Talking with your mouth closed can be useful and fun, but you may still encounter some difficulties. Fortunately, by learning the right mouth position, basic sounds, the alphabet and practicing more complex words, you will be able to overcome them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Position the Mouth
Step 1. Part your lips
To speak with your mouth closed, you will need to open your lips a little. If there isn't some gap between your lips, you won't be able to make any sound from your mouth.
Practice in front of the mirror. You should be able to breathe normally and see your teeth
Step 2. Make the teeth touch
After placing your lips, make sure the top and bottom of your teeth touch lightly. If they don't touch, people will be able to see your tongue as it moves.
Don't grind your teeth. Instead, make sure they are positioned comfortably. The jaw must be relaxed
Step 3. Make sure the tongue can move
Once your teeth are properly positioned, try moving your tongue. If it can't move properly you won't be able to make any sound.
If your tongue can't move, you may need to relax your jaw and slightly space your teeth apart
Step 4. Look in the mirror
After positioning your mouth, look at yourself in the mirror. It's okay if you can see the teeth, but you don't have to be able to see the tongue.
If you can see the tongue, or can see its movement, you need to position your teeth so that they hide it
Step 5. Breathe normally
Inhale through the nose and expel through the mouth. Stay calm. Avoid hyperventilation by breathing too deeply, otherwise you won't be able to keep your mouth shut.
Part 2 of 3: Mastering Sounds, Words and Phrases
Step 1. Practice with simple letters
Say simple letters in succession until you are able to pronounce them with excellent command. Basically, the only way to speak with your mouth closed is to be able to produce as many sounds as possible. Some simple letters are:
A, C, D, E, G, H, I, L, N, O, Q, R, S, T, U, and Z
Step 2. Practice with more complex letters
There are five letters (B, F, M, P, and V) which are more difficult to pronounce with your mouth closed. This happens because they require you to move your lips in order to create their corresponding sound. To be able to pronounce them, you need to replace them with simpler letters or sounds. Replace:
- D for B
- "Eth" for F (English)
- N for M
- T for P
- "THEE" for V (English)
- Or for I
- W for Y (English)
Step 3. Speak the words
Once you are familiar with the letters, you can try whole words. Start with simple words like "mom" and then try harder words like "butterfly". If you don't practice a variety of different words, you won't be able to speak with your mouth closed with mastery.
Make a list of easy and difficult words and repeat them 10-20 times each - or until you feel confident in saying them. Next, try new words
Step 4. Emphasize the sound "ing" (English) when pronouncing a word that begins with a complex letter
Since "ing" is a strong sound, you can use it to mask a substitute in a word with a difficult letter. Simply emphasize the "ing" by pronouncing it with a stronger accent.
Since "f" is difficult to pronounce, if you get a word like "fishing", say "th-ish-ing". Pronounce the final "ing" more strongly
Step 5. Avoid words ending in "able"
As it is quite complex, in addition to containing the letter "b", you should avoid using words ending in "able". Try synonyms to replace them.
- Instead of saying "agreeable", use "compliant";
- Instead of saying "adorable", use "darling";
- Instead of saying "comfortable", use "contented".
Step 6. Say whole sentences
Start by putting several words together to form sentences. Make sure you include some that are a little more difficult. Without them you will not be able to master the art of speaking with your mouth closed. With experience you will be able to notice the gradual improvement in your pronunciation.
- Start with simple sentences like "Hi, my name is Francesco and I'm from Milan";
- Then move on to more complex sentences like "I think running is the most effective way to train".
Part 3 of 3: Practice
Step 1. Write a monologue to practice with
Once you are confident in the alphabet and words, you should write a monologue to practice. Start by using words you are familiar with. However, include words and sounds that you think are more complicated.
Consider giving a speech with your mouth closed. For example, try saying the entire Hymn of Mameli
Step 2. Talk to your friends
Practicing with yourself certainly helps, but to master this skill you should try talking with your mouth closed to your friends as well. This way, not only will it be fun, but you will be forced to have a spontaneous conversation.
- Try having a normal conversation with your friends. Tackle various topics and let them ask you questions;
- Invite friends and family to watch you speak with your mouth closed;
- Create or buy a ventriloquist puppet and master the art of ventriloquism.
Step 3. Register
One of the best ways to improve this skill is to record yourself speaking with your mouth closed. This will give you the ability to hear exactly how you pronounce certain words. You will therefore be able to practice the words you find most difficult until you say them correctly.
