Getting a Stronger Voice? Can Speech Therapy Help?

[McChoclatey]

Sometimes, I find it difficult to speak up in a group of friends, especially when everyone's getting their say in and their voices tend to come off stronger than others. Me, I'm more used to speaking one-on-one, but even then, people still ask me to repeat myself. *Sigh*

I'm a very quiet person, so I tend not to say anything unless I feel it needs to be said. It can be hard trying to think of things to talk about; my friend always tells me that I can't "plan" a conversation, and that I just over think things too much. I don't know why I'm so socially awkward; everything's just fine until I'm in a position where I can speak, and not when I'm expected to, like in the classroom.

When people ask me, "Why are you so quiet?" I really don't have an answer. It's frustrating sometimes, when you think you're doing okay all by yourself until someone points you out like you're an anomaly or something. I know that being quiet is normal, but it's not very comfortable for me anymore. When I was younger, I always wanted to blend in--I just didn't want to stand out. But now, I want to make my voice stronger--to actually be heard by others other than myself is something that I think is very important, especially for later in life.

But the thing is, I just can't speak very loud. When reading out loud to the class I can hold a strong voice, but after a while I start to stutter, read faster, often in monotone and my voice breaks.

When I'm with my friends at lunch, if I speak louder, I feel like I'm yelling, and it just ends up feeling unnatural to me. No can hear me even if I do speak louder--maybe I'll catch one or two of my friends asking me what I was saying, but other than that, I get drowned out by my louder, more assertive friends.

Have you had any experience with shyness, or having a soft voice? Is speech therapy the type of thing you'd have to go for if you have a problem with these types of things? Thanks.

[HystericalParoxysm]

I think you'd be better off going to a class for public speaking. Speech therapy, at least in my experience, is more for actual defects in speech. Sounds like you just need to learn how to speak louder, smoother, and more assertively.

[maxon]

I don't know about speech therapy but you might think about, as HP said, public speaking or, wait for it, singing. Seriously. Voice training for singers does wonders for volume, control and precision. I have never been a serious singer (pianist) but I did some voice training at college. I teach now (part of my job) and I amaze myself sometimes how I can make myself heard across large spaces just by raising my voice a little, engaging my diaphram and projecting. I don't actually shout much just speak louder and louder like turning up the volume. People STFU too but that might be personality as much as volume. Confidence is another issue but feeling like you have control of your voice will help you with that. Singing is also excellent for helping you modulate your tone (so avoiding the monotone thing). Plus you could go and sing in choirs or groups (a lot of fun and a great way to make friends). The great thing about singing with others is you don't have to worry about the spotlight being on you because you are singing in a group and you can concentrate on bellowing away and controlling your breathing.

[whiterider]

You could also think about acting. Similarly to singing, it teaches you to use pitch and tone more effectively, and can be great for confidence; you'll also learn to project your voice to make yourself heard without shouting. Most acting groups play improvisation games, which will help you speak more confidently in normal conversational situations, instead of just when you have a script/book/presentation to read. And, of course, it's awesome fun. :)