Have you ever tried to sound more natural in English by changing your pitch and voice, but the LAST thing you felt was natural?
Or maybe you’re not trying to change ANYTHING but the voice that comes out of you is simply not your own and sounds like somebody else is speaking. How does that make you feel?
Changing your pitch to sound more ‘American’ is not a bad thing.
English has a different vocal placement than other languages, and the American voice probably has a different vocal quality than your voice in your first language (native tongue).
However, finding the proper vocal placement in English can only happen once you start feeling comfortable with your OWN voice, and once you UNDERSTAND how your voice works.
I have noticed that for many of my students their voice and pitch change in English and they simply don’t know why and what to do about it.
If that has ever happened to you, you know that when you don’t use your own voice, you don’t feel like yourself.
And not feeling like yourself may make you feel distant, detached and self-conscious when speaking English.
In this episode, I’m sharing with you why your voice changes, as well as a great vocal technique that will help your voice sound more expressive, neutral and clear when speaking English.
Also…. I will show you how my voice sounds in my native language, Hebrew, so you could hear the different vocal quality of both languages.
Share with us in the comments – does that happen to you?
Does your voice change in English? Is it deliberate?
And what is the one thing that resonated the most with you in this episode?
Here are more episodes about your voice, as well as about pitch and sounding natural:
How to sound interesting in English (learn what it means to change the pitch)
How to stop feeling FAKE and start sounding NATURAL in English
14 Responses
I love it!! You are great! Thanks
My apologies for the late reply and thanks for this video.
I think my voice sound better as I leanned from you when I tried read something but the problem is that in speaking I struggled to sound more natural in English or sound like american accent especcially when I speaking around people.Even after watching this video I still struggled to sound what I wanted. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t pay attention when I’m speaking or what?
Hi Hadar:
Thanks so much; you are so devoted, that I have to fine time here and there to listen to you; although I am super busy. However, the humming exercise is really helpful. Also, the tongue exercise help with my mustle. I am hearing different tones in my voice and my pronunciation has definitely improved. Thanks again.
OMG! I’ve been waiting for this information for the past 14 years while living in London! Indeed, speaking English is exhausting for me. I was aware of it but couldn’t figure out why so. It got better after pronunciation lessons but it’s still there. I’m going to practice it and understand it practically a bit more. Do you teach that in your courses?
Thanks a lot!
Hey Ewelina!
Thank you for your response! We’d happy that you find Hadar’s materials useful))
Right now her courses focus on pronunciation and fluency but I’m sure she could help you with your voice during 1:1 feedback on online group sessions. Drop us a line on [email protected] if you’d like to know more)
Hi Hadar ! Thank you for this charming, mesmerizing video which seized my attention. You are a real magician. While having listened to your performance I forgot about my windpipe problems and involuntary tried to follow your instructions. What you say it’s all true, important and raise for me intriguing questions. Perhaps, there is a certain way to self-knowledge by paying attention to our intonation when speaking ? Thank you again ! Laszlo Latzkovits
Thank you for your warm comment, dear Laszlo!
Dear Hadar , thanks for another great video:)
Hi, Hadar! Thank tou for this so helpful. video. I would love to hear how you sounded speaking English before you got your English intonation. It seems so surreal that a person can sound that natural in a second language as you do.
Thank you so much!
Olga.
Hey Olga, thank you for your comment) Well, we all wish to see that transformation))
For now, Hadar has at least 2 videos there she pronounces some of the words with an accent.
Here it’s ‘leave VS live’
https://youtu.be/yjDICKlkusw (2:12)
and here it’s ‘cook’ and ‘facebook’ (11:47) and, of course, Russian Rrrr (12:18) She’s having fun with Russian RRR–
https://youtu.be/ZPPBQcz-ZPk
Thanks, Hadar! I’m from Puerto Rico. Spanish is my native tongue. I always felt as you describe, that the English speaking person is not “me”, the Spanish speaking one. I assumed that it happens only to me!
Is a relief knowing that we nonnative speakers share this experience. Thanks again for giving us tools to improve.
Wish you all the success you deserves!
Rosa
Hey Rosa,
Thank you for sharing! Yes, it seems that Hadar understands non-native speakers on such a deep level!
Bec she’s a non-native herself)
Here’s a video she made specifically for Spanish speakers. Hope you’ll find it useful.
https://youtu.be/cwk24w8Qsy8
Thank you so much, Hadar! This is a fantastic video, love your YouTube channel!!! Been living in the US for over a decade now (and also did acting school 8 years ago), but am nowhere compared to what you’ve been able to do with your voice! Although I feel confident when I speak – and personally don’t even think I have accent – people still ask where I come from or what nationality I am… So I’ve got ways to go, but your tools and videos are immensely helpful!
It is such a captivating video. Thank you for that.
While listening and humming… I thought perhaps we must make a distinction between power and pitch.
I noticed my voice is lower in pitch when I speak English than when I speak French.
This shift in pitch came naturally and I realized I had it when it was already in its place. I did not fake it.
There are very few sounds in French that come from the back of the throat. It is probably the reason.
But I wonder if it is common and usual for French native speakers.