How to develop an expressive speaking voice

If you want to develop a full, expressive speaking voice, look to the eight Laban Movement Qualities.

My vocal coach introduced this system to me and it is completely changing how I speak, making me a more dynamic speaker.

As a data person who typically speaks with a matter-of-fact voice, this system has been simple to learn and implement, organized and easy to understand, plus made an incredible impact on how I can now use my voice.

Why it matters

When I first joined Toastmasters, I was told about “vocal variety”. I thought it simply meant talking louder sometimes and softer others.

But when I heard other speakers who were more dynamic and emotionally engaging, I knew I was missing something. I just didn’t know how to develop those qualities.

The Laban Movement Qualities have created the bridge I need from my matter-of-fact speaking voice to a more dynamic speaking voice.

• It’s freeing me to more fully express my thoughts and feelings.
• As I have started using more expressive vocal qualities, I find myself more fully connecting with my audience.
• The cool thing: they are easy to start learning and using.

The big picture

In the Laban Movement Quality system, each of the vocal qualities are broken down into three opposite pairs:

• Direct/Indirect
• Strong/Light
• Quick/Sustained

By mixing and matching these qualities, you can express a complete breadth of emotion and vocal quality.

For example, decisive or firm statements combine a direct, strong, sustained voice using a physical pressing motion…

Or a simple change to an indirect, strong, sustained voice using a physical wringing out a towel motion expresses emotional or layered content.

The opposite of the press would be an indirect, light, quick vocal quality matched with a flicking motion to express playfulness and spontaneity.

Here is the complete list I’ve been working with:

• Press – Direct, strong, sustained (decisive or firm statements)
• Flick – Indirect, light, quick (playfulness, spontaneity)
• Wring – Indirect, strong, sustained (emotional or layered content)
• Dab – Direct, light, quick (precise or efficient communication)
• Slash – Indirect, strong, quick (urgency or boldness)
• Glide – Direct, light, sustained (ease, flow, confidence)
• Punch – Direct, strong, quick (impact, clarity, conviction)
• Float – Indirect, light, sustained (curiosity, imagination)

That’s it! Just eight physical movements to help open up your dynamic speaking voice.

The takeaway

If you’ve struggled to add more dynamics to your speaking voice, I would highly the Laban Movement Qualities to begin to open you up.

For an introduction to Laban Movement Qualities for vocal performances, here is a good overview video:

​https://youtu.be/6_5uEfXBYJE?si=TX_cxK5OacAEimip​

See you next week!

Philip