What is optimum pitch? Am I using it? How do I find it?

We are all speakers. We want to be understood and heard when we speak. When we chat in the grocery store we are speaking, when we are on the phone we are speaking, when we conduct a business meeting we are speaking and when we give a presentation to 5 or 500 people, we are speaking. We want our audience to remember us and our message.  Therefore it's important to speak with clarity, confidence and conviction. 

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Here is my first tip to improve your vocal quality....

Use your optimal pitch

Your optimum pitch is the level at which your voice is most suitable and comfortable speaking in. It's your natural sound. The sound that has the most pure, rich and vibrant tones. The live at which you are most comfortable speaking and where you voice will not tire.

This is different to your habitual pitch, which is the pitch you use autmoatically or "habitually" for speaking. Habitiual pitch, however, may not be your best vocal quality. 

To find your optimum pitch, say "Uh - Huh" a few times over. Make sure you drop down on the "Huh". Then move into speaking directly afterwards saying "Hi, my name is ......". Notice the pitch of your voice on the Hi and when you say your name. Were they the same pitch as the "Huh"? If not, try again and try to start and end on the same pitch as the huh.

Try singing Happy Birthday. Where you naturally start to sing, is generally where your optimum pitch is located. Directly afterwards, try saying some short phrases. Introduce yourself, practise a short greeting, say some simple words. Optimum pitch is not where you will speaking constantly, but where you should comfortably speak around. 

Some of us develop a habit of speaking to low to express an air of professionalism, seriousness or a business like quality. Some women stay in their high, thin child-like voices after reaching adulthood.  Speaking consistently above or below your optimum pitch could be restricting your full vocal power and adding strain to your larynx.

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Interested to know if you are using your full vocal potential?

Work with LISA HUGO in her studio in DUBAI or online.