TOOLS OF THE TRADE

When I say tools of the trade I'm not talking about control boards, microphones, cd players or vox pro. I'm talking about your oral cavity, that hole in your mouth through which food is taken and words are spoken.

Your mouth is an instrument. Just ask singers and vocalist. Singers, even a veteran singers warm up before a show. Are you warming up your tool or instrument before your radio show?

A few tongue twisters, mouth and breathing exercises before each show, even voice tracked shows, will loosen up your oral cavity and improve your vocal and speaking skills dramatically.

Take a few minutes before each show, and after you show prep, to do a few of the following exercises. Do each for at least 5 seconds and you'll see a difference immediately.

Tongue Twister:
1 ~ Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
2 ~ I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.
Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.
3 ~ How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?
4 ~ Sheena leads, Sheila needs.
5 ~ The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.

Mouth Exercises:
1 ~ Smile BIG and hold for 5 seconds!
2 ~ Fill your cheeks with air and hold for 5 seconds.
3 ~ Say "OOOOOO" with your lips puckered, then "EEEEEEEEEEE" with a big smile 5 times rapidly!
4 ~ Take a deep breath, pucker your lips and blow air through your lips making them vibrate.
5 ~ Stick out your tongue and try to touch your nose for 5 seconds then try and touch your chin for 5 seconds.

With everything you do practice makes perfect. So practice improving your instrument and you'll truly have the best Tools Of The Trade!

Lj