How to Perform Ventriloquism

Ventriloquism is an art of performance where the performer carries on conversations with other objects or characters by speaking without moving their lips when the character appears to speak. Ventriloquism is a word based on the Greek meaning "belly-talker." In ancient times, ventriloquism was an art known by few and was used in very different ways. Few of those ways were for entertainment.

Ventriloquism has three facets: the easy letters, the hard letters, and learning to have a conversation with yourself. The easy letters in ventriloquism (acdefghijklnoqrstuxyz) can be performed simply by saying them without moving your lips. In order to do this, close your mouth and relax your face muscles. Next, smile a big, toothy grin. Next, open your teeth to allow the tongue and the inner muscles of the mouth to settle into their normal position. In this position, say each of the easy letters, and try to do it without moving your lips. It will take daily practice to say them clearly. At first they're going to sound rather odd. Practicing the easy words five times per day is a good way to get your ventriloquism practice going and warm up for the hard letters.

The hard letters (b,f,m,p,v,w) take quite a bit if practice and a certain knack to make them clear. These are the hard letters (you may have noticed 'f' in both lists. This is because it can be either, depending on what comes of your practice) are the hard letters because, in normal speech, you need your lips to make these sounds. Say each letter with your normal mouth movement and pay very detailed attention to the way they sound. The procedure for producing these hard letters is simple enough, but takes practice to make them sound as close to what they are as possible. For instance, one of the earlier teachings in ventriloquism taught you to replace the letter 'd' for the letter 'b'. While this does well on its own, and should be how you first try to form the letter, a slight adjustment of the tongue against the back of the upper teeth produces a more b-sounding 'b'. 'F' and 'v' are produced in a similar fashion.

Place the tongue on the back of the teeth and blow hard. You hear a rush of air that sounds like the beginning of both letters. From that burst of air, remove your teeth sternly to make the 'f' sound, and remove your teeth slowly to create the 'v' sound. 'M' is pronounced with the 'n' sound shaped differently by your mouth. 'W' uses the'd' sound and the altered 'b' sound and the letter 'u'. The hardest letter, the letter 'p', is often formed by saying the letter't'. However, moving the tongue slightly askew on the back of the top teeth can create a sound more like the letter 'p'. That is the beginning of learning ventriloquism. Enjoy and practice, practice, practice!