Ask A Healer Creative Wellbeing Series

A Simple Vocal Development Exercise to Strengthen Vocal Expression
This e-class, © Neva J Howell, all right reserved


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This is part of the Empowered Spirit / Power Connection Online Acting Class.

If you have reached this page directly, from a search engine search of link, you will need to visit the acting class information page first and complete the intro and first acting lessons before doing this one on the actor's voice.

This vocal development exercise was part of a larger vocal development class I took in New York years ago. It was much more involved in the class but, for the purposes of simplicity and a good tool to develop the muscles that support strong voice, here is a simplified version:

Lay on your back with mouth open as far as is comfortable, with arms extended on floor over your head.

Next, come up as if doing a slow sit-up and, as you begin to rise, make a tone. Continue the tone all the way up and over, as you bring your hands to touch your toes (or toward the toes, anyway, if you are less flexible, like me!).

As you touch your toes, take a deep breath in.

As you begin to go back down to lying, make the tone, as consistently as you can all the way back down again.

This simple vocal exercise will strengthen your abdominal muscles for better projection. After you've done it a few times, to warm up the voice, start lowering the tone bit by bit, as low as you can go, with each sit up. (Will get your abs in shape too!)

The exercises for the voice are similar to those for the physical body and have the same objectives: to free you from limitations, and to increase awareness and accessibility.

Recommended vocal training for singers, actors and public speakers

Online Acting Lessons for Level One
Lesson One - Introduction to Acting Lessons
Lesson Two - The Actor's Body
Lesson Three - The Actor's Voice
Lesson Four - The Actor's Emotions
Acting Lesson Five - The Actor's Mind
Acting Lesson Six - Believable Acting Tips
Free Audition Tips and Info on Ebook for Acting