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November 3, 2025 23 mins

Get the PDF "Vocal Basics for Improv" with all the exercises and concepts from this episode at https://improvupdate.com/downloads.

This episode is all about using your voice in improv. You do not need to do "funny voices" to be a good performer, you can work with the attributes of your own voice and make some subtle shifts.

I explain how to use your own voice effectively. These subtle changes to your vocal dynamics can create clear, grounded characters that you can heighten in a variety of ways.

You'll get an overview of the core components of vocal musicality, and how to practice them. These include speech rate, cadence, and prosody. Understanding these is the first step to vocal control. Then, I share five specific improv exercises to practice these skills.

I really REALLY want to redo the singing parts, oh gawd :) Also feel free to take a drink or something each time I bump the mic arm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Previous Episodes on Vocal Musicality:

Figuring out your vocal speed (words per minute): https://youtu.be/3HK40OxMGno

Exercises for voice: https://youtu.be/Z6ekXuwbpxk

Newsletter Sign-up (with reflection PDF): https://improvupdate.com/newsletter

Jill Bernard's "Small Cute Book of Improv": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3231956-jill-bernard-s-small-cute-book-of-improv

Viola Spolin: https://www.violaspolin.org/publications

Example of "Recitative": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDq4KqP7Pxs

NEW CONTENT - PODCAST PERFORMANCE LAB

Find Jen deHaan's latest content in the new show Podcast Performance Lab. It contains acting exercises and other information about creating shows, improvising for video and audio content, and more.

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