LONGER AND MORE DIFFICULT DRILL SENTENCES

1. Some people reason that "seeing is believing".  They feel that they are frequently deceived.
2. Bill saw a big pickerel swimming in the ripples.  He licked his lips in anticipation of a
    delicious fish dinner.
3. Several veteran members of the Senate expressed displeasure.  Special legislation to
    regulate the selling of eggs was not necessary, they said.
4. Sally banged the black Packard into a taxicab.  It was badly damaged by the crash.
5. I am unable to understand my Uncle Gus. He mutters and mumbles about nothing.
6. John started across the yard toward the barn. His father remarked calmly that he'd better
    not wander too far.
7. Is Shaw the author of "Walking on the Lawn"? I thought it was Walter Hall.
8. Captain Hook pushed through the bushes to the brook.  From where he stood it looked
    like an ambush.
9. As a rule we go canoeing in the forenoon. The pool is too cool in June.
10. Hugh refused to join the musicians' union.  His excuse was viewed with amusement.
11. Don't go home alone in the snow. You'll be cold and soaked and half frozen.
12. Powler wants to plow all the ground around his house.  Somehow I doubt if the council
      will allow it.
13. The agent remained away all day.  Late at night he made his way to the place where the
      sailors stayed.
14. The tile workers were fighting for higher prices and more time off.  They tried to
      drive back the strike breakers.
15. The boys toiled noisily in the boiling sun. They enjoyed the work that Roy avoided.
16. Mr. Miller had climbed many mountains.  But the bottomless chasm that he glimpsed
      dimly before him was the mightiest in his memory.
17. Laden down by their burdens, Dan and Ned ran from the barn into the open. Their
      keen senses warned them that the tornado was not far distant.
18. The monk singing in the evening light had no inkling that anything was wrong.  Suddenly
      the strong tones of the gong rang out.
19. Part way up the slope above the pool was a popular camping spot.  Many people
      stopped there for picnic suppers among the pines.
20. The British were not bothered about the robbery.  They believed that they could bribe the
      Arab to betray his tribe.
21. After waiting for twenty minutes the train left the station for the western front.  The
      veterans went to sleep, but the excited recruits sat and talked all night.
22. The doll's red dress was soiled and muddy, but the ragged child hugged it adoringly.
23. Old Katy had a particular dislike for hawks and crows.  She called them "wicked creatures".
24. As the big dog began to dig under the log, Gary forgot his hunger and grabbed his gun.
25. Early every summer our barn is covered with brilliant red roses.  The broad crimson roof
      draws admiring crowds from far and near.
26. Lawyer Clark held his little felt hat and his black gloves in his lap. He silently placed the
      valise containing the wills on the table.
 27. "For breakfast", said father, "I find that coffee is the staff of life. I refuse to be softened
        by all this foolishness about half a grapefruit."
28. I believe I'll save this heavy veil.  The vogue might be revived eventually.
29. We thought that the theory about the death of the author was pathetic. But we had faith
       that something would lead to the truth.
30. My father finds it hard to breathe in this weather.  Even the heather withers.
31. The successful student of voice in speech does not assume that class exercise is sufficient.
      He also practices by himself outside of class.
32. My cousin's play "The Zero Zone" is pleasant and amusing.  But it won't be chosen
      for a prize because it doesn't deserve it.
33. A flash of lightning showed the fishing ship in the shallows close to shore.  With one
      great crushing motion the ocean dashed it against the shoal.
34. Even before the explosion at the garage the Persian made a casual allusion to sabotage.
35. Hurry back anyhow Harry.  It will help if you only hear half of the rehearsal.
36. "What is that"? he whispered.  Somewhere from the left came the whistle of a bobwhite.
37. Wait until the weather is warm.  Then everyone will want to walk in the woods.
38. Did you ever speculate on the comparative uses and values of onions and yellow yams?
39. Mitchell was a righteous old bachelor.  He watched for a chance to chase the children
      out of his cherry orchard.
40. All but Judge Johnson pledged allegiance to the new legislation.  He objected because
       it was unjust to the soldiers in his region.
 
SELL ME SOMETHING
Try this in many ways.  Read it with the gusto of a radio announcer, or try to convince me like a car salesman.  Explore vocal range to the fullest.

Titillate your appetite with Dottie's tasty tidbits,
The delightful vitaminized tea time dainties,
Artistically wrapped and definitely insulated
With double thicknesses of damp deterrent tinfoil.
Dottie's tidbits are actually a preventative against
    acidity and flatulence--
Do you doubt it?
Then there is only one thing to do:
Try Dottie's tidbits today.

ONE-LINERS (Exercises for exploring the vocal range)
Take several of these lines and explore the vocal possibilities.  Remember that belief must be generated within yourself, first.
 
Boy, you are something, do you know that? You are really something:
Oh, Man.  I really don't want to do this -- I really don't.
I Can't believe it:  It was the most exciting thing that's ever happened:
It was so funny: You had to be there -- it was a classic:
Oh, I wish I could go.  I'd give anything if I could be there.
I don't want to talk about it.  In fact, I don't even want to think about it.
I really like you.  You're easy to talk to, you know?
Look, it's none of your business, O.K.?  Just leave me alone.
I wish that things were like they used to be.  It was a lot easier back then.
What did you do that for?  What's wrong with you?
Oh God, it hurts.  Can't you do something about it?
I don't care.  I really don't care at this point.
Did you really?  Go on - - you're kidding me!
I'm not sure I understand.  Tell me again; I just don't know what you mean.
Where have you been?  Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?
I hope they're all right.  I just hope nothing's happened.
Something's wrong, isn't there?  You're afraid to tell me, is that it?
Hey, everything's great: Things couldn't be better:
God) I'm so nervous.  I just can't seem to calm down.
Well . . .1 mean . . . O.K. . . . O.K. Let me start again.

BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS
    Work on articulation - the audience hears you better if they hear consonants.  Work on plosives. Help students get rid of the bad habit of dropping the ends of words. Put the hard sounds back in. If the word is stop, I want to hear stoP, let's hear those p's - spit all over the place if you have to, but stress the ends of the words.

Give me the gift of a grip tap sock
A clip drape ship shape tip top sock
Not your spiv slick slap stick slip shod stock
But a plastic elastic grip top sock
None of your fantastic slack swop slob
From a slap dash flash cash haberdash shop
Not a knick knack knit-lock knock kneed knickerbocker sock
With a mock shot, blob mottled, trick ticker tock clock
Not a rucked up, puckered up, flop top sock
Nor a super, sheer, seersucker, pucka sack smock sock
Not a spot-speckled, frog freckled, cheap sheik sock
Off a hotch potch, moss blotched, botched scotch block
Nothing slip shod, flip flop, drip drop or glip glop
Tip me to a tip top grip top sock.