Ever felt your voice freeze when trying to explain an idea? Or that your speech doesn’t keep up with your thoughts during a presentation? If so, this post is for you!
Communication is a critical skill for developers — whether you're explaining a solution, defending a technical decision, or sharing knowledge. The good news? You can train it!
Here are 8 practical vocal exercises to unlock your voice and 5 powerful techniques used by world-class speakers to improve your communication — even if you're just starting out.
🎤 Part 1: Vocal Exercises to Unlock Your Speech
1. 🎶 The Power of “La La La”
Inspired by the movie Sister Act, this exercise helps loosen up your tongue. Watch "Oh Happy Day - Sister Act". she teaches a youth choir to warm up with “la la la”.
Tip: Imagine you're part of the choir and follow along. It’s fun and surprisingly effective!
2. 💨 Lip Trills
Before any talk or recording, make a motorboat sound by blowing air through your lips. Repeat 5 times, with breathing pauses.
This relaxes your facial muscles and improves articulation.
3. ✏️ The Pen Exercise
Place a pen horizontally between your teeth and try speaking simple phrases. This forces your mouth to articulate more clearly and slows down your speech.
Great for improving clarity and rhythm!
4. 🔊 SI FU XI PA
Say these syllables with emphasis, stressing each one individually: SI, FU, XI, PA.
Helps train vocal tone and control.
5. 👅 Tongue 360º
Move your tongue in a circular motion inside your mouth. This relaxes your jaw, cheeks, and chin.
Perfect for reducing tension before speaking.
6. 🧠 Tongue Twister #1
In a nest of gagafos, there are seven gagafinhos...
Say it as fast as you can without messing up — or mess up and try again!
Classic exercise to loosen up your mouth and improve verbal agility.
7. 🧵 Tongue Twister #2
The rat gnawed the rich robe of the king of Rome...
Focus on the R sound — it demands precise articulation.
Excellent for improving diction!
8. 🕷️ Tongue Twister #3
The spider scratches the frog. The frog scratches the spider...
Try saying it fast and clearly. It’s a challenge, but it’s a workout for your speech muscles.
🚀 Final Thoughts
These exercises and techniques are simple but powerful. If you're starting out in tech, remember: communicating well is just as important as coding well.
Train your voice like you train your code. And if you want to go further, start recording short videos explaining tech concepts — it’s a fast track to becoming a confident communicator.
Did you know any of these techniques already? Got a favorite one? Share in the comments below! 👇
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