Volume and intensity

Difference between shouting and projecting the voice.

In the field of public speaking, it is a frequent mistake to confuse sound intensity with the act of shouting.

Intensity, or volume, refers to the power with which the sound wave is emitted and is the main vehicle for the message to physically reach the receiver.

However, raising the volume by tightening the throat results in a shrill, aggressive sound, often interpreted as a lack of emotional control or rudeness. The correct technique is vocal projection.

Projecting does not involve muscle force in the neck, but an increase in airflow driven from the diaphragm. It is the air that must travel, not the throat that must be squeezed.

When properly projected, the voice "fills" the room in an enveloping and authoritative manner, without damaging the vocal cords or assaulting the audience's hearing.

A projected voice is born of relaxation and deep breathing; a scream is born of constriction and shallow breathing.

The speaker should visualize his voice as a beam of light that should reach the back of the room without losing clarity, using air as fuel.

Volume adjustment according to the size of the room and "swelling" test.

Volume is not an absolute value, but relative to the environment and context. The speaker must calibrate his internal "potentiometer": an excessive volume in a small room generates rejection and saturation, while a weak volume in a large auditorium denotes shyness, lack of experience or a repressive education that has accustomed the individual to go unnoticed.

To verify whether the volume is being used in a healthy way or if the machinery is being forced, there is a physical test of self-observation.

When speaking in front of a mirror at the usual intensity of a presentation, the neck and face should be observed.

If marked veins in the neck, facial redness or a feeling of swelling appear when raising the voice, it is indicative that the effort is being made with the wrong muscles and not with air support.

Likewise, the ability to sustain a note or speak continuously with a single intake of breath is an indicator of efficiency; if air is exhausted in less than 5 to 10 seconds, volume is being mismanaged at the expense of vocal health.

Summary

Vocal intensity should not be confused with shouting. Projecting air from the diaphragm allows you to reach the entire room without audibly assaulting listeners, while maintaining emotional control.

The volume should be adjusted to the size of the room and the context. An excessive volume saturates, while a weak one denotes shyness or lack of experience in front of today's audience.

To verify a healthy management, the speaker should avoid visible tensions. If marked veins or facial swelling appear, the effort is muscular and does not come from the air support of the diaphragm.