Broadcast Media Broadcast Media NotesNotesChapter 4Chapter 4

Sections 4.6 – 4.10Sections 4.6 – 4.10

Vocal DevelopmentVocal Development

Announcer voices considered Announcer voices considered excellent are usually well-excellent are usually well-developed in three areas:developed in three areas:

1.1. Speak in a lower range with a Speak in a lower range with a pleasing voicepleasing voice

2.2. Pace of speaking makes it easy for Pace of speaking makes it easy for the listener to comprehendthe listener to comprehend

3.3. Speak with exceptional claritySpeak with exceptional clarity

Elements of Vocal Elements of Vocal DevelopmentDevelopment

The elements that you have some The elements that you have some degree of control over are:degree of control over are:

VolumeVolume PitchPitch Rate Rate Tone Tone

VolumeVolume

The loudness or softness of your voice.The loudness or softness of your voice. Contributes to the perception of energy Contributes to the perception of energy

and enthusiasm a performer and enthusiasm a performer communicates to the audiencecommunicates to the audience

Practice reading scripts in a variety of Practice reading scripts in a variety of volumes to get the feel of itvolumes to get the feel of it

Don’t rely on the volume control on the Don’t rely on the volume control on the audio console to boost your voiceaudio console to boost your voice

Projection – the process of pushing sound Projection – the process of pushing sound at of your mouthat of your mouth

Listen to Audio Clip 4.1Listen to Audio Clip 4.1

PitchPitch

The highness of lowness of your voiceThe highness of lowness of your voice Early radio required a deep, bass voice. Early radio required a deep, bass voice.

Today, it’s desirable to use your full pitch Today, it’s desirable to use your full pitch range, with emphasis on the lower range, with emphasis on the lower portion of your voiceportion of your voice

To speak as low as you can for any length To speak as low as you can for any length of time puts a strain on your voiceof time puts a strain on your voice

In general, lower-pitched voices are more In general, lower-pitched voices are more pleasant than high-pitched voicespleasant than high-pitched voices

RateRateThe number of words delivered during a given The number of words delivered during a given

period of time as a script is readperiod of time as a script is read While there is no correct rate, typical “out While there is no correct rate, typical “out

loud” delivery usually falls in the range of 160-loud” delivery usually falls in the range of 160-180 words per minute (wpm), with 160 wpm 180 words per minute (wpm), with 160 wpm being the accepted broadcast pace.being the accepted broadcast pace.

The higher your speaking rate, the more likely The higher your speaking rate, the more likely it is you will make mistakes and be harder to it is you will make mistakes and be harder to understandunderstand

In broadcasting, the speaking rate will often In broadcasting, the speaking rate will often be determined by the amount of copy you have be determined by the amount of copy you have to read in a certain amount of time (120 words to read in a certain amount of time (120 words in 60 seconds)in 60 seconds)

Listen to Audio Track 4.3Listen to Audio Track 4.3

ToneTone

The quality of sound that is made (also The quality of sound that is made (also known as the voice’s timbre)known as the voice’s timbre)

Learning to use resonance Learning to use resonance (vibration) is key to developing a (vibration) is key to developing a good broadcast voicegood broadcast voice

Read “Tone” on pg. 65Read “Tone” on pg. 65