RESONANCE

Forward Voice Placement Increase oral resonance (move the voice out of the throat, toward the front of the mouth)

Homework:

Spend 5 minutes a day practicing forward voice placement
Start with “mmm” syllables each time as a warm up to help move the voice forward
- Ex: mim-mim-mim / mam-mam-mam / mom-mom-mom ; nin-nin-nin / nan-nan-nan, etc.
Make sure each mmm sound tickles the lips
Then move on to practicing the phrases & sentences
Speak slowly
Focus mainly on feeling & hearing the vibrations at the front of the mouth while you speak
Try and relax and open the mouth to help move the sound forward

Tools to increase resonance:

Relax your lower jaw (creates space in the mouth)
Relax your throat (think “H” sound)
Work to keep the back of the tongue relaxed and low in the mouth (to create space in the mouth for sound to vibrate)
Keep the chest open and lifted (=increase breath flow & resonance)
If sitting, be sure to sit on your butt bones & keep spine straight
Breathe generously

Reminder:

You are aiming for a feeling throughout these exercises, not so much a sound
Ultimate goal is for you to acquaint yourself with the feeling of making sound in this way (the more you feel it, the more you’ll subsequently start to hear it)

Y Buzz - to increase resonance (handout attached)

Spend 3-5 minutes practicing every morning
Start with the “Y” buzz words
Then move to the “Y” sentences
- Hold the “Y” sound in each word for a few seconds
Then, read aloud for a couple of minutes, working to maintain the same focus of forward vibrations