Josh,
years ago I started using an exercise called 1-10, 10-1. It is a volume exercise.
First, instruct students in a successful stage whisper. This will be volume 1. Then describe that everyday speaking voices are between 4 and 6. The final portion is working with their breathing to get them to work up to a successful full projection, a 10. In order to explain the process by which one uses the diaphragm, I equate it to a speaker. More power = more volume. But, if you try to get the speaker to work to hard it blows, like vocal chords that get strained from not using proper projection through controlling breathing.
In a circle, the cast/crew progresses from 1 (a stage whisper) to 10 (full projection). Then from 10 back to 1 saying the numbers 1 through 10 with each number being pronounced with the corresponding volume.
This allows you and your students to communicate assigned numbers to their projection. I.e., " That was good, but it was only a '5' try it now at an '8'."
I use use it as a standard warm up in class and before shows/rehearsals. Best of luck, if you use it, let me know how it works out!
Yours in Art,
Jason
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Jason Robert LeClair, MA
Artist/Arts Educator
Director, Thespian Troupe 7444
Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
Woonsocket, RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-04-2017 11:30
From: Josh Belk
Subject: Vocal projection
Does anyone have suggestions for how I can help a student with her projection? I spend more time with her on this than anything else in the production we are doing now. I'm out of ways to describe and encourage proper vocal technique. We stop, work on it, I get one or two good lines from her, and then back to normal conversational tones. Anyone have ideas for new techniques or exercises I can try with her; maybe something different will click better for her.
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Josh Belk
Director of Theatre
Palmer Ridge High School
Monument, CO
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