Diction is the way you talk: your enunciation and the types of words and phrases you use.
These exercises are great for actors to practice:
Yoga hum: Take a deep breath in, then hum while slowly releasing your breath. Do this 5-10 times.
Dragon's breath: Stand with your hands on your stomach and take a deep breath in. Release the breath with a "hah!" on fast, sharp exhales.
Tongue twisters: Go through any catchy tongue twisters you know, such as:
She sells seashells by the seashore.
We surely shall see the sunshine soon.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, and chuck as much wood
As a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?
To practice, say the above tongue twisters slowly and deliberately five times in a row. If you're able to say them without making a mistake, increase the speed. If you make a mistake, slow back down again. The key with tongue twisters as diction exercises is to only speed up once you're in control of the words and to go faster and faster until you master them at all speeds.
- Practice vowels and consonants: Practice saying and singing vowels using different consonant sounds at the front, in the middle, and at the end.
For example, slowly and clearly say the words
"poke," "toll," "boat," "cope," and "stone" back to back, focusing on keeping that long "o" exactly the same.
#actor #diction
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Thank you for sharing these great exercises, Tammy Hunt! The woodchuck tongue twister was always my favorite when doing warmups before theater performances.
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Very cool Tammy Hunt. Dragon’s Breath is also used to strengthen the diaphragm for singing. Some do it laying down on your back.
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There's so many television actors out there who could definitely benefit from reading this!!! I really don't like having to watch so many shows with the subtitles on for lack of being able to understand them!
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Perfect to do before an audition! Thanks for posting Tammy!
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Awesome exercises! Thanks Tammy Hunt
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Thank you for sharing this. It's a good reminder to me that I also need to warm up before an audition as well.