Presidential Timbre

When you hear the sound of Barack Obama's voice, how does it make you feel? How about the sound of John McCain's voice?

Musicians talk a lot about 'timbre,' the overall quality of a sound, be it vocal or instrumental. And if pressed, most musicians will admit that the entire purpose of music, all music, is to evoke emotion.

We fuss endlessly about the words and logic our politicians use. Sometimes -- especially if the politicians are women -- we take note of their attire.

But close your eyes for a moment, and forget about the red, blue or gold power ties or the Tina Fey glasses; pay no attention to what the candidates are saying. Shut off your logical left brain and simply attend to how you feel when you hear their voices.

Pull up any video from YouTube or the candidates' official websites, look away from the screen, and just listen. Do you feel hopeful? Angry? Inspired? Depressed? Bored? Frustrated?

There was a time, pre-television, when voice mattered more in politics. In a 1939 Time Magazine article of the same title -- Presidential Timbre -- radio critics judged the vocal power of the presidential front runners of the day. Thomas Dewey was rated "Resonant, effective, his short staccato sentences ending with a punch you know is in the man himself."

One kicker the McCain campaign might want to consider: about FDR, the critic wrote, "Only other noticeable blemish: the phrase 'My friends,' which now seems like a radio trick."

Comments

[Freesia2]

Whether a voice is appealing or not is entirely subjective of course. But I do think that when the message is being broadcast over Obama's tonsils, it is more effective. He measures his tone and plays out the rise and fall almost like following a score of music. He uses his voice like an instrument. His voice has a lower register than McCain's and there's a softness to it that oddly says "strength". It's like when a father speaks to a small child. Not condescending, but calming. When he chooses to boom it a bit, it is arresting.

McCain's voice is at a higher register and he tends to breathe through his words which always give them a mild hiss. There's softness like Obama's, but it doesn't read as strength. His softness tiptoes. I'm influenced of course by the fact that I don't like what he has to say, but I have heard him say (back when he was the McCain people liked) things I agreed with and it annoyed me even then. His speech goes up at odd moments and combined with the hiss he always sounds like he's sneaking out his opinion. Throw in that strange little laugh and he sounds like he's snickering.

A person has the voice they're born with though they can learn to use it better. I think Obama understands the power of his voice and uses it well. I think McCain should listen to tapes of himself. His voice often undermines his words.

[Lexica]

McCain's voice - the cadence of his speech and (lack of) inflection - is sleep inducing. He should be reading to children at the local library.

[Pavane]

McCain unfortunately snivels, especially when he laughs. Barack has an authortative, reassuring voice. I see what you mean.