Beating anxiety with the theatre stars’ voice guru
AS HEAD Of Voice at the National Theatre, Jeannette Nelson has helped a plethora of stage and screen stars to keep their voices in shape. But she also believes we can all benefit from improving the quality and command of our voices, even those of us who have no plans to tread the boards.
She has written The Voice Exercise Book: A Guide To Healthy And Effective Voice Use, setting down the techniques she has developed over 25 years as a voice coach, working with the likes of Derren Brown, Zoe Wanamaker and Lenny Henry. Jeanette says: ‘So many people lack confidence in their voice, which is a real shame. I love all voices and believe you have to fall in love with your own voice to help it develop and grow.’
I do have problems with confidence – and I’m not alone. Up to six per cent of the population are thought to suffer generalised anxiety disorder, characterised by chronic worry.
My dulcet tones sometimes betray me when I want to appear authoritative, whether in a work interview or trying to get the children to eat their tea – and public speaking is my idea of hell. I’d love to be able to be more com- manding, without sounding like a shrill harridan.
Jeanette’s book details a range of exercises that can combat just these kinds of problems.
It is also aimed at people who use their voice a lot and need to preserve their vocal cords.
For example, teachers and call- centre workers, like actors, can suffer all sorts of problems arising from speaking too loudly and in the wrong way.
She agreed to give me a one-onone class to help me conquer my own voice demons.
At the beginning of our session, we stand face to face in one of the National Theatre’s rehearsal rooms. Jeannette immediately sees problems with my posture and body language.
According to her, bad posture is one of the main reasons for the vocal apparatus to become constricted. I’m told I must not hold in my tummy – like many women, I do. ‘You need to let it go,’ urges Jeannette. ‘If you want your voice to reach its full potential you have to release your abdominal muscles so that you can breathe deeply and effectively.’
Tension in the jaw can also affect the voice, causing mumbling.
To increase the resonance of my voice, Jeannette – a trained singer – makes me count aloud, while yawning – and my voice instantly feels more open. To boost projection she gets me to release a long ‘ha’ on one note and then to count aloud on another note, with the same feeling of releasing vocal energy and then to repeat the exercise counting normally.
I’m amazed at how loudly and deeply I can speak afterwards, without yelling. My husband and kids will be delighted…