The Consonant V

The sound of the English consonant v is dynamic, full of vibration, as the word "vibration" itself! requires and is subtle in tone.

The sound is formed by placing the upper teeth on the lower lip and blowing firmly through this point of contact.

This sound is very positive in character, full of vitality and is often accompanied with a smile.

It is a particularly good example of what Cecil Harwood in "Eurythmy and The Word" (Golden Blade 1973) asserts as "each sound lives out of its own gesture." Cecil Harwood advocates consciously living into the nature of movement associated with speech sounds. In the case of the consonant v this is through forward outstretching of arms and hands replicating sea waves or a series of valleys.

Take the word "revive" where two of its six consonants are v's. In this word the active rippling nature and effect of the v's, placed in parallel in the middle of the word, comes from the effect of this forward waving motion.

Envisage and form the gesture of this movement for the v's in the two words, "vibration" and "revive." Place the upper teeth on the lower lip and blow breath through this point of contact firmly. Experience the effect of outstretched forward movement of arms and hands supporting the nature and quality of the sound that follows. Gesture precedes sound.

Further, experience how a consonantal v sound can affect directly words that follow. For example, "As wave, flowing forth, sustaining itself." (From "Twelve Moods" Rudolf Steiner) Live into the complete picture of this set of words: a water wave flowing forward forever sustaining itself - until it reaches elevated land. Towards a competing v here in the word "elevated"! Experience the v speech sound in the word "wave" underpinning, enlivening and pushing forward the words that follow.

Look for v consonants in words. Listen to how ourselves and others form this specific sound. Experiment with consciously forming it from the above suggestions. Experience this new level of consciousness in our own speaking and that of others.

Please share your experiences. Thank you.