I’ve taught a wide range of students who’ve had many different goals in mind. Many students are shocked to learn that singing lessons are a valuable conduit to improve their vocal range, intonation, and confidence as a public speaker.
Let’s face it. Although public speaking involves charisma and some extended vocabulary, the most essential characteristic is the ability to speak naturally with true power and confidence. I’ve worked with teachers, gym instructors, radio personalities, executives, TV hosts, as well as other professions called upon to make moving presentations, and all innately know that their voice is the most prevailing asset in their profession.
Singing is a gateway to enhance a person’s public speaking ability. Singers also become more acquainted with their vocal production based on their speaking voice. To put this in layman’s terms, the voice is one in the same whether we are singing or speaking. It is created from the larynx, powered by the breath and then moves out through the mouth. When the breath and vocal folds meet, vibration occurs. That vibration produces sound.
It is generally the bone structure of your face that holds the initial, unique tone and quality of your sound. Other factors include the size and shape of the rest of your body. The environment in which you grew up in is also an important factor in the quality of your sound. It created a foundation for the way you use your voice and the sound quality of your voice that has remained with you throughout the years. The notion of taking singing lessons can feel intimidating, but enhancing your voice is imperative for anyone who wants their message to resonate and make it connect with your listening audience. Singing lessons tie all these factors together while organically boosting confidence and providing the basis for creating a strong speaker platform.
The most common downfall of public speaking is the proper use of diaphragmatic breathing. Sure, you breathe every day, but it is how you use the breath that makes all the difference. Singing lessons teach you how to gracefully breathe into the lowest part of your lungs, feeling expansion both in the front and back of the body. This deep, full breath is an automatic gateway to using the diaphragm for power rather than using the extreme limitations of the throat, which occurs when drawing air into the chest area. When done properly, you can use your full capacity of sound and bring a rich and enthralling tone of voice to the surface that will grab your audience’s attention.
This conscious effort will also aid in the longevity of your voice, as it will allow the sound to move with an open throat and in a fully aligned and relaxed body. Singing lessons bring awareness to this process. You will begin to be more responsive to the texture and quality of the sounds you make and will learn how to utilize them to your advantage.
Building more confidence in your public speaking through singing lessons is a bonus you’ll be glad you sought. Your voice alone is the home of extreme vulnerability. Singing exposes that vulnerability far more than any other tactic. An important part of public speaking is how comfortable you are in front of an audience and how well you can connect and interact with them. You’ll be surprised how singing can bring about another facet to your personality and can open a portal of emotions to face, thus being able to conquer the stage and relate to more people you speak to. After years of working with students, I can attest to the power of this technique.
Singing lessons to help public speakers has many more positive and exciting layers to it. I encourage you to explore this concept. It can’t hurt and if nothing, you will enjoy learning something new. Give it a try!