Improve Your Voice Lecture by Darren McStay

Jul 23, 2024

Improve Your Voice Lecture by Darren McStay

Introduction

  • Presenter: Darren McStay
  • Topic: Learning to speak more clearly through daily practice

Key Points

Importance of Daily Practice

  • Voice improvement is not a quick change; requires time and effort.
  • The voice is a physiological instrument involving air, muscles, bones, fasciae, and more.
  • Training your voice is akin to an athlete training their body.
  • Daily practice is crucial for permanent and positive results.

Main Goals of Daily Practice

  • Practice daily to achieve improvement in:
    • Clarity of speech
    • Reducing mumbling
    • Confidence
    • Articulation
    • Resonance
    • Presence

Task for Speaking Clearly

  • Step 1: Find a voice you admire (TV personality, newsreader, actor, politician).
    • Ensure the voice is articulate and clear.
    • Avoid mumble rappers or singers if clear speech is your goal.
  • Step 2: Find a 30 to 60-second recording of this person.
  • Step 3: Listen and repeat the recording daily.
    • Stop every few seconds, then repeat what the person said.
  • Step 4: Mimic the sounds they make.
    • Focus on replication over understanding initially.

Children and Learning

  • Similar to how children learn through mimicking.
  • As adults, we develop habits not always conducive to clear speech.
  • Retraining involves copying those with desirable qualities in their voice.

Progress Tracking

  • Record your own voice weekly.
  • Compare with the recording to track progress.
  • Continue the exercise for weeks, months, or longer until comfortable.

Warm-Up Exercises

  • Warm-up before speaking exercises are essential.
    • Recommended to follow Darren's warm-up video.
  • Ensures the body is ready to speak effectively.

Commitment to Practice

  • Consistency is key to making permanent changes in the voice.
  • Darren suggests using his 8-week online course for structured learning.

Conclusion

  • Darren McStay emphasizes the importance of daily practice for clear speech.
  • Consistent practice and the appropriate exercises will lead to effective communication.
  • Final note: Practice using your voice!