अविस्तरम् असंदिग्धम् अविलम्बितम् अव्यथम् |
उरःस्थम् कण्ठगम् वाक्यम् वर्तते मध्यमे स्वरम् ||
Valmiki Ramayan 4.-3-31
Skill 6 – Urastham Kantagam – Speech coming from the chest or the throat
#ChestVoice
Impact of Chest Voice on Perception and Communication
A study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior found that people rated voices that were produced using chest resonance as more attractive, competent, and confident than voices that were produced using a head resonance. Another study published in the Journal of Voice found that using chest resonance could improve the clarity and intelligibility of speech, particularly in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Techniques to Build Chest Voice
- Start with proper breathing – take deep breaths and expand your ribcage to support your voice.
- Practice vocal exercises that help you feel vibrations in your chest, such as humming or lip trills.
- Focus on speaking or singing from a lower part of your throat and chest, instead of from your head or nasal cavity.
- Use your chest muscles to support your voice but avoid tension or strain. Gradually increase your volume and power but maintain control and good technique.
- Work with a vocal coach or speech therapist to develop your technique and address any issues or limitations in your voice.
Benefits of Developing Chest Voice
- Increased confidence: When you speak with a chest voice, you project more power and authority. This can help you feel more confident and assertive in your interactions with others.
- Better vocal health: Using your chest voice properly can help you avoid vocal strain and damage. By speaking from your chest rather than your throat, you can reduce the risk of developing vocal nodules or other voice disorders.
- Improved resonance: A chest voice has a richer, fuller sound than a head voice, which can make your speech more engaging and dynamic. This can be particularly effective in public speaking, where you want to capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged.
Skill 7 – Madhyame Swaram – Comfortable medium tone
Many of us feel that the pitch is not important in a speech, but Lord Ram says that the pitch is very important while delivering a speech. He appreciates Hanuman that he delivered his message in a comfortable medium tone.
Why is the tone important?
We have effective digital sound systems nowadays, courtesy advancements in technology. Pitch is important not only in Ramayana times, even now.
If it is so important, What can you do about this?
Ideal practice would be to start sounds on a pitch just slightly higher than what feels “natural” to you. Since intonation tends to drop over the course of a sentence, start a bit higher, so your voice is still in a comfortable range when you reach the end. If you’re low at the very start, you’ll end up in the gravel by the time you finish the phrase.
Some people might find it relatively easy to explore and play with a range of pitches. For others, it’s not always that easy.
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