Voice Portfolio: Developing Articulation

Exploring and Developing Articulation

Wednesday 15^th October 2014

     In this session the Development of the Actor’s Voice, we continued to look at our own articulation.  Throughout this particular session we would be taking part in some practical exercise to see if we can further develop our own vocalisation.

     We started this session by looking at the layout of the mouth (the oral cavity).  This was important as we would be able to understand what we could accomplish and which areas of the mouth could contain tensions and if we could enhance these areas to accomplish a new projection and articulation formation. 

     The main areas of focus, which assist vastly in your pronunciation and vocalisation, consisted of:

 

     We observed these key areas of the mouth through the use of a pocket mirror.  The purpose of this was for us to observe our own oral cavity movement.  Plus we would begin our set of vocal warm up exercises, and see if our own received pronunciation had improved or felt any different.

     Our set exercises consisted of:

 

·         A Semi Supine – The Alexander Technique of lying on your back and controlling and focusing on your breathing.

·         A Spinal Role – This way we can maintain a steady physical movement and maintain a strong, yet steady breathing routine.

·         A Humming Exercise – By projecting a humming tone, it would allow our vocal fold to warm up and enhance in preparation for vocalisation.

·         Stretch Muscles – With all of us increasing the movement within our body and releasing any unnecessary tensions, it would allow more energy and focus to our posture and vocal folds for better articulation both physically and verbally.

·         A Tongue Exercise – For this we would move our tongue in many ways possible around our mouths to release tensions and get the feeling of constant movement, all of which would be needed to the practicing of articulation.

·         Releasing of the Jaw – By doing so we release more tension and enhance the feeling of movement, and take opportunities to increase the possibility of needing to project various vocabulary.

·         Projecting a Siren – For this we would have to use a still tone, releasing from the back of our throats and projecting the sound of a siren.  This begins our project task and articulating a specific meaning; our meaning being to maintain and repeat this siren.

·         A Nasal Sound Effect – With us projecting and increasing sound through our nose we would accomplish more sound effects and articulate to a decent level of focus and understanding.

·         and Finally “Why fly so high?” & Tongue Twisters – With these two final exercises we put our development of articulation to use.  With “Why fly so high” we project various pitch and tones through nasal and oral vocation.  As well as oral movement through tongue twisters.  Bringing our newly developed articulation to good use and project to our extent.

     I personally thought this was an excellent exercise technique.  We went through various exercises all of which explored our physicality and vocalisation.  Plus I did feel my entire body and vocal folds change at the will of certain exercises, and when it came to the projection of the ‘Siren’ and the ‘Tongue Twisters’ I felt confident with the end result.  I look forward to seeing what else I can articulate for future production assignments and extent full detail and understanding in my own voice production.