Your voice is powered by air. And a good voice is supported by ‘good’ breathing and muscle control.To speak effectively, you use your entire body, not just your ‘voice box’.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing e

Jan 16, 2021 • 5:10

0015 - You've Been Doing It All Your Life

0015 - You've Been Doing It All Your Life

After breathing, there follows a hugely complex system of linguistic gymnastics involving your vocal cords, tongue, teeth, and palates to form sounds as directed by your brain’s ‘memory bank’ of ‘what sounds in what order, make a sensible sentence’. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It

Jan 15, 2021 • 2:12

0014 - A Basic Understanding Of the Mechanics Of Voice

0014 - A Basic Understanding Of the Mechanics Of Voice

“Human beings live in what is probably the most sophisticated, complex living organism that’s ever walked on the face of the earth. What we can do with our system, or mind, our voice, the sounds we can make, are beyond any other creature. What we have is truly remarkable.” Peter Jacobson From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podca

Jan 14, 2021 • 2:11

0013 - Use Your Phone

0013 - Use Your Phone

You may need an audio or video recording app on your phone, and probably an empty house! A word of warning: if you have not heard your ‘recorded self’ before you may be in for a surprise. That’s because we are used to hearing ourselves ‘internally’ because the effect that the various ‘sound-tunnels’ and vibrators in the skills have on the voice that we are producing ourselves. Only we hear us this way. Everyone else hears us the way you will hear you on tape. It feels awkward at first, but it’s

Jan 13, 2021 • 4:18

0012 - Train Like Usain

0012 - Train Like Usain

Professional athletes like Usain know that a good warm-up can make a significant difference in terms of both injury prevention and running efficiency. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on you

Jan 12, 2021 • 3:06

0011 - The Exercises

0011 - The Exercises

It takes time to get out of a rut and plough a new furrow. You need to identify the muscles and develop them. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels

Jan 11, 2021 • 2:40

0010 - What’s in the Book 2

0010 - What’s in the Book 2

If you have some natural talent, and a persevering personality, then this book gives you the plan to develop your best voice and to use it on-air.Understand the voice and how it is created, ‘from lungs to larynx to lips’How to achieve a better speaking voice with more energy, expression and enthusiasm How to ‘read out loud’ from a script to sound as though you are chattingScript-reading skills – how to engage your audio audience and keep them listeningBalancing authority and personality, formali

Jan 10, 2021 • 3:03

0009 - Who I Am

0009 - Who I Am

I have ‘been there and done’ audio and video presentations for decades.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:· &nbsp

Jan 9, 2021 • 4:01

0008 - “Every Fourth Word”

0008 - “Every Fourth Word”

In this podcast series, I’ll explain why the “every fourth one” advice is wrong, and instead show you which words should be lifted and subdued. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal

Jan 8, 2021 • 2:15

0007 - What’s in the Book

0007 - What’s in the Book

You’ll go from just talking to actually communicating. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:· &nbs

Jan 7, 2021 • 3:57

0006 - How Nerves Affect The Voice

0006 - How Nerves Affect The Voice

When we come to present a podcast or YouTube video, or step into a studio or onto a stage, what happens? From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the samename, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels

Jan 6, 2021 • 2:22

0005 - What is a ‘Good Voice’?

0005 - What is a ‘Good Voice’?

A ‘good voice’ is one that communicates to us, one that shows some personality of the owner. From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main ai

Jan 1, 2021 • 2:00

0004 - There is Nothing Quite Like the Human Voice

0004 - There is Nothing Quite Like the Human Voice

“The voice is a sound caused by the soul, by means of the repercussions of the air  made in the throat with the intention of signifying something.”Aristotle, 385-322 BCFrom BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclus

Jan 1, 2021 • 2:47

0003 - The Preface

0003 - The Preface

You’ve invested in your look of choice, now invest in your voice.From BBC presentation trainer Peter Stewart (@TweeterStewart), GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE is a short, daily guide to help you become a stronger voice communicator on radio and TV, podcasts, video, voiceovers and webinars. It's the audio version of the book Peter's writing of the same name, both focusing exclusively on your vocal image on audio and video channels with two main aims:· &nbsp

Jan 1, 2021 • 3:42

0002 - Charles Darwin on the Human Voice

0002 - Charles Darwin on the Human Voice

“With many kinds of animals, man included, the vocal organs are efficient in the highest degree as a means of expression…The character of the human voice… alters much under different conditions, in loudness and in quality, that is, in resonance and timbre in pitch and intervals.When the voice is used under any strong emotion, it tends to assume, through the principle of association, a musical character. We can plainly perceive, with some of the lower animals, that the males employ their voices t

Jan 1, 2021 • 3:11

0001 - My New Book as a Daily Podcast

0001 - My New Book as a Daily Podcast

“With many kinds of animals, man included, the vocal organs are efficient in the highest degree as a means of expression…The character of the human voice… alters much under different conditions, in loudness and in quality, that is, in resonance and timbre in pitch and intervals.When the voice is used under any strong emotion, it tends to assume, through the principle of association, a musical character. We can plainly perceive, with some of the lower animals, that the males employ their voices t

Jan 1, 2021 • 2:32

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