Unfiltered Thoughts

2023.08.03 – 0945 – the ‘Choppy’ Delivery ‘Choppy’ deliverySymptom: This is the style of [breath] having to take a breath [breath] after every few words [breath] in a sentence. The scrip is disjointed. Chopped up. Rather than a smooth flow. Short word-groups are said. Rather than a full, phrase. Or a sentence. And so, the script may be hard to understand. (I referenced a famous British newsreader who does this, in episode 412.)Prescription: ·        Ensure you have enough breath. Have you just been talking off air immediacy before opening the mic and so you don’t have a ‘full lungful’? You’ll also be out of breath if you run into the studio at the last minute. Relaxed breathing will help you read more smoothly and increase your words-per-breath ratio. ·        Relax. You may also have emotional stress affect their voice, as tension will restrict the amount of breath you can take and the support you can give it.·        Put aside time to read and understand the script. Some reads are perceived as choppy because the broadcaster is reading ‘blind’ and taking random breaths because they don’t know where the sentence is taking them and when the next opportunity it might be. It’s along the lines to what we looked in in episode 270.·        Be more conversational and don’t stop after every word. Some perceived choppiness is because the reader is being too precise in their diction, sounding every letter when we usually let words merge. For example: when one word ends with the same letter as the next word starts. So, say “that table” as “thattable” and “next time” as “nexttime”. Similarly, when the first word ends with a consonant and the next word begins with a vowel: “about it” becomes “aboudit”, “passed out” is said “passdout”. Individual words can be (depending on the context), be ‘thrown away’: “and” becomes “n”, “but” is said “buh”. We looked at diction from episode 126 and conversational reads from 446, both in some detail.·        Consider re-writing the script. Sometimes the words on a page (especially short sharp sentences of a commercial) are set out almost like a poem, with lines of a similar length. If it’s OK, change the layout and join up the phrases so you have your own rhythm, and provide a take of the original and the more ‘conversational’ read. There’s an example of this in episode 171. ·        Ignore the written punctuation slavishly, and go over them, so you run-on some sentences, and consider ignoring commas. More in episode 502 on this.·        Understand the ideas in the script, and the flow of them, so there’s a developing concept rather than a list.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.08.02 – 0944 – Bunged up voiceBunged up voice (also see ‘nasal voice’)Symptom: This permanent ‘cold-like’ sound is caused by ‘not enough’ sounded air to get to the nasal cavity, where the resonance of sound is changed. The voice sounds ‘thick’ or ‘clotted’ and there’s little resonance where there should be in some sounds (say ‘mmm’ and ‘ng’ – as in “sing” – and pinch your nose, and the sound should stop!)Prescription: ·        However, the first thing to consider is that the speaker may have got into a bad habit (there is a current trend for this kind of sound which people may be emulating), or because of tension in the mouth and throat. The causes: either a raised back-of-tongue blocking airflow to the nose (do a ‘Mr Bean’ voice and you will feel what I mean). The very basic treatment is the same too: a relaxation of the mouth, jaw and throat, and lowering the back of the tongue.·        Consider too why perhaps air is having trouble leaving through your nose. Perhaps you have a cold or allergy that’s causing it to be blocked. Maybe they have become swollen because of cigarette smoke, dairy food, dust or dry air. You can effect change with some of these issues, although antihistamines can also dry up your mucus. Oh, and blowing your nose to clear the passages may inflame the membranes even more. (Listen back to episodes 63 and 870 for more on ‘allergies and the voice’.)·        Also consider always-helpful stress-busting techniques and looking at the potential cause of stress either personal (problems at home that are causing anxiety at work), or professional (upset with a colleague, uncomfortable at being on air, lack of training …). Episodes from 884 dealt with this topic.·        This may because by some kind of physical formation in the nasal area, best investigated by a specialist such as a speech therapist, ENT expert or allergist.·        The problem may be because you have a cold, so look back on the section on that, run previously. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.08.01 – 0943 – Breathy Voice
Breathy voiceSymptom:  A voice with lots of air, which disperses the sound waves, makes the voice weak, and soon runs out (such as that of Marilyn Munroe[1]). The cause may be serious, a physical problem in closing your vocal folds during phonation causing extra, unnecessary air to ‘leak’ as you speak. A breathy voice can be affected, put-on for dramatic effect when the speaker thinks it creates a sultry sound, but like any non-natural speaking styles it can be harming your voice.Prescription: If the cause is serious then it will be identified by a professional ENT specialist. Before booking an appointment with them, try this two-step solution. ·        Breathiness might be a real (or a perceived) issue of running out of breath as you speak. Relaxation exercises will help, along with better posture. Core exercises will strengthen your diaphragm to allow you to better control your exhalation rate by pulling in your abdomen muscles more slowly.·        Then concentrate more on word pronunciation, your phonation. This is something a speech therapist will be able to assist you with.(Episodes 524 and 851 may be of interest if you want to know more about this.) [1] Marilyn Monroe's breathy voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DYVRT8LpWw  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jOMS-xXaqc   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.31 – 0942 – Dry Mouth Problems
Dry mouthSymptom: Unable to move your tongue around your mouth properly to form words leading to poor articulation and mistakes.Prescription:·        Learn to breathe in more through your nose, which moistens and filters the air. Although this is usually less possible when actually talking as we tend to take snatches of air through our mouth between thoughts, the mouth may be dry in the first place as ‘mouth breathing’ has become a habit. (More on what we knows about the nose in episode 63.)·        Drink plenty of water for several days before a speaking event to give you systemic hydration for your whole body, and keep topping up on the day to keep your mouth and larynx wet (topical hydration). Some say apple juice works wonders, others suggest running the tip of your tongue deep along the trench between your cheek and teeth, top and bottom. (A series of episodes from number 750 The Hydration Situation – will see you right.)Possible side effects: When you drink too much water, your kidneys can't get rid of the excess and the sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is can be life-threatening ‘hyponatremia’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.30 – 0941 – The Boring VoiceBoring voice (aka ‘dull’, ‘flat’, ‘monotonous’, ‘uninterested’)Symptom: If you are having trouble being engaging it may be because your voice lacks variety, and so listeners have trouble working out what is vital and what is trivial. Prescription: ·        Maybe your voice is lifeless because that’s almost what your body is! Consider your posture: are you sitting in a relaxed yet upright position to allow life-giving CO2 easy-access to your lungs to power your sound? (Read the sections on this ___, and listen back to the podcast episodes from episode 15.)·        Work for more ‘melody’, so the words aren’t said at the same pace and tone (as though being fired from a machine gun), but with more ‘vocal variety’. Remember the elements of pitch, tone and speed.·        Speak in colour! Where ‘throwaway comments’ are said in ‘black and white’, quietly and without consideration, more important information (perhaps “free”, “unique”, “now” as well as the names of people and brands) are said in colour. That is with a stronger voice, and a greater variety of tone and slightly increased emphasis to cut-through. (Note, that is not shouting.) Podcast episodes 253 onwards will help.·        Consider whether you understand the key words in your script, especially if it’s been written by someone else. Being genuinely interested in the news or the script will help in knowing the context of what you are saying, and that is key to getting the correct variation into your presentation. Episodes 178 onwards discuss how to mark up your script.·        Use your hands to help your voice. And your face too. Your presentation doesn’t just come from your mouth, so go to episodes 430 onwards to hear about how the rest of your body helps you sound more alive and engaging.   Possible side effects: Be wary of over-punching words, or adding too much variety that you sound vacuously inane. Also see: sing-song delivery (which is when the voice has too much melody). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.29 – 0940 – YOUR ‘GET A BETTER VOICE’ SYMPTOMS AND PRESCRIPTIONS Although requirements for broadcast, presentation and voice-over work has changed over the years, less ‘announcer’ to more ‘natural’, you do still need a certain amount of vocal strength and a versatile, pleasing voice if you are going to communicate effectively with your intended audience. Many of the conditions below may cause the listener to shift their attention from the content, to the delivery[1], and then your desired message is lost. Therefore, you need to honestly evaluate your skills professionally. This ‘symptoms and prescriptions’ checklist will help you with self-correction before you decide whether to seek additional professional help maybe from a GP, speech therapist or other ENT[2]. Below is a helpful checklist or symptoms and prescriptions for various situations. Additional advice is covered in more detail elsewhere in the podcast series or book.
[1] Comedy Routine given by Will Noonan at Club Comix Boston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To0otqt0cQc&feature=youtu.be [2] Ear, Nose and Throat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.28 – 0939 – Emotional Stress After Vocal Injury Emotional Stress After Vocal InjuryThe flip-side of emotion causing changes to the voice, is when vocal damage then affects you psychologically, perhaps because of: ·        Sadness about the injury and how long recovery may take, if at all·        Stress about meeting a deadline, letting people down, loss of income·        Awareness that part of your identity is ‘damaged’·        Self-recrimination that the injury may be caused by something you did or didn’t do
Consider then, that the healing process may involve emotional as well as vocal healing. FinallyBeware if you have been given a radio mic to wear that you turn it off when you want to let off steam to a colleague or go to the toilet. Many presenters[1] have been broadcast when in full flow, and in full flow.
[1] And even famously, a politician, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEReCN9gO14 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.27 – 0938 – How Emotions And Trauma Affect How You Sound Tears and cryingThey may be tears of joy, sadness, relief or something else, but tears can create vocal problems:·        Crying affects your vocal folds·        Snotty sinuses swell·        Long sobs (from a particular incident or over a period of time – such as in grief or depression) can lead to vocal damage such as nodes on the folds Rest is imperative: vocal, physical and psychological. How emotions and trauma affect your voice One woman was concerned about her decreased vocal range and tired-sounding, painful voice. After some time, it emerged that she had recently left an abusive relationship, but hadn’t realised that such emotional stress could affect her voice. After counselling and vocal rest, she gradually regained her previous sound. This shows that vocal issues may not be directly attributable to the folds themselves, but can be affected by other outside, stressful or psychological situations from starting a new job to death or illness in the family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.26 – 0937 – Studio ‘Corpsing’CorpsingThis is when you collapse in uncontrollable fits of laughter, perhaps from a perfectly innocuous remark by a colleague, and you can’t get over your ‘fit of the giggles’. The BBC Radio Four newsreader Charlotte Green tells a great story on the website of the Guardian newspaper:-“The most memorable occasion was during an eight o'clock news bulletin on the Today programme with Sue MacGregor and Jim Naughtie, both of whom have a very good sense of humour. The mood was relaxed, the bulletin was about to end and I was preparing to read my final story. The voice piece playing had 10 seconds to run and the green light in the studio had gone on to warn me that it was coming to an end. Suddenly the name of the head of Papua New Guinea's armed forces, Major General Jack Tuat (pronounced Twat) resonated round the room. It is an open secret that I have a ribald sense of humour. I knew immediately that I was going to have trouble getting through the next story, which to compound the problem was about a sperm whale. In the few seconds before the voice piece ended, Sue repeated sotto voce, almost with a sense of wonderment, "Jack Tuat". I caught her eye and from that moment knew I was lost. My voice rose and dropped like Dame Clara Butt on speed, the laughter broke free and the item about the stranded sperm whale came to a premature end. I was transported back to my 10-year-old self, ambushed by mirth because my best friend had farted, unexpectedly and explosively, during school prayers. Poor Jim managed to splutter the words, "Good luck to the whale", before heroically embarking on an interview with a man named Pratt, who in the general chaos of the moment he then inadvertently called Spratt. It was a moot point as to which one of us slid under the table first!” [1] How should you get over that kind of situation? Look away from others in the room, get into another ‘zone’ mentally, read the words on the page while thinking of Great Aunt Agatha’s funeral, self-inflicted pain like digging your nails into your arm? These all work to some extent - but when the waves of laughter threaten to break the banks of broadcasting professionalism, there is very little you can do.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPtTqCNVdIE and another one, when normally straight-laced sounding Radio 4 presenter Charlotte Green can't keep a straight face after someone in the studio apparently whispers in her ear that the world's oldest sound recording sounds like 'a bee in a jar'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDojYyIWZ7A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023.07.25 – 0936 – Breaking NewsBreaking News StoriesNews readers need to be cool under pressure. There are occasions when a story breaks just before, or while you are on air and it has to be covered immediately.  In such circumstances, a news presenter has to tread a difficult line between making the story sound urgent and important - without making it sound overly dramatic and possibly upsetting. A steady slower, more precise pace and more authority and a hint of urgency in the voice is necessary. A pause after the previous item and this piece of breaking news will help draw the listener in.[1]
[1] BBC announces the death of Queen Elizabeth II https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2022/sep/08/bbc-huw-edwards-announces-death-queen-elizabeth-ii-video Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.