Vocal Technique For Actors

By Author: Maxwell David
Total Articles: 26
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As an actor, your voice is your most important tool; more important than your body. Your voice enables you to speak and thus express what is in your soul. Without a voice, deeply meaningful communication is impossible. Thus, it is of the upmost importance that an actor looks after this tool, for it is a tool which has no replacement.

Talking loudly and talking over extended periods of time can put a lot of strain on the vocal chords. If a person is not careful, repeated improper use of the vocal chords will lead to nodules in the throat, which can permanently damage a person's voice. It is not unlikely, that you have been told to 'project' your voice, rather than 'shout', but what does this actually mean? And how can you look after your voice against irreparable damage?

The key to speaking correctly is to breathe correctly. The age old myth of 'breathing in' if we need to squeeze by something is very misleading. Of course, when we breathe in, air comes into our bodies, and thus we need to expand. The diaphragm (that magical word) is what controls our breathing. This hemispherical muscle is at rest when there is ...
... no air in the lungs. The muscle then contracts and flattens, pulling the air into the lungs. Thus by giving the muscle as much room as possible, we increase the volume of oxygen we can breathe in, and thus we increase the amount we have to breathe out and can create a more sustainable sound with.

The diaphragm is a muscle and, much like any other muscle, it needs training if it is to be used effectively. One exercise is to repeat the alphabet aloud until you run out of breath. This can be done a second and even a third time, and the aim is to get further in the alphabet than the time before. Another good exercise is to produce an 'F' sound by pulling your tummy in. Do this repeatedly, twice a second. After a while it will begin to hurt from lactic acid build up.

The extra strength in the diaphragm will enable you to project your voice well. Remember that the sound should always come from your belly, and never from your throat. Try making a soft 'ah' sound. Feel the tummy pulling in. Try to think of the sound you are creating as a single line, which reaches all the way in front of you until it reaches its target with pinpoint precision. By focusing the voice in this way, you will use your breathe more effectively and thus be able to sustain your power for much longer.

'triple threat':

In the twenty-first century theatrical world, it is becoming increasingly important to become a 'triple threat performer'. The ability to act, sing, and dance to a high standard gives versatility in the work that a performer can do. Yes, he can later go on to specialise in one area, but a good grounding in all of the performing arts is highly desirable in the competitive world of modern theatre.
Today, most drama schools will only accept those students who are of a good standard in two out of the three subject areas.

So, what does it take to become a 'triple threat performer'? Quite simply: a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. Below is some useful guidance as to how to prepare yourself as best you can.

The ability to assume a character is, obviously, the most important part of acting. It is worthwhile going to see as many plays as you can, to see how others portray different emotions in different plays. Of course, acting is not just emulation. Take time to observe ordinary people: as you are walking along the street or waiting on a bus, see what people do, imagine what they might be thinking and how they are feeling. Store these images in a memory bank so that you can use them later. If you get the chance to perform Shakespeare, do so. People in the industry expect a good knowledge of his plays, and active participation in one is the best way of finding out how you deal with the complexities of his language.

Having a working knowledge of music is highly desirable. If you have the opportunity to learn an instrument, use it. If not, then try to get acquainted with basic musical terminology and teach yourself to read music. This is a sure-fire way to make yourself stand out. Try to get familiar with many different musical styles, and think about the emotions you feel when listening to music. Does it make you sad or happy, excited or troubled? The ability to play the piano is very advantageous, since you can not only accompany yourself, but are able to help out and, eventually, teach others too.

As a performer, your body must be in shape. You must be flexible and fit. This can be achieved easily through dance. You do not need to be a brilliant to succeed in the acting career, but the ability to move in time with music is essential. Through dance, you will learn to express yourself through movement, as well as become more aware as to what your body can do. Ballet gives an extremely good grounding in all other dance forms. It also increases muscle strength and flexibility.
This should be the first point of call for any aspiring dancer; the strength that you gain from practice takes years to build up. Jazz and tap are also useful, especially for a future in musical theatre.

Above all, the important thing to remember is to remain open; try not to close any doors to yourself, as you may find this will block the path you want to take later in life.
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