Voice Production and Articulation

Unit 2B, Part 3

Vocal Requirements for Theatre

Your voice must be: Loud enough to be heard Flexible enough to add subtle layers of

character, emotional texture, and meaning to your lines

Strong enough to withstand long rehearsals and intense performances

Actors should never stop workingon improving their voice

Voice Production

Speech sounds are made by air forced through lungs by the diaphragm.

The exhaled air vibrates the vocal cords in the larynx

Sound produced is modified by the resonators (throat, nose, mouth, and sinuses)

Sound is formed into vowels and consonants by the articulators (tongue, jaw, teeth, cheeks, lips, hard and soft palates)

Voice Production

Voice Production

When exercising voice, you will work to achieve: Controlled Breathing Resonance – a rich, warm sound quality Variety in:▪ Pitch – relative highness and lowness of a

voice▪ Volume – Strength of voice▪ Inflection – variety of vocal pitch▪ Rate – speed of speech

Proper Breathing

Must breathe from the diaphragm. Chest cavity stays still while the waist expands and contracts.

Breathing from the diaphragm requires less effort than chest breathing.

Richer Tone

Tone depends on many things, some which cannot be changed

You can learn to make the most of what you’ve got by keeping your throat open and controlling your breath.

Tone creates Emotional Color

Articulation and Pronunciation

Articulation – Clearly pronouncing words Poor articulation is the result of

carelessness and sluggish speech. Can cause real problems onstage.

Pronunciation – saying a word properly All words that you aren’t familiar with

should be looked up before performing

How to Protect Your Voice

1. Eat Well, Get Enough Sleep, and Exercise Regularly

2. Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol. 3. Never Strain your voice by

Shouting or Singing in an Inappropriate Range

4. Never Shout yourself Hoarse at a Ball Game

Voice-Over Actors

Typically on radio spots, television commercials, corporate training films, documentary and educational film narration, cartoons

Most voice actors have CD demo that showcases their talents