A strength training workout for your voice
Your breathing is the link between your conscious and subconscious mind. To control your voice, you must first control your breathing. Try these exercises and notice the change they have on your pitch, pace, pause, and projection.
Make a recording of yourself reading this poem by Sara Teasdale. Speak naturally and without judgment. This is merely a baseline recording to compare against a second recording you will do after your vocal exercises are complete.
Raise your volume a bit and say, "Mmmmmmmmy name is…" Repeat this ten times, moving up and down your vocal scale. Not sure what your vocal scale is? Remember the movie Sound of Music and the song Do-Re-Mi? That song is designed to exercise your vocal scale.
Now let's improve articulation; say each of these tongue twisters several times over. You can increase your speed over time:
Say "Mm-mmm (as in yummy) then say Mmm-hmm (like yes)" Repeat this exercise 5 times to help improve your projection and the vibrance of your sound. This exercise helps your vocal cords to vibrate more easily.
Return to the poem once more and record yourself for a second time. You will then compare this recording with the first one you did.
Listen back to both "Recording 1" and "Recording 2". Do you notice a difference in the quality of your vocal tone, pace, delivery, or otherwise?
Every good workout needs a cool down. End with 5 big, deep breaths.