Summary
Highlights
To truly know your voice, identify your medium (the most comfortable pitch that doesn't strain your voice) by singing. Additionally, record yourself with a voice recorder or smartphone to hear your voice as others do, which helps accustomed to it and understand its use. Finally, test your voice's limits without shouting to discover its full potential.
Proper voice placement involves controlled breathing. Start by fully exhaling, then take a long, deep inhalation, feeling your stomach expand. This prevents air from getting blocked in the chest. Focus on a long expiration, as this is when your voice is optimally placed for clarity and sharpness. Practice by humming a favorite tune during exhalation to manage and place your voice effectively.
To project your voice, articulate clearly and feel vibrations within yourself. Practice phrases with repeated consonants (like 'm' in 'ma mémoire me ment manifestement') to enhance internal resonance. Experiment with vibrating grave sounds and gradually aim to project your voice towards a distant point without shouting, progressively building power.
Improve voice modulation by performing crescendos (starting softly and increasing volume) and diminuendos (starting loudly and decreasing volume) using a single vowel, such as 'A'. This helps manage breath and voice variations. Practice going a step higher in intensity without shouting. Read a favorite literary text with emotional depth, transitioning between crescendo and diminuendo. Play a 'voice ping-pong' game with someone, gradually increasing volume on a phrase. Regularly singing is also beneficial for breath, voice care, nuance, and projection.