Low Starting Pitch
The purpose of a low starting pitch
Low starting pitches tell the listener that the upcoming information is not exactly on-topic, but isn't meant to shift the topic. It is just extra detail. If the dialog were in written instead of spoken form, those details would be in parentheses.
Low starting pitches can occur at the beginning of a sentence, or in the middle.
Example of a low starting pitch
Analysis:
The topic set by the first speaker is a new family puppy. The second speaker then adds that she'd like a dog. She adds information about her daughter (my daughter is allergic) in a low pitch, signaling that the goal is not to change the topic to her daughter, but to add detail.
The dialog in this High Starting Pitch lesson could also use a low starting pitch in the final spoken paragraph.
Analysis:
Since the information ...although most of them still retire... is not about the main topic of the dialog (Owen and his therapy) the speaker could use a low starting pitch. This makes it less likely that the added content would take the dialog in a new direction.
To sum up:
Low starting pitches allow speakers to add content to a conversation without changing the main topic of a dialog.
Review related lessons:
Introduction to Starting Pitches
High Starting Pitches
Mid Starting Pitches
Pronuncian Lessons
Top-Ranked Lessons