Is Your Voice Telling on You?

This is a self-help book for speech pathologists, voice therapists, voice coaches and otolaryngologists to recommend to their patients with voice problems. The opening sections of the book show how to evaluate your own voice and give information about the basic mechanics of the voice and voice problems. A series of self-evaluation tests and voice improvement exercises (which require only a tape recorder and a watch) cover breathing, loudness, pitch, vocal focus, nasality, stress, stage fright and the correct use of telephones and microphones. Throughout the text the author differentiates between male and female voices and explains their different problems and treatments. The book also deals with the environmental and physical enemies of the voice, and in the final section there is a "voice checklist", "Ten Easy Steps for Keeping Your Natural Voice", and helpful information on how to get professional help for problem voices.
This second edition includes a CD with audio examples and exercises; practical methods for increasing breath control with specific guidelines for increasing loudness and voice projection; voice management tips for the woman who has work demands on her voice; steps for increasing the friendliness of one's voice; exercises that increase voice efficiency with sharper voice focus; and biological and environmental tips to help those who use their voices professionally to maintain optimal voicing under difficult demanding conditions.