Director's Note: Vocal techniques to help strengthen your delivery

For performers—whether actors, singers, or public speakers—the voice is an instrument that needs regular training. A strong, resonant voice with clear projection not only captivates audiences but also reduces strain and enhances longevity. Here’s a guide to vocal techniques and exercises to help you achieve that.

1. Warm Up Your Voice

Just like a musician tunes an instrument, warming up your voice prepares it for optimal performance. A proper warm-up increases blood flow to your vocal cords and prevents injury.

Exercises:

• Lip Trills: Gently blow air through closed lips to create a “brrr” sound. Glide up and down in pitch to loosen vocal folds.

• Humming: Hum softly, feeling vibrations in your lips, face, and chest. This helps with resonance and breath control.

2. Breathing Techniques

The foundation of projection and resonance is proper breath support. Many performers breathe shallowly from the chest, which limits vocal power.

Exercises:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Lie on your back with a hand on your stomach. Inhale deeply so your stomach rises, then exhale slowly. Repeat daily to strengthen your breath control.

• Sustained “S” Exercise: Take a deep diaphragmatic breath and hiss “ssss” for as long as possible. This builds control over airflow and supports sustained vocal tone.

3. Resonance Enhancement

Resonance gives your voice richness, warmth, and presence. It’s about letting vibrations travel through your vocal cavities—mouth, nasal passages, and chest.

Exercises:

• “Ng” Slide: Start with the “ng” sound (like the end of “sing”) and slide through different pitches. Focus on feeling vibrations in your face and nasal area.

• Yawning Sirens: Yawn slightly while producing a siren-like sound from low to high. This opens your throat and enhances resonance.

4. Projection Without Strain

Projection is the ability to make your voice carry without shouting or harming your vocal cords. It relies on breath support, resonance, and articulation.

Exercises:

• Resonant Phrases: Choose a short phrase and speak it from your diaphragm, feeling vibrations in your chest and mask (the area around your nose and cheeks).

• Counting or Reading Aloud: Read a paragraph aloud as if addressing the back row of a theatre. Focus on clear enunciation and steady airflow, not volume alone.

5. Articulation and Diction

Clear articulation complements resonance and projection. It ensures your audience can understand every word.

Exercises:

• Tongue Twisters: Recite tongue twisters slowly, gradually increasing speed without losing clarity.

• Exaggerated Mouth Movements: Speak with over-articulated vowel and consonant shapes to strengthen your facial muscles.

6. Cool Down

After intense vocal work, cool down your voice to relax the muscles and prevent fatigue.

• Gentle humming down a scale

• Soft sighs from high to low pitch

  
  

Tips for Sustainable Vocal Health

• Stay hydrated—your vocal cords need moisture to function properly.

• Avoid shouting or whispering excessively.

• Rest your voice when fatigued.

  
  

Your voice is a powerful instrument, and with consistent practice using these exercises, you can enhance your resonance, projection, and overall vocal stamina. Strong vocal technique not only improves performance but also protects your voice for years to come.