For those of you who didn’t watch this video after reading my last post, take a look at this post which ranks among the highest in viewership for my blog. I’ve been getting lots of inquiries about projection, and this video should be very helpful.
I recently talked with a voice over artist who takes the prize for the guy with the most vocally taxing job I’ve ever encountered. He’s Doug de Nance, and he’s an announcer for Monster Truck shows. He told me he routinely shouts, roars and screams for 3 hours a night, up to 40 weekends a year! And 
he’s done this for thirty plus years!! Now I’ve coached sports reporters covering NASCAR and correspondents broadcasting from war zones, but Doug beats them all.
So how does he do it? Well, for most of those thirty years he made little effort to protect his voice. But as the years of abuse finally caught up with him, he started looking for ways other than screaming to get the Monster Truck crowds to their feet. He wanted to get the same excitement without abusing his voice. What he discovered was what I tell clients all the time: project your voice well and let the audio equipment do the rest. As Doug says, “If they can’t hear me, it’s the engineer’s fault, not mine.”
How do you project your voice well? I recently did a video for the International Journalism Network that explains it. Take a couple of minutes to watch so you can use your voice effectively when you’re competing with roaring engines or other noisy conditions. And for more on projection, scroll down to see the Categories list in the right sidebar. Click on Vocal Projection.
BTW, Doug does more than just shout over trucks. He’s one of the best voice over artists around. Check him out at http://dougdenance.com.
Dear Dr. Ann,
This is the first post I’ve read among the ones written by you and I am very happy to find this website. What you’ve said in the video is what I am looking for exactly. Thanks a lot Madam.
So glad you found this post helpful!
Dear Dr. Ann
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise. This will really help me dealing with my voice issues when coaching and teaching to a large crowd.
I so much appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Tina C.
Hi Tina!
I’m so glad you found the information on projection helpful. It’s not a difficult thing to change once you know how.
Good to hear from you!
Ann
Thank you so much Dr Ann for this easy to apply exercise , one must just keep practicing as I sometimes forget because of a naturally high pitched voice.
Is it normal to feel some discomfort on the throat when practicing the lower pitch , like there’s a small peanut stuck on my throat ?
Don’t do the exercise if you feel any discomfort. Perhaps you might want to contact an ENT to be sure your pitch is correct.