Course Catalogue

LJMU Partner Taught

1. Give the students an awareness of the individual vocal potential within the Actors' speaking and singing voice.
2. Develop a foundation in basic vocal function, voice anatomy as well as development including alignment, breath support, free sound, pitch, tone, resonance, range, and articulation.
3. Attain a clear strategy for vocal preparation for daily practice, building on vocal strengths and addressing vocal weakness.
4. Develop approaches for accent acquisition. These include precision in ear training, sound reproduction, rhythms, vocal textures, vocal focus, pitch, tone, and inflection for conveying truth of the text with ease.
5. Expand the link between psychophysical connection to sound and body and the integration of these components to the speaking/singing voice.
6. Demonstrate the ability to express character needs through healthy, nuanced voice use in speaking and singing, with clarity, precision.
7. Develop a basic understanding of voice/speech, music and singing vocabulary.

Outline Syllabus:This module will introduce the students to the essential foundations of practical voice, speech, and singing. The course will give the student the principal skills for developing a free, flexible, spontaneous, and expressive voice and clear speech. The course will introduce the key elements of alignment, reinforcing the principles of the Alexander Technique, release, breathing and support, tone, resonance, and pitch range. The students will develop muscularity, flexibility and precision in articulation, and the ability to adjust to the demands of different space requirements. They will explore the creative potential of connecting voice, imagination, thought and intention. They will learn how the voice works, explore vocal preparation and warm up techniques, and learn basic aspects of vocal health, anatomy, and vocal injury prevention. It will also include the following elements: The Voice into Text: Voice/Text component will introduce several approaches for connecting to and breathing life into a variety of texts. The students will explore how sounds (vowels and consonants), phrasing, rhythm, pitch range and inflection patterns influence meaning of language. They will appreciate and experience how actors can truthfully and spontaneously convey character thought, emotion and intention through their voice and speech. Accent Acquisition: Through the study of accent samples, aspects of the International Phonetic Alphabet and ear training exercises, the students will learn approaches for accent acquisition. They will increase their sensitivity to their own, and others’, speech patterns, laying the foundations for both accent and ensemble work. Singing: In singing students will explore a range of technical vocal skills, including identifying and isolating any vocal issues they may have. Studies will include an exploration of: Range, Pitch, Rhythm, Resonance, Projection, Articulation, Harmony, Musicality. They will be asked to explore and evaluate their vocal range, develop a musical ear, and gain an understanding of basic music theory. The module will introduce the students to a range of songs from a variety of genres (musical theatre, religious, popular music and choral).

Additional Information:The module introduces students to the Actor's Voice across its three main themes: Voice Preparation, Voice into Text, and Singing. Assessment is via a presentation on Vocal Preparation and a Performance of selected material, both sung and spoken.