How to Become a Ventriloquist

Join
Categories: How Tos

  • Ventriloquists have an entertaining talent that allows them to speak clearly with a closed mouth. They use this trick on stage to provide the voice for a dummy companion. To learn how to become a ventriloquist, please check out this helpful how to.

  • Introduction

    • Statistics report that 90% of people who have their jaw wired shut learn to become ventriloquists, but you don't have to go through the painful process of having your jaw wired to learn how their techniques. Technique is only part of what makes a good ventriloquist. You will also need original material and an audience to perform for.

  • Step 1: Speaking Through Closed Lips

    • There are a number of techniques you can use to help you learn to speak through closed lips. Speaking through closed lips well will improve the quality of your routine and make the interaction with your puppet more believable.
    1. Start by saying the vowels A, E, I, O, U through barely parted lips.
    2. Now try doing the entire alphabet.
      • Pay attention to which letters are hardest to speak. It is nearly impossible to pronounce B, F, M, P, Q, V and W.

  • Step 2: Working with Trouble Letters

    • There are ways to work around the seven trouble letters. For example:
    1. For B, substitute the "geh" sound, which is made at the back of the throat.
    2. The substitution for F is "th."
    3. The "N" sound is substituted for M.
    4. P is replaced by "kl."
    5. "Koo" takes the place of Q.
    6. V, like F, is replaced by "th."
    7. "Ooh" is used in place of W.
    • When you first read these examples, they may sound crazy to you, but the audience is tricked into hearing what they believe you said. So if you say, "thictory," they will hear the word "victory."

  • Step 3: Word Replacement

    • No matter how you try, there are going to be words that give you trouble, so the best thing for you to do is to replace those words with simpler words. While crafting your routine, write it out first, and then go back over it to see how you can make it easier by replacing difficult words.

  • Step 4: Creating a Good Routine

    • Ventriloquism isn't near as popular as it was even just a few years ago, but stars like Jeff Dunham are bringing it back in full force. One of the things that makes Dunham so popular is the unique quality of his routine. Some things to consider when putting together your personal routine:
    1. Get a dummy.
    2. Be original!
    3. Study current events for material.
    4. Study human nature for material.
    5. Create your own jokes people will be able to identify with.
    6. Create your routine around the age of the audiences you plan to perform for.
    7. Consider incorporating singing, dancing or magic tricks into your act.
    8. If you have a special puppet, consider doing part of your routine around what makes that puppet unique.

  • Step 5: Perform for an Audience

    • You will spend a lot of time practicing in front of the mirror before you move on to show your routine to friends and family, but eventually you will want to take your routine to an actual audience. Some early ventures you might want to consider volunteering to perform for free at:
    1. Schools
    2. Retirement homes
    3. Libraries
    4. Hospitals
    • Be prepared for differences in audience reactions. Some audiences may not appreciate your sense of humor, while others won't be able to stop laughing. You have to take the good with the bad and use every experience to improve yourself and your routine.

  • Conclusion

    • Even though some believe that ventriloquism isn't as popular as it once was, it's up to budding new ventriloquists to bring it back in style. Take some time to learn how to speak through closed lips, working around the trouble consonants. Once you've got speaking down and you've acquired a dummy to work with, start working on your routine. Don't be afraid to test your material out on friends and family before taking it to larger audiences.


Featured Pages

Contact Mahalo | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Advertisers | RSS for this page | CC License 2.0
©2007-2009 Mahalo.com Incorporated.
Powered By EdgeCast