What is tonal Variation?
Tonal Variation is a variation (changes) in the pitch of the voice while speaking to help distinguish words stress, attitude and emotions of the speaker it is the changes in pitch/sound as one recites the poem, it is how one creates sound when speaking, reciting a poem effectively requires plenty of voice changes(variation)Examples of tones used to describe a poem include.
- Cheerful/joyous tone in case of a happy situation.
- Slow tone.
- The loud tone in case of a surprising situation.
- Soft tone in case of a pleasing situation.
- The humorous tone in case of a funny situation.
- Serious tone in case of serious/important situations.
- Roaring tone
- Demanding tone
- Assertive tone when stating/declaring something positively
- Affirmative tone when agreeing/ concurring or supporting a situation.
ELEMENTS OF TONAL VARIATION
1. Volume – loudness of the voice2. Pitch - frequency of sound waves, i.e.... High note/low note
3. Pace - speed of the sound also called the tempo it is either fast or slow
4. Timbre - the emotional quality of the voice. The voice should accompany the emotional attachment of the speaker or the context of the poem. eg a sad voice when the situation in the poem is a sad one like death.
The effectiveness of using tonal variation in a poem
- For emphasis on meaningful parts of the speech
- Helps in comprehending /understanding the message of the poem
- To draw the speaker's emotional attachment to the message in the poem
- To express the speaker's situation e.g... disgust, surprise, certainty, happiness etc.
N/B – A good illustration of a tonal variation should mention 1)the kind of tone used 2)
the pace/speed of the voice 3) the volume of the voice.
Example of tonal variation in poetry:
How would you say the last line of the poem below?
I would say the last line in an angry voice/arrogant tone and a fast pace with a raised volume to indicate that the speaker is disgusted and not willing to be bothered by anyone. I would also stress the word ‘busy’.
N/B Enunciation is saying the content words by emphasizing/ stressing them and properly articulating them.
How to say a given line in a poem:
There is a difference between ‘‘how to perform’’ and ‘‘how to say’’
"How to say’’ requires techniques that are only done by word of mouth, therefore
only the oral techniques should be listed and appropriately illustrated. These techniques include:
Oral techniques used in poetry
- Tonal variation
- Intonation
- Enunciation of words – properly articulating words of a line.
- Stressing the content words of the line given.
Example of how to say a given line in a poem
How would you say this last line of a poem "Her spirit from death gin"?
- I would say with a slow pace, low voice with a soft tone so as to emphasize the subject of death mentioned,
- I would also use a falling intonation to signal the end of the poem/finality
- I would also enunciate and stress the content words “spirit” and “death”