Sing It Loud, Speak It Clear

Most people think singing is just a talent—you’ve either got it or you don’t. But what if singing isn’t just about talent? What if it’s one of the most powerful tools for training your speaking voice?

Singing can strengthen, tone, and stretch your voice, much like a workout does for your body. If you use your voice for anything (work, relationships, simply getting through a Monday), singing might just be the most overlooked tool in your vocal toolkit.

The Science Behind It

Let’s start with the basics: Your voice runs on muscles, just like the rest of your body. Vocal folds are folds of muscle tissue surrounded and supported by muscle systems that can be trained. Think of it like this: If speaking is walking, singing is running, and running makes you a stronger walker. With this lens, singing doesn’t just make you sound nicer, it builds vocal strength, flexibility, and stamina.

5 Ways Singing Helps Your Speaking Voice

Singing demands more from your voice—range, breath, stamina, precision. All of that makes you a stronger, more engaging speaker. Singers, actors, voice coaches, podcasters, and preachers know this. But you don’t have to be a professional speaker to benefit.

Here’s what singing does that your daily conversations don’t and why your speaking voice will thank you:

• Builds breath support: Singing teaches you how to control airflow. Instead of shallow chest breathing, you start to use your diaphragm to sustain phrases. That support leads to more grounded, confident speech.
• Sharpens your articulation: When you sing, you’re forced to hit every consonant and vowel clearly or you’ll sound muddy. That muscle memory helps you speak more crisply, especially in high-pressure situations like interviews or presentations.
• Expands your vocal range: Most of us only speak within a narrow range. Singing pushes you to explore highs and lows, increasing your vocal flexibility. That makes your speaking voice more dynamic and expressive.
• Improves pitch control: Monotone speech puts people to sleep. Singing helps you become more aware of pitch and intonation. You learn how to emphasize words and vary your tone—skills that make your voice more engaging.
• Builds stamina: Talking for hours can wear you out if your voice isn’t conditioned. Singing trains your vocal folds for endurance, so you can speak longer without fatigue or strain.

Bonus: It’s actually fun. And unlike most vocal tips, this one might stick.

The Real Payoff: Presence and Expression

This goes beyond mechanics. When you sing, you tap into the emotional power of your voice. You learn how to stretch a phrase, express a feeling, and control pacing—all essential tools for public speaking, storytelling, and even casual conversations. It brings alignment between your body and your message.

I’ve seen it over and over—once people unlock the emotional side of their voice through singing, their speaking changes too. It becomes more confident, more connected, more them.

Think of someone you know with a magnetic speaking voice. Chances are, they’re not just talking—they’re present, fully and authentically expressing themselves. That kind of presence comes from vocal confidence, and singing can build it.

Singing does more than work out your voice, it changes your mood too. When you sing, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like endorphins and oxytocin, which help reduce stress and boost your mood. It also activates the brain’s reward system, giving you a natural lift similar to what you’d get from exercise or your favorite meal. Even better, studies show that singing—especially in groups—can increase feelings of connection and emotional well-being. So whether you’re singing in the shower or with a choir, you’re giving both your brain and your mood a healthy workout.

Not only that, but music in general impacts the nervous system in powerful ways. Want to energize your voice before a talk? Try a hype playlist—something upbeat and rhythmic to boost alertness and confidence. Feeling nervous? Slow, calming music can help you breathe deeper and steady your nerves. Many speakers find that starting with calm music, then switching to energetic tracks, creates the perfect mental and vocal state.

Getting Started

I can hear it already: “But I’m not a singer!” Good news: You don’t have to be. This isn’t about being the next Adele. You don’t even need to sound good. You just need to do it.

Start in low-pressure places. Sing in the shower. Hum along to the radio. Belt it out in the car with the windows up. Put on your favorite playlist and see what happens. It’s not about performance, it’s about consistency. Think training, not talent.

 

Listen to The Toastmasters Podcast to hear more from Jillian Mitchell.

When you’re ready, try this short daily routine. Five minutes. That’s it. (And if you’ve been doing vocal warm-ups regularly, you’ve already got one foot in the world of singing.)

• Lip trills or humming (1 min): Gently buzz your lips like a motorboat or hum on a comfortable pitch. This warms up your vocal folds with minimal strain.
• Yawn-sigh (1 min): Start on a relatively high note. Fake a yawn, then let your voice slide down in pitch. This helps release vocal tension and connects breath to voice.
• Simple scale (1 min): Sing “do-re-mi-fa-sol” up and then back down on a comfortable pitch. Keep it light, relaxed, and don’t push. As you move through the scale, avoid the instinct to physically lift or drop your body with the pitch—it can create unnecessary tension. Instead, stay neutral and steady. Fun fact: Your vocal cords move horizontally (front to back), not up and down. Keeping that visual in mind can help reduce strain and improve control.
• Sing a few lines from a favorite song (2 mins): Something in your range—think of The Beatles’ song “Let it Be,” a hymn you grew up with, even “Happy Birthday.” Pick the part you know best. Focus on clear words and steady breath, not sounding impressive. Aim your breath at the roof of your mouth for a consistent sound. And definitely focus on having fun! A positive mindset equates to a relaxed, open voice.
• Keep going if the mood strikes. But if not, you did your five-minute workout. Nice job!

I’ve worked with lawyers, teachers, and engineers who started with simple lip trills and now speak with confidence and presence. Their secret? Short daily practice, not marathon sessions. And never skip the warm-up—singing without it is like trying to sprint without stretching. It makes for a frustrating practice.

Singing isn’t just about talent, music, or adopting another hobby, it’s voice training, breath control, and expression. It’s how you connect your body to your message. If your voice is a tool, singing is how you keep it sharp.

So sing. Boldly, regularly, imperfectly. Your speaking voice will get stronger, clearer, and more confident—just like your legs get stronger with running. It’s not magic. It’s muscle memory. And it’s totally within reach. Your strongest voice might be hiding in a simple melody. Go find it.

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