Bringing Your Full Voice to Life | Barbara McAfee | TEDxGustavusAdolphusCollege

No matter what you do for a living, you spend a good part of every day in conversation - at work, at home, and in your community. As important as our voices are, few of us know how to use them to their full potential. Many of us feel self-conscious about how we sound, but don’t know how to make authentic, lasting change in our voices.
Barbara created the Five Elements Framework through decades of voice coaching with people from many walks of life. It offers a pragmatic (and fun) way to increase vocal awareness, flexibility, and expression in everyday communication. The framework shows you how to use your voice to project authority, express passion, convey empathy, and invoke inspiration. Discovering your own full voice brings hidden gifts to light and awakens a deeper level of listening to yourself and others.
Barbara McAfee is a voice coach, singer/songwriter, keynoter, and author who merges lessons from 12 years in organization development with the transformative power of sound.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@lachirios4455]

📍Earth voice 7:53 - authority 📍Fire voice 9:24 g passion and personal power, public speaking 📍Water voice 11:13 - best for apology 📍Metal voice 12:30 - best in noisy environment 📍Air voice 14:13 -storytelling

[@kadymalloyvoice]

vocal empowerment through psychology - I have been doing exactly this for years- making children and adults alike trust their own voices and volume - you are brilliant thank you for this gift

[@mcafeemusic]

Kady Malloy Thanks, Kady! So happy to know you are out there calling forth voices. Blessings....

[@emmalikesflowers]

Bubblegum Kush Thank you so much for sharing your gifts and knowledge 💐

[@MekhiTV]

She literally classified the human voice and sound into the 4 elements. Using yoga. Psychology and a dash of class. Well done Barbara 💕 and thank you so much Queen

[@MegaZoomeZ]

Nice to see the audience really into it

[@MrBryan90]

This element system is perfect.

[@alanbhattarai]

this is the one of the best ted x talks show love you Barbara McAfee

[@AvrahamNKluger]

Barbara, Your presentations rings truth. At the age of 46 I thought that while I have an organ with several keyboards, I limited my life to a small range on one keyboard. At the age of 48, I started taking voice classes, and now some 9 years later I am still discovering new colors in my voice (in my self). BRAVO. Avi

[@mcafeemusic]

Avraham N Kluger Thanks so much, Avi! So happy to hear you are opening up your voice and your life.

[@Inglesao]

She is great!

[@mikomichael9555]

Her Voice is awesome, i could listen to it all day!

[@SherryKWillette]

Thank You for sharing... Multiple Sclerosis took my normal speech away. I stammer at times now..Your inspiring..☺

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks, Sherry - I hope you find ways to express yourself with this new voice.....blessings.

[@RyanVoorhies]

incredibly eloquent presentation! wow!

[@devorazack4968]

barbara is one of a kind, and we are all better for her voice in the world...

[@mcafeemusic]

Devora Zack Thank you so much!

[@donraccoon6316]

Barbara the best! 😍

[@siouxsea2612]

The ending made me cry a bit : ) BEAUTIFUL thank you

[@Biky750]

thank you, this touches me!

[@makaylahollywood3677]

I love this. She is real, gifted and sharing something beautiful and powerful. Lovely, brilliant talk;-) I would love to take classes from this woman.

[@amyaldred729]

wow. this is so inspiring and powerful, i did not know any of this thank you so much!

[@adriennewicker5214]

I first learned about Full Voice when I attended a presentation that Barbara did at a conference. It was a powerful session then and watching the video just now brought me back to that experience. A reminder to invite all of my voices out to play (and work).

[@mcafeemusic]

I am glad you made use of this to continue your vocal workouts, Adrienne!

[@IMrajnishsingh]

Gonna start practicing,but only when I am alone!

[@mcafeemusic]

Yes, Rajnish -- alone is a good place to start!

[@adejoke4875]

What an amazing, responsive and cooperative audience.

[@mcafeemusic]

Yes, they certainly were! Thank you for the comment....

[@stagesbookingandpromotions3548]

Excellent talk, Barbara

[@user-xc9hu5wv3u]

This is great I love this talk it's very helpful I found that my natural voice is fire and I use water if I'm talking with strangers but I learnt how to use the three other voices and I know when to use each one thank you so much

[@marinasmusings1231]

This is fantastic!!! Thank you! I'm currently writing a speech and I will definitely keep this in mind for my delivery. :-)

[@OseTaVoix]

thanks a lot for this talk, very inspiring and funny

[@funwithavril]

You are awesome in every voice and every way, Barbara McAfee!

[@mcafeemusic]

Avril Orloff Thanks, Peaches!

[@amandasaintil3600]

Excellent information in this presentation. I would like to give credit to 5 Element theory and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I learned about this in my Shiatsu Massage and Acupressure classes.

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks, Amanda! The elements I use are slightly different from the Chinese ones. Elements are everywhere, yes?

[@AbirLati]

That's amazing ❤ I hope you are safe in this hard time ❤ much much love for YOU. I'll start practicing as soon as my family wake 😁

[@ashleyvalentin3210]

Loved this!

[@liliyalilac2306]

I love love love this talk ❤❤❤

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@christianworth9276]

Well done Barbara! Useful, entertaining, educational.... and fun !

[@mcafeemusic]

Christian Worth Thank you, Christian!

[@emilythesongbird2306]

Thank you Barbara! You embodied with joy, lightness and power the truth of the voice I have come to understand through my own personal journey with my voice. I am deeply grateful for this reminder and for the added dimension of the 5 elements. I've never considered this dimension, but it makes so much sense. Many Blessings, Emily

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Emily!

[@emilythesongbird2306]

@@mcafeemusic Just watched this again 5 years later and am delighted with your approach. Your playful presence and thoughtful teaching is brilliant!

[@laurajoviala]

great talk! really enjoyed it! thanks..

[@xxxnsfw]

Very good teaching method and delivery.

[@nooriman5944]

Wow thank you so much. Your are just awesome.

[@PeteMachalek]

Barbara, you rock!

[@mcafeemusic]

Pete Machalek Thanks, Pete! It was a joy to share the stage with you!

[@Dizasteroner]

Love it..specially because she uses the elements, the base of everything. Many thanks =D

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks so much!

[@brendashenda4249]

Wonderful!

[@paxqi1005]

A treasure of a find! I so enJOYed this, Barbara, Thank You! You are amazing and powerful!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@kessangla7864]

you are amazing!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@VondaVadenBates10thDot]

BRAVEO! YES!

[@davidhendley5775]

Bravo Barbara! Love all your voices. Keep it up.

[@mcafeemusic]

David Hendley Thank you, David!

[@juliewg]

LOVE this talk... entertaining and powerful.

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks, Julie!

[@RandyWeeks]

Great talk! Inspiring, useful, and memorable, too. Thanks for the images and examples on all 5. 😎

[@mcafeemusic]

Randy Weeks Thanks, Randy.....

[@karollewicki9586]

Great woman

[@GreatWhiteMysteries-kb4uw]

Wow!

[@LynnOBrienLove]

profound being. :) love this woman.

[@mcafeemusic]

Lynn O'Brien Thank you, Lynn! It's so mutual....

[@HaleyMary]

Such an amazing talk!

[@christinaschulz131]

She is just amazing!!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you, Christina!

[@zitko04]

Thank you Barbara (: this is just what i needed today

[@mcafeemusic]

Nik Kočevar So happy to hear it, Nik!

[@RitaSaghen]

Thank You for this amazing talk! I am truely inspired to take control of my voice from now on. It was a real pleasure to listen to You, Barbara.

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@leRadicidelPiacere]

free voice, free personality

[@angelacai7301]

Thank you Barbara, it was amazing talk. I'm inspired by the book you wrote < The Voice> started my journey of opening up my full voice :) Really appreciate what you are sharing!!!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks so much, Angela! Hope you enjoy your vocal adventures....

[@AnnaZaidman]

Amazing speech!!!

[@jurogge]

Que pessoa maravilhosa! 💛 Me inspirou tanto! Obrigada!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@rodrigomejiaarmijo]

superb!

[@MelissaLeao]

What a nice talk and what a beautiful person she is! Very inspiring!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@rhondawalker3795]

What a wonderful communication lesson for everyone, speakers or not

[@mcafeemusic]

Rhonda Walker Thanks so much, Rhonda!

[@lijokjose]

This is beautiful... Love it...

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@OkOk-ii5yc]

This was phenominal!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank youu!

[@chrismadu7730]

Beautiful

[@joseromerokeith423]

Dear Barbara. Thank you for sharing this TED talk with your ALIA friends. It became a true gift of live to enter into your energy again; the scenography is superbly implemented; the content of the talk highly refined, useful, can´t wait to take a VOICE workshop with you. where is the info?; your delivery was fun, communicative and enlightening. With gratitude, José (loads of love from Mexico- our love to Meg)

[@mcafeemusic]

José K. Romero Hello Jose' --- I was just thinking about you and our wonderful conversation at ALIA years ago. I offer voice workshops from time to time. It would be a joy to welcome you into one of those! I will send your love to Meg next time I see her -- in August. Warmly, Barbara

[@DarlaReborn]

That was amazing!!!

[@mcafeemusic]

Darla Reborn Thanks so much!

[@carlospaivabr]

Vem para o Brasil :)

[@TrueAngel1963]

Yes.

[@mcafeemusic]

Rebecca Smith Thank you!

[@stephaniemenning6539]

Superb!

[@mcafeemusic]

Stephanie Menning Thanks, Stephanie!

[@BluegillGreg]

That piano is Yamaha's least expensive keyboard with its best action, it's in a steel case, and it has stereo high output low noise balanced trs jacks as well as standard and usb midi.

[@atefalmalky9268]

This is amazing video, i love it

[@AsteriETERNAL]

:-)) That was pretty coOL! Loved it!

[@mcafeemusic]

Thanks!

[@josephfernando4867]

Phenomenal...

[@mcafeemusic]

Thank you!

[@nhamkim3479]

Joseph Fernando

[@INDIANXxhgpp9907]

highly recommended : Set your voice free

[@ravenlittlewing3783]

I would Love to know the name of the Song she opened this with!!!

[@mcafeemusic]

It is called Navajo Blessing. The tune is by Jody Healy with words by Kabir.

[@Mr_T_Abe]

You gotta love contraltos

[@NishantDwivediMusic]

She copied the lyrics from an Indian Song by Anup Jalota In hindi it was... "Jab hum paida huey Jag hase hum Roye Aisi Karni kar chalo Hum hase jag Roye" Hahahaha.. We Indians are great musicians to copy from, Good work ! :P

[@s.a.mckernan3684]

What was that song she sang at the beginning?

[@mcafeemusic]

It's called Navajo Blessing by Jody Healy. Lyrics by Kabir.

[@zuchampkikon3163]

Awesome talk....... Mam, I loose my voice (change in the voice) after talking for sometime. I have a problem of having to clear my throat coz of constant mucus filling in the throat. I have visited an ENT doctor, all is well except because of gastric reflux for which the doctor has prescribed medicines. I feel my life is lifeless because the tone of my voice is not consistent. I have to change my facial expression to try coping up with my voice tone. It is completely tearing my life apart. Please help me or refer me to some sites if possible. Thanks & sincere regards.

[@mcafeemusic]

So sorry to hear about your struggles with your voice. It sounds like you are doing all you can to address it. Best of luck....

[@blueskies773]

This was 4 years ago. I hope you’re doing well. I would visit a naturopath. I had constant mucus in my throat after being exposed to mold. It went away after a lengthy detox.

[@stephaniefink8599]

No data privacy in our voices - that's the truth! Can practice with the five voice elements change that?

[@mcafeemusic]

I'm not sure if practicing the Five Elements will shift that -- but becoming more intentional about how you speak can ensure better communications....

[@51tomtomtom]

but who says "Lasagna" ?

[@mcafeemusic]

Yes - it's a funny way to open up a loud, fiery sound. It helps people get used to being that loud, so when they dial it back to everyday speech, it won't feel so odd. Thanks for the question.

[@Cyallaire]

Hillary Clinton has the metal voice in spades.

[@cinmac3]

Cynthia Allaire what do you mean by that, Cynthia?

[@Wicktoria]

That yamny sound made me yawn

[@mcafeemusic]

Yes - happens all the time! Thank you.

[@Andy-pp5ic]

this is all great but from sounding like a girl she sounds like a guy and that is not good

[@kathleensarachinsky1460]

Too much canned laughter.. Worthless video