pages: practicalmagicia00harr.pdf, 92
This data as json
path | page | folder | text |
---|---|---|---|
practicalmagicia00harr.pdf | 92 | 82 THE PRACTICAL MAGICIAN. was thrown out, and the train moved on. And Mr. Frederic Maccabe stood confessed, but not penitent. Voice No 1. .-To acquire this voice, which we so name for dis- tinction's sake, speak any word or sentence in your own natural tones ; then open the mouth and fix the jaws fast, as though you were trying to hinder any one from opening them farther or shut- ting them ; draw the tongue back. in a ball ; speak the same words, and the sound, instcad of being formed in the mouth will be formed in the pharynx. Great attention must be paid to holding the jaws rigid. The sound will then be found to imi- tate a voice heard from the other side of a door when it is closed, or under a floor, or through a wall. To ventriloquize with this voice, let the operator stand with his back to the au- dience against a door. Give a gentle tap at the door, and call aloud in a natural voice, inquiring "Who is there ?" This will have the effect of drawing the attention of the audience to a person supposed to be outside. Then fix the jaw as de- scribed, and utter in voice No. 1, any words you please, such as "I want to come in.' Ask quostions in the natural voice and answer in the other. When you have done this, open the door a little, and hold a conversation with the imaginary person. As the door is now open, it is obvious that the voice must be altered, for a voice will not sound to the car when a door is open the same as when closed. Therefore the voice must be made to ap- pear face to face, or close to the ventriloquist. To do this the voice must not be altered from the original tiote or pitch, but be made in another part of the mouth. This is done by closing the lips tight and drawing onecorner of the mouth downwards, O) towards the ear. Then let the lips open at that corner only, the other part to remain closed. Next breathe, as it were, the worde out of the orifice formed. Do not speak distinctly, but expcl tho breath in short puffs at each word, and as loud as possible. By so doing you will cousc the illusion in the mind of the listeners, that they hear the same voice which they heard when the door was closed, but which is now heard more distinctly and nearer on account of the door being open. This voice must always be used when the ventriloquist wishes it to appear that the sound comes from some one close at hand, but through an obstacle. The description of voice and dialogue may be varied as in the fol- lowing examples- - Ex. 1. THE SUFFOCATED VICTIM.-This was a favoite illus- tration of Mr. Love, the polyphonist. A large box or close cup- board is used indiscriminately, as it may be handy. The student will rap or kick the box apparently by accident. The voice will then utter a hoarse and subdued groan, apparently from the box or closet. |