5 Tips to Help Make Your Voice Sound Deeper
Every man has his own definition of what it means to be a man. For some, it's all about being comfortable with yourself. Others are concerned with how they act and present themselves to the rest of the world. For example, consider the first impression they make over the phone. And for many men, if their voice isn't as deep or "manly" as they believe it should be, it can be a source of insecurity.
Is it true that having a deep voice makes you a better man?
"Until recently, the majority of marketing from a male perspective relied on the depiction of the male voice as being deeper in pitch," says Vinny Raval, a speech and language therapist, and director at The Speech Coach. "As a result, men want to fit the 'norm' or stereotype and sound like men, with a higher-pitched voice being mostly associated with being increasingly feminine."
Of course, this position is based on an internal logic that assumes it is "good" to be considered masculine, and that having a voice that is perceived to be feminine—or, by extension, gay—is inherently negative. Even in our ostensibly progressive society, this attitude persists.
Do I Sound Gay?, a 2014 documentary, explores the question, "Do I Sound Gay?" investigated the effects of a higher-pitched or so-called effeminate voice on a man's perception of his own masculinity, and highlighted that even out-and-proud gay and bisexual men can struggle with this. This is sometimes due to internalized homophobia or misogyny ("femme" = "bad"), which is fueled by the media and gender roles information we are exposed to as children.
"Because of societal stereotypes, men feel more like men when they speak in a deeper voice," Raval explains. "A deeper voice is also associated with control and sincerity, both of which are stereotyped as male characteristics."
Another reason a man might want to change his voice is that studies have shown that women are more attracted to men with deeper voices (quite possibly for the same outdated-but-prevailing reasons).
What can I do to improve the quality of my voice?
While it is impossible to change your voice permanently without medical intervention, men can practice a variety of exercises to speak with a deeper pitch, though their implementation is dependent on the individual and their specific goals. To avoid accidentally damaging the vocal folds, Raval recommends that anyone looking to recalibrate their tone or vocal register seek the advice of a speech therapist or voice coach first.
Breathing through the diaphragm.
It's possible that the way you normally breathe is influencing how your voice sounds. Try inhaling deeply through your nose, bringing the air all the way in and as far down as possible, and then saying something slowly while exhaling slowly. As you speak, you should feel a vibration. This technique, which is popular among singers and actors, may be able to assist you in controlling the pitch of your voice.
Making bubbles.
We've all idly blown bubbles through a straw into a soda or milkshake at some point. As it turns out, this is a common "reset" command for the voice. The straw technique, according to the National Center for Voice and Speech, stretches and relaxes the vocal cords. It can help your voice become stronger and less likely to become hoarse or raspy.
Sighing and yawning
Speaking in a breathier, aspirated tone, as if through a sigh, can help to lower your voice's pitch. After a long yawn, use the voiced sigh to move down the scales to a lower tone. One advantage is that husky, breathy voices are thought to be among the sexiest in men.
Humming.
When you hum, you are warming up your voice, which allows you to have more control over it. Take a deep breath and then hum for as long as you can, working your way down the scales to find a lower tone.
Inflection.
Inflections are classified into three types: upward, neutral, and downward. Neutral inflection produces a robotic, monotonous tone of voice, whereas upward inflection can make every sentence sound like a question. Aiming for a downward inflection, on the other hand, will make your voice sound deeper because you will end the sentence at a lower pitch.
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