Chapter 2
Exploring the Amazing Human Voice
In This Chapter
Experiencing the full range of vocal sounds
Hearing voices that changed the world
Dispelling voice myths
Making meaning of what you hear
T he human voice is powerful. Throughout history, voices have moved people and swayed opinions. Although words are important, they aren’t essential. The voice’s power is in the sound. I’m sure that even before language, when prehistoric man shouted ‘Aaahhh!’ from a mountaintop, his tribe down below could tell from the sound whether it meant, ‘I’ve caught supper’ or ‘I’ve been attacked by a sabre-toothed tiger!’ – and responded by stoking the fire or rushing to the rescue.
Before the printed word, the voice alone carried a group’s history via spoken stories. Each telling of a story was a new telling; the different tones and variations played major parts in creating the story’s impact. People listened intently and were moved by the sound of words. Words were sounds. Even after the introduction of the printed word, the great speeches were what caught the public imagination.
In the following ...
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