Voice Acting: Warm Up Those Voice-Over Chops! These Vocal Exercises Release Tension & Warm Up Your Brain, by Ann Utterback
VOICE ACTING
Warm Up Those Voice-Over Chops! These
Exercises Release Tension, Wake Up Your Brain
June 19, 2018
By Ann Utterback
Voice Specialist and Author, Broadcast Voice Handbook
A journalism student asked me recently what my favorite vocal
exercise was. That got me thinking about what exercises I would do just
before voicing something.
exercise was. That got me thinking about what exercises I would do just
before voicing something.
I came up with my Go-To Vocal Exercises that
would be indispensible for me if I were on the air every day.
These exercises focus on releasing tension in the upper body and oral
cavity.
would be indispensible for me if I were on the air every day.
These exercises focus on releasing tension in the upper body and oral
cavity.
I’ve also included one to increase my heart rate slightly to
wake up my brain so I’ll be sharp and ready to voice.
wake up my brain so I’ll be sharp and ready to voice.
Want to give them a
try?
Let’s get started!
try?
Let’s get started!
REPEAT AFTER ME …
1. First, repeat the simple phrase, “You see
Oz,” exaggerating the vowels. Purse your lips tightly for “You.” Do a
big smile for “see.” And open your mouth widely for “Oz.” Repeat this
phrase 5 or 6 times.2. Now repeat the phrase, “Fat lazy cat,” 10 times exaggerating the explosion of air in the”t” sounds.3. Next, make big circles with your elbows
out to your sides. Exaggerate these by making them really big. Do these
about 5 times in each direction. (As always with this and the following
physical exercises, do them only within your comfort zone. Don’t do
them if they cause any pain.)4. Once you’ve done those, raise your
shoulders up toward your ears. Hold for a couple of seconds, and then
let them completely relax. Do this 3 times.5. Now reach up over your head with both arms and pretend you’re picking apples just out of reach. Again do this 6 times.6. And finally, march in place like a
marching bandleader. Bring your knees up and pump your arms. Do this
until you are slightly out of breath.
These Go-To Vocal Exercises take less
than 2 minutes to complete, but they have a big payoff. You will have
less tension in your neck and upper body. You will be able to articulate
more easily, and your brain will be sharper.
than 2 minutes to complete, but they have a big payoff. You will have
less tension in your neck and upper body. You will be able to articulate
more easily, and your brain will be sharper.
Not bad for 2 minutes of
your time!
your time!
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ABOUT ANN
ABOUT ANN
Ann
S. Utterback, Ph.D., is a voice specialist with more than 40 years
experience and has helped hundreds of people make the most of their
voices, working with broadcasters, voice over artists and podcasters
around the world. An author of eight books and over 50 articles on
voice, her Broadcast Voice Handbook is a classic textbook offering more advice on
how to improve your voice over performance.
S. Utterback, Ph.D., is a voice specialist with more than 40 years
experience and has helped hundreds of people make the most of their
voices, working with broadcasters, voice over artists and podcasters
around the world. An author of eight books and over 50 articles on
voice, her Broadcast Voice Handbook is a classic textbook offering more advice on
how to improve your voice over performance.
Click for: Broadcast Voice Handbook