I'm about to order a Pedro Parrot from Axtell.

But I'm trying to do the tutorial from the axtell website before I order, I know I have to buy books or DVD for further instructions, but I'm stuck.

I try to say '' the boy likes bananas '' And even if I try my best I alway end up saying ''the doy likes dananas''

I don't understand the tutorial from axtell, I press on my theet while saying ''d'' and it does a ''d'' anyway. When I get it I have to ''flash'' my tongue and touch my upper lips.

But in the tutorial they say that you have to act like your tongue is your upper lip, and your theets are your lower lips.

Also when my mouth is in relaxed posistion, my tongue alway touch the top of my inner mouth (sorry I can't express otherwise I'm french) when I try to do the front press.

What is the ''breakdown mecanism'' of this technique. I'm not very patient and I know you need to put a lot of practice, but I want to slap myself when I say ''the doy likes dananas... ''

Also I need to find a good book for FRENCH ventriloquist, any idea?

Athos,

The "b" sound is what is called a PLOSIVE. Unlike the "d", it has a bit of a pop to it or more accurately a "buh" with a small buildup of air released at the beginning. The "press" explantion is helpful in distinguishing subtle difference in the positioning of the tongue with the regular "d" and then the ventriloquial "b".

Try sounding out regular "d" with your tongue in it's usual position - the tip slightly pointed. NOW try the "buh" remembering to press or flatten the tip of the tongue where your upper teeth meet your gums. Back and forth. Listen for a difference in the two sounds. Keep working on that little air burst at the beginning of "buh".
Press and flatten tongue - build some air pressure - and then... BUH! It can be done!

Using your tongue, teeth and mouth to form new sounds is a bit more than just executing the intructions. It takes more than a few practice sessions to get it to the point where you don't want to "slap yourself". Figure a few weeks a practicing a bit each day.

I find that using the glotal stop helps.

Open your mouth and exhale gently. Now without closing your mouth, stop the flow of air. Your diaphram should still be pushing air, it's just that the air is being stopped by your epiglotis. Now when you release the pressure you should get that nice plosive.

There are probably a couple of other ways of doing it (or expaining it) other than the two Steve and I have mentioned, so keep trying them all until you find what works for you.

Also, when actually practising a script, keep in mind what Al Stevens has said about the difference between Pros and Amateurs. The Pros don't tend to worry too much about the labials whereas the Amateurs worry a little too much and thereby emphasis them. Practise the technique and then don't worry about them

Thanks!

I got ''banana'' right but I still can't say ''boy'' right.
I will practice the techniques once I receive my puppet, I wonder if the puppet are hand made and then shipped or they are stocking them and shipping them right away?

I feel dumb talking with my socks
I'm joking.

Athos -
Don't wait to practice technique until you get your puppet. Once that comes you'll be busy playing with how it acts, reacts, etc. It helps to practice every day.

Aha! You've discovered that all vowels are not equal. So now try this. Break "boy" into two syllables (this is just as you practice, not performance)
BUH - OY. If you could make the "b" sound with banana then you've got the mechanics right. Dividing the word will give your mouth time to readjust from the "new" fake "b" to the "o". As you hear yourself getting the sounds right, tighten up the space in between and then back to sounding as one syllable.

This technique will also help as you progress to other troublesome consonant combinations.

And if you think you feel silly talking to your socks, just imagine how your socks feel!

I have very little to add to Steve's excellent advise, save this. Using a tape recorder, record yourself saying "B" and "P" words using your lips. Do it again and again, listening closely to how it sounds. Now do it again, using the substitute vowels, making the two words sound as similar as possible. Then alternate the words:

banana, danana, banana, danana, boy, doy, boy, doy; puppet, tuttet, puppet, tuttet. Listen to the tape and work on making the two words sound as similar as possible. Move the tongue a little in your mouth to change the sound. You might be surprised that you sound better on tape than you sound to yourself "live."

Finally, as you do your practicing, make sure you're looking in the mirror and working on keeping your lips as still as possible.

Good luck!

Bob

Steeve

Thanks for the help.
Also what's the difference between a vent puppet and a half body/ human arm puppet?

I ordered pedro parrot from Axtell at this page http://www.axtell.com/parrot.html
Does he work with your arm and hand? Like you would do with a regular sock.

You will love Pedro. Out of the four Axtell birds in his price range, Pedro is my favorite. It's a terrific character with a full body of fur and feathers and an outstanding parrot face. Your hand goes up through the bottom like your sock only it smells better!

A vent puppet would have an entire body that is visible to the audience.
Half body/human arm is generally for overhead puppetry. One hand goes into the head and the other into an arm and glove (live hand). There is nothing below the puppet's waistline. Ernie on Sesame Street is one of these.

Thanks steve.

I'm still practicing ''boy'' sometimes I have it right, but it's rare.
The way I do it is this
1- I hold my breath
2- I press my tongue on my teeth
3- I release the air by saying ''D''
4- I finish with OYE

I'm sure you are pressing too hard... I should call it the "front soft press & pull off". It's the pull off that creates the sound. Not the press itself.

You see the press is simulating the lips touching together. But when you say BOY the air blows your lips apart....a "plosive" sound. So to continue the simulation your front press touch is the start of the B...but the pull off and OYE...is the polsive sound.

Is that more helpful?

Thanks axtell!

I got it right this time, I just took my camera and filmed my lips while practicing and I got it right!

When I practice it by just listening to what I say it feels like I'm saying ''doy'' but when I listen to the camera it does sounds like ''boy''.

Now I'm going to practice ''v'' ''m'' ''p'' sounds.

Thanks for the help, finally got it! also I can't wait to have pedro, he look nice!

Prior to getting the "plosives" down, I re worked a lot of my dialog...

Boy becomes "Lad", "Kid"....

Goodbye..was see you later...Chow, Shalom, or Adios.

Singing the word in a song can also help the audience get the word by context.

Another is by contrast. First have the figure say a Girl or Gorrilla... likes bananas...argue...or whatever fits you and your figures character..then get to Boy...and the audiences mind can help fill out the "B".




Harris

Steve that is an excellent explanation....makes perfect sense.My 'B' wasn't bad,but now it's even better.Thanks.

P.S. Nice collection of ideas from the others also.

Rich

Great I've updated the information on my vent page http://www.axtell.com/vent.html

Please tell others about the page and feel free to link to the learning center at http://www.axtell.com/learn.html

Ax