Whether you’re commanding the stage as Macbeth or soothing listeners of your how-to podcast, speaking loudly and clearly is crucial. And doing so without simply shouting? Even more so. In this article, we’ll provide practical tips to up the levels of your vocal power while preserving clarity and expressiveness.
Vocal projection is not about shouting; it’s about using your voice efficiently without strain. Here are some foundational elements to help you project better.
1. Work out often. A healthy body ensures you are relaxed and energized, and that you have enough breath to power your voice. Good posture enables better breath control and projection: back straight, shoulders relaxed, and feet shoulder-width apart. Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head, lengthening your spine.
2. Prioritize breath support. This is everything. Practice diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe in deeply, feeling your abdomen expand (rather than your chest). Breathe out on a slow “ffffffff,” aiming to extend the sound for as long as possible. When you start to run out of air, you will feel your body squeeze uncomfortably. That is when you are “off support.” Take a new breath just before this happens. Only ever speak “on support.” This technique helps you sustain your volume without strain.
3. Do warmups. Just like any physical activity, warming up your voice is essential. Gentle humming, lip trills up and down your range, and tongue twisters can help loosen your vocal cords.
Vocal Warmup Exercises and Cooldowns for Singers
4. Hydrate. Without enough water you will quickly strain your voice. Start three hours before voice work, and keep drinking throughout the day.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, these techniques will help you speak louder and more clearly.
1. Resonance: Use your chest and head cavities to amplify your voice naturally. Practice humming or vocalizing on different vowels—“maaa,” “mooo,” “meee,” etc. Experiment with different pitches and feel the vibrations in your chest and head. This resonance adds richness and volume to your voice without strain.
2. Articulation: Focusing on clarity does a lot more than you think. Over-articulate your consonants, and open your mouth more than usual to pronounce vowels clearly. This not only improves intelligibility but also gives the illusion of a louder voice.
How to Become More Articulate
3. Focus on the audience: Imagine your voice reaching the farthest person in the audience (even if that audience is only in your imagination). Direct your energy toward them. This visualization helps you gauge the amount of effort needed to fill the space.
4. Practice projection: Your vocal folds are muscles like any other. If you try to do too much too soon, you will strain them. Work slowly and practice often. Find a large room or an outdoor space to rehearse. Start with your regular speaking voice and gradually increase the volume, focusing on maintaining clarity and resonance with constant breath support.
Avoiding common pitfalls
Even with the right techniques, some common mistakes can hinder your progress. Here’s how to avoid them.
1. Avoid over-effort. If your throat feels strained, you’re likely pushing too hard. Focus on breath support and resonance instead of forcing your voice. Increase the volume slowly as your voice gets stronger.
2. Don’t rush. Speaking too quickly can make it hard to project. Slow down and enunciate each word. This not only makes your voice clearer, but also gives you time to breathe and support your voice properly.
3. Vary your range. When we think of someone shouting, we imagine a long, drawn-out yell that lacks expressive range. “Hellooooo down theeeere!” To sound more conversational when you project, modify your vocal range.
Additional tips for voiceover and stage actors
For voiceover actors, the proximity to the microphone can be an advantage. However, projecting your voice still matters. Here are some tips tailored to your needs.
1. Microphone technique: If a character is particularly quiet, you can always shift a little closer to the mic (be sure to use pop filters to manage plosive sounds). If you’re playing someone a bit more boisterous and even backing off the mic hasn’t helped, place the mic off axis. This is where it sits just above your head, angled down to your chin.
2. Soundproofing: Ensure your recording space is properly soundproofed to avoid the need to raise your voice unnecessarily. A quiet environment allows for better vocal control and projection.
For stage actors, understanding the acoustics of the venue can significantly impact your performance.
1. Chest out: Be mindful of your position onstage. Open your body toward the audience and avoid turning away while speaking important lines.
2. Use the space: Different venues have different acoustic properties. During rehearsals, experiment with your voice in various parts of the stage to find the sweet spots where your voice carries best.