Sarah Golding here with your advent countdown for Christmas Vocal Warm Up Sessssionnns!
These are intended for you to just add to your collection of things to do ....for warming up ....before you become the audio drama actor of awesome that you are!
Day one!
Hey. Hey cool cats!
Welcome to ...MADSASS ...an ADVENT CALENDAR of vocal warm ups for you voice actors to enjoy! Oh...MADSASS and advent - (GASP!) MADVENT! I need to rebrand! Never mind. MADVENNNT!
Let us start off with just massaging your faaaaaace. Put your hand flat and...and just massage first of all your ...your cheeks, both at the same time....and around your eyes. Little circles ....tiny little circles just going round and round gently...massaging your face....down to your chin...and your jaw line....beautiful.
Now, Let’s try some sounds shall we? B And then D G Then P T K.
We’re going to repeat those letters. B D G P T K Just let your face relax when you do these.
B and P are at the front of your mouth on ... the lips of the mouth there, coming out at the front. D and T are made in the middle of the mouth there. D, T, D, T.
And G and K are made with your glottal stop at the back. G, K, G, K, G, K. Just feel how that feels in your mouth for a minute.
GKGKGKGKGKGK
Ok lovely!
Now we’re going to do a little bit of tongue slug. Let’s get that tongue warmed up!
So. To a cartoon sound of your choice....er...I’m going to show you mine if you’ll show me yours. Er...Please stick out your tongue as far as it will go, and then....stick it back in again.
Ok so, To the sound 3,2,1..... Ooooeh (Tongue out) Auuuuwwwuuuh (Tongue in) So, to the ooooooeh....you’re sticking your tongue out, Auuuuwwwuuuh and to that sound, you’re sticking it in again.
The tongue twister today which is Kathy Lye and Haydn Davis’ favourite is
Are you ready? I will say it twice
I’m not a pleas-
(Gathers self)
(To self) I’m going to get this one right
I'm not a pheasant plucker, I'm a pheasant plucker's son and I'm only plucking pheasants til the pheasant plucker comes.
I'm not a pheasant plucker, I'm a pheasant plucker's son and I'm only plucking pheasants til the pheasant plucker comes.
One more time really fast. Are you ready?
Good luck!
(Sharp breath in) I’m not a pleasant f-<GONG>
I'm not a pheasant plucker, I'm a pheasant plucker's son and I'm only plucking pheasants til the pleasant <GONG> ker comes.
(Whispers) Oh bugger
I’m not a pleasant <GONG>...
I'm not a pheasant plucker, I'm a pheasant plucker's son and I'm only plucking peasants...
I'm not a pheasant plucker, I'm a pheasant plucker's son and I'm only plucking pheasants til the pleasant pucker comes.
(Whispers) Oh dammit. Plucker
IIIIII’m not a pleasant f- <GONG> (SIGH) I’m not a pleasant-
I’m not a pheasant-
(Quickly, exasperated) I’M NOT A PHEASANT PLUCKER, I’M A PHEASANT PLUCKER’S SON AND I’M ONLY PLUCKING PHEASANTS TIL THE PHEASANT PLUCKER COMES!
(SIGH) (Under Breath) Did it
Julie Hoverson of 19 Nocturne Boulevard and SO much more gives the advice : “ Improve your studio sound. Make a blanket fort, if necessary. You can work with basic equipment if you set it up right, but there's nothing worse than hearing ‘I love your voice, but your room tone is unusable.’ “ So Y’know Work on your room tone.
Thanks you...pheasant pluckers! See you tomorrow for more advent warm up fun!
WPISODE 2
Tata!
2
Hello and welcome to MADVENT 2 - the second window on your advent calendar of audio aural warm up joy.
Today we’re looking at a variety of exercises - please just join in - and er- won’t take you long.
I’d like you to stand in a neutral position. Legs slightly part, knees flexed, chilled. And Arms ....by your side - shoulders back as if you have a little hook attached to your head and to the ceiling. Just to help with pulling up ...your posture.
Ok
Just open your mouth wide for me. And make it as small as you can. Mmmm
And now, do the same but you’re going to open up your whole face, so when I say open wide… I mean your eyes, your nose, your face, your forehead everything Isi going to open. And when I say close youre going to close all that down to make it as teeny as possible and squished.
READY?
OPEN. CLOSE. OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE OPEN
… … CLOSE
Very Good. Do THAT A couple more times if you want to.
Maybe just give yourself a little massage now on your face again. Ok lovely. Now what I do is after I’ve done little circles… I will just do …pitter patters - like a little horse race on my face.
Now …you might have one brewing….let’s do a nice big burp.
<BURPS>
Just Get rid of that er …extra tension. It’s actually not an exercise - I’m just RUUUUDE.
Now we’re going to breathe a little bit. It’s from your tummy today. Really make it work - that diapragm..YOUR DIA-FRAG-MUH.
We’re going to Breathe in for 4 out for 4 in for 4 then out for 8 in for 4 out for 12 And in for 4 out for 16 Can you count that high this morning? Are we ready? And Breathe In 2, 3, 4 and OUT 2,3,4
In 2, 3, 4 and OUT 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 And In 2, 3, 4 and OUT 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 And In 2, 3, 4 and OUT 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16
And breathe. As. You like. Lovely!
Practice that, because that will help you do ...MANY things to do with breath control. And improve your general understanding of howwwwww to control that particular breath from that particular ares. Deep breathing. Deep breath. Good stuff.
Ok So hopefully you’re feeling a little more relaxed to with all of that lovely breathing?! So Let move the ‘mmm’ sound Make an ‘mmmmmm’ As if you are…. enjoying some food...or some other such thing as you might enjoy as might enjoy and go ‘mmm’.
Mmmmmmmmmmmm
I’d like that to start at the back of the throat Mmmmmmm Now move that to the left cheek Mmmmmmm The right cheek Mmmmmmm And forward out your mouth Mmmmmmm And up into your noise Mmmmmmm And down toward your toes Mmmmmmm And up high… above you Lovely.
And...I don’t know if you know about um...Drew Dodd? But his ..his dad’s dog’s dead.
Mm. it’s very sad.
Drew Dodd’s Dad’s Dog’s Dead.
Drew Dodd’s Dad’s Dog’s Dead.
Drew Dodd’s Dad’s Dog’s Dead.
Suzie works in a shoe shine shop Where she shines she sits And Where she sits she shines.
Isn’t THAT NICE?
Suzie works in a shoe shine shop And Where she sits she shines And Where she <GONG>
Where she shines she sits Where she sits she shines.
Where she shines she sits Where she sits she shines. Where she shines she sits Where she sits she shines.
Our top tip from a voice actor you might well know and love
KIRSTY WOOLVEN of 12:37, Haunted House of Horror and so much more says
“Always keep learning. Always go for it.
But....
It's really important to know when to take a step back!”
I shall step back from the mic now, and perhaps....you’ll hear me tomorrow. Happy MADSASS ADVENT! HAPPPYYYY MADVENT
TATAAAAA
Hello! Hearty Welcomes to MADVENT episode 3 with me Sarah Golding.
Now…HOW MANY DAYS TO CHRISTMAS? Possibly 145 if you’re listening to this in the summer…AAAAanyway Today thanks to Erika Anderson for sharing her advice at the end of this ep and Lara Deacon for the tongue twister recomendation. Enjoy!
Hello! Welcome to day three of MADSASS advent! Today we have lip trill sirens. Yes we do - so with your lips we are going to relax them. So just do this first
<Wiggles index finger between lips whilst changing pitch up and down of an ahhh>
I do that just for fun anyway as its <wiggles finger as above> quite fun to dooooo. Then we’re just going to blow air through that and we’re going to do sirens which are - for now we’ll do down to up.
So, the highest you can possibly do on your range, to the lowest you can possibly do on your range.
BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Really relax those lips - they must feel nice and buzzy now right?
BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR And that will do Sarah. Now we’re going to do the same, but with tongues. So. Yes this one’s a little bit harder so you need to relax your mouth, and just focus on breathing through.
Let’s do some counting with your tongue out. I’d like you to count very quickly to ten with your tongue out but annunciate the numbers so I can still…. understand what you are saying!
Good and let’s slow that down and do that in slow motion…. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Good, and your tongue should feel a little bit more….. relaxed and loose now….for whatever job you need it to do.
The tongue twister for today is from the wonderful LARA DEACON. Thank you Lara. She… has suggested <Clears throat>
My fathers car is a jaguar and pa drives rather fast. Castles, farms and draughty barns, pa goes speeding past. Arthur’s cart is much less fast and won’t go half as far, but I’d rather ride in Arthur’s car than in my papa’s jaguar.
Oh dear I buggered that up at the end. So, are we ready. Feel free to look at the show notes for the actual text of this.
A 1,2,3,4…
My fathers car is a jaguar and pa drives rather fast. Castles, farms and draughty barns, pa goes speeding past. Arthur’s cart is much less fast and won’t go half as far, but I’d rather ride in Arthur’s car than in my papa’s jaguar.
There you go. So…erm… that is obviously - for those who aren’t British - for you to practice your ‘ahhhhh’ sounds. AH. AH. AH. AH. AHHHHH. OK…. That’s really quite poor - I’m sorry, Im MEANT to be good at this - to be demonstrating it to you but I’m really not - I’m just doing it with you. So…let’s practice…..one more time…
<faster> My fathers car is a jaguar and pa drives rather fast. Castles, farms and draughty barns, pa goes speeding past. Arthur’s cart is much less fast and won’t go half as far, but I’d rather ride in Arthur’s car than in my papa’s jaguar.
So, I was really opening my mouth wide there for the annunciation to really…pepper through.
Ok, today’s top tips from a voice actor you know and love is Erika Sanderson of No Sleep and…oh gosh so many other beautiful things. So Number One, she says
Learn to act. Never stop training.
Total top tip - two top tips. Number 2!
Play with voices. Talk to yourself aloud, treat it like a vocal warmup, exploring range, tone and accent. Explore the character.
3. Don’t forget physicality - how you use your body will change how you sound.
Thank you very much for listening - see you tomorrow for….number 4!
<Burp>
MADVENT EPISODE 4
HELLOO and welcome to episode 4 of MADVENT with me Sarah Golding. Today we give congratulations to DAVE FISH HAT PELLOW for our wonderful tongue twister and some advice from DAVID AULT. Enjoy.
MUSIC ENDS
Hi It’s the Dave and Dave and Sarah show! Alright Dave!
<USA accent> And welcome to MADSASS sessions number 4 - Advent calendar ahoy!
Today we’re goin’ to be starting off with some chewing gum. <UK accent> I’m sorry Im going to stop that accent it was so bad - I apologise for my American accent sometimes it’s really quite rubbish.
CHEWING GUM Let’s imagine you’ve just popped a little bit in your mouth, and its very small. So, The noises I’m going to make are a little ASMR but I’m chewing so…what can ya do? So <CHEWING SOUNDS> Try and move that…quite quickly…little bit of chewing gum…. around your mouth. Now, As I am talking to you its getting bigger, so, you have to…slow,..your chew down. And you’re really having to…move your jaw…to chew. And finally, it’s so big you can’t actually. really move your mouth very much. Trying to chew it. Ok marvellous. And…
<SPIT SOUND>
Spit it in the bin. Lovely! Er…remember to…put things in the bin..if they’re…. rubbish.
<LOUDLY> LAMANASAPAFATAGAAAAAA
LAMANASAPAFATAGAAAAAA
LAMANASAPAFATAGAAAAAAAAAA
LAAAAMAAAANAAAASAAAAAPAAAAFAAAATAAAAGAAAAAAAAAA
LAMAaaaNASaaaaAPAFATAGAAAAAAaaaa
Did you hear what I said? I said…..
LAMANASAPAFATAGAAAAAA
LAMANASAPAFATAGAAAAAA
Lovely.
I want you to do a little exercise for a moment, and just try….Breathe from your chest …
<BREATHES OUT>
Breathe in 2,3,4 out 2,3,4.
<BREATHES IN>
From your chest… <BREATHES OUT> Out, 2,3,4 <BREATHES IN> In 2,3,4, <BREATHES OUT> Out 2,3,4
And what do you notice as you breathe in? <BREATHES IN> In 2,3,4, <BREATHES OUT> Out 2,3,4 (I’m breathing too fast thats what I’m doing.) <SLOWS BREATHING PACE, IN> In 2,3,4, <BREATHES OUT> Out 2,3,4
Ok, so, your shoulders <BREATHES IN> are going up, yes with every breath from your chest? <BREATHES OUT> Now let’s move that breath, coming from <BREATHES IN > your tummy. 2,3,4, <BREATHES OUT> So breathe from your tummy - put your hand on your tummy if you want, <BREATHES IN> So you can see the rise and the fall. <BREATHES OUT> 2,3,4 <BREATHES IN>. Innn 2,3,4 <BREATHES OUT> Out 2,3… Now feel the difference <BREATHES IN > with the amount of breath you have … <BREATHES OUT> OUT 2….with er…whats the difference with breathing from your tummy - <BREATHES IN> your diaphragm, and your chest? <BREATHES OUT> ….So you obviously…by breathing from our diappraGMA - our diaphragm - our tummy area, we have more breath, which potentially means we have more potential for fine projection, if that is what you need. Obviously as Voice Actors projection isn’t as much of an issue, but, Its very important to be breathing properly and keeping you relaxed…and ready for work…is obviously a good thing.*
*This kind of excellent use of breath control can be utilised For sustained notes or sounds, for changes in volume and output of some kind, or readying you for more stressed use of the voice such as delivering a long unpunctuated sentence that goes on and on and on for a bit a bit like this one as it goes on and on with no pause for breath but I am ready for it for I HAVE TRAINED MY DIAPHRAGM-SO! By training yourself to be better at controlling your breath from your diaphragm, and doing exercises like this every day. you can make sure you are ready for whatever a script might throw at you….and know you have the depth of breath to deliver. Gimme a woot woot. No don’t sorry. I’m far too olde for that. Gimme a sick beat feat. Man. Ah. No Sorry where was I?
Today’s tongue twister from Dave Fish Hat Pellow - Hello Dave….from TIN CAN!…AHEM. Are we ready.? Cos…Alll I want do want is a …proper cup of coffee to be honest.
All I want is a proper cup of coffee, Made in a proper copper coffee pot. I may Be off my dot, But i want a cup of coffee from a proper coffee pot. Tin coffee pots And iron coffee pots, They're no good to me Oh no! If i can't have a proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot Then I'll ….have a pot of… tea.
Oh I buggered that up didn’t I? You want to do it properly with me?
All I want is a proper cup of coffee, Made in a proper copper coffee pot. I may Be off my dot, But i want a cup of coffee from a proper coffee pot. <SPEEDINGUP>Tin coffee pots And iron coffee pots, <SPEEDING UP>They're no good to me Oh no! <SPEEDING UP> If i can't have a proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot I'll have <SLOWINGDOWN> a pot of… tea.
Ok I …kinda of did that didn’t I? That was ok???
I have some top tis from one of my favourite voice actors David Ault - ‘allo David! He says “ 1) Grab a mic and get involved. There are loads of groups out there making audio drama and all experience is good experience!
2) Listen …to …audio. Think about what you enjoy, why you like particular voice actors. Get in touch with them, see if production companies you like have any auditions going. When they do, send an audition in - you never know…. what could happen! “ I re-iterate that. And he adds…. “ After all, I got into audio because of a love of Doctor Who. 15 years later…Here. I. am... “ And he’s doing quite well in’t ‘e really, y’know. On tour wi’ No sleep. Can’t be bad. I’m going to see that in January if anyone else wants to …come join me… Come heckle. <OUTRO MUSIC>
MADVENT 5
HAPPY MADVENT...! Hallo its episode 5… with me Sarah Golding of Quirky Voices. Do ping me an email if you like on [email protected] for any reason you like. Oh, And hearty thanks to Karin Heimdahl for the VA advice today. Enjoy!
Hallo and welcome to number 5 in the advent MADVENT the vwarm up vocal sessions.
Today, we’re going o concentrate on the word sing. Sing. Its very…nasal. The ‘ng’ is only made from your nose.
So Lets do First of all, we’re going to say the word sing, and just… first of all, hold your nose.
SING SING SING SING
And I’f like you to try and move that noise to the left first, then the right then up then down. Ok so, hold your nose…and….
SING SING SING SING
Ok so moving it left, right, up and down. Now do it without holding your nose….
SING SING SING SING
Trying to move those lovely little words up, down, left and right. Good, now, from the lovely Nic Redman. She uses ‘sing’ to do… her… sirens. So… let’s do that, and follow the advice of the profssionals., If you h aven’t heard Nic, she was on a wonderful episode of MADIVA podcast - have a little look…find it (it’s worth it I tell you!)
(SINGING HIGH TO LOW) SIIIING (SINGING LOW TO HIGH) SIIINNGG oooh SINGING LHIGH TO LOW) SINNNNNNG (SINGING LOW TO HIGH) SIIIINGGGGG SINGING LHIGH TO LOW) SINNNNNNG (SINGING LOW TO HIGH) SIIIINGGGGG
I’m kind of imagining it as form SIIIING (SINGING LOW Ting an ’s’ when I’ I’m saying it …so if you want to do it in your head…keep that posture remember……
(SINGING HIGH TO LOW)O HIGH) SIIINNGG oooh SINGING LHIGH TO LOW) SINNNNNNG (SINGING LOW TO HIGH) SIIIINGGGGG
Lovely well dome!
Ok , so …this time can you lie on the floor? Goon, just have a little lie down……and I want you to actually pop your hands on your tum, and we’re going to do the breathing exercise we’ve done a few times…. on the floor this time.
So we’re going to breathe in for 4 Out for 4 In for 4 Out for 8 In for 4 Out for 12 In for 4 Out for 16.
Are you ready? Are you lying comfortably? Make sure you’re straight and make sure you’re relaxed on the floor. Just do some breathing gently. Ok and breathe in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4, And in 2,3,4, And out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 An in 2,3,4, And out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 And in 2,3,4 And in 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,910,11,12,13,14,15,16
And breathe as you like.Now what would be ideal is, if you repeat that for a few cycles, ok, so feel free to stop this…and do that.
Ok up you get! Cmon! Now gimme 2 star jumps! Ha-One! ha-Two! Very good Now make the letter T with your body. Ready go!…T Make an I Make A T Gimme a B - THATS’ right..do the leg…good Gimme an I Make A T You’ve spelt…TITBIT. Yes, you spelt TITBIT, and the next TITBIT for you, is….
“Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself’.
Yeah, its not voice actor specific, butY’know, it’s still important, right? Ahem. Let’s just do some AEIOU Ok, so I know you know those are vowels. And so, if we just say them together, really annunciating the shape, so framing the shape of those letters with your - your whole mouth, and really making them big. Ok,so…
AEIOU AEIOU AEIOU
Good so let’s do that on a note (SINGING A SUSTAINED NOTE) AEIOU AEIOU AEIOU
Now let’s really make them flow
(Going up in scale) AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU AEIOUUUUUUU
Beautiful!
Todays tongue twisters are RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
REALLY TRY AND GET THAT FAST OFF THE TONGUE….
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS
Oh Karin Heimdahl from Y2K podcast, which is hitting your ear stirrups in the new year, so please watch out for that as I know it’s going to be magical.
SHE SAYS: “ Tip 1: When auditioning, read the entire casting call and DO WHAT IT SAYS. “ She has written in capitals.
As a producer, if I am deciding between two actors, the one who followed the instructions will get it every time. Shows they are likely to follow instructions later on too... “ So don’t be naughty! Oh dear.
“ Tip 2: Figured this out in conversation with amazing VA Charlotte Norup - if you are struggling with pacing, or with sounding like you are reading a script, music in your headphones can help - upbeat music for a fast-paced scene, slower music for a sad scene, and so on. Just make sure the music doesn’t leak into your recording - I use earbuds for the music and put my headphones on top.
Ooh top tips - I’ve seen that on a program as well - did you see it with that lovely kid, who had a stammer, and they, basically, the teacher was great…and did exactly that - played music whilst he was reading and he read beautifully. So…there you go …top tip for pacing playfulness is…play music.
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 6
<GROOVY MUSIC>
Hello and welcome to episode 6 of MADVENT! Huzzahs its December the 6th! My dad and aunties birthday! I’m Sarah Golding and hope these vocal warm ups are useful. Cheers and hearty thanks to Karim Kronfli for todays’ VOICE ACTING advice. Enjoy!
<MUSIC FADES>
Hallo and welcome to episode 6 of the MADVENT advent calendaaaaar for vocal warm ups. Let’s do a little warm up of… singing happy birthday to my dad and my auntie… who are lovely, and anyone else who might have a birthday. But This time were going to sing it with our mouths closed. This is my only party trick.
<TALKING WITH MOUTH COMPLETELY SHUT>
It’s talking with someone stuck inside your mouth, so you keep your mouth shut, and you just speak from inside your mouth.
It’s um….If you didn’t understand what I said, basically you shut your mouth and - its my party trick - I speak from inside my mouth. So let’s just do a happy birthday - to… my dad - he’s called Christian -Chris - and my auntie Sue. Er - feel free to add their names or anyone else you would like to wish a happy birthday to.
Now, obviously it has to be said due to various copyright issues we can’t sing the well known version of happy birthday. So this is a freestyle happy birthday that you can sing in your own way , however you want, you know, use your own words…and thats what im going to do! Ill put the words I use on my website www.sarahgodingvoiceactorandmore.weebly.com
Anyway, here we go! Mouth shut and…
<SINGING WITH MOUTH SHUT>
I HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU LOVELY FOLK I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO YOU HAPPY BIR-IR-IRRRRRRRTHDAYYYYYY
…thank you very much…COPYRIGHT…ME…
Now Let’s hear you just say….
<SINGING LIKE WEDDING BELLS> OOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEE
OOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEE
OOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEEOOEEOOEE
The letters are ooh and eee
OOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEE
OOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEEOOEEOOEEOOEEEE
OOooooo
EEEEEE
Let’s do them slowly <SPEAKING RECITATIVE> OO EE OO EE EE OO EE EE OO OO EE OO EE EE OO EE OO OO EE OO OO EE OO EE EE OO EE OO OO EE OO OO EE OO Stop it! OK, we’ll stop there.
Today’s tongue twister! Let’s do first without rolling r’s and then…roll away.
ROUND THE ROUGH AND RUGGED ROCK THE RAGGED RASCAL RUDELY RAN
I did that a bit wrong. Did you notice?
ROUND THE ROUGH AND RUGGED ROCK THE RAGGED RASCAL RUDELY RAN ROUND THE ROUGH AND RUGGED ROCK THE RAGGED RASCAL RUDELY RAN ROUND THE ROUGH AND RUGGED ROCK THE RAGGED RASCAL RUDELY RAN
Rrrright Le’t try with rrrrolling those rr’s I said rrrr’s.
<ROLLING R’S WITH TONGUE> RRRRROUND THE RRRROUGH AND RRRRUGGED RRRROCK THE RRRRAGGED RRRASCAL RRRRUDELY RRRRAN RRRRROUND THE RRRROUGH AND RRRRUGGED RRRROCK THE RRRRAGGED RRRASCAL RRRRUDELY RRRRAN
Now, if your tongue is getting tired, you can stop rolling it
RRRRROUND THE RRRROUGH AND RRRRUGGED RRRROCK THE RRRRAGGED RRRASCAL RRRRUDELY RRRRAN
Lovely.
Let’s just get that <rolls tonge> rrrrrr running for t a little bit shall we? Let’s just try some high to low ….sirens with that lovely tongue of yours.
Oh my goodness! Even my tummy wanted to join in with that fun…
Karim, one of my amazing…. WONderful pals of er….voice acting audio joy……<DEEP VOICE> What I wouldn’t give to have a deep, beautiful voice like him….That was a very bad impression, sorry Karim. Er…Here are his tips….(Shutup Sarah and get on with it)
1…COS HE’S GOT 5 TIPS, BUT IT’S FINE, THEY’RE ALL BRILLIANT.
I’m not going to edit them, they are just as is.
1 - Make sure you can act, and always keep develop your acting skills. Watch Films, TV, Plays and listen to Audio Drama. And Listen to Audio Drama! Analyse how they made you feel. Why did they make you feel that?
What part of the performance delivered that feeling? What can you then do to develop your skills to produce similar results in your audience?
HMM think about that. Replay that and listen again…’s very important….
2 - Learn the basics of your recording tech. Levels, mic technique, prepping a recording space to be as dead as possible. Practice recording and editing, so you get familiar with how things sound and what little edits can do. And, how little background noises can get onto the track forcing you to record again.
3 - A quality mic is great but only if your recording space is up to the challenge. Don't waste money on a beautiful condenser mic if your recording space is too bright, or susceptible to noise pollution. Spend the money on improving your space first. Perfectly accept - this is a tongue twister in itself…perfectly acceptable results can be produced with a Shure SM58 or an AKG D5, both of which are under £100 if you know… how to record…. with them.
4 - Be nice and professional. The reason most voice actors get return business is not just because they produced a good recording, but they are nice and easy to work with too. Producers are very busy people so if they have to spend a large amount chasing for recordings, or get annoyed or frustrated at a VA who is incommunicative or just rude, it is not likely they will be at the top of their call back list… for future projects.
5 - Ask questions. If you aren't quite sure of something in the script, the direction to take a character, pronunciation or anything. Ask the producer. better you know in advance of recording a firm idea of what they want.
Thank you Karim. Superb advice, and er yeah, if anyone else wants to employ him, find his details on the show notes….
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 7
Welcome to episode 7 of MADVENT…. it’s me Sarah Golding. I’m gonnaa stop singing.
Today we are grateful to Dany Ellett - Hellooo Dannnyyy - of Good Pointe podcasts, Subjective truth and Margaritas and Donuts...Oh my goodness, so many GOODE THINGS Dany is popping in as a director producer and all sorts so thank you! Enjoy!
Hello! Welcome to Episode 7 of Madvent - the advent calendar of vocal warm ups! Today is all about the letter ’S’. Let’s give me a nice big breath in… with your neutral posture..that’s right..lovely…and…a big breath in and you’re goin to ‘ssss’ as long as you possibly can so…from the diaphragm, breathe in….
Are you still going? Good effort! Keep going. Wonderful.
Great! So, now we’re going to do the same, but, we’re going to control the outburst of the ’s’ - so for example <BREATHES IN> from the diaphragm, breathe in….
SSSSSSSS <PAUSE> SSSSSSSSS <PAUSE> SSSSSSSS
When you halt the breath, I want you to actually… tense in…. your tummy muscles, so like you’re… you’re…PULLING them in, and then relax as you continue with the ’s’.
So
SSSSSSS PULL IN SSSSSSS PULL IN SSSSSSS
SSSSSSS
SSSSSSS
Now this is obviously giving you a workout too, right? You’ll have amazing abs if you do that every day for about …ten hours… please don’t do that every day for ten hours - but essentially, you’re just trying to control the output of breath, and we’re just exercising that little area there, waking it up, to gently be able to work for you, to control the breath you need to speak.
Ok.
We’re going to try breathing to different rhythms now. I’d like you to breathe in for 3 and out for 3.
1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 1… <BREATHING IN AND OUT TO 1,2,3>
And really move those muscles as you’re breathing. That’s right. Good.
Really when you’re breathing in, really snatch it in. OOOO…OOUUUUT …ooooo Lovely!
Ok Now breathe to whatever rhythm that you like
Ok now with your tongue out, I’d like you to try this tongue twister…
She slit the sheet, the sheet she slit.
She slit the sheet, the sheet she slit.
She slit the sheet, the sheet she slit.
So Dany Ellett, of Good Pointe podcasts has given us some wonderful advice ,so …please listen carefully, I shall say this only once!
1. Stay hydrated! Your mouth…see as I’m saying this, I need water. Ill start again. Stay hydrated! Your mouth is a sensitive vocal tool and requires you to be hydrated to help avoid those popping, noisy, mouth sounds.
Sarah:(I’m so sorry for mine)
The less hydrated you are the more saliva your body attempts to produce, so drinking water just during your recording session isn't enough to keep those mouth sounds (and your sound engineers nightmares) <PSYCHO SOUNDS> at bay- get hydrated before you record, and sip water between takes.
2. Do the character work needed to fully understand your motives.
Sarah: (I think this is key)
The difference between line reading and acting is the ability to know the 'why' behind your character's choices. Read your script and take notes, as well as talk to your director and/or scriptwriter to get a better understanding of your character's relationship to their world, circumstances, and fellow players. A simple 'hello' could convey a myriad of different underlying needs, but to be able to say it effectively, how your character intends it - you must first know your character. Acting is not only reacting to the environment and stimuli, but it is a journey and power struggle constantly …of what your character, wants versus what is going to help them achieve that goal… or stand in its way.
I teach LAMDA…. and a lot of the time the kids are basically asked… What do they want? What is their objective in this scene? In this monologue? Not like that (although maybe sometimes)
BUT NO. I JUST THINK ITS KEY TO KNOW WHAT DOES YOUR CHARACTER WANT…IN THOSE SCENES???
Thank you very much Dany….please go and search out all of Dany’s works’, and I’ve put some links on the show notes! Thank you very much for listening…. Ta-taaaaaaaa
<MUSIC OF A GROOVY NATURE>
MADVENT 8
<MUSIC>
Hello and welcome to epithode 8 of MADVENT - sorry I can’t do John - John Bell - this is MADVENT your vocal warm up one stop shop, and we give bonkers bigups to Bells in the batfry John bell - he’s a character actor extraordinaire, giving his advice to day. man of many voices and he’s lovely to boot. but..no. I won’t..Iwon’t boot you John. Not yet. Enjoy!
<MUSIC ENDS>
Hello and welcome to episode 8 of MADVENT sessions. We have today…. starting with - I think you are all a bit tired aren’t you? A big gorgeous yawn.
<YAWNS>
Ohhhh Enjoy it! Hmmm.
Ok, Now, I’d like you to give me….a soundless yawn. I don’t want to hear any noise. Ok maybe some slight mastication if you haven’t had your green apples this morning, but er yes….Nice big,…
<SOUNDLESS YAWN>
Oh I still yawned did you? I do love a good yawn you know.
Ok, now we’re gong to yawn on one note….
<YAWNS ON ONE NOTE>
Now let’s dooooo….errrrr…….on a higher tone.
<YAWNS ON HIGHER TONE> <BREATH IN> <YAWNS ON FURTHER HIGHER TONE>
Oh my goodness isn’t that lovely!
Now feel free this time to use your whole bodyyyy, ok? Its got to be sound and movement ….so get ready to really embrace, I want you to …to bring that yawn In, up, out and rrrrounnnnnd….as much as you possibly can - even if you’re on a tube, or…wherever you might be listening to this.
So bring it innnn…..
<ENJOYABLE LOUD YAWN> <SIGHING ENJOYABLY>
Oh that’s so nice.
Ok, erm, when you yawn - it opens up the back of your throat…which is obviously…. kinda nice when you’re just starting off doing your recording, to..to feel that openness…yes? So, just let’s go for the yawn position but I want to leave the er - the back of your throat…the mouth…in that open position. And we’re going to just…leave it open….
<YAWNS>
And I want you to say the numbers 12345 with that open… throat.
1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1,2,3,4,5
Can you feel? If you’re really are thinking about it, you can open up that throat and really…
1,2,3,4,5,4,3,2,1
You just really, after that yawn you know that yawn position, <SHOWS YAWN POSITION QUICKLY> you can …hopefully, just… feel a lot more relaxed and in control of that part of the back of your throat.
Lovely. So hopefully, thats loosened up your mouth somewhat. Um. This exercise …tongue twister… selection …is from a chap I know called Haydn Davis - thank you Haydn.
The Leith Police Dismisseth us
The Leith - that’s a wonderful place in Scotland for those of you that didn’t know.
The Leith Police Dismisseth us
The Leith police have told us to B*****R off, right
The Leith Police Dismisseth us
You don’t have to do it in a Scottish accent - we will do accents later
The Leith Police Dismisseth us The Leith Police Dismisseth us The Leith Police Dismisseth us
The Leith Police Dismisseth us Dismisseth, Dismisseth
Very good. Ok…
Two toads totally tired tried to trot to Tewksbury
Oh dear, did they? Tried to trot to Tewksbury? Tewksbury is a wonderful place to visit if you haven’t been. Go see. Nice shops…
Two toads totally tired tried to trot to Tewksbury So Two toads totally tired tried to trot to Tewksbury Two toads totally tired tried to trot to Tewksbury
Just really enjoy that sound coming out of your mouth
WOOOOOE
Now you’re on a horse. WOOOOAAHHHHH!!!
Ok that’ll do.
Ohhhhh John Bell…John Bell I adore. Er if you haven’t heard ‘Bell’s in the Batfry’, then jump in it now . Because….It’s a madcap version of fun that just keeps on giving.
Er so, I asked John to impart some advice… and he says…..
“ The only thing I can think of...other than all the essentials of working the microphone, knowing your cues, etc etc, is this:
Don't worry so much on the words you are saying. Be more aware of the action or emotion you are conveying. Getting all the right words in the right order doesn't mean a thing if they're just words. What is your character feeling, thinking, doing? In short, put yourself in that character's position and then...just be natural. It’s better to get the words r ..It’s better to…It’s better to get the words wrong (See what I did there) as long as you get the idea right.
PING
Feel free to edit that down to the point where it makes sense. If I HAD to give a second point, it would be, "Keep your thumb…. next to your line…. so you can find it …easily"! “
Yes so thank you very much John Bell, and please go and search out his amazing works of joy on, Bell’s in the Batfryyyyyyy - which I pop up on now and then, which is very exciting.
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 9
<SINGING> Hallo and welcome to MADVENT 9!
<NOT SINGING> Oh sorry I sung again I didn’t mean to. Today… we are very heartily thankful for Pacific Obidiah’s advice from… SCP, Lake Clarity, Creepy and moOOOOre! I hope you enjoy this vocal warmup session.
<MUSIC ENDS> Hello and welcome to episode nine! We’re going to start with some calm. Just want to hear an MMMM from you, on a tone…. you decide on.
3,2, breathe in and….
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Go to the end of your breath. Take that MMM as far as it will go…good!
Now I’d like to try the mmmmm…but…We’re going to get louder. So we’re going to start quiet. And then…get LOUDER. Readyyyyy?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
LOVELY!
Now we’re going to turn that MMMMM….. into a MAAAAA. Ok, so your going to open those lips up when it’s got sooooooo loud it needs to escape….
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAA
And really open that mouth really wide for the widest it will go for AHHHHHH and then back to an MMMMMM again
Ok I’m going to do a nice yawn now because ...I….I feel….
<YAWN>
Enjoy that. That’s nice isn’t it? Ok. Do you know why we yawn? Em…No, I’m not sure ether. But d’you know, as an actor it does…. relax your throat muscles, ok, it relaxes your vocal chords…..and. well as soon as they relax, your tone actually…. drops a bit….and, in a way, the…. lower your voice is the better you can sound…sometimes….and also, by yawning that little bit more you might get a bit more oxygen to that brain of yours. Hmm? You might even find you’re more alert! So breathing is good for your brain as well as your body.
Ok So, we’re going to do one…..one more exercise with counting out….last time we did this, we went up to 40 …I want you to get to 50… this time…and up…
So you’re going to take one big, beautiful diaphragmatic breath, and then ouuuut breath you’re going to ….speak numbers, and see if you can get… to 50…. or more … in… one… breath.
Train yourself to do this every day. You should be counting over 50 doing this exercise once at least every day. And that will help you to …train your diaphragm, and for you to get a bit more breath control experience, yes?
Ok So remember you’re holding that breath in, and releasing it just very gently.
Ok…. to the numbers <BREATHES IN>
Let’s do a few deep breaths <BREATHES OUT> Ok so you’re ready Ready….not now not yet <BREATHES IN> Ready on the next one <BREATHES OUT> Big breath in <BREATHES IN>
I could go on but I’m not going to. Very well done - Good! Practice that every day and you’ll be..better for it.
Ok…today’s tongue twister is…
IF A BLACK BUG BLEEDS BLACK BLOOD, WHAT COLOUR BLOOD DOES A BLUE BUG BLEED?
So blah….bleugh bleugh bleugh bleugh
I do not goooo blah blah blahhh - name that show.
Right remember to annunciate all of those fricatives.
iF A BLACK BUG BLEEDS BLACK BLOOD, WHAT COLOUR BLOOD DOES A BLUE BUG BLEED?
Really annunciate those ee aah ee ahh ee ahh sounds - I’m sorry I’m a bit masticatey today. Apologies.
iF A BLACK BUG BLEEDS BLACK BLOOD, WHAT COLOUR BLOOD DOES A BLUE BUG BLEED? iF A BLACK BUG BLEEDS BLACK BLOOD, WHAT COLOUR BLOOD DOES A BLUE BUG BLEED?
Ok…give us a WOOT WOOT
(No don’t, sorry) Pacific Obidiah of SCP, Lake Clarity, Creepypod oh my goodness just so many cool, groovy things says…
“ Technically: You can make great audio using a less than great mic, or even a phone! Try building a pillow fort, or surrounding yourself with clothes in a closet. You'll be shocked at how much this helps! “
SOUND DAMPENING IS KEY
“ Creatively: Remember: Keep it simple, Stupid (or KISS). “
K.i.s.s. is the… anachronism…is that the right word? I think so…
‘ Keep it simple, Stupid. Use what you have at your hands! Let your limitations push you to make something unique and creative! Anyone can buy a fancy mic and pay hundreds for a script, so relish and enjoy yourtoolkit!”
I’m enjoying mine right now…Y’know, like - it’s why I am here doing this.
Thank you very much Pacific - you can find his glorious works of audio awesome - er, links to which are on the show notes.
Now Pacific and the Lake Clarity Team have just launched their KICKSTARTER this week wootwootwoot - so look out on the shownotes and do go and support that team of bright young things - go on, do it now they’re fun and fine and a quality team….
Thankyouverymuchfor listening….
I hope you join us tomorrow for mooooore MADVENT!
SARAH’S HUSBANDDOWNSTAIRS: What? Sarah: I’M RECORDING SARAH’S HUSBAND: Oh sorry, I didn’t know…the doors open innit? SARAH: Always
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 10
Hello, and welcome to MADVENT Episode 10. I can’t believe there’s not many days to Christmas! So excited…er..Today we are grateful to Erin B Lillis of so many podcasts, she’s also worked for me on MADCAP which hopefully comes out soonnnn - hearty thanks to you Erin, and let’s jump in with some more vocal warm ups!
<MUSIC ENDS>
Hello and welcome to episode 10 of MADVENT advent calendar of vocal warm ups - I’m Sarah Golding - hi!
Today we’re going to start off with some breathing. We’re going to do square breathing. MMMhhmmm oh yes we are..aha. So…Essentially, we’re going to breathe in for four, and then HOLD IT for four then breathe out for four then HOLD IT for four, and then…continue that…
Making some squares, with our breath…ya know what I mean like - in’t that good.
Breathe In 2,3,4, And hold it 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4 And hold it 2,3,4 And in 2,3,4 And hold it 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4, And hold it 2,3,4 And in
You might ask what I’m asking you to hold And hold it 2,3,4
And out 2,3,4 And hold it 2,3,4 And in
Well it’s your breath isn’t it? 3,4 And hold it 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4 And hold it 2,3,4
Maybe just keep going - and…you know… you can pause this podcast, and just continue that, so you’re in a relaxed state. Being in a relaxed state is brilliant for clearing the mind of all the baggage of the day, and just focusing on the right now. You’re alive! You’re right here, right now…..and that’s amazing. We’re so lucky, aren’t we?
So, yeah, just keep breathing in that kind of manner, and just…focus on you in this wonderful crazy world. And…. just think about things that are alll to do with just breathing, and being here, Right now
OK, so we’re going to do some BABA’S
BABABABABABABABABABA
Let’s do some FAFA
FAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFA
Do some LA
LALALALALALALALALALALA
Let’s do some MA
MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA
Let’s do some Nga’s
NGANGANGANGANGANGANGANGANGANGANGA
That was a hard one I just didn’t know what was going to happen there….
Let’s do some… leetle pootles.
LEETLE POOTLE LEETLE POOTLE
Where are you going? I’m going for a leetle pootle
Today’s tongue twister is brought to you by the letter ’n’
NO NEED TO LIGHT A NIGHT LIGHT ON A LIGHT NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT
Let’s now pronounce all t A NIGHT LIGHT ON A LIGHT NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT NO NEED TO LIGHT A NIGHT LIGHT ON A LIGHT NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT
Let’s hear that k in like.
NO NEED TO LIGHT A NIGHT LIGHT ON A LIGHT NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT
So get NO and the TO….I want to see you really opening and changing the shape of your mouth.
NO NEED TO LIGHT A NIGHT LIGHT ON A LIGHT NIGHT LIKE TONIGHT
Very good.
D’you know I SAW SUZIE SITTING INA SHOE SHINE SHOP I SAW SUZIE SITTING IN A SHOE SHINE SHOP - DID YOU? I SAW SUZIE SITTING IN A SHOE SHINE SHOP I SAW SUZIE SITTING IN A SHOE SHINE SHOP
Mmm I did…MMMM
I slit a sheet, a sheet I slit upon the slitted sheet I sit
I didn’t slit on the sheet, I sit on the sheet.
I slit a sheet, a sheet I slit upon the slitted sheet I sit
We’ll revisit that one
Let’s doooo
TOY BOAT TOY BOAT TOY BOAT TOY BOAT
UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK
Really open that mouth - get that muscle memory going.
UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK UNIQUE NEW YORK
Lovely Erin B LILLIS of Subvercity, Calling Darkness podcast oh my goodness, so many cool amazing things you can hear Erin in. Lovely voice Erin has. Today has shared these two wonderful top tips…so listen carefully
1) Make sure to read your scripts all the way through (or at least the scene you’re in) BEFORE you record.
DID YOU HEAR ME - BEFORE YOU RECORD
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started rushing to record something only to realise half way through, that I have to start over because oops… I was supposed to have an accent.
SO YEAH, REALLY KEY, Y’KNOW DON’T DO YOURSELF A DISSERVICE OR THE SCRIPT WRITER OR PRODUCER, BY JUST DOING YOUR BIT - Y’KNOW, READ ROUND - READ THE WHOLE THING - MAKE SURE YOU GET THE WHOLE CHARACTER INFO FROM TOP TO TOE.
2) Make sure the sound dampened space that you’re recording in has at least SOME ventilation. I made the mistake of trying to charge into an audiobook narration in a completely sealed closet only to almost faint from running out of air/slash poisoning myself with my own exhalations.
I mean that’s an audio drama plot in itself there, isn’t it? Poor Erin. So yeah, please make sure the space you are working in…. is wonderfully ventillated.
So yes that’s er all we have for today - Thank you very much to anyone who has er listened so far, fed back, and given some wonderful advice. I hope your vocal warmups are more fun for this season, And join me tomorrow for more !
TATA tata tata tata
MADVENT 11
Halloo …..and welcome to MADVENT - this is Sarah Golding here! And today we have advice from Graham Rowat - who’s been pretty much in everything…. I think he may even be in more than me right now…which is no good, I need to be in MORE!
Anyway…
ENJOY - OUR VOCAL WARM UPS…..
<MUSIC ENDS>
Welcome to episode 11 of the MADIVA MADVENT - THE ADVENT VOCAL WARM UP.
Today we’re just going to do some humming. Let’s do some Up Down Humming.
You’ll feel - if you’re getting to the end of your breath - EVeryTHing constricting, cos you’ve got nothing left in there - all the air is being utilised by the sound and the breath you’re making.
So, just make sure that you don’t like y’know… kill yourself…by by by hurting yourself. Y’know, all in moderation - this is the health and safety warning - just um, be sensible - if you’re doing breathing exercises and get light headed, just sit down. And just breathe until you get back to your ...your normal… accepted ….rate of breathage.
And now we’re going to do the alphabet…. with your tongue sticking out. Are you ready? British Alphabet.
Big breath in - see if we can do this all in one breath shall we? Big breath in…. And out And in And out Aaaaand in
<WITH TONGUE OUT> A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,ST,U,V,W,X,Y,Z And I’ve got plenty of breath to spare - I’m sure you have too.
Let’s do it, and repeat it for as loNNNng as we can. Are you ready?
Good. Could carry on… buuuuut don’t want you to…fall over.
GOOOOOOD!!
Todays tongue twister…which I know YOU CAN’T WAIT FOR(!)
Is about Betty and Bob, Oh Betty and Bob…..
D’y’know Betty and Bob brought back blue balloons from the big bazaaarrrr…. Betty and Bob brought back blue balloons from the big bazaaarrrr….
And with that bazaaaar really open that mouth so It opens wide.
Betty and Bob brought back big blue balloons from the big bazaaarrrr….
(Oh, I added a word there)
Betty and Bob brought back big blue balloons from the big bazaaaaaaaaaaaarrrr….
So advice today we have from the amazing Graham Rowat who you might hear in SOOOO many podcasts now - SCP…uhm….The Grey Rooms, Creepy Pod. Oh…there’s a list - I’ll put a few… links on the website…uh…show notes but otherwise, just type in Graham Rowat - and he’s also doing some Broadway shows and stuff so, y’know….’s a busy fella! Ok.
He’ll also be in MADCAP which is out…
AT SOME POINT….IN THE NEXT…. TEN YEARS…
Here are a couple off the top of my head he says:
Number one - this is voice acting advice from Graham….
GRAHAM Picture the person you’re talking to at the distance they are to you, and speak at the volume needed to Reach them. Don’t get drawn into the habit of murmuring into your microphone.
SARAH Really key - think about distance and space - you alter your volume to be speaking to the person you’re speaking to, whether they’re at the back of a pub…outside on a wind swept…mountainside - or right next to you….in bed…(I don’t get those scenes…)
GRAHAM Number 2. The writer has put your character in this scene to serve a purpose for the story. Are you an obstacle? Are you a facilitator? Always keep in mind WHY you’re in the scene and what the author needs you to do…. for the story.
SARAH Superb advice, thank you Graham - and a bonus question - we’ve got number 3 - He is spoiling us..oh my goodness!
GRAHAM Not everything you say has the same importance. Sometimes… a line can me more effective if it’s given less stress, or is “tossed aside”. Not mumbled or whispered, just …just…not hit …with a hammer.
SARAH Or a…hammer sandwich. Thank you very much Graham, those are wonderful bits of advice. And please do search out his work. He’s a very inspirational voice actor so, y’ know find him - hunt him! And make him work harder!
Thank you for joining us today - I hope you join us tomorrow for more…MADVENT!
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 12
Halleauuu and welcome to Episode 12 of MADVENT with me Sarah Golding.
Today we owe our hearty thanks to Fiona Thraille of many many things including Dashing Onions which you should alll check out because it’s awesome.
Enjoy these vocal warm uuuuups.
<MUSIC ENDS>
Hello, and welcome to episode twelve of the MADIVA MADVENT SESSIONS ON VOCAL WARM UPS advent calendaaaar!
Today .....we want to get the diaphragm engaged quite quickly, so...let’s get on with that shall we?
Put your hand on your tummy tum tum - your own tummy tum tum
And...We’re going to use the...the word HA - Ok, so we’re going to....sing it, but we’re just going to use the word HA.
HHA HAW HA HA HAW HA HAW HA HA HAW
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
And Really push it out when you’ve finished doing the in
Hahaha HA Haw Ha Ha Ha Ha haw Haw ha ha haw Ha ha ha Haw haha Ha ha hoooo
To be able to do this properly ....HA. HA. HA
I’d like you to HA it through your tone but actually use that muscle to contract it to then release it ...as well, so you’re.....REALLY ....working that diaphragmatic muscle
Are you ready?
Really hit that H, right?
Haw ha ha haw ha ha haaaa Ha ha haaaa
Maybe separate out those
Ha hahahhaa ha ha. Ha ha ha
Really pull in that constricted tummy ...when you’re doing the HA
HA HA HA
Lovely
Did you feel that little ....movement there in the hand as you were Really.... STimulating those muscles ....ok?
So ...doing this kind of thing prepares that area to be woken up and utilised properly
So it’s always er useful to give it a HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA
If you want to just do scales that’s fine but...
DoIng it to your favrit song...I like a bit of Pearl Jam
HA HA HA HAAAA HA HA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAAA Yeah (Maybe that’s overdoing it...I don’t know) But anyway
That is something to just warm up those muscles to give you the best chance of being....
READDYYYY TO RUMBLLLLE
Now we’re just going to use the letter A
LABBA HABBA GABBA HABBA FABBA NABBA GAGGA
I want you to just choose any...It’s not something set that I’m doing....I’m just
My brains going to whatever consonent will fit around an A
That’s the beginning of something from Reservoir dogs isn’t it?
Uhm. Goooood. Now...
MANY AN ANEMONE SEES AN ENEMY ANEMONE
MANY AN ANEMONE SEES AN ENEMY ANEMONE
MANY AN ANEMONE SEES AN ENEMY ANEMONE
I SAW A SAW THAT COULD OUTSAW ANY OTHER SAW I EVER SAW
I SAW A SAW THAT COULD OUTSAW ANY OTHER SAW I EVER SAW
Now let’s now take and just do the vowels sounds in in that
IAWAAWAOUOUAWAOAEAWIEERAW
IAWAAWAOUOUAWAOAEAWIEERAW
IAWAAWAOUOUAWAOAEAWIEERAW
Sounds nonsense, but you’re just mmmmmanoeuvring your lovely face
So our advice from today is from Fiona Thraille - I absolutely adore her
She’s like a little bigger little bigger little bigger little bigger sister - I don’t know what....she’s like a...a big sister that I never had.....emmm much more sensible that what I am.
Errr so here is the advice from the wonderful Fiona:
FIONA Hydrate lots, not just while performing, but if possible a day before too. Before recording, fill a mug with boiling water, gently inhale the steam for a minute or two while you're doing some breathing, then top up with cold. If you sip this while recording, it's very soothing, rather than having cold drinks.
SARAH Great top tip there
FIONA Warm up really well beforehand
SARAH Brackets...(Using MADVENT) brackets (SARAH INSERTED THIS HERE) CLOSE BRACKETS
FIONA ....vocally and also facially, and have a good stretch, especially your neck and shoulders. Keep a scarf on at first if you're recording in a cold room, and remove it as you warm up.
For a more accurate read, experiment with changing the background colour of your text, or if that's not possible, attaching a coloured cellophane sheet over your screen with washi tape or masking tape. It can cut down the dazzle, reducing eye strain while you're reading, and can help some people to focus and make fewer errors.
SARAH Her main tip here is...”HAVE FUN!”
Which I totally agree with Fiona.....er that’s the whole point in getting behind a mic and doing all of these characters....
....Is having the BEST FUN YOU CAN!
LEAD YOUR BEST LIFE!
Thank you very much for listening...
I hope it’s been useful?
Hopefully you’ll join us tomorrow for more MADVENT!
Bye
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 13
Hellooo ! It’s another MADVENT kinda Friday the thirteenth kinda day - hope your day is wonderful wherever you are - LET’S GET WARMED UP FOLKS WITH MADVENT AND ME SARAH GOLDING.
Let’s DOIT!
<MUSIC ENDS>
Now today… we are visited by Christmas Kessi ..Ahhhh…..and her hairy…(I wrote this oh my gawd) her hairy bunny army of cuddly fluffy bunny joy! Hello Kessi!
Welcome to episode 13 of MADVENT. Now, If you have not seen Kessi’s art, please….hunt it down now in the show notes link, and employ her handsomely to make art for you forever - for it is BEAUTEOUS - and she also makes… an abundance of things - cakes….and Counterbalance ....which is a superb fantasy audio drama as well as she voices like loads of fun characters everywhere …..and like things from The White Vault and…. so much moooore! Stop rambling Sarah and get on with the ….stuff….
Ok, we’re going to start with some physical - if you can’t or shouldn’t do any of these exercises for whatever reason just…don’t…just…wiggle instead…mm mm give it a little wiggle.
Ok …I’d like you first to start off by pulling your own… hair…from the crown of your head…..and just pull it to… stretch your neck…gently…not too much…not too little. Just straight up. OOOhh Straighten yourself up there - come on now. Shoulders back…lovely.
Ok, let’s just do two shoulder rolls for me please.
One….so both of them just rolling backwards….
Two… and let’s bring them forwards now.
1 - can you hear my…clothes?
2 - I am fully clothed today.
Raise both arms… on an in breath, and then we’re going to swing them down …on the out breath. So ready to breathe in and bring those arms up?
So let’s just start of with breathing in for four out for four and on the second count we will do that So breathe in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4 And arms up 2,3,4 And arms down 2,3,4 And arms up 2,3,4 And arms down 2,3,4 And swing those arms forwards Backwards Forwards Backwards
Just keep them nice and loose Not rigid …just chilled, Man That’s right just be chilled! Ok that’s fabulous NOW, LET ME HEAR YOU SAY - “Sarah your iPad’s turned off”(?!) No thats not what I wanted you to say
Say A,E,I,O,U A,E,I,O,U
Let’s do that quickly - three times in a row - and really annunciate - really open that mouth so you’re framing the shape of those letters…very clearly Three times readyyyyy? (Don’t worry it’s not Candyman) (Candyman Candyman Candym - no don’t do that) <CLEARS THROAT>
A,E,I,O,U A,E,I,O,U A,E,I,O,U
Thankyouverymuch
Tongue Twister today
Benedict Cumberbatch broke a delicate luggage rack
MMMM ….that really moves you about doesn’t it? What was he doing with the luggage rack..that’s what I want to know?
Benedict Cumberbatch broke a delicate luggage rack
I MEAN...what was in there…. A body maybe?
Benedict Cumberbatch broke a delicate luggage rack
I mean - y’know…did he…did he sit on it? What went wrong?
Benedict Cumberbatch broke a delicate luggage rack
Anyway…. that’s enough about Benedict…thank you very much ….Nic Redman.
And Benedict if you are listening, let me know what happened, cos that sounds really…embarrassing…
Ah Kessi’s advice - ’s from er…all the way from Germany…in Europe.
I think she’s real…I don’t think she’s like a Siri…or an Alexa type. Because um, I have seen pictures of her, and I know people who have seen her, but you know they can do things with digital photography and ..and CGI so… I think she’s real.
If she’s real or not, do not ignore this wonderful advice…She says:
KESSI If you have a dedicated recording space that you feel comfy in, try to record standing up and without shoes, particularly when you have a flat carpet under your feet.
SARAH Sidenote: I prefer to record in my socks, so I keep my feet warm…if it’s a cold day.
KESSI Ideally record barefoot or with socks.
SARAH <GASP> I do that Kessi.
KESSI You have no idea how much a simple weight shift, foot shuffle or „getting into a stance“ can map on a recording, even when recording with bunny slippers on a sheep pelt!
SARAH (WHISPERS:Whatever that is)
KESSI Don’t be afraid to go all out with your posture while recording. Hunching over, holding on to walls or furniture in your recording space, reaching out or making funny grimaces can really make your performance pop. I even once recorded squatting at the edge of my bed to really get the feel of a fiendish werewolfy creature across. Make sure to adjust your microphone accordingly.
SARAH Cos obviously if you are squatting, and your microphone is where your head normally is… it ain’t going to pick you up so good…right?
KESSI If your character is around for a longer period of time, try to record with a friend, even if they just read all the characters that aren’t yours. Performance is always better when you play off of someone, and it helps catching mispro- mispro- mispronounciations or wrong words early. Or at least that’s always helped me, and any ESL I’ve recorded with :P
Never be afraid to improvise or ad lib. If you feel any sentence doesn’t flow right, record a couple with the sentence as written ….
SARAH (WHISPERS:That’s keyyyyy)
KESSI …As written….and add a take or two where you improvise the sentence. Not only do you make the character your own that way, you also make your own lines flow more.
SARAH And it’s all about the flow…isn’t it…? Timing is….Pacing is…. EVERYTHING <ECHOES>
Thank you very much Kessi.
Now…uhm…the transcript of what Kessi just said is in the…Transcripts. Which are…which are on my website which is www.sarahgoldingvoiceactorandmoremore.weebly.com - I know..it just…rolls off the tongue doesn’t it?
Now, I AM IN NEED OF YOUR BEST VOCAL WARM UPS People - EITHER WRITE IT OR SEND ME YOUR AUDIO TO [email protected] TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR (I HAVEN’T DECIDED YET) EPISODE. It needs a little physical, a little annunciation and face or tongue action warm up, and a tongue twister, and be 3-5 MINS AT MOST. Now, feel free to give your advice as well if you like!
AND tomorrow…tomorrow…. I LAUNCH THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SINGING CHALLENGE -
Thank you -
And join me tomorrow for advice from Kristen DiMERCURIOOOOOO
BYE
<MUSIC>
MADVENT 14
CHORD CHORD CHORD
<SINGING> Heyyy I got me uke out Hope it doesn’t make you puke out Have a happy happy frolicsome day Hope you’re happy happy happy Yes in every way Merry happy happy festive Christmas to youuuuu
WELCOME TO MADVENT VOCAL WARM UPS EPISODE 14
ENJOYYYY
<DRUM MUSIC ENDS>
Ok todays advice is from the astoundingly talented, and inspirational KRISTEN DIMERCURIO - who was a voice actor on one of the very first audio fun things that I ever did - er, the Parsec Award Winning Galaxy Quest Restoration Project - that was back in er - ooh the heady days of 2015…hunt that one down! Fun times - so… to work.
I’d like you to do… some…some stretches….ok so…neutral position - standing straight, as if there’s a hook in the top of your head, pulling you up and attached to the ceiling - shoulders back. Relaaax. Good.
Lovely and stretch up high as you can with both hands on your tippy tippy toes….THAT’S IT…stretch out that spine.
And let’s just do one roll down…gentle. So you’re just let your head now…. drop to your chin. And you’re just going to follow your head with your shoulders…down..
As you go down, just feel each of those lovely little parts of your spine, as if…. they’re lighting up a different colour on the rainbow
WING WING WING
I don’t know if that’s the noise they make (but thats the noise mine make in my mind.)
So you’re going dowwnnnn…following your heaaddd. Until you are - totally relaxed - kind of…not swinging - Don’t swing. Just ….be.
Just at the end of your bend.
Just relaxxxx
Take a few breaths in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4 And in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4 Keep breathing to that rhythm 4 , and out And as you come to the end of that breath nod up and down -
upppp and downnn and uppp and downnn
Maintain the breathing as you commmme backkk up
Very slowly
Slowly
Bring yourself so you’re popping each of those… lovely little spine parts back into position
WING WING WING
Lovely and…
Recline baaaack
And just have your hair all over your face, thats fine just ignore It - shut your eyes if you need to
And nod uppp aaaand downnnn gently Superb
And just relax.
I’d like you to say the word now
Big breath in
And you’re going to say the word relax <BREATH IN>
RELLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX
Let’s make it really scary
<SCARY BREATH IN>
RELLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXXXXXXX
And now…. actually believe that word…so you’re going to say now - keep breathing normally as you are - and you’re going to say ’re’ as you breathe in, and ‘lax’ as you breathe out, to counts of 4
Breathe in - RE <BREATHING OUT> LAAAAAAAAAX
<BREATHING IN> RE <BREATHING OUT> LAAAAAAAAAXXXX
And you can carry that on for as long as you like you relaxed GORGEOUS people.
Right! Super.
Now we’re going to do some little kind of neck exercises - I just wanted to say all of these things are not meant to be in this order necessarily - you can mix and match and just take the best ones you like, and... utilise them…. for your own desires.
Now don’t know how many of you were brought up in the 70’s but you may have witnessed party games, such as ‘Passing the orange.’
(Oh dear)
Now, I’d like you to imagine that you have….a beautiful big orange…. that you’re now holding between your neck and your upper chest.
And you’re holding it there and, there’s a person to your left. And someone to your right.
You’re going to pass this orange …to your right… so turn your body round. And you’re just going to kind of be imagining - you’re passing it to them, so you have to put your neck to the right or the left side and kind of move your shoulders, so you’re not going to drop the thing.
And pass it over to this ...lovely person to your right.
The person to your left is trying to pass you an orange…so, when you’re ready, if you just move yourself to the left, and tip to the other side and try and grab that orange with your…your neck there - thats beautifully done, and just relax… that…
When you have… the orange….drop it into the bucket at your feet.
Lovely ...well done.
Tongue Twister today is ...Lovely
Let’s do a christmassy one shall we?
This ones mine I have adapted from lots of things I’ve heard over the years.
Santa’s sack sags slightly, so steadily Santa stuffs Cissy’s striped stocking with sassy socks
Santa’s sack sags slightly, so steadily Santa stuffs Cissy’s striped stocking with sassy socks
Yours was much better than mine - congratulations - you are actor of the day!
Ok
Kristin DiMercurio
Oh My Lore!
HUGE talent - got Brimstone Mall I think it is coming out in the New Year -
Been in Ars Paradoxica - so many Whisperforge cool things - the new one with Fear of Shame / Wolf 359 team. The name of which suddenly escapes me. I will put that on the show notes.
So, two top tips from this LEGEND of audio drama.
KRISTEN 1. Don't listen to yourself as you're speaking. This is really hard to do! It requires a lot of focus. Here's an analogy: Let's say you're doing a scene live onstage with a scene partner, but your scene partner has a mirror placed RIGHT behind them. It would be very hard to not watch yourself as you perform. The problem is that when we watch ourselves, it's nearly impossible to "act natural." We're too busy correcting as we go (sitting at a more flattering angle, making a more exaggerated expression, etc etc). You'd get so caught up editing yourself in the moment, that you're no longer focused on the scene and your scene partner. And the audience will pick up on it right away. It will sound fake. When it comes to VO, listening to your voice as you speak is just like looking in a mirror as you perform. You must tune all your focus on your scene partner. This gets you out of your own way just long enough for that a more natural sound to come through.
SARAH Great stuff.
KRISTEN 2. My second tip is when you stumble, give yourself TIME. It's very tempting when we mess up to jump right back in and try it again. But instead, when you mess up a line or if a bit of dialogue isn't working, then take a breath, think about what you want to change, and don't start up again until you've made a concrete decision about how you're going to do it …differently.
SARAH Use that lovely brain (She didn’t say that…I did)
So Huzzahs for Kristen, and er, we look forward very much to to hearing Brimstone Mall - mall - mall - you say mall I say mall…VERY EXCITING
SOO Thank you!
And the 12 days of Christmas challenge….! The music will play us out today…
Lyrics are on the show notes - please do sing along, and um, send your version - without the music on it - just you, singing, so… play the music in your ears please - and send to QUIRKYVOICES@GMAILCOM for inclusion…. in the song globally.
Let’s get people from everywhere! Just ….on your phone on your mic, on whatever you’ve got!
Let’s just sing ….together …..and warm our voices up gently
So that will be ….a shoutout to you also so tell me who you are, where you are.
Get all the information on the show notes. - ‘ave a look for the Christmas new year ep.
I’ve love to involve you as I fink its lovely you’re listening, fanks.
Oh and this beautiful piano version of this 13th century song is by the astoundingly wonderous, talented young man they call James Hudson, Thank you James. You sir are a superstar.
So yeah, snd me your links so I can celebrate that too.
Here’s the song - happy singing peoples!
Take care, bye,
<TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IS PLAYED BY JAMES HUDSON>
MADVENT 15
Helloooo it’s MADVENT 15
10 days people.... to Mmmmaximum Hygge!
Yeah that’s H, Y, G, G, E - check out the meaning, and aim to FIND THAT... somewhere somehow this festive season!
Your festive mission has been launched!
Doit!
Ok, Sarah Golding here - let’s get your vocal wares warmed up shall we?
>MUSIC ENDS>
Heyyyyy - How you doin?
It’s episode 15 of MADVENT - I’m Sarah Golding....Helleauuuu
Give me a hello back! Oh gwan!
Oh hello...fanks!
How you doin?
No really, how u doing - you alright?
Ok I send you an aural hug however goes your day and hope it gets good from here on innnn. Here ya go...
Right to work!
It’s hard... to find work / life balance isn’t it? But today.... we’re going to look at leg / leg balance. Um
So.... standing on one leg. Let’s Stand on the right leg and keep that left leg raised
Come ONNN you can do it.
Just don’t wobble - that’s it!
If you need to hold on to something do - don’t collapse your whole booth if you’re in one.
Annnddd
Relax ...and let’s do on the left leg - for 1...counting I was actually counting.
And keep that right leg up in the air
Keep your balance
Don’t wobbllllle That’s it, good work!
Ok now we’re going to get - get a bit more physical...going to hop
Yes we are
And speak at the same time
Multitasking
Hop and speak
So, We’re going to keep the hopping Slowish Like Hop ...hop... hop... hop Are you ready? To hop?
And right leg HA HA
Left leg HA HA
<HOPPING> R. L HEH HEH HEH HEH HEE HEE HEE HEE HO HO HO HO
AGain
HA HA. HA HA HEH HEH HEH HEH HEE HEE HEE HEE HO HO HO HO
Merrryyy Christmassss!
Very gooooood - ok relax now - if you need to sit down please do.
Um That’s probably the most active we’ve been.
Obviously don’t do this warm up if you’re about to do something that’s going to be exhausting, but do that if you want to Kind of...you know....Up your energy levels-
Get that adrenaline pumping Get the heart pumping that beautiful blood round your beautiful bod.
Ok Sirens now We’re using the word onion
ONION ONION ONION
Big breath In And out And in And out On this one we’re going for ‘ONION’...ready? And in
ONION ONION ONION ONION ONION
Lovely Ermmmmmmm Let’s do some zzzzz
Catch that buzzy bee
ZZZZzzzzzzZzzzZZZZZzzzzZzzzz
Just move it around in the space - wherever you want, I’m not going to dictate to where it shall go.
ZzzzZzzzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz
Mm. Swallowed it. Right Let’s do er...other zzz words
Hollie hangs Holly hither and here hoping happy holidays hurry
Hollie hangs Holly hither and here hoping happy holidays hurry
Good, and really annunciate those changes of ...of mood -
Obviously H is quite a soft sound but your Hollielie and Hither and Hoping Happy Holiday
You’re moving your tongue around to create those beautiful sounds, as well as your glottal stop and more
One more time !
Hollie hangs Holly hither and here hoping happy holidays hurry
Hollie hangs Holly hither and here hoping happy holidays hurry
HERE’S A POEM THAT I MADE UP - JUST FOR YOU - TO REMEMBER MOUTH ETIQUETTE FOR VOICE ACTORS Copyright Sarah Golding 2019
You need to not be masticatey Clicky or at all As if a pool of spittle splutters out with every drawl Annunciate and warm up Eat green apples as you oughta And of-course, the main-thing is drink loads and loads of tepid water
So there you go ....that was a little Devon accent
Let’s try Last two lines in US accent of your choice - I’m going to go southern belle....
And of-course, the main-thing is drink loads and loads of tepid water
Water - Water
I find that a hard word in American to say - it’s like ‘earlier’.
Try that one - earlier. Earlier.
Earlier today
Earlier - This is what happened
Yeah it’s a hard word
Anyway Shannon K Perry of Oz 9 - hallo Shannon you super ledge !
She says
SHANNON Slow down.
Slow down.
Nope... slower.
SLOWER.
Now....drop your speed by half, and you're nearly there.
If you're reading from a recorded script, if you're at all nervous or thinking about your next line or the chores you have to do when you're done recording,
chances are you're speaking ...
...too quickly.
Go slightly slower than you feel...
....comfortable with.
Speak across the mic rather than into it, to help with plosives.
SARAH PPP PLOSIVES
SHANNON And remember, you're doing this seriously super-cool thing that
Maaannny folks
would be thrilled to get to do, so enjoy every moment.
You — yes, YOU — are .....cool.
SARAH ‘S fact. Cos I just said it...so it must be true.
Thank you Shannon. Um so...what you’re saying is... we’re cool! Yes...yeah I think you all are.
Thank you for listening.
Dont forget to send your warm up routines to [email protected] And I’ll choose the most fun one to share with you for our Christmas episode and ...oh I truly want to hear you singing the 12 days of Christmas with the Voice Acting words on the show notes.
Read the show notes for more details, and er..Happy Voice Acting folks!
GIS A JOB
Etc
GOOD LUCK OUT THERE!
BYE
<MUSIC ENDS>
<BAD BEATBOX> MADVENT 16 IS HERE TODAY…. ARE YA FEELING CHRISTMASSY? PROB’LY NOT IF YOU LISTEN IN MAY.
Hey Sarah Golding here…. with some vocal warm ups for ya.
And advice from Hedley Knights of WE FIX SPACE JUNK - ENJOY.
<MUSIC ENDS>
HELLLOOOO - HAVE YOU MANAGED TO RECORD YOUR VERSION OF THE CHRISTMAS SONG YET?
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - VOICE ACTORS - Well done - Go for it - lovely to hear from those folks who have sent in already - I’m so excited - Can’t wait to edit it all together. Fun. times.
OK, DO ping also your own complete vocal warm up for me to share for our Christmas episode.
I’d love that. The Winner gets a present ’n everythink.
….ak…so. To work!
Er let’s do tongues….
Tongue out - we’re going to point it, then flatten it, then point it then flatten it… Are we ready?
Stick it out!
And POINT FLATTEN POINT FLATTEN POINT FLATTEN POINT FLATTEN
Good, lovely.
Now, Put it away.. and relax that in your mouth for a moment
We’re going to go for an ‘Mmmmmm’ sound now - a sentence with a few ‘mmmm’ things in it
MADIVA, MmADVENT and Quirky Mmmoonologues make me mmotivated to make mmore Mmmajor mmurmurings of mmore audio mmmmmagic
MADIVA, MmADVENT and Quirky Mmoonologues make me mmmmotivated to make mmmmore mmmajor mmmmurmurings of mmmore audio mmmmmagic
So really annunciate the words in between and and around those m’s, and I want you to exaggerate the mm’s this time for a bit longer
MMMMMMADIVA, MmmmmmmmADVENT and Quirky Mmmmmoonologues mmmmmake me mmmmotivated to make mmmmore mmmajor mmmmurmurings of mmmmore audio mmmmmagic
Just hold that mmm in the front of your mouth for a short while Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Don’t let it escape MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm
Make it fill your mouth Mmmmmm
Move your tongue back just a little - make it fill your whole mouth MMMMMMMMMM
So it almost wants to burst out of your nose, and your mouth and… wherever else it can come out of MMMMMMMmmmmmm
Let’s turn that into a MAAAA MMMMM
IT gets so big Ready? Mmmm It’s gone bigger MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMAAAAAAA
Go to the end of that MMaaaaaa….. til you can breathe no mooooore
That’s it, keep it going, you can do it - keep it going - KEEP IT GOING KEEP IT GO - go on go on - yes very good!
Ok
I’d like you to Blow out allll of your breath to the end, and hold that for three to five and release. Repeat that a few more times at your leisure. If you’re asthmatic or have breathing issues, maybe don’t push yourself, just do wha you can do.
You’re just going to blow - As if you’re blowing out - Imagine there’s a beautiful big cake - and you’ve made it to 125 years old - gosh, for me that would be…gor…the next millennium - er…so….How exciting would that be? No, Not the millennium. What am I talking about? 2100.
Ok, So blow out alllll of your breath to the end of it… are you ready? So breathe in 2,3,4 Do a little bit of a run-in Out 2,3,4 And in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4 This is the last breath IN….2,3,4 And blow all of that OUT <BLOWS OUT TO END OF BREATH>
Hold at the end of your breath ….for just 1,2,3 and then relax IT OUUUTTTTT
OK, If you’ve got light headed or there’s any other issue, just sit down.
Ok let’s have little look at a fricative or two shall we? So today, Fricatives are the consonants that are formed by impeding the flow of air so a friction sound is produced - so, for example P AND B - PB - and your T and your x. x x x Try saying fro me X X X X X X X Do some x’s X X X
Let’s DO a mixture. P,B,T Xxx tttt P,p,p, bob,x,x,x,x,b,c,ct,t,t,t,p,p,p,p,x,x,x,x,c,,b,c,c,B,C,C
Now, this is obviously going into a beatbox situation, folks - I’m sorry, it had to happen.
B pctt PTTBTT ptc X X X X X Brrr T BrrrBrrr T
You know your boots and cats yes? You ready - Let’s just beatbox together - see what happens
I’ve no idea what the rhythm is because …I ain’t got none There’s a song about that - are you ready>
BBBRRRR T c t BRRRR BRRR TC T B Tchhh Brr brrr tcccrr t B B B B B Brrrtscch Bbrrrr Brrr Brrr Brrr Brrr brrrrtschhh Brr tshc brrr brrr ktshchhh Brr brrr ktshchhh BBBBBB TTTTTTTTTTTT XXXXXXXXXX
P BRHHH bRRRRRRRR
Yeah that’ll do
I hope you enjoyed that!
And…. feel free to wipe your microphone If you need to!?!
Ok let’s give some self care - I Want you to bear hug yourself - you know how to do that right? Gonna wrap your right arm round to your left shoulder blade and your left arm round to your right shoulder blade. And just give yourself a nice big hug.
oK So
Now, kind of ….relax those knees a little bit
Really go into that hug ok?
So that your tailbone is just hugging under your pelvis there. Ok, now….
Hold the edges of your shoulder blades with your finger tips, and I want you to take a Huge breath in for 4 and out for 8
Are we ready?…2,3, And in 2,3,4, And out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 And in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4,5 And keep hugging yourself 7, One more time And in 2,3,4, And out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8
And relax that hug
And take another breath in 2,3,4 And out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8
KEEP BREATHING LIKE THAT JUST FOR A MOMENT
Can you feel now how open…. your chest is once you stand up in that neutral position again? Once you’ve been kind of condensed in that bear hug?
It helps to really open you up and …you can FEEL that freedom there in your chest. For breathing and from your diaphragm
TONGUE TWISTER Today….
Oh dear.
Santa’s sick sleigh slid sideways and silly smelly Sam snowman slips and slides like soap down slopes
aHHHH….Let’s add the word snowy in there - Hang on I’m just gong to write that in live….snowy - we’ve got to get some more s’s in there right? I’ve spelt sleigh wrong so I’m just going to change that
Santas sick sleigh slid sideways and silly smelly sam snowman slips and slides like soap down snowy slopes
….sideways…. lets add that word AS WELL - good, we’re adding words - I like this
Are we ready for this one more time?
We’re going to do this 3 x in a row - really quickly as quickly as you possibly can….are you ready?
Give me a BIG MOUTH …NNNNG Small mouth nngggg BIG MOUTH …NNNNG Small mouth nngggg
Lovely and - we ready? Annunciate:
Santa’s sick sleigh slid sideways and silly smelly Sam snowman slips and slides like soap down snowy slopes sideways Santa’s sick sleigh slid sideways and silly smelly Sam snowman slips and slides like soap down snowy slopes sideways Santa’s sick sleigh slid sideways and silly smelly Sam snowman slips and slides like soap down snowy slopes sideways
Oh dear…. I hope he’s alright
I wanna build a snowman….I’m not gonna sing…Let it go Sarah let it go…
HEDLEY from We Fix Space Junk and MANNYYY more things of a beauteous sounding nature says…for his Advice today……..
HEDLEY WFSJ Don't be too far from the mic! No more than a foot!
SARAH Your own foot (I said that not him)
HEDLEY A good guide line is to be a fist away from your pop shield, and your pop shield to be a fist away from your mic!
SARAH Oh. There we go. ’S all in the fist
HEDLEY Too much popping plosives? Move the pop filter further from the mic and / or angle your face so you're speaking to a couple of inches to the side of the mic.
Too much sibilance? Angle the mic so it's pointing slightly… to the side… of your mouth!
SARAH There we go.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH HEDLEY FOR THOSE GOOD TOP TIPS
And I HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD GENTLE WARM UP WITH US TODAY? Talk to you tomorrow, yeah? Get those songs done? Get those vocal warm ups done?
TALK TO YOU TOMORROW…. YEAH?
Maybe?
You free? Dunno. Meet for a cuppa? Maybe a pint?
OK BYE
<MUSIC ENDS>
MADVENT 21
HURRAYYYY ITS THE 2S1T OF DECEMBER! I’ve got family round and I’m cooking and everything so I do hope I am alive to see the 22nd tomorrow.
Enjoy MADVENT vocal warm ups with me SARAH GOLDING - Oh gwan. Enjoy it. (Enjoy it…You will) <ECHOES>
<MUSIC ENDS>
Have you ever wanted to disappear - orrrr listen to show about how people want to disappear, then…hear a discussion about….how they may…disappear? <STRANGE LAUGH NOISE> Well, hey, the folks who…who give the voice acting advice today make exactly the show that does that! Yes, you know what it is don’t you? Yes, THE AMELIA PROJECT’S Pip and Oystein are on today giving us some advice - but before we get to their vocal acting gems of advice lets warm up shall we?
Ok, we’re going to do some gentle breathing….but this time, I want your hands in front of you…so just…relax your arms by your side, and then just ….Bring your arms up at the elbow…ok….and… both of them. Facing your palms up…
And when you breathe in, I just want you to raise those hands to your chest….And when you’re out, you’re going to turn your hands down, facing down, And basically push your hands to the floor and then turn them to face up to breathe in, towards your chest …turn….down….ok are we ready….? So… hands facing up….
Hands up 2,3, and turn and then face out 2,3 and breathe in hands up….hmm and down and out….hmmm Ok
<BREATHING AND MOVING HANDS TO CHEST PALMS UP AND OUT PALMS DOWN>
I wanna hear that breath out please
<BREATHING AND MOVING HANDS TO CHEST PALMS UP AND OUT PALMS AND DOWN> <BREATHING AND MOVING HANDS TO CHEST PALMS UP AND OUT PALMS AND DOWN>
Good, get rid of the baggage of the day…One more time and innnn
And blow it ouuuutttttt… Good
Ok, Hopefully you’re feeling little bit more relaxed todayyyyy.
Let’s just do…a little face massage please…so… place your hands gently on your face - palms open… and let’s just focus on your your jaw - start near your ear, you want to massage… each ear and come with your fingertips very gently….little circles…. Work your way ...down your jaw - ooh - towards your chin. Now
You may want to vocalise this sound so breathing in, and then give us a nice sigh
<SIGH>
Breathing in <BREATHING IN, OUT> Ok good, So place your pals on your cheeks and just swipe down
And on the swiping down just breathe out
<SWIPING FACE AND BREATHING OUT> <SWIPING FACE AND BREATHING OUT>
One more time <PALMS TO CHEEKS AND RUB DOWN>
Good now that should encourage your jaw to just drop and relax. Lets wake up your resonators…. by giving them a little massage.
Your resonators are the amplifiers of your face aren’t they? They allow…your sound to fill an auditorium essentially instead of perhaps just your shower…..
So softly massage in little circles all over - lets do your forehead….
Cheeks and nose don’t forget them - the whole face
Lovely tiny circles = nice and slow.
Ok So lets make an mmmmm sound now while you’re doing this
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM <BREATH IN> MMMMMMMM
Keep going…
You notice how perhaps the….the ‘mmm’ sound might be coming from different ...different parts of your face? Make it come from your cheeks… make it come from your chin, make it come from from your forehead, the back of your throat and so on.
Ok Give me little wide face - ahhhh - eyes too - ahhhh and gently small face.
Give me a OOOOEEEEOOOOEEEOOOOEEEOOOOEEEOOO
OOOOEEEEOOOOEEEOOOOEEEOOOOEEEOOO
OOOOEEEEOOOOEEEOOOOEEEOOOOEEEOOO
Ahhhh does your face feel wonderful now? Bet it’s buzzing isn’t it?
So yeah, Good lovely….
Now let’s do a TONGUE TWISTER - from he creator of The Cellar - And voice actor producer - all around do everything kinda guy - and he’s love to boot. Pete Lutz.
Hey Kid, were you the kids who told the kid that I was the kid who kidded the kid around the corner kid?
So, are you ready for your k’s - one big breath. Ready?
Hey Kid, were you the kid who told the kid that I was the kid who kidded the kids around the corner kid?
Gonna do three in row - in one breath….
Hey Kid, were you the kid that told the kid that I was the kid who kidded the kid around the corner kid? Hey Kid, were you the kid that told the kid that I was the kid who kidded the kid around the corner kid? Hey Kid, were you the kid that told the kid that I was the kid who kidded the kid around the corner kid?
Very good.
So Pip and Oystein. Two fo my favourite creatives - FANTASTIC writers, producers, all round lovely fellas….Their tips are …from Pip:
Pip tip: Once you’ve got all the lines in the can and you’re confident you’ve got your bases covered, go for a final “wild take” in which you can ad lib, exaggerate and let rip! We always end Amelia sessions like this, partly because it’s a fun way to wrap up, but also because moments from these wild takes make it into the final mix and inject spontaneity and surprise!
OYSTEIN Here’s mine: “My favourite vocal warm up is to slide down from a yawn through your entire register until you end in an “mmmm”.
<SARAH YAWNS AND DOES THIS WITH AWFUL EXTRANEOUS BODY NOISES - SORRY!>
PIP My old voice teacher taught me to imagine washing around a nice whiskey in my mouth as I do the “mmmm”. Works a treat - and the beverage reference seems Amelia appropriate!
SARAH It’s all about the drinks fellas, isn’t it?
OYSTEIN I’m sure imagining a warm sip of cocoa should work just as well. But don’t drink cocoa for real before voice acting though - the milk and the sugar creates phlegm. Something citrusy on the other hand opens up your throat, like water with a slice of lemon. Happy voice acting ….and happy holidays from Oystein at The Amelia Project. You can find us at ameliapodcast.com”
SARAH But I hope you know that already. It’s a stellar show aAAAAnd obviously gotta say - totally enjoyed being on it. Uhm Fiona Thraille and I played a couple of characters at the end of season one. See if you can spot us…Anyway….
<BANG SOUND>
No ukelele - down! I’m not playing you!
Uhm today is the final day you can get in your vocal warm ups and your singing for ther wonderful Christmas episode -so thank you very much if you’ve entered - send things to [email protected] as soon as you can today…. on the 21st December For inclusion in the final episode of happiness and Christmas joy