How Can We Improve Our Voice Quality? by Susan Berkley

How Can We Improve Our

Voice Quality?

by Susan Berkley

A subscriber writes: What are the characteristics of a good voice-over voice? Is there some medicine you can take or equipment you should use to improve your voice quality for voice-over?

Susan Berkley: Well, let me address the medicine question first. There is no magic pill that will help you improve your voice quality. In fact, there is no magic pill that will help us lose weight, look younger, grow hair or attract the opposite sex, even though we never lose hope that we will find it. As the poet Wadsworth wrote: "The voice is the organ of the soul" and I agree. The origin of a great voice always comes from within. It starts from the heart and is colored by your intentions, what you visualize and how much affection you have for the client, the product and the audience. These things give people a "feeling" when they listen to your voice and the feeling people get when they hear us is what leads to a casting decision. It rarely has to do with a characteristic of a voice (how much bass or treble it has), but more of a voice quality and whether or not that quality serves the client's and the director's vision. In our Bootcamps and teleclasses we give you a set of very clear voice acting guideposts to help bring out the best in you and consequently your voice.

Now, let's talk about equipment. A great microphone and a properly equipped home studio will enhance the sound of your voice and are a must for today's voice talent working from home. But, it won't work miracles if you don't have good voice acting technique or if there are other distracting components in your speech such as: a strong accent or excessive mouth noise. If you're new to the business, the best place to start is a voice assessment with our talent advisor Jason Davis. You'll record a few pieces of copy for Jason's review and he'll spend some time with you on the phone letting you know where you stand and making some constructive suggestions for improvement, The assessment is very reasonably priced at only $95 and your satisfaction is fully guaranteed. For more information, give Jason a call at 800-333-8108 x229 or email Jason@greatvoice.com .