Buzz
This week, we're perfecting our vocal techniques with expert advice from Denise Woods, a Hollywood vocal and dialect coach with over 20 years of experience. She has coached stars like Will Smith, Halle Berry, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Chastain, and Mahershala Ali. Tune in as Denise shares tips for eliminating filler words like 'ums,' 'ahs,' and 'likes,' finding your personal 'voice print,' and mastering the art of breath control for impactful speaking.
Denise's latest book is titled, The Power of Voice: A Guide to Making Yourself Heard.
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Key takeaways from this week's episode
From the conversation with Denise Woods:
On the significance of pausing to breathe:
[I]f you recognize that, just as you need to breathe, your audience does too...It creates this beautiful, reciprocal exchange of information, where both parties give and receive energy. When you pause to breathe, you give your audience permission to do the same. This permission allows for a moment of peaceful silence. Just like how a rest in music is essential to make the notes meaningful, the silence in speech makes the words matter.
On preparing for a major speech:
[N]o matter how exceptional your voice may be, if you're tense or placed in a stressful situation, it’s similar to adjusting the tension on a string instrument—the more you tighten the string, the higher the pitch. This causes tension, and not only does it affect you, but it also creates tension for your listener. Tension is the first issue I address, helping people release it by shaking it out, blowing air through the lips, and ensuring that both the breathing mechanism and the articulators are relaxed.
On the importance of discovering your distinct 'voice print':
Our voices represent a blend of everything we are—our cultural, geographical, and racial backgrounds, and even how we identify. While we may embody a mix of identities, we might resonate with one or two key aspects of ourselves. Our voices should reflect this. Given our unique and diverse natures, it’s crucial to express all these facets through our voices so people don't just see us, but hear us in our entirety.
For more of Denise's valuable insights on voice improvement, we recommend listening to the entire episode.
Got any feedback or suggestions for future episodes? Want to be featured on the show? Leave us a voicemail at 347-687-8109 or send a voice memo to [email protected].
