Exercises to Improve the
Oral and Whisper Qualities of Your Voice

Oral quality is that of weakness. The whisper is sometimes used to express secrecy, fear, caution. Exercises in whisper will rapidly develop strength of voice.

Here are some excerpts for you to practice:

ORAL

1. "Jo, my poor fellow!"

"I hear you, sir, in the dark, but I'm a gropin'-a gropin'; let me catch hold of your hand." "Jo, can you say what I say?"

"I'll say anything as you say, sir, for I knows it's good." "OUR FATHER." "Our Father.-That's very good, sir." "WHICH ART IN HEAVEN." "Art in Heaven.-Is the light a comin', sir?" "It is close at hand. HALLOWED BE THY NAME." " Hal lowed be-thy-name."

DICKENS.

WHISPER

1. Hark! I hear the bugles of the enemy! They are on their march along the bank of the river. We must retreat instantly, or be cut off from our boats. I see the head of their column already rising over the height. Our only safety is in the screen of this hedge. Keep close to it; be silent; and stoop as you run. For the boats! Forward!

2. All heaven and earth are still,-tho not in sleep, But breathless, as we grow when feeling most;
And silent, as we stand in'thoughts too deep:- All heaven and earth are still: from the high host Of stars to the lulled lake, and mountain coast,
All is concentrated in a life intense,
Where not a beam, nor air, nor leaf is lost,
But hath a part of being, and a sense
Of that which is of all Creator and Defence.
BYRON.

3. Soldiers! You are now within a few steps of the enemy's outpost. Our scouts report them as slumbering in parties around their watch-fires, and utterly unprepared for our approach. A swift and noiseless advance around that projecting rock, and we are upon them,-we capture them without the possibility of resistance.-One disorderly noise or motion may leave us at the mercy of their advanced guard. Let every man keep the strictest silence, under pain of instant death.