Tips for Actors
Voice Tone Exercises
Voice Tone As an actor, you use your tone of voice
to mirror the emotional state and physical well-being of a
character, but don't forget you use your voice every day!
It's easy to relax (become lazy) and allow your voice to fall
into a monotonous drone or even an annoying mumble. You must
consciously use your voice to its best advantage, after all,
would you take a mumbling monotoned actor seriously ? Get
into the habit of exercising your tonal qualities by altering
the tone of your voice for an unseen audience.
There are six vocal components: pitch, tone,
tempo, rhythm, placement and dialect. Change any one and drastically
alter the way you sound. Of these, tone is most important
for conveying emotion.
Sound warm
and friendly on cue
Step 1. Key
word.
Find a key word which represents the tone of voice you wish
to create and say it 3 times slowly, with as much feeling
as you can muster. Use what ever key word is meaningful for
you. A key word for a warm and friendly voice is tenderness.
Say your key word aloud three times slowly with feeling. If
it's a good key word, your voice should begin to soften.
Step 2. Mental image.
Focus on a mental image which enhances the key word. What
image does the word "tenderness" bring to mind for
you? Are you holding a sleeping infant in your arms ? Or are
you you whispering into the ear of a lover, patting a pet
?
Step 3. Body position
Adopt a body position consistent with
the tone of voice you want to convey.The body position for
a warm and friendly voice is relaxed. To help drain tension,
inhale and consciously tense every muscle. Hold for a count
of 5. Now exhale for a count of 10 feeling the tension drain
from your body.
Step 4. Facial Expression.
The shape of your mouth and the expression on your face will
shape the sound of your voice. One of the easiest ways to
sound warm and friendly is to smile. A relaxed, gentle smile
will do. If you do nothing else but smile while speaking,
your voice will sound 90% warmer. Until you get the hang of
smiling while speaking, practice by keeping a mirror by the
telephone. Glance at yourself from time to time to make sure
the expression on your face is pleasant as you speak.
How to Sound Authoritative on Cue
Step 1. Key word.
The key word for an authoritative voice is respect. Say it
aloud three times with feeling: respect, respect, respect.
Step 2. Mental image.
As you say the word respect, what image comes to mind? Is
it standing in front of a classroom with students are looking
at you and listening attentively? If this image doesn't work
for you, feel free to use your own. Focus on your authoritative
mental image until it is big and bright in your mind.
Step 3. Body Position.
To assume an authoritative body position, sit or stand as
straight as you can. Feel how the soles of your feet make
contact with the ground. Say the word respect a few more times
and gesture firmly, as if to emphasise a point.
Step 4. Facial expression.
Now, look in the mirror. For an authoritative voice, your
mouth should be relaxed and neutral, but your eyes should
be intense and focused. You should feel as if you are making
eye contact with each person in this imaginary classroom.
The
Actor Speaks: Voice and the Performer
As an actor, you have a tool for communication-- your voice.
This is a practical book from the acclaimed Patsy Rodenburg,
follow the guides and exercises to fully release your voice.
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