The Richard Jennings Voice Studio
 
 
 

THE RICHARD JENNINGS VOICE STUDIO
SELF - ANALYSIS
For The SpeakIng Professional

 

Voice Quality

1. Is the sound "full, rich, resonant"?

2. Does it sound like the jaw is closing off the sound, keeping it small and thin?

3. Is there evidence of strain, grabbing or hoarseness in the throat? (Can you suggest a possible cause?)

4. Do you hear breathiness?

5. Gasping for breath? Noisy intake of breath? Audible release of breath at the end of a spoken phrase?

6. Does it sound like you have plenty of breath support under the voice?

7. Does the tone lack "strength, body, power"?

8. Is there a nasal "twang"?

9. Is the tone expressive and "colorful"?

10. Is the delivery jerky or choppy?

11. Does the overall use of resonance, breath support and projection serve the needs of the situation?

Articulation

1. Is the speech clear, easily understood?

2. Is the speech indistinct, cluttered?

3. Is the speech muffled, throaty, and cloudy?

4. Do you hear final d’s ts? What about the final g, k, b or p?

5. Do the r 's seem clear or "chewy"?

6. Do the s sounds seem unusually noticeable? Do you hear a hissing or hushing? If so, can you suggest a possible reason?

7. Is your vowel production open and relaxed?

8. Do you accent or emphasize diphthongs? (Vowels w/ two sounds, ex.a,i..)

Range (Pitch, Inflection)

1. Do you know your optimal speaking pitch range? Can you recognize if you are within that general range?

2. Does your average level sound "normal" or within your optimal range?

3. Is your speech too high, or too low?

4. Does your throat feel tired after speaking for a while?

5. Do you speak within a narrow pitch range, creating a monotone?

6. Is there a natural use of inflection? (Raising or lowering pitch to make a specific point.)

7. Is there a repeated inflection pattern or "sing song" effect?

Rate

1. Is the general rate too fast or too slow?

2. Do you use repetitive rhythmic patterns (repetitive "bursts")?

3. Do you use pauses appropriately?

4. Does your rate of speaking serve the intellectual/emotional needs of what you are saying?

5. Can you identify each separate thought or groups of thoughts that work together?

Projection (Volume - Intensity)

1. Would the voice carry to the last row in a large hall?

2. Does the projection fade at the end of sentences?

3. Do you sound as if you were shouting rather than talking?

4. Does your throat feel tired after speaking?

5. Do you feel the balance of your natural resonance and projection in the tone?



THE RICHARD JENNINGS VOICE STUDIO