There are many ways to shape musical or dramatic phrases - with dynamics, with tempo, with rhythmic intensity or variation.

 

Here is an exercise I use with high-energy performers to help them grade their performances. It will work in any musical genre, and is also effective for speeches, both in the theatre and in the wedding reception. For this exercise you will need a favourite song, speech or phrase.

First, let's prepare for the front/back exercise. Stand up with one foot slightly in front of the other, about shoulder width apart. Your weight should be evenly distributed between both feet to begin with. Stand on the outside of your feet, so that your weight is pushing outwards slightly. Now stand on the inside edge of your feet, with your weight pushing inwards slightly. Move your weight to your heels, then move your weight to your toes. Finally, stand with your weight balanced on the centre of both feet, evenly distributed.

You may notice now that you have an habitual stance, on the outside or inside edge, or slightly back or forwards.

Now let's examine the physicality of the front/back foot idea. Move your weight now onto your front foot. You may find yourself leaning forwards, or you may be able to balance successfully without the lean. Nevertheless, more of your weight will be on your front foot, with less on your back foot. This has an inherent emotional and directional feel. The emotional feel is more urgent, faster, more aggressive, more pressing. The directional feel is forwards and either down or up, depending on how your weight is balanced. You might also feel narrower in your upper body, and your breathing might change or feel different. Now sing your favourite song or start your favourite speech, staying on the front foot. Notice the feeling of your body and emotions as you continue your vocal task, staying on your front foot.

Now do the opposite. Move your weight onto your back foot. You may find yourself leaning backwards, or you might be able to shift your weight backwards easily without the lean. Notice the inherent emotion and directional feel. This feels less urgent, more "laid back", slower, even more accepting. The directional feel is backwards and either up or down, depending on how you are balanced. You might also feel wider and more open in your body, and your breathing might alter. Sing your favourite song or start your best speech again, staying on the back foot. Notice how your body feels, and what emotions emerge as you continue to speak or sing, staying on your back foot.

Now do the same song or speech, but this time stay balanced upright with your weight equally on both feet. Notice the emotions and the feelings in your body that arise.

These different "directions" are used constantly in music or drama - many pieces have phrases or sentiments that have a forward, urgent feel and others that have a more laid-back, lazier feel. This form of tension and release in the phrasing is something that experienced performers can use consciously. Many comedians and presenters use the front foot/back foot technique to encourage an audience to laugh, applaud or quieten.

It's a simple and effective way to add interest and variation to your performing.
 

Jeremy Fisher trains singers and performers to find and maintain their best. He's the author of Successful Singing Auditions, and creator of the Voicebox Videos - featured on the BBC and broadcast to 44,000,000 people. He was commissioned by the DANA Centre at London's Science Museum to create a video on singing with a camera down his throat. Jeremy is fascinated by bringing technology and innate skill together. http://www.vocalprocess.co.uk

© 2009 Jeremy Fisher