I recently heard an online teacher literally end every sentence with "right". Ok, that was exaggerated, he ended one or two with "you know". Now I have to buy a new desk because I bit off a piece that was too big.
Thank you for this post. As a singer, speaker, and voice instructor I believe the most important component when using your voice is authenticity. Anyone can speak with an upward swoop, ‘odd’ lilts, etc. as long as it is your true, authentic sound the audience will not question it. The hardest part in the quest for that authenticity…ourselves. We focus on what we hear in our heads. Note to everyone…you can NEVER 100% know what you sound like based on what you hear in your head. The only way I have found to get past my judgement is to believe: 1. There is no such thing as a good or bad sound. 2. The sound I make at any given moment is the one the universe wanted me to make at that moment of my existence. It all sounds like a trip down the hippie-dippie trail. My point is about acceptance. That acceptance also sparked this feeling of vulnerability. Like…the sense of extreme public nudity. Yet the freedom allows for us to just release the sound, get out of our heads, and be authentic.
Hi Cat, I teach online classes for Phoenix University for students aspiring to be teacners. Part of the class I am currently teaching is a section on communication skills. In an online chat room discussion, we talked about eliminating filler words from our speech and I suggested practing and recording ourselves as a way to improve. In response to my questions about developing systematic practices, to eliminate bad speaking habits, a student sent me a link to this video. Watching it got me more excited than I have been in a long time about the subject manner. Your explanation on how filler words detract from our ability to communicate and how using them can result in a teacher not being taken seriously. I got so excited about this video that I continued watching your other videos. These are some of best resources I have seen on these subjects. Thank you so much for doing this. I have become a big fan of your work.
Hi Cat, just wanted to chime in and let you know that I think you are a great communicator. The advice you offer is solid and relatable, sharing your own experiences is such a nice touch. Thank you for all the videos!
Hi Cat. Found your channel when I had to quickly pivot to teaching live classes on Zoom. My two favorite tips from you so far have been to turn off self-view in Zoom and to look at the camera. And now I'm adding "inhale through your nose" as my third, though I think this will be harder to implement than the first two. As someone who did voice therapy for several months after suffering a sudden vocal fold paralysis about 15 years ago (luckily just one fold, and I eventually found an amazing surgeon who was able to restore a lot of vocal function) I know that adequate air also is critical to support the vocal folds. Regarding vocal fry - my friends who have hearing issues tell me speakers who use a lot of vocal fry can be hard to understand. Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
Glad to hear you found an amazing surgeon! Sounds like it would have been a really stressful experience. And I'm happy to hear you are looking at the camera 😊
Hi Cat, really good video, thanks for making it. As an Australian, that Vocal Fry phenomenon is something that I thought all American women spoke naturally, as part of the American accent. Australian women don’t speak like that. Thanks again for making these great videos, they’re very well researched and produced beautifully. All the best and happy Anzac Day.
I recently discovered your channel and am checking out some of the earlier videos. You've got so many really insightful presentations! Thanks for explaining all this. I've a few live-speaking issues I'm trying to overcome. I tend to slip into monotone unless I stay very aware. Until I watched this I didn't realise that I also have a little bit of vocal fry sometimes when I'm trying to think though something while presenting too. This has been really valuable!
The ending swoop where everything sounds like a question drives me nuts. And just so you know NPR thinks they all that. Great show. One of your best yet.
I love the airy part. I literally saw the effects during a presentation last week. People react to it differently. I was in front of an IT audience: they will not respond well. If done during a yoga session: awesome.
Oh and I may have said this before, but speak to the person Behind the one you actually want to reach. This will trigger a more funded voice. Hit the vocal chords 😀
one of my colleagues appends most sentences with "'Sorta thing, and that". There are many variations, e.g. blah blah blah (and that) , blah blah (sorta thing) blah blah (sorta thing *pause* and that). :D
Cat you said you went to vocal coach a few years ago I had surgery .I stop breathing and they put the breathing tube in my throat but doing so they paralyzed one of my vocal cords now I have very little base tone in my voice do you thinking a vocal coach would help me. I’m really tired of people making fun of my Squeaky voice.
What about crutch words? I notice a lot of American speakers use the word "actually" quite heavily. You used it more than 20 times in this video. But, the content would have been the same without using that word.
Vocal fry is awful to listen to, and as a speaker, I do my best to eliminate most of it from my own voice. I was disappointed that you didn't cover some of the other annoying habits. The one that cause me to immediately switch off if when women speak like little girls. Both the high, often nasal tone, and the little girly vocal mannerisms. Please help them stop!!
I remember that episode of Ira Glass about vocal fry. Its so friggin annoying for us older NPR listeners who pre-date vocal fry which came from valley girl talk. That's exactly what Ira said...get over it... I think that hurt donations. Good call Cat.
Excellent video thank you ! But.... all those precautions you said at the beginning like "This is not to shame anybody" etc. Is frightening. It is so frightening because it show where our civilisation have fallen into. We have fallen so low that we cannot said anything without taking so much precaution. We are going "Woke" ! And it is not a good news !
Hey Cat - just found you and I'm enjoying your stuff - you are really good to listen to and your advice is solid. I would make one comment however - your intro ran for over 5 minutes and I was starting to lose interest. I see so many TH-camrs spending a similar amount of time, talking about what they're going to be talking about. Not sure if it's because of the need to meet YT's video duration algorithm, but it starts to become frustrating. Anyhoos - love what you're doing and you have a new sub. Thank you! 😊👍🏻
I almost forgot. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the HUGE tendency of people from the US using the "go ahead and" phrase - often multiple times in the same sentence. I suspect it's some kind of unconscious "filler" but I'm only guessing.. Cheers! 😊
You are right, I've got some long intros, and it's not the most effective approach to TH-cam. For context, about 80% of the videos on my channel were streamed live, so no editing. I like to say if succinct videos is what viewers are looking for, this might not be the channel for them 😉 But I am working on it as I create more recorded videos instead of live content.
Is it just me or does this topic in general mostly directed at women? I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about a man's way of speaking. (I say this as a speaker whose voice is often criticized. By men.)
Agreed! What I find to be a bit ironic is the majority of men you hear speaking end up with vocal fatigue and myriad of other issues because they are trying to create “a warm rich sound” inside their heads. What they are doing is removing all of the sort of treble -if you will -and opting to add more bass which does nothing but muffle the sound - it sounds great in their head but it doesn’t have any carrying power. whereas someone may say a woman’s voice at times may be too bright but everybody can hear every single word. I run into this all the time with students of mine who deliver keynote addresses. My male students almost always are trying to create a sound that’s too dark - has no balance - and just doesn’t carry.
I recently heard an online teacher literally end every sentence with "right". Ok, that was exaggerated, he ended one or two with "you know". Now I have to buy a new desk because I bit off a piece that was too big.
Thank you for this post. As a singer, speaker, and voice instructor I believe the most important component when using your voice is authenticity. Anyone can speak with an upward swoop, ‘odd’ lilts, etc. as long as it is your true, authentic sound the audience will not question it. The hardest part in the quest for that authenticity…ourselves. We focus on what we hear in our heads. Note to everyone…you can NEVER 100% know what you sound like based on what you hear in your head. The only way I have found to get past my judgement is to believe: 1. There is no such thing as a good or bad sound. 2. The sound I make at any given moment is the one the universe wanted me to make at that moment of my existence.
It all sounds like a trip down the hippie-dippie trail. My point is about acceptance. That acceptance also sparked this feeling of vulnerability. Like…the sense of extreme public nudity. Yet the freedom allows for us to just release the sound, get out of our heads, and be authentic.
Hi Cat, I teach online classes for Phoenix University for students aspiring to be teacners. Part of the class I am currently teaching is a section on communication skills. In an online chat room discussion, we talked about eliminating filler words from our speech and I suggested practing and recording ourselves as a way to improve. In response to my questions about developing systematic practices, to eliminate bad speaking habits, a student sent me a link to this video. Watching it got me more excited than I have been in a long time about the subject manner. Your explanation on how filler words detract from our ability to communicate and how using them can result in a teacher not being taken seriously. I got so excited about this video that I continued watching your other videos. These are some of best resources I have seen on these subjects. Thank you so much for doing this. I have become a big fan of your work.
Thank you so much for the kind feedback 😊 It means a lot to hear this.
Hi Cat, just wanted to chime in and let you know that I think you are a great communicator.
The advice you offer is solid and relatable, sharing your own experiences is such a nice touch.
Thank you for all the videos!
Thank you so much 😊
Avoid Vocal Fry and Monotone! Thanks Cat!!!
Hi Cat. Found your channel when I had to quickly pivot to teaching live classes on Zoom. My two favorite tips from you so far have been to turn off self-view in Zoom and to look at the camera. And now I'm adding "inhale through your nose" as my third, though I think this will be harder to implement than the first two.
As someone who did voice therapy for several months after suffering a sudden vocal fold paralysis about 15 years ago (luckily just one fold, and I eventually found an amazing surgeon who was able to restore a lot of vocal function) I know that adequate air also is critical to support the vocal folds.
Regarding vocal fry - my friends who have hearing issues tell me speakers who use a lot of vocal fry can be hard to understand.
Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!
Glad to hear you found an amazing surgeon! Sounds like it would have been a really stressful experience.
And I'm happy to hear you are looking at the camera 😊
Just wanted to thank you for this video. These are things I struggled with for a long time without realizing why they were happening.
Hey Cat!!! You mirrored those speaking styles so close!!! I have seen these behaviors but just no idea how it's called.
Hi Cat, really good video, thanks for making it. As an Australian, that Vocal Fry phenomenon is something that I thought all American women spoke naturally, as part of the American accent. Australian women don’t speak like that. Thanks again for making these great videos, they’re very well researched and produced beautifully. All the best and happy Anzac Day.
In depth. Articulate. Balanced. Thank you.
I watch this entire video and learned so much. I am a pastor and have found myself running out of air when speaking.
I recently discovered your channel and am checking out some of the earlier videos. You've got so many really insightful presentations! Thanks for explaining all this. I've a few live-speaking issues I'm trying to overcome. I tend to slip into monotone unless I stay very aware. Until I watched this I didn't realise that I also have a little bit of vocal fry sometimes when I'm trying to think though something while presenting too. This has been really valuable!
So glad it was helpful!
The ending swoop where everything sounds like a question drives me nuts. And just so you know NPR thinks they all that. Great show. One of your best yet.
Never heard of vocal fry, but recognise it now. Nice video. Really useful. 👍
Love this one 🎉
Wonderful to watch your videos. Just found your channel a couple of hours back and subscribed.
Wow very great video i will watch again to learn something!!!
I love the airy part. I literally saw the effects during a presentation last week. People react to it differently.
I was in front of an IT audience: they will not respond well.
If done during a yoga session: awesome.
Oh and I may have said this before, but speak to the person Behind the one you actually want to reach. This will trigger a more funded voice. Hit the vocal chords 😀
Another useful presentation. You might want to add in breathing exercises in a future video.
I do appreciate all your wisdom Cat! Great video.
one of my colleagues appends most sentences with "'Sorta thing, and that". There are many variations, e.g. blah blah blah (and that) , blah blah (sorta thing) blah blah (sorta thing *pause* and that). :D
Thank you very good information
Great content.
Entertaining is one thing, instructing is another - a point often lost on YT.
Great video Cat, really useful content. Found you by chance on TH-cam.
Have subscribed.
Thank you.
Thank you Peter 😊
Cat you said you went to vocal coach a few years ago I had surgery .I stop breathing and they put the breathing tube in my throat but doing so they paralyzed one of my vocal cords now I have very little base tone in my voice do you thinking a vocal coach would help me. I’m really tired of people making fun of my Squeaky voice.
What about crutch words? I notice a lot of American speakers use the word "actually" quite heavily. You used it more than 20 times in this video. But, the content would have been the same without using that word.
Vocal fry is awful to listen to, and as a speaker, I do my best to eliminate most of it from my own voice. I was disappointed that you didn't cover some of the other annoying habits. The one that cause me to immediately switch off if when women speak like little girls. Both the high, often nasal tone, and the little girly vocal mannerisms. Please help them stop!!
I remember that episode of Ira Glass about vocal fry. Its so friggin annoying for us older NPR listeners who pre-date vocal fry which came from valley girl talk. That's exactly what Ira said...get over it... I think that hurt donations. Good call Cat.
Excellent video thank you ! But.... all those precautions you said at the beginning like "This is not to shame anybody" etc. Is frightening. It is so frightening because it show where our civilisation have fallen into. We have fallen so low that we cannot said anything without taking so much precaution. We are going "Woke" ! And it is not a good news !
Hey Cat - just found you and I'm enjoying your stuff - you are really good to listen to and your advice is solid.
I would make one comment however - your intro ran for over 5 minutes and I was starting to lose interest.
I see so many TH-camrs spending a similar amount of time, talking about what they're going to be talking about.
Not sure if it's because of the need to meet YT's video duration algorithm, but it starts to become frustrating.
Anyhoos - love what you're doing and you have a new sub. Thank you!
😊👍🏻
I almost forgot. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the HUGE tendency of people from the US using the "go ahead and" phrase - often multiple times in the same sentence.
I suspect it's some kind of unconscious "filler" but I'm only guessing..
Cheers! 😊
You are right, I've got some long intros, and it's not the most effective approach to TH-cam. For context, about 80% of the videos on my channel were streamed live, so no editing.
I like to say if succinct videos is what viewers are looking for, this might not be the channel for them 😉
But I am working on it as I create more recorded videos instead of live content.
Vocal fry makes a person sound bored and tired - world weary.
Is it just me or does this topic in general mostly directed at women? I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about a man's way of speaking. (I say this as a speaker whose voice is often criticized. By men.)
Agreed! What I find to be a bit ironic is the majority of men you hear speaking end up with vocal fatigue and myriad of other issues because they are trying to create “a warm rich sound” inside their heads. What they are doing is removing all of the sort of treble -if you will -and opting to add more bass which does nothing but muffle the sound - it sounds great in their head but it doesn’t have any carrying power. whereas someone may say a woman’s voice at times may be too bright but everybody can hear every single word. I run into this all the time with students of mine who deliver keynote addresses. My male students almost always are trying to create a sound that’s too dark - has no balance - and just doesn’t carry.