Test Your Ventril-Ability No. 4 Answer Page

This test is found in Lesson Eight of the
Maher Course Of Ventriloquism – Detweiler Version.

It is a “self-check” test for your benefit.

Come now – you can think of SOMETHING!

True. Some speech sounds are formed uniquely different, depending upon the individual. But we all make the resonant sound of “Ng” in the same manner, by pressing the middle/back of the tongue against the roof of the mouth.

True. When listening to a ventriloquist speaking with his or her partner, you should be able to close your eyes and hear two distinctly different voices in conversation. The greater the contrast between the voices the better the effect.

“Use it or lose it.” It’s cliche, but true. While weekly practice may sound reasonable, daily practice is what it takes to keep ventriloquist skills sharp and ready for the show.

False. The distant voice is highly “squeezed” (pressure controlled).

True for the majority of ventriloquist voices.

There are many people who know how ventriloquism is done, but they cannot do it. Why? Achieving ownership of the ventriloquist art can only be accomplished through practice.

False. The effect of “throwing the voice” is always an illusion and there are no exceptions to this rule.

True. And this has a great deal to do with ventriloquial effectiveness. Unless you are an exception to the rule, you use your eyes to assist your ears when determining the source and direction of sound! So does your audience!

When the ventriloquist is speaking for the puppet, the facial expression of the ventriloquist should appear natural without distortion.

False. The diaphragm muscle does aid in breath control and breathing, but it is located BELOW the lungs.

False. While it is true that most ventriloquist presentations include a ventriloquist figure or puppet, no ventriloquist figure or puppet is needed for some distant and novelty ventriloquial effects.