Chapter 3: Finding Your Voice

Brittany B
Nov 28
10 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

This chapter discusses vocal training specifically for erotic work. Tips and techniques for breath control, seductive tone, emotional expression, and improvisation. Understanding the importance of pacing, realism, and how to safely use vocal strain without damaging your voice. Plus my favourite teas and home remedies to keep your voice silky, strong, and ready for recording

💋 Why Your Voice Is Everything

Before I became an erotic voice actress I was a radio announcer! I’ve worked at many different radio stations across Canada; but one thing I was told about the industry always stuck in my mind. When you apply for a radio job you send in a demo reel: If the boss doesn’t like your voice, they won't listen to the whole demo, and you won't even be considered for the job.At the very least; the person hiring you needs to like the way your voice sounds. This is very similar to how your audience will find you. Some people will instantly like the way you sound and want to hear more, some people won't. Don’t take it personally In erotic audio, your voice is your entire performance, your entire brand even! It’s not just about sounding "sexy" - it’s about building trust, arousing curiosity, and creating an intimate emotional experience with your audience that feels authentic. Unlike traditional acting, erotic voice work relies heavily on nuance, subtle tension, and immersive delivery. It’s less about being loud or theatrical and more about being believable, in the moment and emotionally connected

This chapter will guide you through some very basic vocal training tailored specifically to erotic performance from breath control and seductive tone to improvisation and emotional expression

🌬️ Breath Control

I really believe that your breathing is everything in an erotic performance. It's how you build suspense, signal arousal, or guide the listener without even saying a word. This is one of the reasons I don't recommend removing your breaths in the editing phase. Your breathing will help guide you and the listener and give a more authentic experience.

Breath Control Techniques

Diaphragm breathing: Practice breathing deeply into your belly, not your chest. This gives you more control, stability, and vocal depth Controlled exhalation: Practice releasing your breath slowly while speaking to create softness and tension (perfect for whispers or teasing) Breath awareness: Don’t try to eliminate all breathing, instead use it as a tool. A shaky inhale, a sigh, or a gasp can be incredibly evocative if placed intentionally *Try this: Record a line in two versions: one with no breath sounds, and one with subtle breaths included. Listen to how the emotional intimacy changes Here's an erotic line you can use to practice: "I want to feel every inch of you, slowly."

Version 1 – No Breath Sounds: Deliver the line smoothly and evenly. Avoid any audible inhales or exhales. Keep it clear and calm

Version 2 – With Subtle Breaths: Begin with a soft inhale. Let a slight exhale trail between or after words. Allow your voice to carry a hushed, intimate tone as if whispering close to someone's ear

When you listen back, pay attention to how the added breath makes the line feel more vulnerable, alive, and emotionally charged almost like you’re sharing a secret Try more lines for practice: "I can't stop thinking about the way you touch me." "Say my name… just like that." "I want to take my time with you tonight."

Seductive Tone & Texture

A seductive voice isn't just low and slow. It's about engagement, presence, and intention

Elements of a Seductive Voice

Warmth: Slightly lower pitch, steady breath, and softened consonants create a sense of closeness and intimacy Texture: A touch of breathiness or vocal fry (used sparingly) can add edge or vulnerability Pacing: Speaking slower gives space for imagination and builds tension. Don't rush! Seduction thrives in stillness Vocal color: Vary your tone to reflect playfulness, dominance, sweetness, or urgency depending on what the scene calls for Think of your tone like touch. What kind of “vocal caress” are you giving your listener?

🎭 Emotional Expression & Authenticity

Erotic audio works best when it's emotionally grounded. Whether you're playing a shy lover, a dominant seductress, or a teasing brat, it needs to feel real to your listener

Practice Your Emotional Range

Try reading the same lines in multiple emotional registers such as: curious, affectionate, breathless, frustrated, playful etc. Record yourself reading dialogue with different emotional tones. It may feel silly to say some lines in these different ways but that's part of the exercise! Experiment with pace, breath, and silence Pauses can say as much as words - Intentional pauses or hesitation can make some things sound more natural Work from the inside out. Imagine the scenario and feel what your character feels (method acting) Listen back to your recordings and note how the energy shifts with each approach It’s not about sounding like porn. It’s about sounding like a person in an intimate moment, with real desire talking to another human being. Remember to give the listener time to “respond to you” in their head with appropriate pauses

Emotional-Tone Exercises

Below are some lines you can read in multiple emotional registers. Each exercise encourages breath work, pacing, and intentional silence

Exercise 1 — One Line, Five Tones

Say these lines in multiple tones - try pausing in different spots, or changing your pace:

“Come here a second… I want your attention.”

“Stay right where you are. I’m not done with you yet.” “Slow down… I want to feel everything with you.”

Tones: Dominant Caring Teasing Rushed Soft / ASMR whisper

Exercise 2 — Affection vs. Intensity

Record soft warmth vs. quiet intensity. Use longer breaths for affection, short tight breaths for intensity and that “eye contact” energy even though this is just an audio. Try these lines to practice: “I missed you more than I expected.” “Relax… I’m right here with you.” “Tell me what’s on your mind… I’m listening.”

Tones: Loving and Affectionate Needy and yearning Breathless and anticipating

Exercise 3 — Pauses as Emotion

This time, record these lines using intentional hesitations and breathing gaps

“…Wait. Don’t move.” “…I like the way you’re looking at me.” “Hold on… I want to feel this properly.” Try: A pause after the first word A breath mid-sentence A slowed final word

Exercise 4 — Flustered vs. Playful

Use shifting energy to practice vulnerability vs. confidence when you read these lines

“Don’t look at me like that… you know what it does to me.” “Stop smiling - I know exactly what you’re thinking.” “You’re trouble, you know that?” Tones: Playful = lighter pacing, little laughs, smile when you talk Flustered/shy = breath catches, softer consonants, slower pace Trying to stay composed = slower, smoother delivery Secretive = hushed, whispers

Exercise 5 — Guiding vs. Wanting vs. Adoring

Same words with different motivations. Try these lines with different intentions for the listener

“Come closer… let me see all of you.”

“Just stay with me a little longer.”

“Look at me. Right here.”

Tones: Guiding = Steady, confident, anchored Adoring = Soft, warm, genuine fondness Quiet longing = Vulnerability, desire held back, unsaid emotion Eager / pulled toward them = Excitement, magnetic pull, almost impulsive energy

These exercises will help you explore emotional range, pacing, breath control, and intentional silence so your performances will feel more authentic and emotionally present rather than scripted or flat

The goal isn’t to “sound sexy” The goal is to sound human, connected, believable, and emotionally truthful

*There will be a Bonus Chapter of additional exercises to try, if you enjoyed these!

🗣️ Improvisation: Staying in the Scene

Erotic content often involves unscripted dialogue or custom requests from listeners. Being comfortable improvising helps you stay natural and responsive, adapt to unexpected scenarios or dialogue, avoid sounding stiff or robotic. I will admit, improv is not my strongest skill but I have adapted my improv skills to help me when I'm reading scripts to make the read go smooth, and to adjust the script on the fly to fit more of the emotional tone of the moment. You can use improv in many different ways. Some people improv all of their work, others like to rely on scripts. This will be a personal choice for everyone

To Help You Get Better With Your Improv Skills Try This Exercise:

Pick a simple fantasy setup Here are a few examples (or come up with your own!) Stuck in an Elevator - You're trapped with someone you're wildly attracted to and the tension is rising fast. Claustrophobic tension, nervous humor, slow-burning attraction. “We could be stuck here for hours... might as well get comfortable.” The Best Friend Confession - You’ve been best friends for years but tonight, something shifts. Fear of rejection, deep affection, emotional vulnerability. “I didn’t plan to tell you this tonight, but... I can’t keep pretending anymore.” The Morning After One-Night Stand - The silence is soft but charged. You’re deciding whether it was just a one night or something more. Tenderness, awkward charm, emotional curiosity. “Do you always look at people like that, after?”

Set a timer for 2 minutes and record yourself improvising a one-sided conversation Focus on emotional flow and pacing, not perfect grammar or lines. Just be yourself! Improv builds emotional flexibility which is crucial for keeping scenes feeling real and alive

⏱️ The Power of Pacing

Listen to some erotic audios and think about how their pacing shifts

Notice how pauses, speed, and rhythm contribute to immersion. Work on finding a natural and comfortable pace for yourself. It's okay to mimic other creators, but don't steal someone's specific style. Use others as inspiration and adapt the things you like about them to fit your own brand/persona

When you are speaking fast, you come across as more informational

When you speak slowly and with purpose, you come across are emotional and erotic

Use pacing to:

- Build suspense (“Do you want me to... stop? Or... keep going?”)

- Mark emotional shifts (slow when things get intimate, speed up during teasing)

- Guide arousal (most listeners will sync their breathing or physical response with yours)

🗯️ Realism vs. Stylization

There’s a spectrum between a realistic and stylized performance. Some listeners want authenticity (listening to an audio that feels like a real conversation) while others enjoy heightened fantasy or exaggerated tones (someone conveying a story or playing a character role)

Know your voice! A few things you can ask yourself:

- Are you more naturalistic or performative? - Do you feel comfortable moaning or acting out orgasms? - Can you deliver scripted dialogue without sounding like you're reading? - Do you enjoy improv?

Find your voice style by experimenting and see what feels best for you. This will evolve over time, but it's important to practice and find your comfort zone before turning this into a business venture

Safe Use of Vocal Strain

Some erotic content calls for raised voices, rougher tones, dominant yelling, or even distressed/crying sounds. These can be powerful, but they are also dangerous for your vocal cords if not done correctly

Some tips when having to use Vocal Strain in an audio:

- Warm up your voice before recording with some gentle humming, scales and tongue twisters

- Hydrate consistently. Dry vocal cords = friction = damage

- Avoid throat tension. Use your diaphragm to project your voice, not your throat

- Limit takes of loud/intense vocalizations and take breaks

- If your throat feels sore or raw after a session, stop immediately

⚠️ Vocal strain is real. No erotic scene is worth long-term damage. Train smart, do your warmups and your voice will stay strong and seductive for years. Always take care of yourself and your vocal cords

🧘 Pre-Recording Ritual: Voice Warmups

Try this 10-minute warmup before recording!

5 deep belly breaths – focus on slow inhale/exhale

Lip trills or humming – wake up your resonance

Tongue twisters – warm up articulation Red Leather Yellow Leather (Say slowly, then increase speed)Unique New York. Unique New York (Helps with clarity and sharp consonants)Irish wristwatch, Swiss wristwatch (A tricky one but great for fine control)

“I want you” phrases – spoken in 3 tones (gentle, dominant, playful)

Gentle: “I want you… right here beside me.”

Dominant: “I want you. Now. On your knees.”

Playful: ”I want you… but you’re gonna have to earn it.”

1–2 minutes freestyle improv – just talk to warm yourself up! Let your voice flow naturally

Do these things before you recording to improve your endurance, confidence, and emotional flexibility

🍵 My Favorite Teas / Vocal Remedies

I will admit, some of these are kinda yucky but they do wonders for soothing, strengthening, and protecting your voice

🌿 Throat Coat Tea (by Traditional Medicinals)

Why I love it: It’s a staple for voice artists and singers. Its made with slippery elm and licorice root. The tea coats your throat with a soothing layer that helps reduce irritation and dryness. I never said it tasted good When to drink it: Before long recording sessions or after a full day of voice work

🍯 Honey, Ginger & Lemon Tea (Homemade)

Why I love it: This is such a powerful combo. It helps fight inflammation, soothe soreness, and supports your immune system! Ginger is also a natural decongestant How to make it: Boil fresh ginger slices in water. Add a tablespoon of raw honey and a squeeze of lemon. Let it cool down and sip warm (not hot!)

🌸 Chamomile Tea

Why I love it: This tea has a calming effect for both your voice and your nervous system. Chamomile reduces inflammation and can help you relax if you’re doing an emotionally intense script Bonus: It’s caffeine-free, so it won’t dry out your vocal cords!

🧉 Peppermint Tea

Why I love it: Cooling, minty, and great for clearing mild congestion. Peppermint can help reduce throat irritation and relax throat muscles

Best for: Post-recording wind-down or before sleep

Some Home Remedies & Habits to Protect Your Voice

Hydration is non-negotiable

Room temperature water is your best friend, ice water tightens vocal cords. Humidify your space if you live somewhere dry (especially in winter or during A/C season)

Steam inhalation

Fill a bowl with boiling hot water (be careful!) place a towel over your head, and inhale deeply for 5–10 minutes.This is good to do before recording or when your voice feels tight or raspy. A long steamy shower can help loosen up your throat as well

Avoid dairy and heavy meals before recording

Dairy can thicken mucus and make your voice feel gunky. Go light on food before sessions, and avoid carbonated drinks; editing out a bunch of burping between lines takes forever

Rest your voice

This is the one I struggle most with, I am such a talker… But silence is healing. If your voice feels overused, take a day (or even a few hours) to rest completely. Whispering actually strains your voice more so try to avoid it

Saltwater gargle

If you feel like you’ve overworked your voice and you have a sore throat, you can try a saltwater gargle to relieve discomfort. Mix 1/2 tsp salt in warm water and gargle to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. Ideal after a long recording session or when your throat feels raw