Comments on: Can I change the nasal sound of my voice?

Question: Can I change the nasal sound of my voice?

ferociouskitty — Fri, 29 Oct 2004 15:53:26 -0800

My voice has a nasal sound to it - not high-pitched-nasal, more like it sounds like I have a perpetually stuffy nose. Anything I can work on to change that, or am I stuck?

By: jasper411

jasper411 — Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:47:13 -0800

Singing lessons, or, if you don't like singing, take a speech class at a local drama school. The sound of your voice depends a lot on your breathing, your posture, body tension, etc. You will be amazed at how coaching, a few simple tricks, and practice can alter the tone and quality of your voice.

By: jasper411

jasper411 — Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:53:29 -0800

BTW, I think a class is best, but these are two good books that I've found useful. YMMV

Linklater's Freeing the Natural Voice

and

Patsy Rodenburg's The Actor Speaks

By: LairBob

LairBob — Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:56:02 -0800

You should also really go to an ENT and check to see if you've got a deviated septum, especially if you're prone to stuffy noses and don't have a great sense of smell.

It's no simple thing to fix, but having a set of sinuses that are structurally cramped up can definitely do this to your voice.

By: scarabic

scarabic — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 09:25:36 -0800

What do they call those things that you put across the bridge of your nose? They are like a flat piece of metal coating in band-aid material, and they open your nasal passages up really wide. They're marketed to people who snore, and I've seen pro athletes wear them during games. You might try that, just to see if it has an effect. They're available at drugstores. Someone will know the name.

By: Kwantsar

Kwantsar — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 12:15:05 -0800

Breathe-Right Strips, scarabic.

By: advil

advil — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 12:39:34 -0800

I second the singing lessons - they changed my voice considerably when I was in high school. And it's fun.