Communication class notes by Dr. Plexico

by Cicely BerryVoice Director of the Royal

Shakespeare Company

• Personal (how we arrive at our own

voice)

• Social (how we react to other people)

• Public (different public expectations)

• Practical (exercise your voice)

Two factors:

1.Something that strikes

2.An object that is struck

Volume will depend on:

1.Hardness of the object struck

2.Sensitivity to vibrations

3.Size of vibration determines the volume

4.Vibrations = resonance

Example: violin (vocal chords) , bow (breath) and

vibrations (chest, throat, nose, head)

Four factors:1.What you hear2.How you hear it3.Your physical make-up4.Your personality and experience

Why do you sound different than you think? - Use a tape recorder or video camera- Cup your hands around your ears to approximate how you sound to others.

Would you be surprised if others said you appear to be abrupt, discouraged, disinterested (especially when you felt none of these emotions)?

How do you find your vocal energy and use it to your advantage?- Listen to the behavior in your own voice.- Notice how others react to your voice- Monitor your own private image (what you think about yourself)

by Cicely BerryVoice Director of the Royal

Shakespeare Company

• Sound • Tone• Understood• Good voice should not be noticed

• Use the voice you have and

stretch it to reveal your own personality

• Form your words completely to gain the most value

• Speak clearly (both consonants and vowels)

• Avoid using a “thick” accent

• Discover the vitality of your own speech and have confidence in your own words

• Deep, DEEP breaths (all the way to the diaphragm)

Message sent = message received

by Cicely BerryVoice Director of the Royal

Shakespeare Company

• Good breathing is key to a good voice

• Strong bow/breath across well-tuned strings/vocal chords

• Good breathing is fundamental:• Expanded chest gives fuller,

richer space for sound• More breath to flow across the

vocal chords• Calming effect

• Take time to think

• Don’t be afraid of silence

• Tension wastes energy• mental• physical

• Some nervous energy is good• makes the adrenalin flow• helps the mind work quicker

•

by Cicely BerryVoice Director of the Royal

Shakespeare Company

• We use words to:• Communicate information• Share experiences

• How do we use language to cover up what we feel?

• How can we use language to reveal what we feel?

• The more a person wishes to conceal, the wordier he or she becomes.

• Conceal our lack of knowledge through a lot of words. • “…some people without brains do an awful lot of talking... don't they?”• “Precision of thought. Economy of expression.”

Unusual words used significantly catch on quick, but soon become abused- charisma, literally, if you will- Obamacare, - other examples?

Unnecessary phrases- at that point in time- in fact- other examples?

Don’t use a $.25 word when a nickel word will do

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein

When you lose confidence: You tense up You stop taking your time You stop choosing your words with

care You lose reasoning and control

Gain confidence through: Preparation Breathing Practice

by Cicely BerryVoice Director of the Royal

Shakespeare Company

No voice is wrong if it is communicating adequately

Cannot divorce the voice from the person

Strive for clarity

A good voice will not be noticed.

Put yourself in the position of your audience

Realize the value of silence

Rid yourself of feelings of inadequacy

Accept and believe in yourself and what you have to say

Athletes exercise their muscles Pianists exercise their fingers Speakers exercise:

Diaphragm Vocal chords Vocabulary

Exercises in Berry (pp. 57-66, 89-96, 134-138)

Volume Pitch

Pace

Pause

Listener needs pauses to digest your message

You need pauses to rest and receive feedback

Pauses give you energy

Pauses draw your listeners into your message

Use with discretion

Know your audience

Know your purpose

Make your points clearly

Keep it simple

Brevity is better

Prepare, practice,

perform!