Voice Matters: Breath, Posture, Articulation, and other Physical Aspects of Reading

The English speaker normally uses three pitch levels, and a fourth for special emphasis:

1. The first level is the one which signals the statement has come to an end. If there is no difference between this ending level and the pitch level at which the speaker began the statement, it would be monotonous.

2. The second level is the normal level at which a speaker begins a statement. This is higher than the ending pitch.

3. For emphasis, a speaker, at a certain point in speaking, pitches the voice higher than the rest of the statement.

4. A fourth level of pitch will signal extra emphasis.

Starting to speak, one pitches the voice comfortably and goes on to complete the statement.

· MONOTONE:

Starting to speak, one pitches the voice comfortably and goes on to complete the statement.

· NORMAL w/emphasis:

Starting to ^speak, one ^pitch-es the voice ^comfortably and goes ^on to complete the state-_ment.

· NORMAL w/ extra emphasis:

Starting to ^speak, one ^pitch-es the voice ^comfortably and goes ^on to com-^plete the state-_ment.

Two other things to consider in terms of pitch:

inflection (which describes a pitch or glide within a particular sound)

and intonation (which refers to the pitch pattern of a sentence or longer unit of utterance).

Consider how the use of pauses, or phrasing, sets off units of discourse. The pause

· gives one a chance to breathe;

· gives the speaker time to consider the next phrase or sentence;

· gives the listener a brief moment to absorb what has been said;

· provides a clue to meaning.

It is best to speak conversationally when reading. This advice

· emphasizes the idea carriers rather than unimportant words;

· emphasizes the new idea or the contrast rather than the old idea;

· emphasizes causal or conditional relationships;

· emphasizes the main thought rather than parenthetical phrases.

Any word that can be omitted without significantly changing the meaning should not be stressed.

Consider articulation – moving the tongue, lips and teeth to precisely form sounds.

Try the saying the following phrase, increasing the speed each time while continuing to speak precisely as possible:

“The tip of the tongue, the lips, and the teeth.”

Projection is a function of both loudness (breath control using the diaphragm) and articulation.

· Breathe more from the diaphragm to force air through the vocal tract; pause often enough to breathe.

· Measure speech to avoid running sounds together.

· Concentrate on reaching listeners at the farthest reaches of the space.

Be alive to others when speaking! Look at those who are listening, letting eye contact cooperate in communication.

Identify with the characters being quoted and visualize what is taking place, projecting the experience to the listener.

Fully utilize all vocal and physical resources to bring to life that about which one is speaking.

Gordon C. Bennett’s Readers Theatre Comes to Church: A New Form of Christian Communication for Worship, Teaching & Evangelism