Saturday, March 10, 2012

New pronunciation learning readiness warm up!

Linked above is a demonstration of the new (shorter version of the) EHIEP warm up. It takes about four and a half minutes and loosens up just about everything you need to. There are three parts to it, including most of the classic or standard moves of voice and body instructors in some form: (a) body flexibility (head, shoulders and hips), (b) vowel resonance centers (front of the face, back of the throat and chest) and (c) general vowel quality and articulation of most English vowels. Have students just follow along a few times before pronunciation or speaking work. This version is decidedly understated, appropriate for a wide range of student and personality types!  After about the fourth time through, it becomes almost addictive and higher in energy, a great way to wake up in the morning or to get the class tuned up. All modules and homework "modulettes" of the EHIEP system begin with some form of this warm up as well. (Note: It seems to work better by having students follow the video, rather than an instructor at the front of the class--who would have to perform it "mirror image," which can be a challenge for many.) This is the demonstration version. To train students in doing it you many need to stop and rewind each of the moves or write out the sounds and key words. The complete EHIEP haptic video system will include both this version and a training version that breaks down each piece, along with complete text and visual schemas in the instructors manual and student workbook. Need to warm up to pronunciation? This is a good place to start!

2 comments:

  1. Hat tips on pieces of the warm up to Madame Salzmann, Arthur Lessac, Joan Morley, Marsha Chan and Angelina VanDyke--and all my drama, public speaking and voice instructors. There are actually about 36 different moves in the warm up, and another dozen or so that could be added. What you see now is a pretty good set, one that can be expanded and made much more expressive once you can "perform" in yourself in front of a group. As noted in the post, that is not easy for many people, in part because of their learning styles and wiring.

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  2. Interesting typo in the previous post . . . "to perform IN yourself . . . " Actually, I sort of like that!

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