The message you are delivering is the autopilot that works your voice. That means your message actually directs the movement of the muscles, cartilage and other tissues of your vocal apparatus. The message you're communicating even affects how you breathe, and the shape of your throat channel! Let's talk about how this happens, and how we can use this information to give your voice more power.

The vocal apparatus is operated mostly by the automatic nervous system which I refer to as the autopilot, not the conscious mind. An autopilot (in tech speak a 'macro') is configured by consciously choosing the job we want it to do. In the case of the voice, the job is: To Communicate a Message! 

How the voice creates messages

Effective communication requires shaping vocal sound so the message can be understood by the intended ear. As discussed in this interesting article I found, shaping vocal sound is accomplished by

• articulation - using movements of speech organs including lips, teeth and tongue - and
• pronounciation - using muscles in the mouth to change how we emphasize, extend and link syllables.  [an interesting side note from the article:] The control of the flow of air and the shape of the mouth are the keys to clear pronunciation.

I would add that movement of eyes, jaw, soft palate, and the larynx itself help differentiate messages. The degree of tightness in the ribcage, stiffness in the spine, active language in the face and body cause subtle changes in vocal sound, too. Whew! Amazing how many shades of tone colors can be created in the human voice!

Let's try experimenting with some exercises. Using the sentence "You better not do that" see how many different messages you can create:

• Say or sing it 5 times, each time emphasizing a different one of the 5 words. Notice how the message of the sentence changes, becoming a threat, a warning, a pleading, an invitation to play, sarcasm.
• Say or sing it while moving the jaw with a slight chewing motion, then with a very still jaw. Notice the still jaw message is more menacing.
• Now do it with a tight ribcage, then with your spine moving like a lava lamp.
• Try it with a flat, then lifted, soft palate. 
• If you know how, overlift (it will sound thin and strained) and then overdrop (it will sound hooty) your larynx while sounding the message.
• Do it with a numb 'poker face', then while smiling and moving your eyes around.
• Try pushing it out with a lot of (uncontrolled) breath, then pulling it out with wide ribs but using very little (controlled) breath. Oddly enough, the second way can sound a lot more confident!

How messages create the voice

Messages that diminish the voice 

Messages that empower the voice

The voice really exists for one reason: to deliver messages. 

How well that message is created will determine the strength of the response you get. THIS is the power of your vocal performance! Even when going after a commercial vocal career, the paradox is that vocal performance is the most powerful and valuable when it's focused on making a particular heart understand something at an emotional level. Your gift is made for giving.

Want more?

Try Power, Path and Performance vocal training.
Communicating the message is a primary cornerstone of my 3-stranded vocal training method, with balancing breath support/control and keeping an open throat comprising the other two. The synergy of Power, Path and Performance courses and vocal lessons creates significant vocal improvement with immediate and ongoing gains... and without strain. Check it out at www.judyrodman.com

PS... Your comments here on this blog are always welcome and your podcast reviews are extremely helpful! Thank you!

Labels: "All Things Vocal", "judy rodman", "vocal exercises", creating messages, deliver the message, sending messages, vocal lessons, vocal performance