Public Speaking

Vocal Exercises 

 

Many Beginning Public Speakers may wonder if vocal exercises are necessary to be an effective speaker. The answer is yes. Vocal exercises are essential for public speakers to gain better skills. So what exactly are the benefits of vocal exercises? By exercising your voice before speaking you minimize the chances of straining your voice, stumbling over words, and heightened nerves. These exercises really do warm up your voice and get you pumped up in the process. Below I'll discuss some vocal exercises I have learned from my Advanced Public Speaking course. 

 

Vocal Exercises:

• Using the diaphragm-stand with feet shoulder width apart. This allows for comfortable and deeper breathing. Breathe in through your nose while holding your stomach (this allows you to feel your diaphragm moving), and then breathe out slowly. 

• Sounding out vowels: Hold them out long. 

  • A "Ahhhh"

  • E "Eeeee"

  • I "Iiiiiiiiiii"

  • O "Oooooo"

  • U "Uuuuuu"

• Tongue Twisters: Sally sells seashells by the seashore

• Hum

• Change up Vowel Sounds: (Do this in a room, such as a gym or auditorium, that echoes to help force you to speak louder) 

  • OoooEeeeeOoooo

  • AhhhEeeeeAhhhh

  • UuuuEeeeeUuuuu