It is called ventriloquism.
Ventriloquism is a vocal art and performance skill where a person learns to speak or produce sounds without visibly moving their lips. This unique ability creates the illusion that the voice is coming from another source, such as a puppet, a dummy, or even a distant location.
The Art of the "Thrown Voice"
At its core, ventriloquism involves manipulating vocalizations so precisely that the sound appears to originate from somewhere other than the performer's own mouth. This "throwing" of the voice is a highly developed skill, achieved through extensive practice and control over the vocal apparatus.
Key elements include:
- Lip Immovability: A fundamental aspect is the ability to form words and sentences while keeping the lips as still as possible. This requires mastering the production of sounds that typically rely on lip movement (like 'P', 'B', 'M', 'F', 'V') by substituting them with similar-sounding consonants that can be formed without lip closure (e.g., using a 'D' sound for a 'B' or 'P', or an 'N' for an 'M').
- Vocal Projection and Manipulation: Ventriloquists learn to control their breath, tongue, and throat muscles to project sound, alter pitch, and vary tone, making different voices distinct and seemingly emanating from a separate entity.
- Creating Illusion: The ultimate goal is to create a believable illusion that an inanimate object is speaking. This often involves the performer subtly guiding the audience's attention towards the puppet or dummy, enhancing the perception that the voice belongs to the prop.
Techniques and Practice
Achieving the pinnacle of ventriloquism requires dedicated training in various vocal and performance techniques:
- Breath Control: Mastering diaphragmatic breathing is essential for producing sustained sounds and modulating volume without facial strain.
- Tongue and Jaw Control: Precise control over the tongue and jaw muscles allows for articulation of words with minimal external movement.
- Sound Substitution: This is a critical technique where specific sounds that require lip movement are replaced by alternatives that can be formed with the mouth nearly closed. For instance:
- P, B, M: Often replaced with T, D, N (e.g., "doy" for "boy," "dad" for "mom").
- F, V: Can be substituted with Th or similar soft sounds.
- Misdirection: Beyond vocal skill, a successful ventriloquist uses misdirection to focus the audience's gaze on the puppet, thereby reinforcing the illusion of the voice coming from the dummy rather than the performer. This includes subtle movements of the puppet and engaging dialogue.
By combining these intricate vocal techniques with performance artistry, ventriloquists create compelling and entertaining acts where their voice seems to come from an entirely different source.
