Tongue twisting copy. Any suggestions please?

Jacob Keebler · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007, 19:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, After releasing the hounds over on leads and reads this week, I figured I stop in here and check out the technique tutors.

Anyone else switch out the "W" in wristwatch so the copy reads...

"Black Licorice Swiss Rist Watch..."

Other favorites include:

"Toy Boat" x10
and
"Ticket to Pittsburgh" x10 (WARNING: Possibly NSFW)

Lydia Scholten · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007, 02:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Four things that can help...

Be aware of your jaw position...as the words come out in a rush it's too easy to let the oral muscles for your jaw, cheeks and lips tighten up, while the space between your teeth becomes smaller and smaller - essentially reducing the space available for your tongue to make its finely tuned movements with accuracy. So, relax the jaw and make that opening wider as you are saying the troublesome phrase. Force the tongue to make those larger movements more accurately.

Sometimes you just need to give your poor tired mouth muscles a little rest and massage around the jaw joint (in front of your ears) along with some stretching and relaxation manoeuvres for the lips and tongue.

With a series of difficult syllables - start at the end of the sequence, and say the last 2 syllables in sequence. Then say the last 3 syllables of the phrase. Now the final 4...5...6...onwards....working your way backwards through the phrase. Now gradually start fitting it into the 'nest' of words that surround the troublesome sequence.

Highlight the stressed syllables and use the musical intonation of the phrase to help you with the timing. The tongue just comes along for the ride at this point.

Hope this helps! Smile