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The Right to Speak: Working with the Voice
In The Right to Speak, renowned voice teacher Patsy Rodenburg teaches you how to meet any speaking challenge with total self-assurance. Rodenburg has trained thousands of actors, singers, media personalities, lawyers, politicians, business people, teachers and students in the art of using their voice fully and expressively without fear. She has taught them how to breathe, how to support their breath, how to stretch their voice to meet any vocal effort and how to have total confidence in whatever they say--"the right to speak."
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 1992
105 people are currently reading
947 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 14, 2009
I thought this was exactly what I was looking for - a book on how to use the voice so that it doesn't tire after extended speaking, etc. However, Rodenburg fills a huge chunk of this book with psychobabble about "natural" v. "habitual" behaviors. Apparently anything infants do is natural, and as far as I can tell, anything they don't do isn't. She doesn't explain how this "natural" is desirable for those of us who like walking, speaking intelligible sentences, and sitting upright. And who are very glad all the adults around them don't spend all day screaming and crying. She thinks the restrictions we impose as children grow older are harmful, although she doesn't explain why this is true for voice and not, say, for waste elimination. Or maybe she thinks it's always true, and is actually marketing adult diapers.
The scary thing is that Rodenburg appears to be one of the more sane, down-to-earth voice teachers. Does this stuff not sell without weird, unsupported philosophical/psychological/medical baggage?
On the other hand, Ian McKellen (who wrote the forward) signed the copy of the book I got from the library, which is just very cool.
The scary thing is that Rodenburg appears to be one of the more sane, down-to-earth voice teachers. Does this stuff not sell without weird, unsupported philosophical/psychological/medical baggage?
On the other hand, Ian McKellen (who wrote the forward) signed the copy of the book I got from the library, which is just very cool.
May 17, 2021
A nice introduction to voice work.
Rodenburg's main point is to release the body of all unnecessary tension, and she gives several exercises to allow that to happen.
If you've gone through theatre school or have done any voice training, there is probably nothing new in this book for you. While she talks about it a little, I wish there were more anatomical notes on the larynx, diaphragm, and other vocal/respiratory musculature.
Rodenburg's main point is to release the body of all unnecessary tension, and she gives several exercises to allow that to happen.
If you've gone through theatre school or have done any voice training, there is probably nothing new in this book for you. While she talks about it a little, I wish there were more anatomical notes on the larynx, diaphragm, and other vocal/respiratory musculature.
June 17, 2024
soooooo good until it became redundant
August 17, 2018
A very helpful treatise on the principles of voice work and how it can be a tool for personal liberation.
Voice work has played a significant role in my personal and spiritual life so I found the first section to be a great "manifesto" of sorts on the importance of that work and its potential to address the literal physical effects of repression and restriction people face in the world.
As an actor, the the second and third sections are great handbooks for the vocal anatomy and how it works, as well a manual of tried and true vocal exercises. I will return to it often I am sure for inspiration and specific help.
Voice work has played a significant role in my personal and spiritual life so I found the first section to be a great "manifesto" of sorts on the importance of that work and its potential to address the literal physical effects of repression and restriction people face in the world.
As an actor, the the second and third sections are great handbooks for the vocal anatomy and how it works, as well a manual of tried and true vocal exercises. I will return to it often I am sure for inspiration and specific help.
January 30, 2016
I stumbled upon The Right To Speak after a friend watched one of my open mics and later suggested that I work on my diction when speaking and freestyling. As an aspiring spoken word poet, I had spent most of my time focusing on content and the rhythm of the pieces, not really looking to the delivery, the whole speaking process as a whole.
This book first debunks some myths surrounding vocal work, and gives some excellent insight into how the voice can be restrained by all manner of habits that develop throughout a lifetime. The advice is straight forward and has a reasonable amount of evidence through experience to support what is said. The aim of the first section seems to be to advocate the release of a natural voice- one free from harmful habits formed through posture, upbringing and more that obstruct its potential. One section which might draw divided opinion especially was the claim that an infant’s screams sounded more natural than the developed intellectual habits of adulthood. I personally could see Rodenburg’s point, as infants aren’t likely to hold anything back when expressing their needs emotionally, especially when through voice. Rodenburg also breaks down habits specific to men and women, which I also found to be insightful.
The second part of the book contains some techniques on how you can centre your body, relax and develop your voice. The main aim seems to be to release tension and then to progress from there. I like that Rodenburg admits that this isn’t a simple matter of doing the exercise once or twice for a sudden improvement- it does take commitment in order to notice any effects of vocal work.
I like this book, and I recommend it. The advice might seem straightforward and unconventional when you place it against traditional vocal teachers, but the book has a combination of evidence and an emphasis on what comes natural to make it a very enjoyable and relaxing read. It’s very difficult to write a review straight after reading this book, as I haven’t actually fully practiced all the techniques discussed. However, I’ll definitely go and give it a try.
This book first debunks some myths surrounding vocal work, and gives some excellent insight into how the voice can be restrained by all manner of habits that develop throughout a lifetime. The advice is straight forward and has a reasonable amount of evidence through experience to support what is said. The aim of the first section seems to be to advocate the release of a natural voice- one free from harmful habits formed through posture, upbringing and more that obstruct its potential. One section which might draw divided opinion especially was the claim that an infant’s screams sounded more natural than the developed intellectual habits of adulthood. I personally could see Rodenburg’s point, as infants aren’t likely to hold anything back when expressing their needs emotionally, especially when through voice. Rodenburg also breaks down habits specific to men and women, which I also found to be insightful.
The second part of the book contains some techniques on how you can centre your body, relax and develop your voice. The main aim seems to be to release tension and then to progress from there. I like that Rodenburg admits that this isn’t a simple matter of doing the exercise once or twice for a sudden improvement- it does take commitment in order to notice any effects of vocal work.
I like this book, and I recommend it. The advice might seem straightforward and unconventional when you place it against traditional vocal teachers, but the book has a combination of evidence and an emphasis on what comes natural to make it a very enjoyable and relaxing read. It’s very difficult to write a review straight after reading this book, as I haven’t actually fully practiced all the techniques discussed. However, I’ll definitely go and give it a try.
May 12, 2014
This is a spectacular book. Patsy Rodenburg has a way of making it feel like you are in the best lecture of your life, one that is consistently touching, surprising, and entertaining, and one that teaches you things you can hold on to for the rest of your life. It's pretty much a Bible for actors, singers, and other performers. Also useful for anyone who talks.
January 22, 2020
I feel like they used too much words to explain the ideas in the book. The book should be streamlined and unneccessary words cut out to reduce over wording and reduce the book size.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2018
Overraskende dekkende når det gjelder stemmebruk og hvordan ulike sensasjoner og minner og vaner påvirker stemmen vår. Veldig motiverende bok. Og så syns jeg det er kult at Patsy gang på gang påpeker at alle mennesker burde bli bedre kjent med stemmen sin og behandle den bedre - ikke bare artister. Kult!
May 9, 2021
Simply a wonderful book with important insights to discover! Well done!
August 11, 2021
Patsy has such a clear articulation about her. The exposition before the exercises is liberating and triumphant and a great way to shift your perspective on your instrument.
June 24, 2022
Absolutely invaluable for anyone who uses their voice at all artistically.
April 22, 2013
interesting book. Rodenburg expresses natural voice and habitual voice as well as focusing on the causes that influences our voices. She describes The natural voice, or which I’ve discovered to be the ‘free’ voice. Of which we release without pretence, training or force.The natural voice is the way we sound when we are born. The vocal equipment which we enter the world in, becomes changed and influenced by what Rodenburg terms as the “Habitual Voice”.
The habitual voice is the voice that becomes changed or restricted. This happens due to several habits that we incur throughout our day in our daily lives that forces us to change the way our voice sound..
By frequently allowing the habitual voice to take over, we gradually lose touch with our Natural Voice. Inevitably the voice loses its flexibility and we become conformed by our habits. Thus allowing the habit to control the way you speak.
However the natural voice is still within, even though it may be forgotten...
After reading The right to speak I acknowledge the many times throughout my life thus far, that I had used a range of voices whilst communicating to different people.
Whilst working I had used a more mature corporate voice, in order for people to take me more seriously; Being around friends I would speak more casually and trendy. Around the opposite sex I would tend to come across more confidently and strong, to avoid coming across as inferior.
Explaining tasks to our domestic worker Mary, would require me to use a more understandable and simple way of speaking considering the low education level of Mary.
Having a mum as a teacher did not make it any easier for me to let out my natural voice 100%. I would often switch roles from being a daughter to being a student, all of which required me using a different tone and pitch. Thus after reading this book you become aware of the variety your voice actually contains
The habitual voice is the voice that becomes changed or restricted. This happens due to several habits that we incur throughout our day in our daily lives that forces us to change the way our voice sound..
By frequently allowing the habitual voice to take over, we gradually lose touch with our Natural Voice. Inevitably the voice loses its flexibility and we become conformed by our habits. Thus allowing the habit to control the way you speak.
However the natural voice is still within, even though it may be forgotten...
After reading The right to speak I acknowledge the many times throughout my life thus far, that I had used a range of voices whilst communicating to different people.
Whilst working I had used a more mature corporate voice, in order for people to take me more seriously; Being around friends I would speak more casually and trendy. Around the opposite sex I would tend to come across more confidently and strong, to avoid coming across as inferior.
Explaining tasks to our domestic worker Mary, would require me to use a more understandable and simple way of speaking considering the low education level of Mary.
Having a mum as a teacher did not make it any easier for me to let out my natural voice 100%. I would often switch roles from being a daughter to being a student, all of which required me using a different tone and pitch. Thus after reading this book you become aware of the variety your voice actually contains
February 28, 2010
I manage to strain my voice very easily and I thought this book would help. 2 years on I know a hundred different voice relaxing techniques which I'm sure are effective, but not so in my case. A good read for public speakers/performers.
November 30, 2016
This book is liberating. Anyone who speaks for a living should read this. Anyone can read this and learn a lot about themselves and the way they talk, and how to use their voice and bodies to the best of their potential. Thank you, Patsy!
May 3, 2024
The first half of this book outlines best-practices for public speaking and performance that are accessible to laymen. The second half is more technical and directed at performers. To either audience, this book should inspire you to reclaim the freedom of your self and your voice.
August 29, 2008
Recommended to me by a dear friend who recently read it as part of a class. I bought a copy of "The Actor Speaks" as well.
July 9, 2013
A classic text for anyone who wants to learn about voice production.
November 20, 2017
A must read for any actor
tl-dr
August 1, 2017Great info on correct posture and working your voice in an efficient manner, that alone is worth a read.
Numerous voice exercises that seem very useful but being honest I'm too lazy to actually do them, so I left the book unfinished, and I do not rate unfinished books.
Numerous voice exercises that seem very useful but being honest I'm too lazy to actually do them, so I left the book unfinished, and I do not rate unfinished books.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews