Controlling your breathing
Breathing is very important for an actor. Running out of breath will mean that words tail off and lose their impact. It is important for volume too. The breath you take supports the sound and makes it strong. Without sufficient breath the voice won’t carry.
Breath is supported by a large muscle under the ribcage called the diaphragm . The way you hold your body will affect your breathing and the way your voice sounds.
When you breathe in, the diaphragm contracts, pulling downwards to increase the volume of the chest and air is sucked into the lungs. The diaphragm relaxes when you release air and sound, so that the muscle is helping you control the output of air.
This clip from the BBC’s When Romeo Met Juliet programme shows a group of students working on vocal exercises. Notice the focus on the vocal cords and how body posture can affect your voice.
