Theory Notes - Grade 4

PHRASING:

A phrase is a group of words that makes some sense but not necessarily complete sense. A sentence may have only one phrase and in such a case the phrase will make complete sense.

So phrasing is the grouping of words, which are related in meaning.

We phrase in order to give meaning to the language and to help the speaker to take breath correctly.

What is the link between phrasing and pausing?

If you pause correctly then your phrasing is good, as it is the pause, in speech, that indicates the end of one phrase and the start of the next - just as punctuation marks do, in the written language.

PACE:

Pace is the rate of delivery or the speed at which you speak. To make a performance interesting and to bring in variety, we must vary the speed, sometimes speeding up and sometimes slowing down. Pace also varies according to the type of piece or the character.

e.g. If it is an exciting piece, or the character is a nervous, excitable person, you must say it quicker.

If it is a mysterious or a sad piece, or the character is a calm, deliberate person, the rate of delivery will be slower.

If you need to emphasize something you slow down – something relatively unimportant is spoken quickly.

However, you must never be so fast that you cannot be understood nor should you be too slow, or the piece will be boring.

WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN PHRASING AND PACE?

Often 2 or 3 short phrases are taken together to avoid dragging the pace, provided the meaning is kept clear. Phrases are taken together also with the flow of emotion.

Eg: “I’m filled with emotion. I’m fit to be tied.” - may be taken together.