Producing a perfect voice image is a combination of proper diaphragmatic breathing, speaking within your ideal pitch range, and resonating correctly. The idea of resonance seems abstract to those who are not voice experts, but it can be easily explained. Resonance is the amplification of speech sounds that are produced in the cavities of the throat, mouth, and nose. The tone of voice produced at the level of the vocal cords resonates within these cavities, influencing vocal quality. To simplify, resonance has to do with where the speaker “places” the voice.
There are 3 types of MRI: pharyngeal, oral and nasal. Pharyngeal resonance (ie, the area of the throat cavity) is very important for voice quality, as proper voice is produced with the throat relaxed and in an open, tension-free position. Oral resonance is where the voice is placed in the oral cavity. Any large or small movement with the lips, cheeks, soft palate, or throat wall will affect resonance by shaping sound waves or harmonics. You can learn to control where the voice is placed in these two cavities to create your best statically pleasing voice. Nasal resonance is when the voice sounds as if it is projected through the nose creating a tonal quality that is nasal, high-pitched, or sounds like a moan. When the pitch is set too high in these cavities, the result is a nasal-sounding voice, or when the pitch is set too low, a harsh or strained vocal quality can be heard. Placing your voice correctly in your pharyngeal and oral cavities is key to a rich, robust voice with natural projection and ideal tone quality. This can be achieved with awareness, proper diaphragmatic breathing, expressing in your optimal pitch range, and placing your voice correctly in your pharyngeal and oral cavity for ideal vocal resonance.
The 3 American Speech Sounds Produced in the Nasal Cavity
There are 3 American speech sounds that resonate in your nasal cavity. They are /m/, /n/ and /ng/ as in song. When these sounds are produced, the sound waves vibrate in the nasal cavity and produce a buzzing sound across the bridge of the nose that can be felt with the tips of the fingers. Try it. Say “mom,” “name,” and “run.” You should have felt a buzz on the bridge of your nose. A buzz should not be felt with all other non-nasal sounds. If a ringing is felt in the nasal cavity with non-nasal speech sounds, too much nasal resonance is being used.
A simple test for nasal speech
Place your fingers on the middle of the bridge of your nose and say the following words:
Sour Hot Sauce Cat Book Bracelet Briefcase Phone
You should not have felt a buzzing vibration because these words do not contain the sounds that resonate in your nasal cavity. If a buzz was felt, his voice was placed too high in her nasal cavity creating nasal resonance. Lower your speaking voice into your optimal pitch range and speak from your oral and pharyngeal resonance cavities. Strategies are provided below.
Try these sentences. Once again, you should not feel a ringing on the bridge of your nose.
o The drink was sour.
o I went for a bike ride.
o Please pass the hot sauce.
o The oven is hot.
o Put your briefcase here.
CAUTION: Be careful with words that contain the vowel sound /a/ as in cat. This sound can be easily projected into the nasal cavity creating nasal-sounding speech. Practice saying the following words that focus on the vowel sound /a/. If you feel a buzzing from your nasal cavity, then your speech and voice resonate in your nasal cavity. Reduce the location of your voice in the pharyngeal and oral cavity to avoid nasal resonance.
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Produce a resonant-sounding voice
Real World Practice Strategy Training
Select a strategy that will help you produce your voice with good resonance. After you’ve selected a strategy that works best for you, practice speaking with oral and pharyngeal resonance!
1. Identify where the voice is placed in other people
Now that you know the 3 different types of resonance, listen to other people as they speak and figure out where they are “placing” their voice. Does the tone sound too loud? Is the quality nasal? Being aware of where other people place their voice will strengthen your ability to recognize the good and bad qualities of the resonant voice. Randomly select 3 people you see every day at work or in your personal life and estimate where they “place” their voice.
These are the 3 people whose voice quality I will evaluate.
2. Maintain diaphragmatic breathing, while speaking with your optimal pitch range
Using a proper diaphragm breathing support and your ideal pitch range will almost always get your voice positioned correctly in your pharyngeal and oral cavity.
3. Visualize where you want the sound to be placed if your voice is too loud
Visualize speaking from the sternum or shoulder area. For many people, this will automatically lower the voice from the nasal cavity and place it further into the oral and pharyngeal area. Following this strategy will create a richer, more authoritative-sounding voice.
A. If your voice is too loud
Visualize speaking from the sternum or shoulder area. For many people, this will automatically lower the voice from the nasal cavity and place it further into the oral and pharyngeal area. Following this strategy will create a richer, more authoritative-sounding voice.
B. If your voice is too low
Visualize yourself speaking from your eyes. This will push your voice higher in the resonant cavity and produce a warm, sincere tone.
C. Show your flexibility!
To better understand voice placement and resonance, practice speaking in nasal, high, and low tones. Develop flexibility in how to place your voice elsewhere so that you can become adept at consistently and properly placing your voice in the pharyngeal and oral resonance cavities.
4. Talk with your mouth open a little more
This is important for the short vowel sound /a/ as in apple or rat. When the mouth is tight or not open enough, sound is more likely to resonate through the nasal cavity. Being aware of the location of your mouth during a conversation will help reduce nasal speech, particularly for words that contain the /a/ vowel sound, and improve your oral resonance.
* Record your practice and note where your voice is placed and how you move the articulators.
sentence practice
o The air conditioner is too high again.
o School will close on June 25 of this year.
o Your appointment with Dr. Smith is at 3:30.
o Tell Joe to relax and it’s just money.
o My office can comfortably hold 4 chairs.
o Kitchen needs major cleaning.
o When it’s 95 degrees, it’s too hot to ride a bike.
o There is a concert in the park on Sunday.
o The lion is magnificent and beautiful.
o I don’t want to have to look for a new apartment.