Test Your Ventril-Ability No. 9 Answer Page

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

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

Obviously, a puppet made of cloth is going to show signs of wear more quickly than a figure made of more durable materials. Bear in mind however, you cannot judge the value of a puppet solely on how long it lasts; you must consider how well it “plays.”

True – IF the case has been selected and prepared so as to protect the figure safely during travel and storage. The figure should be snug, but never compressed, especially around the head. Foam padding on all sides (and ends) inside the carrying case is recommended.

(a), (b), (C), and (d) – all are possible. But our biggest concern is with the effect of a performance upon the audience, thus (b) leads this list of concerns.

The minutes just prior to any performance are valuable and can be used to great advantage. Review lesson nine, the suggestions you find will leave you “licking your lips.”

True. Always. Yet there is a caution. See lesson fifteen.

False. Not always. Some interruptions can be used to an advantage. Yet there is a caution. See lesson fifteen!

Ad-libs are sometimes the high point of a show. Some remarks during a performance will truly be spontaneous, but you can and should ready your ad-lib skills in advance. Again, review lesson 15.

True. There are tricks a ventriloquist figure can do that no other puppet is able to imitate. A 360 degree turning head is one of them. This movement always comes as a surprise to the audience and is good for a laugh. Perform this sparingly though, as you are walking that thin line referred to in lesson fifteen.

Motivation and content of a performance is vital; performing any show using optimum skills is always the goal. Which is of most importance? You be the judge. We find it impossible to pick one over the other.

Sounds and words that require the participation of one or both lips for utterance are labials. Most such labials can be identified as specific alphabet letters. The alphabet is not the same in every language, but the alphabet of every language will contain labials. Ventriloquists speaking in any language must deal with labial sounds, and will always do so using the tongue to substitute for the task of the lips.

In Case You Didn’t Get The Clue…

Many of these answers invited you to review lesson fifteen again… We highly recommend it. In fact, it is a good idea to periodically review the lessons you have already mastered. Each time through, you will find new bits of information to help make you a better ventriloquist!