Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 10/31/2007

Question
Hi Wanda,
 I'm looking for a vocal teacher to improve my speaking voice (I'm a mumbler).  
Any tips on how to find a good teacher?

Answer
Hi Joe...Thanks for writing.  A great question.  I have both some ideas on how you can help yourself as well as how you can find someone to help you.

FIRST: Is this vocal for speaking or for singing or both?  This is the first question you want to ask.  

Then the best thing for you to do is to look in your local directories online or in the phone book for the kind of coach you want.  Ask them to give you some references of people who have taken from them (or look at their testimonies on their website).  When you find testimonies that sound positive to you and exciting, then try that coach.

The other way you can go about this is by asking people who you know who have taken voice lessons for speaking or singing about a coach and how they liked them.

Testimonies of someone's work and referrals like this are the most powerful way for a coach to do business.  So this is a great way to find someone who fits what you are looking for.  

SECOND: In the meantime, you can be doing some exercises daily on your own to help you with your mumbling.  Write in a binder the answers to these questions:
1.  Ask yourself why you think you mumble?
2.  Ask yourself what it will feel like if you continue to mumble?  Be specific about how you would feel (emotions).
3.  Ask yourself what it will feel like if you did not mumble anymore?  Be specific about how you would feel (emotions).
4.  Ask yourself what the payoff will be if you do not mumble anymore?

Review your answers to these questions every day.

Then take some action:
1.  Begin to notice when you mumble and take note of it in the same binder.
2.  Put down some actions you can take to no longer mumble in those circumstances - for e.g. take a deep breath before speaking; open mouth wide before speaking; tell yourself that there is much reward for not mumbling
3.  Take those actions.
4.  Be kind to yourself while you move into a new way of talking in these circumstances.  

Joe, this is a habit.  But if you practice every day and move towards what you want instead, you will get to the place where you do not mumble anymore.

I hope that helps you.

Let me know how it goes.

Wanda