This lesson will build upon previous vocal exercises, focusing specifically on tongue awareness and coordination to enhance students’ understanding and control of their articulatory mechanisms. The lesson will successfully integrate theoretical knowledge of tongue anatomy and function with practical, experiential learning.
In the theoretical section, students will gain insight into the structure and function of the tongue in speech production. They will learn about the different parts of the tongue (tip, blade, back, and root) and their roles in creating various sounds. 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 tongue coordination in speech production. This approach will foster a deeper connection between students and their articulatory mechanisms, enhancing their ability to control and refine their speech production.
The lesson will lay the groundwork for improved articulation, greater expressive range, and a more profound appreciation for the complexity of tongue movements in speech. Students will leave with enhanced self-awareness and practical tools to continue developing their tongue control, setting the stage for clearer, more precise, and more expressive communication in various contexts.
Furthermore, by incorporating imaginative exercises and sensory exploration, students will develop a more holistic understanding of their oral anatomy, potentially leading to increased confidence in their speaking abilities and a greater sense of connection with their vocal instrument.
Welcome back, young explorers! In our last lesson, we discovered how our facial muscles work together to help us speak clearly. Today, we'll be focusing on a very important part of our mouth: the tongue! Through some fun exercises and observations, we'll learn about the amazing ways our tongue moves and how it helps us make different sounds. Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey of tongue exploration!
Have you ever noticed how your tongue moves when you speak? It's like a superhero in your mouth, constantly changing shape and position to help you make different sounds! Let's find out more about this incredible muscle.
First, let's watch a short video that shows us how the tongue moves during speech.
[Play video: "Speech Graphics' Simone Articulation System" by Speech Graphics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ADDdUTuYhc ]
Now that we've seen the tongue in action, let's explore it further.
1. The tongue is a muscular organ that can move in many different ways. It can curl, stretch, and even twist!
2. The front part of the tongue, called the tip, is very flexible and can touch different parts of your mouth, like your teeth and the roof of your mouth (palate).
3. The back part of the tongue, near your throat, helps you make sounds like 'K' and 'G'.
4. Your tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae, which contain your taste buds. These help you taste different flavors, like sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.
[Display diagram (below): A side view of the mouth, showing the tongue and its different parts (tip, blade, back, and root).]
Take a look at this diagram. Can you see how the tongue is divided into different sections? Each part plays a specific role in making sounds and tasting food.
But wait, there's more! Did you know that your tongue never gets tired? It's one of the strongest and most flexible muscles in your body, constantly working to help you eat, speak, and even swallow.
Wow, our tongues are truly amazing! The next time you speak or eat, pay attention to how your tongue is moving. You might be surprised by its incredible agility and strength. In our upcoming lesson, we'll practice some exercises to help us become more aware of our tongue's movements and how they contribute to clear speech. Get ready to put your tongue to the test!
Hello everyone! Today, we're going to embark on a fascinating journey of self-discovery, focusing on our tongue and its role in vocal articulation. Through a series of gentle exercises and observations, we'll develop a deeper understanding of how our tongue moves and feels, and how it contributes to the sounds we make. This lesson will help us improve our oral coordination and responsiveness, enhancing our overall vocal control. Remember, this is a process of exploration, 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 by bending your knees and placing your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
2. Open your mouth comfortably wide and breathe in and out through your mouth for about 1 minute.
3. Sense the inside of your mouth while breathing for about 1 minute.
As you breathe, pay attention to the sensations inside your mouth. Notice the air moving over your tongue, teeth, and palate.
4. Focus on feeling the tip of your tongue and then the right side, moving towards the back of your mouth. Do this for about 1 minute.
5. Gently touch the tip of your tongue with your left index finger, sliding along the side of the tongue towards the back of your mouth. Take about 1 minute for this.
6. Slide your finger on the right side of the tongue, from front to back, and repeat a few times. Do this for about 2 minutes.
As you slide your finger along your tongue, notice the texture and thickness of your tongue. How does it feel different in various parts?
7. Imagine your finger still touching the tongue, sliding along the right edge from the tip to the back. Focus on this imagery for about 3 minutes.
8. Follow the edge of the tongue in your imagination, extending to the root above the larynx. Do this for about 3 minutes.
9. Rest, lowering your arms and legs, and breathe through your nose for about 1 minute.
10. Observe any differences in the right side of your mouth, tongue, and throat compared to the left. Do this for about 2 minutes.
11. Make small, slow movements with your tongue, noting any increased coordination or responsiveness. Practice this for about 2 minutes.
12. Repeat the process with the left side of the tongue, sensing its thickness and texture. Spend about 3 minutes on this.
13. Touch the left side of the tongue with your right index finger, sliding from front to back. Do this for about 3 minutes.
14. Imagine sliding something soothing along the left side of the tongue, extending down to the root. Focus on this imagery for about 2 minutes.
15. Rest again, sensing the inside of your mouth and throat for about 1 minute.
16. Bend your knees and stand your feet, repeating the mouth opening and T sound articulation. Do this for about 1 minute.
17. Focus on the movement of the entire tongue during this process for about 2 minutes.
18. Feel the root, middle, tip, and underside of the tongue as you make the T sounds. Do this for about 2 minutes.
19. Rest on your back, sensing the inside of your mouth, throat, tongue, and breathing for about 1 minute.
20. Roll your head from side to side, maintaining constant pressure against the floor. Do this for about 2 minutes.
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 tongue awareness and control. Take a moment to reflect on the sensations you experienced during the exercises and any new insights you gained about your tongue's role in vocal articulation. Remember, by becoming more aware of the subtle movements and sensations in your mouth and practicing conscious control, you can improve your vocal clarity and expressiveness.
Keep exploring, stay curious, and most importantly, enjoy the process of discovering your full vocal potential!
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