I talk too quietly?

Question

Hi, I am from the UK, London. I hate my voice!

I don't really have a full on London accent.... I am the only person in my immediate family born in London, my mum has a Lincolnshire accent =P

Anyway... forget the accent, its just that I talk really quietly and people always say "Say again?" "What?" "Can't hear you", so i speak up- then it feels like I'm shouting and I feel stupid!

So usually I don't talk much unless spoken too, it affects my confidence. I don't walk up to girls and start talking to them etc

Anything I can do to help project my voice, naturally, like everyone else? Thanks

Answer 1

Go for some real singing lessons. They teach you how to project your voice. It will help your vocal chords if done correctly and also give you a bit of confidence. Have a go. Go on you know you want to.

Bertrum has a good point. I use that my self and it works.

Answer 2

Yeah, been there, done that.

I too was always one of those quiet, softly spoken ones. Like you people always asked "WHAT. CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?"
Always in the middle of the bloody day when the queues were longest and I had to lift my voice so everyone in the friggin place could hear me. How mortally embarrassing!!

I don't really know what, when or where the turning point for me was because, although I am still quietly spoken, when I need to, I will raise my voice for the hard of thinking. I still prefer cosy one to ones with people, so if this is an issue for you, don't be ashamed of who you are, if you can, limit these occasions to a minimum. When the family is out and you have the house to yourself, stand in front of a mirror and just love the person you see. Try singing to yourself when you are alone. Recite some lines from your favourite film, song, book and say them just the way they are said/written. Build your confidence in YOU.

I hope soon you will feel, like I do, that the world doesn't give a damn about me, The only person who does is ME.

Love you and what you are.

Answer 3

Me too. I always spoke very quietly. Actually I found (and still find) London the best place to be. Never come to Wales! Most people in the area I grew up spoke quite quietly, it was the way there. When I moved to Wales, everyone shouts for some reason.Everytime I spoke they went 'speak up' in not a kind tone. Eventually I stopped speaking much, and only spoke to close friends and family.
When I'm in London now, I have no problem, everyone understands me and hears me fine. In Wales, I have to repeat myself quite alot. Either they can't hear or can't understand my accent.
I did a performing arts course a couple of years ago, and that gave me enormous amounts of confidence in every way, but especially voice confidence. I learnt how to project my voice and how to alter the tone to make it carry more, etc.
There are some courses online you can download, type in voice projection and see what comes up. In London, there are a myriad of different courses, just go to a library and ask them, then take your pick!
Good luck.

Answer 4

Yes! I have the exact same problem (Though i'm from Liverpool) - Often people cant hear me and sometimes they cant understand me.

I have found that talking each word consciously in my head as im saying it helps a great deal as it seems to make my mouth work properly (if you know what I mean). Slow your speaking and think of the whole purpose of communication (To get a message across - so be as accurate and clear as you can be)

Also just simply talk louder, practice when your alone in finding the correct balance between shouting and whispering and just keep practiceing until it becomes seccond nature.

Goodluck!
Stephen

Answer 5

I love it when people speak quietly, as one of your respondents said, people like you are a real blessing in this noisy, chaotic world. I can't get over how many LOUD people there are everywhere, and they drive me crazy with their self-importance and selfishness.
But if you still want to make your voice a fraction louder, go to voice classes, or sing out loud alone at home, or do what I did, become a teacher - you certainly have to project your voice then. I will think more about your situation and email you if you allow email.

Answer 6

I'm sure your voice is fine. People's hearing is bad a lot of the time you know. I am often accused of mumbling and I hate my voice. I find that smiling goes a long way..and you should walk up to girls and speak to them if you want to. If they are nice they will hear you anyway. Some people are just too kind to compete with the noise around them. I bet you're one of them. Just relax. Be peaceful. People like you are a blessing in this noisy, chaotic world.

Answer 7

Do you work in an elderly home? ;-) ...Sorry, couldn't help myself! laugh!

Seriously, do you speak softly because you don't want to draw attention to yourself? When they ask you to repeat it do you suddenly feel self conscience? I can't imagine it's a "volume" issue but rather you don't feel confident about yourself and YOU have so many wonderful qualities to offer to all of us! I think once you find that out then you will speak a little louder. Meanwhile, when they ask you to speak up say to them, "need a hearing aid?"

But to answer your question, if you really do feel a need to "increase the volume" of your voice naturally, tighten your abdomen when you talk. You should notice quite a difference.

Answer 8

I know the feeling. I have a quiet voice myself. I try to speak clearly, but I don't go out of my way to raise my voice. If people want to hear what I say, then they'll learn to listen because I'm not going to yell to accomodate them.

Answer 9

Megaphone?

Answer 10

Voice lessons.