Is public speaking a performing art?

I’m gonna show you two interpretations of the same composition: 1st movement of piano sonata facile by Mozart.

…

Which one did you like most?

Why?

Tempo, emphasis, rhythm…

Music has its rules to convey the sense of beauty to our ears: movements, tempo (iusto, legato and rubato), rhythm, harmony, dynamics (piano and forte), etc.

And public speaking has its own rules too to convey the message you want to transmit to the audience: structure, body language, voice modulation, pacing and pausing …

So, yes, public speaking is also a performing art.

In music there are good interpreters and bad interpreters. Like Glen Gould and Maria Joao Pires.

The same happen to speakers. You know when you see a good one: Mariano Rajoy Prime Minister of Spain is a bad speaker, David Cameron, of the UK is a good one.

A good speech can

·        draw men to battle, making them fearless in front of the enemy, take this example… (we shall go on to the end…)

·        make them willing to make great sacrifices to defend an idea, or a doctrine, take this example… (I have a dream… 269 million hits)

…

Such is the power of the spoken word…

But, as public speaking abilities are crucial for:

-        a politician, who has to convince the voters to vote for him,

-        a lawyer who should learn how to argue his point before a judge

-        and for a teacher, who should transmit his knowledge to the pupils

They can they be important for you too? Yes, because:

People encounter impromptu speaking situations every day. An impromptu speech can take the form of

-        a job interview:

-Are you the best person for this job, why?

-        Or a sales pitch:

- Why do you think your product is superior to the competition?

-        Or asking a producer to support your project

- Why should I believe we have a hit here?

With enough practice, anyone can develop the ability to present ideas clearly in any impromptu speaking situation.   

What will you learn?

CONTROLLING YOUR NERVES

The next time you are about to give a speech, as your heart pounds, you have butterflies in your stomach and your knees quiver; turn your anxiety into positive energy. Your audience will be impressed with your confidence and listen to every word you say.

ORGANIZING YOUR SPEECH

The words in a well-organized speech work together to obtain and keep the audience’s attention.

BEGINNING YOUR SPEECH

Successful speech openings meet four criteria:

1. Get the attention of the audience.

2. Introduce the topic.

3. Establish rapport.

CLOSING YOUR SPEECH

People will remember the last thing they hear more than any other part of your speech.

PREPARATION AND PRACTICE

The majority of speakers recognize the value of careful preparation and regular rehearsal before delivering a speech.

KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE

Speakers want to share knowledge and move an audience to share their viewpoint.

You may want to give people something to carry home with.

So you are performers. Your performing art is music. But speaking is also a performing art. You are a good musician, but it will help you to manage situations in life like presenting a project or proposing your partner to become a good speaker. Or even convince your partner that you love him or her for ever.

So, yes, both musicians and public speakers are performing artists and learning public speaking abilities may help us all: musicians and public speakers.