So there you have it. My quest to finish my book in 60 days is off to a good start. Chapter 1 is finished. To be honest, it’s been finished for quite some time, but I did a few edits to it this morning and feel like sharing it with you.
The chapter is an introduction to the topic of “How to Make Your Speech Sound Like Music to Their Ears“. Once you’ve read it, I would love to hear your comments and questions … especially your questions. I would like to add an FAQ section to the first chapter, so I welcome any questions you have about the subject and how you can use the method when you prepare speeches.
Enjoy.
If you want your speeches to persuade your audiences …
If you want your speeches to inspire your audiences …
If you want your speeches to move your audiences to take action … make your speeches sound like music to their ears — literally!
Why music? Because music and successful speeches have two things in common: the effect they have on people, and the elements they contain.
THE EFFECTS
Music and successful speeches are easy to remember. I’m not going to be rude and ask your age, but I’m willing to bet you can remember songs, word for word, that you haven’t heard in 10, 20 … maybe even 50 years. I’m also willing to bet you can remember some signature stories, analogies and phrases you heard in speeches several decades ago. This doesn’t happen by mistake. Both music and successful speeches are structured so that it’s easy for the listener to remember them.
Music and successful speeches are also repeated by those who hear them. Have you ever heard a song you liked so much, you couldn’t help but tell a friend about it? Have you ever heard a song on the radio and then caught yourself singing the song? Have you ever found yourself singing a song you couldn’t stand? My answer to all of the above is a resounding “YES”! The same is true of successful speeches. Have you ever repeated the phrases “I have a dream”, “ask not what your country can do for you”, “the only thing to fear is fear itself” or, more recently, “yes we can”? It’s not a coincidence, because both music and successful speeches are structured in such a way that others will repeat their words.
Music and successful speeches are responded to by their listeners. If you’re the type who enjoys people watching, you’ve probably seen what I refer to as “Karaoke Shopping Stars”. These are your run-of-the-mill adults who saunter down the dairy aisle and break into song and dance when one of their favourite oldies starts to play over the P.A. system. Without giving it a second thought, they end up responding to the music. I highly doubt a speech will ever cause someone to dance in the dairy aisle, but people respond to successful speeches. They respond by donating to charities. They respond by casting their votes. They respond by increasing their productivity at work. Once again, this isn’t a coincidence, because music and successful speeches are developed so people will respond to them.
If your audience remembers, repeats and responds to your speech, then you know you have a successful speech.
THE ELEMENTS
There are eight essential elements in music that also exist in successful speeches — eight essential elements that make your speeches sound like music to the ears of your audience.
The Chorus
In music, the chorus is the central theme of the song. The chorus is the reason the song was written. In your speech, the chorus is the theme or main point of your speech. The chorus is your reason for delivering the speech.
The Hook
In music, the hook is the catchy part of a song (it may exist in the chorus) that you can’t get out of your head. It’s the part that people sing to themselves over and over. In your speech, the hook is the word, phrase or sentence that people remember and repeat long after your speech has been given.
Verses
In music, the verses of a song help you to better understand the chorus. They tell the whole story. In a speech, your verses will have the same role: to bring clarity to the chorus and tell your story.
Musical Interludes
In music, musical interludes indicate you are making a transition from one part of your song to the next. In speeches, your musical interludes serve as points of transition from one thought to another or one section to another.
Mood
In music, every song creates a certain mood. People will often listen to music to get into a mood or get out of a mood. In speeches, you also have to set a mood that is appropriate for the audience and the occasion.
Rhythm
In music, rhythm is the variation of the duration of sounds (notes) within a certain time frame. In speech, rhythm is the variation of word length and sentence structure.
Expression
In music, expression marks are used to describe how notes are to be played: soft, loud, with feeling, etc …
In a speech, expression describes how much or how little emphasis you give to particular words and phrases.
The Bridge
In music, a bridge serves as a point of transition that signals the end of the song is near. The transition usually takes the song to a higher level of emotion before “connecting” back to the chorus. In a speech, the bridge is used to reflect on the speech and then segue into the final chorus.
That’s it! Well, kind of. Because just knowing what the eight essential elements are isn’t going to make your speech sound like music to their ears. You’ll need to understand how to incorporate those elements into your speeches.
That’s what I’ll be sharing with you throughout this book. And whether you’re a politician, professional speaker, CEO, consultant, team leader, communications specialist, world-class athlete, student, preacher, teacher or entrepreneur, this book will show you how to develop and deliver speeches that will improve your powers of persuasion, build your reputation and move your audiences to take action.
Whether you write speeches or deliver them … whether you are new to giving speeches or experienced … once you incorporate the eight essential elements into your speeches, audiences will say your speech sounded like music to their ears — literally.
So … are you ready to make beautiful music together? Good. Music, Maestro!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I like your approach John of using music as a metaphor for a successful speech and seeing what we can learn from that. Here’s a couple of observations:
1. You said “make your speeches sound like music to their ears — literally!” It’s not literally – because it won’t sound exactly like that. You’re using music as a metaphor.
2. As you carry on writing your book, be careful about stretching your metaphor to far – you don’t want to beat it to death.
Go well with your writing
Olivia
Thanks for your feedback, Olivia. I’ve been using the word “literally” since I first developed the theory. It’s always good to have a fresh pair of eyes.
Thanks again
Hey John,
I think it’s great. I never got bored and I wanted to continue reading.
Just 2 small items…Under the “bridge” section in Par. 3 you started a sentence with “And”. It’s not proper grammatically. Also, in Par. 4 I’m not sure if it’s “…new to giving speeches…or…new at giving speeches…”
Eden.
Great start, John! And I applaud your diligence in getting the book together in 60 days. Nothing focuses the mind like a deadline!
I guess the question I have for you is do you start with a particular one of the eight elements?
Sue
Thanks for the feedback, Eden. I’m glad the opening makes you want to read more. That’s what I was hoping for
I’ll certainly be handing my manuscript over for editing. It’s so much easier when someone else corrects your work.
Thanks for the encouragement, Sue. I’ve been sitting on the book for too long, so the 60-day goal has me motivated and focused.
I’m in the process of outlining my chapters right now. Once I’m finished, I’m going to start with the chapter I feel is the easiest to finish. It’s all about inertia
With reference to an earlier comment, I’d like to make a quick point regarding the use of “and” at the start of a sentence: This is perfectly acceptable, though, like any stylistic device, it should not be used to excess.
To quote the very balanced Reader’s Digest guide to English usage, “The Right Word at the Right Time”:
“And” has been commonly used as the first word of a sentence for ten centuries now — throughout the history of written English. The schoolroom prohibition on using “and” to begin a sentence has not been going on quite that long, but has become a well-entrenched traditional “rule” of English grammar. And pedantic schoolteachers and stylists continue to abide by it and impose it on others.
(Note how tongue-in-cheek they get the point across in the final sentence!)
So — ignore the pedants, and just keep on making music.
(And please don’t get me started on instances where the use of a comma before “and” is entirely appropriate.)
Thanks for the comment, Johan.
I like using “and” at the beginning of sentences
Great start, John! I love the metaphor. One idea I would like to suggest would be to perhaps include in your opening paragraph a couple of examples of lyrics that most of your readers would recognize?? I like examples. Also, in your future chapters, inserting some simple and practical exercises to involve your readers may be good. (or will you be doing that already?)
Good stuff. I’m ready to learn!
Hi Linda,
Thanks for taking the time to read the chapter and give me feedback. The next chapter begins with some popular choruses, but it could work in this chapter as well.
The idea of having exercises for each chapter is a good one. I had thought about it but hadn’t committed to doing it. You’ve nudged me into committing.
Thanks again!
Great start. Speaking is a real art. Just like muusic is.
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