You've Got Rhythm: Breathing and Speaking
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- Most people experience speaking solely in terms of words coming out with no awareness of breath going in. There have to be moments in the flow of speech where noting is being said because breath needs to flow in. Here’s an exercise to help you learn to feel that rhythm.
Emerson: Change
Start with an in-breath. Use that breath to speak each phrase. Feel the words flowing out on
the breath. Continue that pattern, using one breath per phrase. (Remember to take only small-to-
medium in-breaths. Large breaths will make this exercise even more awkward and
frustrating.)
[in-breath] in nature
[in-breath] every moment is new
[in-breath] the past is always
[in-breath] swallowed and forgotten
[in-breath] the coming only is sacred
nothing is secure
but life
transition
the energizing spirit
no love can be found
by oath or covenant
to secure it
against a higher love
no truth so sublime
but it may be trivial tomorrow
in the light of new thoughts
people wish to be settled
only as far
as they are unsettled
is there any hope for them
life is a series of surprises
Here are the same words arranged as a paragraph. Notice there’s no punctuation. That’s because you’re focused on breathing when you need to breathe, not when the punctuation allows you to breathe. Break it up into short phrases (six words or less), one breath per phrase, with long pauses for each in-breath. Don’t worry about the meaning or the flow! You’re totally focused on feeling the rhythm of breathing in and speaking out.
in nature every moment is new the past is always swallowed and forgotten the coming only is sacred nothing is secure but life transition the energizing spirit no love can be found by oath or covenant to secure it against a higher love no truth so sublime but it may be trivial tomorrow in the light of new thoughts people wish to be settled only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them life is a series of surprises
Here is the text with the punctuation restored. Read it aloud as before, with short phrases, long pauses for relaxed in-breaths, feeling the back-and-forth of breathing and speaking. If your breath happens to work with the punctuation, fine, but no phrase should be longer than six words, and a few breaths in strange places are good; otherwise you’re probably focused on the words and the meaning instead of the rhythm of breathing and speaking.
In Nature every moment is new; the past is always swallowed and forgotten; the coming only is sacred. Nothing is secure but life, transition, the energizing spirit. No love can be found by oath or covenant to secure it against a higher love. No truth so sublime but it may be trivial tomorrow in the light of new thoughts. People wish to be settled; only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them. Life is a series of surprises.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Great content1 100%
People like you make CZcams a beautiful place. Such great tips and experience for free. Thank you!
What a wonderful thing for you to say. You're very welcome, of course.
As someone who stutters, this is a great exercise, thanks 🙏
You're welcome! So glad it was helpful.
Jay, thanks for these tips. Great timing as I am rehearsing for a virtual presentation this evening. Six words (maximum) per breath is feeling really good!
Thank you so much for this reminder Jay! Great timing! 🙏
Master Jay and so it is.
Jay you are my hero. This is what I needed, I have a lot of knowledge but my speaking gets on the way, having said that I will religious follow your techniques.
I'm so glad it was helpful. Good luck with your practice.
Exactly what i needed Jay, will start working on that.
Nice topic Jay! I needed this.
My always dreams is that i speak loudly and slowly on stage. I had stage fear. I recovering by using slow speaking, making eye contact and breathing technique.. my dream is not earn lot of money money ,my goal is impress peoples by my voice . Free advice by u.thank u my sir
You're welcome, Pankaj.
Thanks Jay💕
You're welcome!
This is what I need!👏👏😃
Glad it was helpful, Bee Wee. Hope all is well.
Superb method
Glad it was helpful
✔️
Thanks Jay🙏 This really helped me slow down my rate of speech. This works great during presentation since you’re expected to talk slower but I feel weird if I were to do this in normal everyday conversation. When in conversation, do you think we should still breath after every phrase(6 words or less)? Or should we only take a breath when we’re running out of air?
You're welcome. I'm glad to hear you were able to notice a difference in your speech. With regard to your last question, you should never feel like you're running out of air. You should always feel like you have plenty of power for the last word of the phrase. So you might find yourself "topping up" the breath more frequently.
Please make a video on removing stage fear in unconscious mind
Thanks for the suggestion.
my voice turns too many heads now Mr. Jay
While doing this excercise we have to inhale from nose or mouth?
For voice and speech practice, always through the mouth. czcams.com/video/8Z-gemxiKRM/video.html
@@voiceandspeech Thanks Jay
Are “the lessons” you speak of, these videos in your channel? If they are, they don’t seem to be numbered. Which one is lesson 2?
How do I know in what order to watch your videos.
If not, where do I find these lessons you speak of?
Hi, Antonio. The CZcams videos are random and not designed as a comprehensive approach to voice training. If you visit my website, voiceandspeech.com/, you can find free mini courses, information about the paid online course or even contact me to discuss one-on-one training.
I overthink everything. Quick question. Is it better to start speaking immediately after the in-breath (i.e., once you hit the top of the breath, go!) Or is it okay to pause/linger at the top of the in-breath before breathing out? I find that holding my breath typically results in tension, but I'd like to get your thoughts. Thanks so much!
Great question, and your personal observations are correct. As soon as breath has entered your body, you go, no pausing or lingering. The moment you hold your breath, you either close up or engage the exact opposite muscles required for good voice. You've just handed me a good topic for a future video. Thanks!
@@voiceandspeech Okay, thanks! And thanks for the quick reply. Oh, cool... glad I could help :) I watched a video by Rebecca Linquist, called "Speech Snafu #6: Overthinking vs Letting the Breath Lead the Way" and in the video she said, "There is a brief holding before you release. The reason for that is you don't want to collapse completely." (around 1:40). I'd love to hear your response to that--either on here or in your future video. Thanks again!
@@chrisctlr Thanks for calling my attention to that video. I love the concept of "letting the breath lead the way," but I'm not sure about "the brief holding before you release," in fact, I'm not sure she's doing that herself when she speaks. It's also possible I'm misunderstanding her terminology.
@@voiceandspeech That's what I was wondering, if maybe I was misunderstanding her. But thanks for your thoughts on it! I too love what she said about letting the breath lead the way... It makes sense, but it's easier said than done. Also, I found it helpful what you said about using all of your breath when you speak (and not having any left over). That's another thing I wasn't sure about. But it makes sense, and helps to counter the tendency to hold/lock up your breath.
One question i always get confused that should we start with breathe from nose and speak or mouth and speak for better speech ??
See these videos.
czcams.com/video/8Z-gemxiKRM/video.html
czcams.com/video/JTDLyTZ1jxA/video.html