Post: #1

How do you acquire the tonality of the Alpha Male?

I've seen a number of films and television series in which the protagonist is an Alpha Male, with the voice and tonality to go with it. It's always been striking to me, an object of envy. The primary characteristic, in my mind, is that air of finality - I'm thinking of James Bond, and esp. Don Draper in Mad Men. The tonality says, "You will obey, no questions asked," and implies he has your full attention at his disposal. Campbell Scott in Roger Dodger (a funny pickup-type movie) is another, perhaps flawed, model.

I have a deep and relaxed voice, but it's a bit weak. Strangely, it strengthens when I drink, which makes me think it's mostly mental. I took a couple voice lessons, which consisted of being taught how to exercise my diaphragm, which seemed to just deepen my voice more. I have some instructional videos on my computer, but didn't keep to the regimen in them. Maybe I just have to get used to taking a slightly commanding tone with my friends.

I'm reminded of something I saw in one of RSD's videos - that Aussie guy mentions three modes of communicating, seeking rapport, neutral rapport, and breaking rapport, in which you have rising (eg, when asking a question, people often raise their tone towards the end), neutral, and falling tonality, respectively.