Whitman's Voice, Part 1

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 386 - What Did Whitman Sound Like, 1

In previous years, I have always done episodes about Walt Whitman simply by talking about his life. I did not use the format of me talking in the first person, and asking questions from Walt Whitman because I simply didn't know where to start regarding the topic of what did Walt Whitman sound like.  There is a controversial recording of what may have been Whitman's voice, but it is a very poor quality and isn't much help at all.

So I decided to use perplexity AI in finding out information about Walt Whitman's voice - what he may have sounded like and how I could get the spirit of that across and a podcast. So I started with this prompt - and note that - and this is something I will say over and over again - you need to give a lot of information in your prompt to an AI bot even if it doesn't seem necessary to get a good response. 

This is my prompt regarding getting the qualities for Walt Whitman's voice, and I apologize for the length. - but you really need to try and be thorough.

I do a podcast called celebrate Poe about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. It has had almost 400 episodes and downloads in more than 100 countries and territories. The format is that I interview the imaginary ghost of Edgar Allan Poe regarding his works and life. Of course I use my voice as the interviewer, and a Southern Voice as Edgar Poe. I used to be a historical re-enactor as Poe, and use a deep southern drawl - one that most authorities believe that Edgar Poe would've used, being from Richmond and not influenced by such sources as television, movies, and the Internet. And I am from Staunton Virginia, so a southern draw is not hard for me. Now fo pride month - june - and maybe longer - I am playing the part of an interviewer while interviewing the the imaginary ghost of Walt Whitman - using my natural voice and Walt Whitman responding in the first person. My question is do you have any advice on coming up with a voice to represent Walt Whitman for the podcast? Of course this is purely for audio, so I can contort my face all kinds of positions - but what qualities should I go for in coming up with a Voice for Walt Whitman

Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Transcript

Welcome to celebrate Poe - episode 386 - what did Whitman sound like, part one

In previous years, I have always done episodes about Walt Whitman simply by talking about his life. I did not use the format of me talking in the first person, and asking questions from Walt Whitman because I simply didn't know where to start regarding the topic of what did Walt Whitman sound like.  There is a controversial recording of what may have been Whitman's voice, but it is a very poor quality and isn't much help at all.

So I decided to use perplexity AI in finding out information about Walt Whitman's voice - what he may have sounded like and how I could get the spirit of that across and a podcast. So I started with this prompt - and note that - and this is something I will say over and over again - you need to give a lot of information in your prompt to an AI bot even if it doesn't seem necessary to get a good response. 

This is my prompt regarding getting the qualities for Walt Whitman's voice, and I apologize for the length. - but you really need to try and be thorough.

I do a podcast called celebrate Poe about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. It has had almost 400 episodes and downloads in more than 100 countries and territories. The format is that I interview the imaginary ghost of Edgar Allan Poe regarding his works and life. Of course I use my voice as the interviewer, and a Southern Voice as Edgar Poe. I used to be a historical re-enactor as Poe, and use a deep southern drawl - one that most authorities believe that Edgar Poe would've used, being from Richmond and not influenced by such sources as television, movies, and the Internet. And I am from Staunton Virginia, so a southern draw is not hard for me. Now fo pride month - june - and maybe longer - I am playing the part of an interviewer while interviewing the the imaginary ghost of Walt Whitman - using my natural voice and Walt Whitman responding in the first person. My question is do you have any advice on coming up with a voice to represent Walt Whitman for the podcast? Of course this is purely for audio, so I can contort my face all kinds of positions - but what qualities should I go for in coming up with a Voice for Walt Whitman

And the ai bot answered:
Qualities to Consider for a Walt Whitman Voice

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was known for his robust, democratic spirit and his deep, resonant optimism. He was a New Yorker by birth, but his accent would not have been the stereotypical Brooklyn accent of today. Instead, it would have been a 19th-century Northeastern American accent, likely with some rural inflections from his Long Island upbringing. Whitman’s public persona was warm, open, and embracing, often described as “larger than life,” and he was known for his energetic, conversational style.

Vocal Qualities to Emphasize

Warmth and Openness: Whitman’s poetry and prose radiate inclusivity and a deep affection for humanity. Aim for a voice that feels welcoming, expansive, and unguarded.

Robustness and Earthiness: He was often described as hearty and vigorous, both in appearance and manner. Consider a slightly deeper, grounded tone, with a relaxed, almost folksy cadence.

Conversational Flow: Whitman’s writing is famously free-flowing and rhythmic, often mimicking natural speech. Let his responses feel spontaneous and unhurried, with a tendency to linger on words or phrases for emphasis.

Enthusiasm and Wonder: Whitman’s work is filled with awe at the world. Infuse your delivery with a sense of wonder and delight, especially when discussing nature, people, or democracy.

Gentle Assertiveness: While not bombastic, Whitman was confident in his ideas. Use a voice that is gentle but assured, as if inviting the listener to share in his vision.

Accent Considerations
Avoid Heavy Regional Markers: Whitman’s accent would not have been distinctly Southern, New England, or “New York” as we think of them today. A neutral American accent with slight rural or old-fashioned inflections is appropriate.

Slight Rural Lilt: 
Since Whitman grew up on Long Island and spent time in Camden, Nee Jersey, a subtle rural lilt or a touch of the “old American” accent (think of the way 19th-century orators spoke) could add authenticity, but don’t overdo it.

Performance Tips
Pace and Rhythm: Allow for pauses and a natural musicality in his speech, reflecting the poetic nature of his writing.

Physicality in Voice: Whitman was described as physically expressive. Even though your audience can’t see you, using gestures and body movement while recording can help bring that energy into your vocal performance.

Emotional Range: Whitman’s emotions ranged from exuberant joy to deep empathy. Let your voice reflect this range, modulating from soft, intimate tones to more exuberant, full-bodied expressions.

Example Vocal Inspiration
Ken Burns’ Documentaries: Listen to how narrators read Whitman’s poetry—often with a rich, clear, and inviting tone.

And I listened to some great PBS documentaries on Walt Whitman on YouTube.

Summary Table: Poe vs. Whitman Voice Qualities
Quality Edgar Allan Poe (Your Approach) Walt Whitman (Suggested)
Accent Deep Southern drawl (Richmond) Mild rural Northeastern, neutral
Tone       Melancholic, introspective Warm, robust, optimistic
Rhythm Deliberate, gothic Flowing, conversational
Energy Reserved, haunting Expansive, embracing

For Whitman, focus on a voice that feels like it’s embracing the listener—expansive, warm, and filled with a zest for life. Let your natural voice carry, but add a touch of old-fashioned cadence and a hearty, open-hearted delivery. This approach will contrast nicely with your Poe character and bring Whitman’s unique spirit to life for your audience.

Now Should I emphasize Whitman's poetic grandeur in his voice 

Whitman's poetic grandeur is best captured through a voice that feels expansive, oracular, and incantatory. His poetry is marked by long, free-flowing lines, syntactic parallelism, and repetition, which together create a sense of grandeur and sweeping scope. When performing Whitman, allow your tone to swell with enthusiasm and awe, especially during passages that celebrate the American landscape or the unity of its people. However, avoid making the delivery overly formal or distant; Whitman's grandeur is rooted in inclusivity and warmth, not aloofness.

Use a conversational, democratic tone that feels accessible and welcoming, reflecting his embrace of the common man and the diversity of America.

Let your rhythm be natural and free, mirroring the cadence of everyday speech rather than strict meter or rhyme.

Employ cataloguing and repetition to give your delivery a rolling, rhythmic quality, as if you are listing the many facets of America and its people.

Balance moments of individual reflection with broader, collective statements, echoing Whitman's blend of personal and national identity.

And Whitman's openness and expansiveness can be conveyed through:

A warm, inviting timbre—avoid sharpness or excessive formality.

A relaxed, unhurried pace, allowing lines to breathe and ideas to unfold naturally.

Occasional rises in pitch or volume to communicate enthusiasm and wonder, especially when describing nature or human diversity.

A sense of physical and emotional presence, as if you are speaking directly to each listener and embracing them in your vision.

Should I have a conversational vs. Elevated Style
A more conversational style generally suits Whitman's personality better. He deliberately broke with poetic conventions to reflect democratic ideals and the language of ordinary people. While moments of elevation and grandeur are appropriate—especially during poetic crescendos—your baseline should be approachable, direct, and empathetic, much like Whitman's own persona and poetic voice.

Using Pauses and Pacing for Contemplation
Pauses and pacing are key to evoking Whitman's contemplative style:

Use strategic pauses at the end of long lines or after catalogues to let the imagery and meaning resonate.

Allow silences between shifts from the individual to the collective, or from observation to reflection, mirroring Whitman's own poetic transitions.

Vary your pacing—linger on lines that express wonder or empathy, and quicken slightly through catalogues to convey energy and inclusiveness.

Let the natural cadence of the language guide you, embracing irregularity as Whitman did in his verse.

In summary:
Channel Whitman's grandeur through an expansive, rhythmic, and inclusive delivery. Favor a conversational tone, use natural pacing with purposeful pauses, and let your voice reflect both the intimacy of the individual and the sweep of the American collective—just as Whitman did in his poetry.

How do I Incorporate Whitman's Free Verse Rhythm in Vocal Delivery
To capture Whitman’s free verse rhythm, let your delivery flow with the natural cadence of speech rather than imposing a strict metrical pattern. Whitman’s lines vary in length and often use enjambment, allowing thoughts to spill over from one line to the next. Read his poetry as you would speak, letting sentences and images unfold organically, and allow the rhythm to be guided by the syntax and emotion rather than by rhyme or meter. This approach mirrors the fluidity and spontaneity that define Whitman’s style.

What is the best Tone for Celebrating the Common Man and Nature

The tone that best conveys Whitman’s celebration of the common man and nature is warm, inclusive, and enthusiastic. Aim for a voice that feels open-hearted and democratic—one that welcomes listeners as equals and delights in the ordinary as much as the extraordinary. Let your admiration and wonder for the world and its people shine through, using a tone that is both sincere and exuberant.

Expansive vs. Intimate Style for Whitman’s Openness

Whitman’s poetry is unique in that it is both expansive and intimate. He addresses the broad sweep of America while also speaking directly to the individual reader. For your podcast, favor an expansive style—one that feels like it’s reaching out to embrace the world—but balance this with moments of intimacy, as if confiding in a close friend. This duality reflects Whitman’s openness and ability to connect on both a grand and personal scale.

Emphasizing the Musicality of Whitman’s Long Lines

To highlight the musicality of Whitman’s long lines - Use a flowing, unhurried pace, letting each phrase build upon the last. Employ subtle rises and falls in pitch to mirror the natural undulations of speech. Take advantage of repetition and parallelism, which are central to Whitman’s style, to create a sense of rhythm and resonance. Allow your voice to “breathe” with the lines, stretching out phrases to convey their full emotional and sensory impact.

And remember Pauses and Pacing to Highlight Whitman’s Sense of Wonder. Pause briefly at commas and linger a bit longer at periods, letting key images and ideas settle in the listener’s mind.

Use longer pauses after particularly vivid or awe-inspiring lines to evoke contemplation and wonder.

Vary your pacing: move more quickly through catalogues or lists to convey energy and abundance, then slow down for reflective or profound moments.

Let the natural rhythm of Whitman’s language guide your delivery, embracing both the momentum and the stillness that his poetry invites.

By blending these techniques, your vocal performance will embody Whitman’s free verse spirit—fluid, musical, expansive, and deeply connected to both the world and the listener.

How can I mimic Whitman's prosody of biblical-like rhythm in my voice 

Mimicking Whitman’s Biblical-Like Prosody and Rhythm
1. Emulating Biblical Rhythm in Voice
Whitman’s prosody draws heavily on the syntactic parallelism and rhythmic patterns of the King James Bible. To mimic this in your delivery, focus on:

Syntactic Parallelism: Deliver sequences of lines with similar grammatical structures, letting the repetition of phrases or sentence shapes establish a steady, solemn cadence reminiscent of biblical verse.

Anaphora: Emphasize repeated words or phrases at the start of lines (such as “And I know…” or “And that…”), which sets a firm, ritualistic rhythm.

Oratorical Weight: Use a measured, deliberate pace, allowing each parallel clause to resonate before moving to the next, as if intoning scripture.

2. Techniques for Irregular, Expressive Delivery
Whitman’s stanza forms are intentionally irregular and expressive. To reflect this: Vary Intonation and Stress: Shift between passages of strong, regular beats and more relaxed, speech-like delivery, letting the syntax and punctuation guide your phrasing.

Flexible Pausing: Don’t be afraid to pause mid-line or run lines together, creating a “fitful” rhythm that rises and falls unpredictably, much like waves.

Dynamic Emphasis: Highlight certain words or phrases to create moments of intensity, then relax into softer, less stressed passages, mirroring Whitman’s own oscillation between rhythmic regularity and looseness.

3. Repetition and Cataloging for Musical Flow
Whitman’s use of repetition and cataloging is central to his musicality:

Build Momentum: Let repeated structures (lists, parallel clauses) accumulate energy, almost like a chant or litany, drawing listeners into the poem’s sweep.

Vary Delivery: While maintaining the musical flow, subtly alter your pitch, volume, or pacing with each repetition to avoid monotony and keep the performance alive.

Emphasize Accumulation: Treat catalogues as waves—sometimes surging forward with energy, other times ebbing for reflection.

4. Alliteration, Consonance, and Musicality
While alliteration and consonance are present in Whitman’s work, they are not his primary musical devices. You can Gently highlight alliterative or consonant sounds when they naturally occur, but don’t force them to the forefront.

Prioritize Syntax and Rhythm: Focus more on the parallelism and cataloging that drive Whitman’s music, letting sound patterns enhance rather than dominate your delivery.

5. Balancing Conversational Tone with Expansive Rhythm
Whitman’s voice is both intimate and grand:

Conversational Foundation: Speak as if addressing a friend, with warmth and directness, to keep the delivery grounded and accessible.- this is an a side - in the excerpts dealing with Walt Whitman, I refer to him in an informal way calling to character by the first name.
Expansive Overlay: Layer in the biblical cadence and rhythmic parallelism to elevate the tone, especially during catalogues or sweeping statements.

Modulate Energy: Move fluidly between quieter, reflective moments and more declamatory, expansive passages, mirroring the ebb and flow of Whitman’s lines.

6. Pauses and Pacing for Wonder

Strategic Pauses: Pause at the end of parallel clauses or after significant images to let them resonate, evoking a sense of awe.

Pacing Variation: Accelerate through catalogues to convey abundance, then slow down for key lines or revelations to highlight wonder and contemplation.

In summary:
To evoke Whitman’s biblical-like rhythm, prioritize syntactic parallelism and anaphora, use dynamic pacing and intonation to reflect his irregular stanza forms, let repetition and cataloging drive the musical flow, and balance a conversational warmth with the grandeur of his long lines. Pauses and pacing are your tools to invite listeners into Whitman’s sense of wonder and expansiveness.

This is a lot to remember, but I believe I came up with a solution to make the Whitman character distinct from my voice as well as hopefully communicating his delivery style. 

Join celebrate Poe for episode 387 - you can think of this episode as the one where the AI bot gives me hints on how to develop the voice in the next episode, I use those clues to solve the problem and come up with what I feel it's a viable solution to how Walt Whitman sounded.

Sources include perplexity AI.

Thank you for listening to celebrate Poe.

Now usually I wait at least a day or two between episodes, but in this case I'm going to upload the episode that covers what Voice for Walt Whitman I eventually decided to use. This way you won't have to wait. I have Recorded episode 387 of part two of what Walt Whitman sounded like, and will upload part two as soon as I upload part one - which should only take a few minutes. So join me for the voice I finally decided to use for Walt Whitman.