As you work through the course it’s useful to know what your voice sounds like and how it is improving. But normally when you listen to yourself what you hear is to a large extent coming through the bones of your skull – a sound that no one else shares. This is partly why it is often a shock to hear a recording of your voice. Bone conduction is more effective at transmitting lower frequencies, so you will tend to perceive your voice as deeper than it actually is. However, recording equipment isn’t an accurate representation of your voice either, unless it’s professional studio quality, so in both cases we get a false impression of what we sound like to other people.
Luckily there’s a very useful, low-tech, surprisingly effective way to find out how you sound to others.
Animals that rely on their hearing have large ears which they can point in different directions. You can give yourself large directable ears, too – by using your hands.
Speak while you have your hands in the following three positions. (Tuck your hair behind your ears first if necessary!)
Were you aware of differences in the sound of your voice with your hands in different positions?
You can make even larger ‘listening ears’ by holding a rectangular piece of hard plastic or cardboard behind or in front of each ear. See which version works best for you.
You can use ‘listening ears’ at any time during your practice to hear what you sound like.
You may still want to make recordings of your voice, and they can be useful as an indication of progress. But remember they are only that. They are no measure of vocal quality. You will definitely sound better than the recording suggests.
Other people may notice a change in your voice as you work through the course. Why not ask them?
Q: What were your experiences of trying out the listening ears?
As you work through the course it’s useful to know what your voice sounds like and how it is improving. But normally when you listen to yourself what you hear is to a large extent coming through the bones of your skull – a sound that no one else shares. This is partly why it is often a shock to hear a recording of your voice. Bone conduction is more effective at transmitting lower frequencies, so you will tend to perceive your voice as deeper than it actually is. However, recording equipment isn’t an accurate representation of your voice either, unless it’s professional studio quality, so in both cases we get a false impression of what we sound like to other people.
Luckily there’s a very useful, low-tech, surprisingly effective way to find out how you sound to others.
Animals that rely on their hearing have large ears which they can point in different directions. You can give yourself large directable ears, too – by using your hands.
Speak while you have your hands in the following three positions. (Tuck your hair behind your ears first if necessary!)
Were you aware of differences in the sound of your voice with your hands in different positions?
You can make even larger ‘listening ears’ by holding a rectangular piece of hard plastic or cardboard behind or in front of each ear. See which version works best for you.
You can use ‘listening ears’ at any time during your practice to hear what you sound like.
You may still want to make recordings of your voice, and they can be useful as an indication of progress. But remember they are only that. They are no measure of vocal quality. You will definitely sound better than the recording suggests.
Other people may notice a change in your voice as you work through the course. Why not ask them?
Q: What were your experiences of trying out the listening ears?
