Do you like the sound of your own voice? To be at peace with him and yourself are one and the same, says the famous French phoniatr Jean Abitbol. Facts and conclusions from a specialist's practice.
The young woman insisted, " do you hear? I have such a low voice, that on the telephone me accept for???. Okay, I'm a lawyer, and it's good for work, I win most of the cases. But in life, that voice bothers me. And my friend doesn't like him!»
Leather jacket, short haircut, angular motion... the Woman reminded the young man that spoke in a low voice with a slight huskiness: such voices are strong personalities and heavy smokers. Foniatr examined her vocal cords and found only a slight swelling, which, however, is almost always observed in those who smoke a lot. But a patient asked me to make her a surgery to replace the "male" tone. Jean Abitbol refused her: there was no medical evidence for the operation, besides, he was sure that the change of voice would change the identity of the patient. Having heard from the doctor that her personality and voice perfectly approach each other, the female lawyer frustrated left.
Almost a year later at the doctor's office sounded a ringing soprano voice – it belonged to a girl with shoulder-length hair, in a beige dress made of muslin. Jean Abitbol first didn't even recognize his old patient: she persuaded another doctor to operate on her, and the technician did a great job. A new voice demanded a new appearance – and the appearance of a woman amazingly changed. She has become the other-more feminine and soft, but, as it turned out, these change proved for it catastrophe. "In the dream, I say its still in a low voice, sadly she admitted. – And the reality is beginning to lose the processes. I've been kind of helpless, I don't have enough pressure, irony, and I feel like I'm not protecting anyone, and she protected all the time. I just don't recognize myself."
Thus, the voice is closely connected with our physical condition, appearance, emotions and inner world. "The voice is the alchemy of spirit and body," Dr. Abitbol explains, " and it remains the scars we have earned over the life. You can learn about them in our breath, the pauses and the melody of speech. Therefore, the voice is not only a reflection of our personality, but also a chronicle of its development. And when someone tells me that he does not like his own voice, I, of course, examine the larynx and vocal cords, but in parallel interested in the biography, profession, character and cultural environment of the patient."
Not my voice.
Alas, the torment when recording duty of the phrases on your own answering machine is familiar to many. But what is the culture here? Alina is 38 years old, she holds a responsible position in a large PR-Agency. Once, upon hearing himself on tape, she was horrified: "Oh God, the beeping! Not the PR Director, and a kindergarten."Jean Abitbol says: this is a clear example of the influence of our culture. Fifty years ago, women typically were considered clear, high voice like the stars of French chanson and the cinema, Arletty or Lyubov Orlova. Actresses with a low, hoarse voice, like Marlene Dietrich, embodied mystery and seduction. "Today, it is better for a woman leader to have a lower timbre," explains foniatr. – It seems that the gender inequality is evident even here! To live in harmony with our voice and ourselves, it is necessary to take into account the standards of society, which sometimes make us idealize some sound frequencies."
Say, you hear it!
Otolaryngologist-a doctor engaged in the treatment of diseases of the ear, throat and nose.
Orthopedist – specialist in teaching proper breathing and voice training.
Foniatr is a doctor engaged in the treatment of diseases of the vocal cords.
Pooped – specialist for restoration of functional disorders of the voice.
Alina's problem may seem far – fetched, but Abitbol reminds us: our voice is a secondary sexual trait. American psychologists led by Dr. Susan Hughes of the University of Albany (Susan Hughes) in a recent study proved that people whose voice is perceived as erotic do lead a more active sex life. And, for example, if your voice is too infantile for your age, perhaps during your adulthood, the vocal cords did not receive the proper amount of appropriate hormones.
It happens that the large, strapping man, the chief, says absolutely childish, sonorous voice – with such better sound cartoons, rather than to manage the company. "Because of the timbre of his voice, such men are often unhappy with themselves, do not accept their identity," continues Dr. Abitbol. – Work doctor phoniatr or orthophoniste is to help such people to put the vocal apparatus and to develop the power of your voice. After two or three months they "cut through"their true voice, and of course they like it much more."
The voice of one crying
Another common claim to his own voice – it "does not sound", the person can not be heard. "If the room going three I to open his mouth is useless," complained a patient. "Do you really want to be heard?"said foniatr.
Opposite is the case: people literally jamming his interlocutors "trumpet", especially lowering the chin (for better resonance) and hearing how it does. "Any otolaryngologist can easily recognize an artificially forced voice," Abitbol says. - More often this is resorted to by men who need to demonstrate their strength. They have to constantly "fake" their natural timbre, and he ceases to like them. As a result, and in a relationship with them they have problems."
VOICE
COULD MEAN
WEAK, QUIET
fear of communication
FORCED
emotional fragility
MONOTONOUS
uneasy with your body
LOUD
need to be the center of attention
SHRILL
lack of self-confidence (in men)
Another example – people who do not realize that their voice becomes a real problem for others. This is the "shouters," which, regardless of any prayers, nor semitone do not reduce the volume or "ratchet", from whose indomitable chatter, it seems, can become loose even chair legs. "Often these people want to prove something to themselves or to others," explains Dr. Abitbol. – Do not hesitate to tell them the truth: "When you say that, I don't understand you" or "Sorry, but your voice bores me".
A loud, piercing voice is really very uncomfortable. In this case, can help "vocal re-education" with the participation of the otolaryngologist, phoniatry and orthophoniste. And yet-classes in the acting Studio, where the voice will learn to control; choral singing, where you learn to listen to others; vocal classes for staging timbre and... search for your true individuality. "Whatever the problem, it is always possible to decide – I am sure Jean Abitbol. "The ultimate goal of this work is to literally feel "in the voice," that is as good and natural as in your own body."
5 EXERCISES for the voice
A few simple tips from Philip-Nicolas Melo (Philippe-Nicolas Melot), French vocal Professor, author of the course "to Find your voice". He teaches singing Amateurs and professionals; it exercises are designed for the resolution of the main problems that can occur in a person with your own voice.
1 YOUR VOICE...YOU DO NOT LIKE
Make a "shell" from the left palm and attach it to the left ear – it will be an earpiece. Right bring to the mouth-it will become a microphone.
Make a sample as a sound engineer: read loudly, pronounce different words while playing with the sound.
Perform this exercise daily for 5-10 minutes for 9 days.
Once you understand exactly how people around you hear your voice, you can improve its sound.
2...GETS"STUCK" IN THE THROAT
Do exercises for the face. The goal is to clear the throat, passing the main work of the lips and the diaphragm. Pronounce the syllables "q-x": "Kew" lips are rounded, and "x" is pronounced with a broad smile.
Repeat the exercise 30 times, and then give a small speech to make sure it is useful.
When speaking, the vocal cords will be less tired, and the muscles of the mouth – it is easier to perform commands sent by the brain.
3...DOES NOT SOUND
5-10 minutes a day to read out loud some text, but without consonants. So, the phrase "Five exercises to love your voice" will sound like "I-u-a-e-e-o-o-u-e-o-o-o-o." Consonants act as a springboard, forcing the vowels to vibrate.
Re-read the same passage of text, this time cutting consonants.
The voice will gain the intensity of vibration and sound, while you will not get tired, and you will understand better.
- TOO QUIET
Put your hands on the solar plexus. Think of something that really angered you. Say any text, pressing your hands to your stomach and trying to make the sounds come from the navel area.
Release the anger, clearly pronouncing the consonants and widely opening the mouth.
Most try to Express their emotions – sadness, anger, joy. The voice will become rich, less formal, more sincere.
5...IMPERSONAL
Standing barefoot, breathe quietly, inflating the stomach with each breath.
Slowly transfer the stop of the foot from the heel to the toe and back.
Continue with your eyes closed. If your energy is too concentrated in the area of the head, you will lose balance. Stop trying to control yourself and focus on the feet. This exercise will help you better distribute energy.
You better "settle in" in your body, and the timbre of the voice will become richer.
