How do I find my Optimal Speaking Pitch?
What pitch should I speak at?
How many times have you been told to "speak in a higher pitch" or that you're "talking too low" or "talking in your throat"? While these suggestions may be well-intentioned, blindly doing this can lead to muscle tension, strain, and potentially long-term voice issues.
Finding your optimal speaking pitch is important for effective communication and vocal health.
The Pitfalls of Blanket Recommendations
Speaking too high or too low can cause muscle tension and strain on the voice. But it's not appropriate to just coach people to "speak at a higher pitch." Instead, we should focus on encouraging voice users to find their optimal, or best, pitch.
Challenges in Finding Optimal Pitch
Finding the feeling of optimal pitch can be challenging. It's not just about the pitch but rather a holistic approach that considers breath support, resonance, and overall body awareness.
How to Find Your Optimal Speaking Pitch
Good breath support and resonance usually lead to optimal pitch and a more connected and authentic voice.
1. Launch off an "mm-hmm"
Begin by passively answering a question with an "mm-hmm." Imagine someone asking about your day. Note the pitch of your relaxed "mm-hmm" using a voice memo for quick reference.
Ex. Imagine someone asking you "Did you enjoy your meal?" and answer "mm-hmm" using a voice memo.
2. Muscle Memory: Repeat and Expand
Repeat the mm-hmm and use it to expand into a sentence. Your pitch starts with the mm-hmm, and notes in conversation can orbit that pitch. Explore the range by going up and down a few notes. Pay attention to your body, ensuring deep breaths, a relaxed throat, and feeling vibrations in the mask of your face for optimal resonance.
Ex. Using the exercise above, expand your "mm-hmm" to "mm-hmmm it was really good"
3. Performance and Range
If you are an animated speaker, expand your pitch range but use the mm-hmm as an anchor to find a comfortable speaking range. Take note of your body's responses, ensuring a clear and resonant voice without any signs of strain.
Ex. Continue to add to your sentence with more animation in your voice "mm-hmm it was really good. I can't believe you made this!"
4. Record Yourself
Record your speech in various situations, such as casual conversations, reading, or presenting. Listen to the recordings, identifying the pitch that feels most natural and effortless.
5. Vocal Training
Consider seeking guidance from a voice therapist to discover and refine your optimal speaking pitch. It's common to "lose" this pitch placement after periods of stress, illness, or in socially challenging scenarios (i.e., female-identifying speakers in a male-dominated space). Check-ins with a voice therapist can restore you to a healthy baseline.
6. Relaxation Techniques
Engage in relaxation exercises like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to release tension, allowing your voice to naturally find its most comfortable pitch.
Discovering your optimal speaking pitch is crucial for effective communication and vocal health. Whether you're a professional speaker, singer, or simply looking to improve everyday conversations, understanding and harnessing your ideal speaking pitch can make a significant difference in connecting with yourself and others more genuinely.
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Meet Dr. Gupta, the top voice doctor in LA, and Tressa Cox, the leading voice therapist specializing in voice rehabilitation.
Learn more about their expertise and services at the Center for Vocal Health.