This lesson will build upon previous vocal exercises, focusing on the intricate relationship between oral structures, eye movements, and vocal expression. The lesson will successfully integrate theoretical knowledge of oral-ocular coordination with practical, experiential learning.
In the theoretical section, students will gain insight into how eye movements can complement and enhance vocal expression. They will learn about the connection between eye movements, thought processes, and emotional expression, as well as how these elements interact with oral structures during speech. This foundational knowledge will prepare them for the hands-on exercises to follow.
During the practical portion of the lesson, participants will:
By combining anatomical understanding with experiential exercises, students will achieve a more nuanced comprehension of oral and ocular harmony in speech production. This approach will foster a deeper connection between students and their expressive mechanisms, enhancing their ability to control and refine their vocal expression.
The lesson will lay the groundwork for improved articulation, greater expressive range, and a more profound appreciation for the complexity of oral-ocular coordination in speech. Students will leave with enhanced self-awareness and practical tools to continue developing their vocal control and expressive capabilities, setting the stage for more nuanced, dynamic, and impactful communication in various contexts.
Furthermore, by incorporating playful exploration of eye movements and their coordination with vocal exercises, students will develop a more holistic understanding of their expressive potential. This may lead to increased confidence in their speaking abilities and a greater sense of connection with their unique voice. The focus on integrating eye movements with tongue and vocal exercises will provide concrete examples of how small adjustments can create significant changes in vocal expression, empowering students to experiment with their own communicative style.
Ultimately, this lesson will help students unlock new dimensions of their expressive range, enabling them to communicate with greater clarity, nuance, and emotional impact.
Welcome back, curious learners! In our last lesson, we explored how the coordination of our mouth, jaw, tongue, and throat affects the way we speak. Today, we'll be taking it a step further and discovering how our eye movements can also play a role in vocal expression.
Through some fun exercises and observations, we'll learn about the connection between our mouth, tongue, and eyes, and how we can use this knowledge to enhance our speech. Get ready to embark on a magical journey into the world of oral and ocular harmony!
Have you ever noticed how your eyes move when you speak? It's like they're dancing along with your words! Let's find out more about this fascinating connection between your mouth and eyes.
First, let's watch a short video that shows us how our eyes, brain and mouth work together during speech.
[Play video: "Why Do Our Eyes Move When We Think?" by SciShow https://youtu.be/m-42ek601jk?si=HxJs4ZkFwZUBOmoy ]
Now that we've seen how our eyes and mouth coordinate, let's explore it further.
1. When we speak, our eyes often move in the direction of our thoughts. For example, when we're remembering something, we might look up and to the left.
2. Our eye movements can also help us express emotions. When we're excited, our eyes might widen, and when we're sad, they might look downward.
3. The position of our tongue and the shape of our mouth also change when we make different sounds. For instance, when we say "ee" as in "see," our tongue is high in our mouth, and our lips are spread.
4. By combining different eye movements with tongue and mouth positions, we can add more expression and meaning to our words.
[Display photos (below): A front view of the face, showing the eyes, mouth, and tongue during various emotions.]
Take a look at these photos. Can you see how the eyes, mouth, and tongue work together to create different expressions and sounds? It's like a secret code that helps us communicate more effectively.
But wait, there's more! Did you know that you can practice coordinating your eye movements with your speech? Try this: look up and to the right while saying "ah" as in "father." Now, look down and to the left while saying "oh" as in "home." Notice how it feels different?
Try looking in different directions while saying “ah” and “oh” and see how it changes your expression!
Wow, the connection between our mouth, tongue, and eyes is truly magical! The next time you speak, pay attention to how your eyes are moving and how they contribute to your expression.
Experiment with combining different eye movements and mouth positions, and see how it enhances your communication.
In our upcoming lesson, we'll practice some exercises to help us become more aware of this oral and ocular harmony and how we can use it to improve our speech. Get ready to become a master of expressive communication!
Hello everyone! Today, we'll be embarking on a fascinating exploration of the intricate relationship between our oral structures, eye movements, and vocal expression. Through a series of gentle exercises and observations, we'll focus on enhancing our awareness of the tongue, jaw, and mouth space in vowel articulation.
We'll also discover how coordinating eye movements with tongue and vocal exercises can enrich our expressive range. Remember, this is a process of self-discovery, so let's approach it with curiosity and an open mind.
Are you ready to begin?
Before we start, let's record a vocal reference so that we can compare the quality of your voice now with it at the end of the lesson.
Let's pretend you are hired as the professional voice talent for a fictional audiobook.
Here is your paragraph.
"In the quiet evening, the small waves gently talked to the sandy beach. Each word was clear and floated easily through the cool air. As I listened, the soft sounds of the waves mixed with the whispering leaves, making a beautiful song that made me feel calm and happy about the world around us."
Let's say it a couple more times and listen to how your voice resonates.
What kind of action is involved if you decide to say it louder?
What changes in your torso, breathing, face?
How loud can you get without straining?
And how would you know if you're straining?
Now, observe what is involved in saying it really quietly.
What happens to your breath?
What happens to the muscles of your throat, your jaw, your face?
Notice if the sounds flow smoothly together or if they're a bit disconnected and choppy.
What is the connection between the flow of the breath and the flow of the sounds?
Pay attention to the relationship between the amount of air that you store in your lungs and the requirement of speaking out the entire paragraph.
Don't worry if you can't find the answers right now.
What's important is that you look for the answers.
Record yourself on a phone or computer saying this paragraph and once you're done lets begin the lesson.
1. Begin with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
2. Notice any changes in torso contact with the floor and the effects on your breathing.
3. Pay attention to your head position in relation to your spine and the shape/volume of your head.
4. Sense your skull, upper jaw, and lower jaw; feel the space between your upper and lower teeth.
As you bring your awareness to your jaw and teeth, notice the subtle sensations and any differences between the upper and lower jaw.
5. Explore the space in your mouth, the distance from the floor to the roof of the mouth, and the position of your tongue.
6. Open and close your mouth slowly, separating the lower jaw from the upper jaw.
7. Feel your jaw joints by touching the sides of your head below your ears.
8. Open your mouth halfway and move your lower jaw slowly right and left, ensuring only the jawbone moves.
9. Touch the middle of your upper lip with your tongue, then return it to rest on the floor of your mouth.
10. Repeat this movement, paying attention to any adjustments in your lower jaw.
As you move your tongue to your upper lip, notice if your lower jaw shifts or remains still. Explore the coordination between your tongue and jaw.
11. Explore the coordination between eye movement and tongue movement.
12. Move your tongue towards the right and left corners of your mouth, paying attention to your jaw and eyes.
13. Rest briefly, then continue exploring tongue movements towards various points in your mouth, including your lower lip.
14. Experiment with different eye and head movements coordinating with tongue movement.
As you combine eye and tongue movements, notice if it feels easier or more challenging to coordinate certain patterns. Observe any changes in sensation or awareness.
15. Vocalize sounds (like ‘L’) while exploring different mouth openings and positions.
16. Observe changes in voice resonance and quality during various tongue and mouth movements.
17. Experiment with different pitches and vocalizations, combining them with tongue movements and breathing.
18. Rest and notice any changes in self-sensation, jaw awareness, and sound resonance in your ears.
These questions can be asked during the activity or at the conclusion.
Remember the audio recording we did before the start of the lesson?
Here is the paragraph again.
"In the quiet evening, the small waves gently talked to the sandy beach. Each word was clear and floated easily through the cool air. As I listened, the soft sounds of the waves mixed with the whispering leaves, making a beautiful song that made me feel calm and happy about the world around us."
Recite it a few times in a standing position. Pay attention to flow of breath and how whether or not the sounds are smoother and more effortless.
Play around with volumes and go over the questions review the questions you might not have had the answers to before the first time.
Finally, record yourself saying the paragraph and once you're done, compare the quality of your voice now relative to the quality you had before doing this lesson.
Great work today, everyone! You've just taken a significant step in enhancing your awareness of oral structures and their role in vowel articulation and vocal expression.
Take a moment to reflect on the sensations you experienced during the exercises and any new insights you gained about the relationship between your tongue, jaw, eyes, and voice.
Remember, by becoming more attuned to these interconnected elements and practicing conscious coordination, you can expand your expressive range and discover new dimensions of your unique voice.
Keep exploring, stay curious, and most importantly, enjoy the process of unlocking your full vocal potential!
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