Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
'A rich, correctly-used voice is the greatest physical factor of persuasiveness and power,' and Gladstone is quoted lamenting that most men in the crowded professions never rise above mediocrity because voice training is neglected. The chapter lays down three fundamental requisites for a good voice. First, ease: relaxation, not force, produces good tone, since tense muscles distort the sound waves of the voice — the reader is urged to relax the throat, jaw, and lips and to breathe from the diaphragm rather than the throat. Second, openness: a half-shut mouth and constricted throat trap the tone, so the speaker must open the mouth and vocal passages fully, almost as in a yawn, to let sound flow freely. Third, forwardness: a voice pitched back in the throat sounds dark and unattractive, so the speaker must think the tone forward, feeling it strike toward the front of the mouth, to avoid throaty, harmful tones. The chapter then explains how carrying power comes not from loudness but from correct production, sufficient breath, and body resonance, offering concrete breathing and humming exercises. It closes with practical voice cautions — never force a hoarse voice, avoid cold water while speaking, and avoid pitching the voice too high.
Key points
- The three fundamental requisites of a good voice are ease, openness, and forwardness.
- Ease comes through relaxation of throat, jaw, and lips, and diaphragmatic breathing.
- Openness means keeping the mouth and throat unconstricted so tone can flow freely.
- Forwardness means thinking the tone forward so it does not become dark or throaty.
- Carrying power depends on correct production, ample breath, and body resonance, not on loudness.
Key texts
- Exodus 4:10-12
- Isaiah 6:8
- Psalm 81:10
- Nehemiah 8:8
From the book
Chapter XII — The Voice · Open the reader
- “A rich, correctly-used voice is the greatest physical factor of persuasiveness and power.”
- “Ninety men in every hundred in the crowded professions will probably never rise above mediocrity because the training of the voice is entirely neglected and considered of no importance.”
- “Don't _make_ your voice go--_let_ it go.”
Put it into practice
- Practice relaxing the jaw and throat until the jaw hangs heavy, to remove strain from speech.
- Breathe from the diaphragm rather than the throat, taking silent, deep breaths while speaking.
- Practice thinking the tone forward, feeling it strike near the front teeth, rather than pitching it back in the throat.
- Scripture
1. What did Gladstone say was the reason most men in the crowded professions never rise above mediocrity?
- Comprehension
2. Name and briefly explain the three fundamental requisites for a good voice given in the chapter.
- Doctrinal Clarity
3. According to the chapter, where should breathing be centered, and why?
- Comprehension
4. How does the chapter say carrying power is developed, and what does it explicitly deny is required?
- Contrast
5. Contrast the effect of a relaxed versus a constricted throat on tone, as illustrated by the chapter's exercise.
- Doctrinal Clarity
6. What does the chapter mean by 'forwardness,' and what harm results from its absence?
- Comprehension
7. What practical cautions does the chapter give about protecting the voice?
- Doctrinal Clarity
8. Why does the chapter say the body acts as a 'sounding board,' and how can this be developed?
- Application
9. Evaluate your own habitual breathing and throat tension when you speak publicly. What might change if you deliberately relaxed and breathed from the diaphragm?
- Application
10. Try the exercise of feeling your voice 'strike forward' while speaking a sentence aloud. What did you notice, and how could daily practice change your voice over time?