VOCALS
POWER TALK | Sheri Gould
Lots of things change over the years. I’m sure POWER TALK: MEN POWER TALK: WOMEN
you’ve noticed it. I certainly have. Some things Interestingly, we seem to have a greater need Women also have been encouraged to make
do get better with both time and age. Over the today for sounding powerful in whatever we do. their voices sound more masculine. This trend
decades and even centuries some things have When people are singing today, one of the keys is quite observable in female broadcasters
moved in positive directions: technology for to success seems to be power. This is different (and other celebrities). It is rare to find a female
example. But somethings seem to take on less from past generations when beauty of tone anchor with a feminine sounding voice. Most of
positive attributes. I would like to address one ranked higher. I’m not quite sure how we made them have worked hard to make their voices
of them: our speech patterns. this shift, but there’s no doubt that we have. sound more “powerful” (in other words, more
Belting and other forms of power singing are masculine) so they can better compete with
I think it’s safe to assume that the overall quality totally in demand. Sadly, this has also seemed men. They do this by lowering their register
of one’s speaking voice has always carried with to creep into the world of speaking. Let me first and pushing hard from the throat. This is an
it an air of qualification. There has readily been address the men. alarming trend for women. It is a ready recipe
an association between how someone speaks
for nodules and other types of vocal damage.
with how they carry themselves and present I don’t suppose it has ever been an overt sign of Rather than embracing the beauty of the female
themselves overall. This is not without merit. masculinity to speak in a higher register. I have voice, they are attempting to create an equality
Someone who has confidence and speaks many stories of men who were told by speech with men’s voices and doing damage in
clearly and forthrightly while looking you straight therapists to raise the pitch of their speaking the meantime.
in the eye, gives you a sense that they are voice for vocal health reasons, only to throw off truthful (and confident in themselves or at least the notion when they felt their voice was not For healthy vocal cords, it is necessary to move
what they are saying). Conversely, someone powerful enough. Though we tend to glorify the speaking register frequently and more
who mumbles, stumbles over their words, the tenor in many ways for his soaring upper importantly, out of the basement of one’s range.
is barely audible gives the air of being meek, range we tend to live by the old adage, “The Frequent pitch changes in speech pattern
uncertain and perhaps even disingenuous. tenor makes them swoon, but the bass takes help to keep the vocal cords flexible and in
them home.” That deeper voice just seems good condition.
Parents frequently tell their children “look at me more masculine to us, and for good reason I when you’re talking to me,” or “stop mumbling” suppose. When you compare the male/female I hope you can start to pay a little more
because they recognize the importance of vocal cords there is quite a difference in size attention to your own speaking voice and begin
proper speech and delivery. I think it’s safe to and thickness creating the typically lower to enjoy its original timbre as well as the variety
assume that most of us, consciously or not, register of men. So, it would be natural to think of pitches it’s capable of making-even during
recognize the importance of good and proper that the lower the pitch of a man’s speaking speech. That is powerful!
speaking. As a vocal coach, it’s even more voice, the more masculine he might be. Of important to me. The way we speak has a course, this is perception only and not based in huge effect on our vocal quality overall. When any observable truth.
a singer runs into trouble vocally, they will often
be recommended for speech therapy. Why? As a side note, men are rather famous for
Because no matter who you are or what you making silly noise and voices; more so than
do for a living, you talk more than you sing. And women in my experience. I love this about
the way you speak will ultimately determine men, but they need to take care as to how
whether you have healthy, strong cords at the these affect the voice. Many times, these little
end of the day when you want to use them “noises” they make are doing damage.
for singing.
68
March 2020
Sheri Gould
Sheri is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach.
She’s been helping artists and worshipers find their
voice for over 40 years. For help and resources visit
her site.
www.SheriGould.com
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