# How To Make My Voice Sound Deeper or Sexier **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 18, 2004, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021 "2004-06-18T11:55:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Certainly\_If\_You\_Please](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Certainly\_If\_You\_Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Certainly_If_You_Please)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/1 "2004-06-18T11:55:49Z")
Does anyone know how I could make my phone voice sexier or deeper? (I’m a guy). The only possibility that comes to mind is being sick…my voice sounds deeper before I’m going to get a sore throat or cold and after I’m recovering. I wonder if there are exercises I could do? Or something I could drink or eat before I’m going to leave a phone message or talk to someone over the phone…? I’m more concerned about my recording voice rather than day-to-day, so it could be something that just temporarily makes my voice sound better. thanks! ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/2 "2004-06-18T12:21:39Z")
There are devices that can be purchased from electronics shops that distort the voice in this way. Inhaling some xenon, or more easily available argon, before talking would also do the trick. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/3 "2004-06-18T12:45:38Z")
Smoking and drinking whiskey for a decade or so will generally drop your voice an octive or so. Who are you trying to bullshit on the phone, by the way? ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/4 "2004-06-18T12:54:16Z")
Voice lessons. I don’t know where you live, but most large cities have vocal coaches who could help you. Lauren Bacall said she lowered her voice by going out into the hills and shouting herself hoarse, but she’s full of it. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/5 "2004-06-18T12:58:49Z")
I would also like to know of such a technique. I unfortunately was blessed with a voice fran drescher would be scared of. ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/6 "2004-06-18T13:03:28Z")
Singing warm-ups designed to stretch the bottom of your range, like descending scales, can widen your vocal range to include the possibility of a deeper voice. From there, it’s just a matter of using the lower registers of your voice consciously when you’re on the phone. There are physical limits, of course. If you have a higher-pitched (tenor) voice, however, there is only so much you can do to stretch it downward. Just as I will never be able to sing in a full-throated soprano, you will probably never be able to sing “Old Man River” in the original key and octave. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/7 "2004-06-18T14:36:39Z")
If you take singing lessons from a proper instructor, they will teach you how to use your diaphragm as the proper means of supporting the voice. My “natural” speaking voice has a distinctly tenor range. My singing voice, though, and the speaking voice supported from the diaphragm, are a robust low baritone. I feel pretty sure that voice lessons aimed at speaking rather than singing can have a similar effect, although I grant that the lowering of pitch in my case might well be the exception rather than the rule. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/8 "2004-06-18T15:46:19Z")
Above posts regarding voice training are very good. However, be aware that you need not lower the pitch to have a deeper, more powerful sounding voice. The important thing is not the pitch but the fullness of tone and ability to project. This is accomplished by proper breath support (from the diaphragm as mentioned), and also to a lesser extent by opening the passages in the throat and head to manage the resonant space. Clear enunciation also helps. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/9 "2004-06-18T16:34:37Z")
For a quick and dirty approach, try inhaling a lungful of Sulfur Hexafluoride. Instant James Earl Jones! ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/10 "2004-06-18T16:46:16Z")
Learn how to do this “glottal or vocal fry” thing - like the Tibetan monks do; although that sounds more gross than sexy. Alternately find a Barry White soundboard and use it to do your talking on the phone like pranksters do with Anord Shwarzeneggar or Sgt. Hartman soundboards for making calls :D. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/11 "2004-06-18T16:51:02Z")
:smack: yeah great spelling… governor _Anord_ :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/12 "2004-06-18T16:51:29Z")
If you could become an old, black, blues singer that would do it. Otherwise, Jim Beam and filterless cigs are the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/13 "2004-06-18T17:11:19Z")
Yeah, who are you trying to bullshit on the phone? 😉 Let me guess, you heard a recording of yourself on the phone and you didn’t really like it. If that’s the case, you fit in with 99% percent of the population that uses the phone. No one likes their voice. My suggestion is to just talk normally, as you would in everyday conversations off the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/14 "2004-06-18T18:14:30Z")
You may soon have plastic surgery options available, if not already. From the BBC: [Surgery ‘makes you sound young’](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3641857.stm) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/15 "2004-06-18T18:20:13Z")
I make my living on the phone (giving money away, not asking people for theirs). When I have a virus baritone I get my way ALL THE TIME. The voice is deeper & softer and sounds more relaxed like a good buddy. The rest of the time my voice is a sort of hight tenor that can relay my normally stressed out persona. People don’t trust stressed out voices because they sound like timid liars. That’s one real good reason for a question like the OP’s. When I’m not sick I do voice exercises in the car on the way in to work. Sometimes this means singing along with Joe Cocker, Axl Rose, or Warren Zevon. Other times it’s the “King Kong” exercise: the ‘lyrics’ are “King Kong, Ding Dong, Bing Bo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ng.” Sung loudly from the diaphragm, start out at your normal mid range voice and in a sing-song voice: Sing “King Kong” Drop to near the bottom of your normal register and sing “Ding Dong” Drop to the lowest comfortable note you can hit and sing “Bing Bo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ng” and while you’re singing the Bong part, lower your voice as much as you can. About 10 reps of this daily & you’ll get what your looking for…and a few odd stares from traffic/other bus passengers, etc if you’re not careful. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/16 "2004-06-18T18:20:31Z")
A voice teacher I know says you really can’t extend the low end of your range, due to genetics. Your vocal cords are only so long, and your throat only so large. Take me for example - after my voice changed during puberty, I was able to hit a low E note, but I wasn’t able to sing very high. With years of practice, I learned how to sing very high (I can sometimes get into the soprano range!), but the bottom of my range is still stuck at that low E. Sure, sometimes, very early in the morning or when I’m getting over a chest cold I can go a little bit lower, but for all practical purposes the low E is still the bottom. Now, even even though I’m a natural bass when singing, my speaking voice is higher, in the baritone/low-tenor range. I can talk like Barry White if I want to, but it sounds put-on. My higher speaking voice sounds much more natural. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/17 "2004-06-18T21:38:23Z")
> [@Phase42](#): > > A voice teacher I know says you really can’t extend the low end of your range, due to genetics. Your vocal cords are only so long, and your throat only so large. But length of the vocal cords isn’t the only determinant of pitch. There’s also _mass_. I would expect that if you abuse your larynx enough through smoking, screaming in the wilderness, or whatever, you could develop enough scar tissue to make that sore-throat basso profundo permanent. Or you could end up with a post-operative whisper like Miles. Try it and let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/18 "2004-06-18T21:49:41Z")
> [@Inigo Montoya](#): > > I make my living on the phone (giving money away, not asking people for theirs). When I have a virus baritone I get my way ALL THE TIME. The voice is deeper & softer and sounds more relaxed like a good buddy. The rest of the time my voice is a sort of hight tenor that can relay my normally stressed out persona. People don’t trust stressed out voices because they sound like timid liars. > . And if this isn’t the truth, I don’t know what is. I too make my living on the phone, and I’ve also learned that a deep register gets me to who I need and done in a quarter of the time my stressy normal voice does. But Inigo, my friend, I too am stuck with the same high tenor and I get the same mistrust of people thinking me a liar. I never thought about it that way before. Well I guess it’s off to gargle Drano for me… ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/19 "2004-06-18T23:13:20Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > But length of the vocal cords isn’t the only determinant of pitch. There’s also _mass_. I would expect that if you abuse your larynx enough through smoking, screaming in the wilderness, or whatever, you could develop enough scar tissue to make that sore-throat basso profundo permanent. Good point. However, I’ve smoked for years, and sung a whole bunch of screaming heavy metal, and I still can’t get below that low E as a practical thing. Maybe I"ve just been screaming _properly_, and so don’t damage my vocal cords 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021/20 "2004-06-18T23:51:36Z")
Just entering puberty, are we? It’ll pass. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-my-voice-sound-deeper-or-sexier/251021.md?page=2)