Concepts

Question 1

Exhalation

Answer 1

Diaphragm muscles relax. Diaphragm returns to arched position. Ribs move downward and inward due to gravity. Air flows out.

Question 2

Inhalation

Answer 2

Muscles of the diaphragm contract. The diaphragm moves downward and flattens. The downward movement pushes abdominal organs against the abdominal wall, creating a bulge. Ribs are raised upward and outward. Chest capacity is now increased. Air flows in.

Question 3

Breathing to live

Answer 3

Inhalation is active. Diaphragm plays an active role/does most of the work. Exhalation is passive. Diaphragm plays a passive role. Breathing is shallow. Inhalation and exhalation occur at about the same rate, smoothly and rhythmically.

Question 4

Breathing to speak

Answer 4

Inhalation is active. Exhalation is active. Breathing is fuller and deeper. Inhalation occurs quickly between phrases. Exhalation is generally slow and irregular. Sounds are formed during exhalation.

Question 5

Clavicular-shoulder breathing

Answer 5

Breathing is shallow. Not enough to provide adequate air. Inhalation may become too frequent. Speaking rhythm is jerky. Forced to pause for unnatural breaths. Excessive tension in upper chest. Straining vocal machinery.

Question 6

Central-deep breathing

Answer 6

Controlled breath stream instead of the amount of inhaled air. Natural expansions and contractions. Inhalations are less frequent. Expansions and contractions occur in or near the midregion. Voice improves.

Question 7

How is sound produced?

Answer 7

After the breath is expelled from your lungs via the bronchial tubes, it passes through the trachea and then the larynx, which houses the vocal folds whose vibration produces sound.

Question 8

What determines voice quality?

Answer 8

The production of the original tone by the vocal folds and the process of selection, reinforcement, and enrichment of this tone by the resonators.

Question 9

How does vocal abuse occur?

Answer 9

With prolonged yelling, the vocal folds are slammed together which can cause vocal nodules.

Question 10

Ways to strengthen the voice

Answer 10

Articulation, proper pitch level, maximum use of resonators, increase in breath pressure below the vocal folds, clear tone quality, conscious control of rate and articulation, sufficient energy and animation

Question 11

What you’re saying

Answer 11

Material to express passion – loud; material to express sadness – quiet

Question 12

When you’re saying it

Answer 12

Large room with lots of people and objects – speak louder; small, open room – speak softer. Be aware of competing noises.

Question 13

The size of your audience

Answer 13

Large – loud; small – soft; nearby – soft; far away – loud

Question 14

Psychological effect on loudness

Answer 14

Important to vary loudness to maintain audience’s attention

Question 15

Scoring for expressiveness

Answer 15

First mark operative words using first, second, and third tier markings. Determine the phrasing. Then mark pauses and stresses and emphases. Then mark rate. Mark pitch. Mark intonation, including key, inflection, and steps.