Public Speaking - Generating Volume

Last week I gave you some tips about taking care of your vocal cords – especially before a speech.

This week I would like to share some thoughts about volume. I have had a number of people commenting on the fact that they have difficulty making themselves heard.

When we speak, the air that we exhale passes over our vocal cords. The vocal cords vibrate and the noise that they cause as a result of this vibration creates our voice.

In simple terms the words and sounds that we form are a function of three factors – the air itself (forced out by the lungs), the vibration (from the vocal cords), and the position of our tongue and mouth. The vocal cords are composed of thin mucous membranes and tendons. By tensing and relaxing the muscles connected to the tendons we are able to change the rate at which the vocal cords vibrate. This changes the tone.

Volume is controlled by how far the vocal cords travel during each cycle of the vibration. Another word for this is amplitude. The Amplitude is controlled by how much air is passing over the cords. A small amount of air will produce a relatively gentle vibration (in amplitude). More air and the amplitude will increase and we will notice a change in volume.

How can we put this knowledge into practical use for speakers who have difficulty with volume -simple, focus on taking deeper breaths. When we are frightened we often sub-consciously take shallow breaths. As we exhale these small breaths we do not have the air flow to cause the vocal cords to vibrate with any significant amplitude – hence we have a very soft voice.

The reverse is true as well. Someone who is out of breath will have a difficult time whispering. He/she will need as much airflow as possible. By breathing deeply and rapidly their will be a considerable amount of airflow. Any attempt to whisper will usually be difficult if not impossible.

When you are speaking before a group try to consciously take deeper breaths. This will assist you in producing the volume that you need to project your voice into the audience. If you are in the habit of forgetting to do this (and if you are feeling nervous there is a good chance you will) why not ask someone in the back to give you a signal if you are too quiet. You can use the signal as a reminder to take a deep breath and continue without much more thought.

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Copyright © 2007 David Mudie All Rights Reserved

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