Are You Playing “Twinkle Twinkle”?

We’re channeling Philipp Humm today. The “storytelling guy”.

Imagine a piano player.

A beginner sticks to a few keys and plays something simple like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. It works… but it’s basic. And you probably wouldn’t want to listen for very long.

A master pianist is different. They use all 88 keys. Soft. Loud. Fast. Slow.

They create contrast — and contrast is what keeps people listening.

According to Philipp Humm of Story Lab, most speakers are still stuck playing Twinkle, Twinkle. Same tone. Same speed. Same emotional color. Over and over again. And eventually, the listener’s brain checks out — because it’s predictable.

“Great speakers work like great pianists.

They don’t speak louder all the time.

They simply use more of their options.” – Philipp Humm

Vocal Range Isn’t About Being Dramatic

This isn’t about turning everything into a performance. It’s about range and keeping people listening.

Here’s what that actually looks like:

  • Vary your speed – fast creates urgency, slow adds weight to your words
  • Vary your tonality – let your voice rise and fall naturally
  • Vary your emotion – don’t just describe the moment, feel it
  • Use pauses – real pauses give your words room to land

Or as Philipp says:

“Vocal range creates contrast. And contrast keeps people listening.”

How to Practice (Yes, we should practice)

Take an easy piece of text. A children’s book, a short article, or anything simple. Then, read it out loud. While you’re reading it…

  • Speed up
  • Slow down
  • Pause longer than feels comfortable
  • Let emotion show up

Aim for range. Go some place private and practice big. Exaggerate. So that when you’re in front of a client, on the phone, or in the recording studio — it feels natural, not forced.

Why This Matters for YOU

You don’t just sell ideas. You deliver them. And how you sound often determines whether someone leans in… or mentally checks out. Your message matters and your delivery should too.

This also relates to your ads! Same advice. Give them range and unpredictability. If a client is recording — be a good director. Guide them. Help them understand how crucial it is to stand out and keep people listening. Not just with great content, but with how it’s delivered.

Stop playing Twinkle, Twinkle. You’ve got “88 keys” available.

NEVER Stop Learning – Get Better Every Day!
ENS Media