There was an article in the paper this weekend about the company that makes Fender Guitars, the classic electric guitar played by all the greats: Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen.
Those guys have chops – a virtuoso ability to play the instrument. This got me thinking. What are voice-over chops and how can a beginner get them? There was an article in the paper this weekend about the company that makes Fender Guitars, the classic electric guitar played by all the greats: Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen.
Here’s my list of essential voice over skills you should work on to become a true master of the microphone.
The ability to take direction.
Often this means knowing what questions to ask the director. For example, if you’re playing a cop, you might ask the director how long the cop has been on the force, how he feels about his job. An actor with chops never assumes anything
Excellent voice control.
Voice talent with chops know how to produce subtle nuances of inflection. They are familiar with voice placement and the range of sound they can produce on their instrument.
Phrasing
A voice talent with good chops is a master of phrasing. He or she knows exactly where to place pauses and beats for best effect.
Timing
Even though timing can be adjusted in the studio you still need to know how to shave or add seconds when directed to do so.
Acting skills
A talent with chops can act. They can lose themselves completely in the copy, become the character and let nothing break their concentration.
Emotional control.
Voice talent at the top of their game are easy-going and good humored. No matter how difficult the session, they never lose their cool and maintain poise and equilibrium at all times.
In his new memoir singer Neil Young (who is also a guitar player with some major chops) reveals that in the early days of his career he went to choreography school so he and his band Crazy Horse could learn some moves for the stage. Yes, even Neil Young with his flannel shirts and wild on stage persona had a dance instructor.
The lesson’s clear: a person can’t become great and develop their chops without teachers and mentors along the way. At The Great Voice Company we are your voice over mentor with proven programs dedicated to helping you develop your chops. To find out more about our training, give Bill a call at 800-333-8108 or bill@greatvoice.com
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Susan Berkley is a top voice over artist and founder of The Great Voice Company, a company devoted to teaching great voices around the world how to become successful voice over actors. The Great Voice Company is an international leader in voice over training and in providing top quality voice over recordings in all languages to discerning businesses and marketers. For additional information visit www.greatvoice.com
Copyright 2012, The Great Voice Company. All Rights Reserved. How to Develop Your Voice Over Chops.
