The Accent Method

Klaus Møller

The Accent Method was developed by the Danish professor Svend Smith (1907-1985) who taught and researched at The Danish Institute for Speech and Hearing. It is a rational voice therapy that was developed to treat people with pathological or weak voices. The Accent Method helps the student to coordinate breath, vocal function, articulation, body movement and language.

The main principle of The Accent Method is to develop and strengthen the normal functions of the voice thereby giving the speaker, singer or patient a secure foundation for voice use.

The Accent Method can be divided into three different parts:

1. Respiration
2. Voice exercises
3. Speech

The Accent Method is based on abdominal breathing and through progressive exercises a natural breathing function is established. When the correct breathing pattern has been learned, phonation is linked to the breathing through voice exercises. The voice exercises are first learned in a soft, low-pitched, breathy voice on a fricative or a closed vowel. These exercises will, because of the efficient airflow, gently bring the vocal folds together causing the mucosa to vibrate. The exercises will result in an improved elasticity and flexibility in the tissue of the vocal folds and the underlying muscles.

The voice exercises are divided into three tempos: Largo, Andante and Allegro. Each tempo prepares the voice for different aspects of normal speech by gradually increasing the speed and difficulty. At each tempo, exercises are first performed on fricatives and closed vowels. These are taken into all vowels and finally consonants are also introduced. All exercises in The Accent Method are performed rhythmically with a steady pulse (sometimes accompanied by a drum) to these three tempos and these extend into speech and text exercises. The text exercises are still performed in a controlled way and at each tempo. The key principles are maintained and practiced before each exercise. In Largo the client learns to phrases with one stressed or ‘accentuated’ syllable. In Andante, sentences with two accentuated syllables are practised and in Allegro the client learns to stress two consecutive accentuated syllables.

The Accent Method is a well documented and tested method that has proven to give results in restoring many different voice problems including stuttering. Today The Accent Method is also widely used with singers and actors to develop good and effective breathing patterns and the voice exercises are used as a good vocal warm-up. Singers and actors who use The Accent Method on a daily basic keep their voices flexible and strong even in periods where they do not perform.

The Accent Method can easily be used in groups since the exercises can be performed in a call and response way where the rhythmic patterns of the three tempos keep the group together.

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© 2006-2010 Klaus Møller