Ever wonder why your voiceover delivery might feel a bit choppy or uneven at times? Here, I’ll break down a few common hurdles voice actors face—like those pesky glottal stops, tricky breath control moments, and keeping your tone steady. It’s all about understanding the little things that can make a big difference in how natural and polished you sound. Let’s dive in!
Problem: Glottal stop - This is a sound produced by briefly closing the vocal cords to stop the airflow, creating a sudden sound or pause. It’s the sound you hear when words like "uh-oh" are pronounced—the catch in the throat between the syllables. Glottal stops can occur naturally or intentionally for emphasis, clarity, or stylistic purposes. However, excessive or unintended use of glottal stops can interrupt the flow of narration.
Solution: Linking words - practice smoothly connecting the end of one word to the beginning of the next, especially when vowels are involved. This avoids the abrupt vocal cord closure that causes a glottal stop.
For example:
Instead of saying “go _on” with a break, practice blending it to sound like
“go-won.”
This technique helps create a more fluid, natural delivery and minimizes harsh breaks in the vocal flow.
Problem: Breath control - moments happen when we run out of breath mid-sentence or take audible, distracting breaths that disrupt the flow. These often occur in longer sentences, fast-paced scripts, or emotionally intense lines where natural breathing pauses aren’t clear.
Solution: Counting on one breath - This exercise helps strengthen your diaphragm, improve breath support, and train you to pace your delivery.
Take a deep breath from your diaphragm (not your chest).
Start counting aloud at a steady pace: “1, 2, 3…” and continue as far as you can without straining or gasping for air.
Gradually increase how far you can count in a single breath over time.
Problem: Inconsistent energy or vocal quality - This can manifest as unintentional shifts in pitch, volume, or emotional tone, making the delivery sound uneven or disconnected. It often happens when we lose focus, feel fatigued, or try to overemphasize certain parts of the script, creating mismatched segments in the performance. Maintaining consistency is crucial for a polished and professional sound.
Solution: Mark emotional and tonal cues in your script - Before recording, read through the script and decide on the energy, pitch, and emotional tone for each section. Use symbols, underlining, or color coding to remind yourself of these choices. This practice helps you stay consistent and ensures your delivery aligns with the message or mood of the script from start to finish.
Happy recording!
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