Improving Voice

Acting ITopeka West High SchoolMr. McCoy – Fall 2008

Background

Remember that acting is a creative art that can be improved through the practice of three major skills. Vocal Physical Mental

Developing an Effective Voice (64-69)1. Physical Tools2. Relaxation3. Breathing

1. Physical Tools

ARTICULATORS

Hard Palate Lips Teeth Tongue Soft Palate Jaw

RESONATORS

Sinuses Nose

Mouth Throat

Voice is produced by the air from the lungs passing over the vocal folds in the larynx. Articulators and resonators manipulate voice into the desired or undesired sound.

2. Relaxation

Physical relaxation is one factor that determines the quality of an actor’s voice. Attention should be paid by all actors to “loosen their voice” before any performance.

Tightness will lead to damage, hoarseness, and poor projection. Activity▪ Stretching (Reach)▪ Jaw (Head rolls, jaw rub)▪ Throat (Yawn, breathe, “I can talk as if I were going to

yawn.”)▪ Lips (oo ah oo, me-mo-me)▪ Tongue (fud-dud-dud-dud-dah, da-da-da-da-la-la-la-la)

3. Breathing

Breath control determines the power and loudness of speech. It also increases one’s voice stamina.

Normally, one inhales and exhales in periods of equal length.

Speakers/Actors inhale quickly and exhale over a prolonged period of time. Therefore, inhale through the mouth. Activity▪ Diaphragmatic Breathing (sniff)▪ Inhale-(hiss, count, hong-kong,)

Using Voice Effectively (70-83)

1. Quality2. Pitch3. Volume4. Tempo/Rate5. Diction – Articulation/Pronunciation

1. Quality

Quality – individual sound of your particular voice Resonance – tone produced when sound waves strike

the chambers of the throat, head, nose, and mouth. (Vowels)

Nasality – tone produced from the nasal cavity rather than the other cavities. Only m, n, and ng sounds should be nasal tones.

Characterization – quality should be considered during character choices. Old? Sweet? Angry? Weak? Activity▪ Relaxed jaw, throat hum▪ Pg. 71 – Book▪ Pg. 73 – Handout

2. Pitch

Pitch – how high or low one’s voice is Inflection – gliding from one pitch to another

in a single syllable Monotone – one tone, continuous speaking

on one tone Monotone can usually be overcome with energy and

practice Activity▪ 10 Count▪ Oh –▪ That hurts Well, perhaps▪ How lovely Look out▪ So what Don’t be so rude

3. Volume

Volume – how loud or soft one is; relative strenght, force, or intensity with which sound is made Activity▪ Ha one, two▪ “You don’t think I ate the cake, do you?”

4. Tempo/Rate

Rate/Tempo/Pace – the speed at which words are spoken. Rate is influenced by pause and duration. Pause – break before or after a spoken word Duration – length a vowel sound is held, short

or long▪ Activity▪ They climbed slowly, wearily to the summit.▪ What an exquisite formal you are wearing.▪ This shrimp pizza is delicious.▪ Hurry up, we’re late▪ I’m so tired, I can hardly move.▪ Don’t tell me we’ve got to listen to that again.

5. Diction – Articulation/Pronunciation

Diction – selection and pronunciation of words and their combinations in speech

Articulation – the utterance of words (said well)

Pronunciation – production of speech sounds into syllables, accent, and stress (correct words)

5. Diction – Problem Words

1. Get - bet2. For - ore3. Again - pen4. Just - must5. Because - pause6. Any - penny7. Assume - fume8. New - mew9. Poor - sewer10. Your - sewer11. Sure - sewer12. Roof - proof13. Suite - sweet14. What - dot15. Worst - first

Improving Diction (84-91)