Articulation

Exercises to overcome “Immovable Jaw”, “Idle Tongue”, “Lazy Lips”, and “Too Much Speed”.

LIMBERING UP

• Spread the lips in a smile for “eeeee”, open them for “aaahh”, and close them for “ooooo”. Repeat.
• Rapidly say “fud-dud-dud-dah” several times. Now say “ira-ira-ira-ira-ira-ira”.
• Make believe you are a truck. Trill your tongue. Be a rattlesnake

TONGUE

Say each of the following words 5 times, trying to keep the tongue forward, just behind the upper front teeth. Listen for brightness and liveliness of tone.

Tea        Deal
Tick       Dish
Tail        Thick
Nape     Table

LIPS

A stiff upper lip is one cause of miss-articulation. Say the words �pit-pat-pit-pat-pit-pat� many times. Try to pronounce the “P’s” and “T’s” very clearly. Now try to pick up the speed. DON’T LOOSE THE “P” AND THE “T”.

JAW OPENING EXERCISES

Say the following words while exaggerating your jaw opening.

Hack      Yacht      Dot
Paw        Yard        Dart
Tab         Tot           Dark
Hah        Tat            Lad

MORE LOOSENING UP EXERCISES

Repeat each of the following word groupings clearly over and over. Start slowly at first. As your articulators become more nimble and relaxed you will be able to pick up speed without stumbling. Do any sort of tongue twister that comes to mind. The more you loosen up before a session, the easier it will be.

Good Blood, Bad Blood

Bad Blood, Good Blood

Red Leather, Yellow Leather

Buttah, Guttah Guttah, Buttah

The Leith Police Dismisseth Us
(see Tongue Twisters Section for entire tongue twister)