DialectsCoach.com
John Rustan, PhD
707-536-6276
[email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Practices and Methods
CAN I GET COACHING IN PERSON?
Yes. If you are close enough in proximity to Petaluma, CA (about 45 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge). If you are more remote than that, or you just don't wish to spend time on the road, I use Zoom to videoconference. I schedule the session on Zoom and send you an invite.
do you give group lessons?
Yes, if you have friends who'd like to learn the same dialect. These group lessons are for up to 5 participants. The number is limited to give each person enough time to respond and be given feedback. The lesson is 90 minutes. The cost is $70 per person. The nature of Accent Reduction work does not lend itself to group lessons.
HOW DO I PAY FOR DIALECT and accent reduction COACHING?
I use Square secure payment processing. You get a link emailed to you prior to the lesson (it will have the DialectsCoach.com logo on it). Click the link, choose payment type, put in your payment details at Square and you're done.
can i purchase a gift certificate?
Absolutely! Just contact me (at the phone or email at top of page), and we'll set it up. You get a gift certificate to give to a friend or loved-on (I also keep a record of it in case it gets lost). They can then call, text, or email me to make an appointment and choose their dialect.
Dialect Coaching
as an actor what dialects are most important?
- British RP (Received Pronunciation) is the accent I teach the most. It is non-regional, school-taught British. Actors use it for highly-educated characters in British stories. Examples are: My Fair Lady, Cabaret, The Importance of Being Ernest, Pride and Prejudice, and many others. It is a good accent to have in your repertoire.
- Lower class London (Cockney) dialect is needed for many plays set in London (A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd, My Fair Lady, and many others).
- American Southern accents.
- Brooklyn, NY
- Transatlantic (sometimes called Mid-Atlantic, or Classical Stage Speech.) It sounds something between American and British RP. It is used for American productions of Shakespeare and other classical works, or for any characters of high rank or royalty.
how authentic does my accent need to be
As authentic as it can be and still be understood by your audience. An American actor cast in a play set in, and performing in, Glasgow, Scotland, will need a very authentic Glaswegian accent. An American actor playing a Scottish character for an American audience, might not be understood doing a fully authentic Glaswegian accent. This is when you turn on the subtitles watching movies on Netflix. I often take a custom approach to lighten very strong and unusual dialects for American audiences.
how long does it take to learn a dialect?
It depends on a few factors:
In all cases, it takes practicing on a daily basis after learning until it feels very comfortable. Most actors are able to achieve this by the time they need to perform.
Accent reduction takes more time. See Accent Reduction FAQs below.
- How much you practice
- The accent or dialect you're learning
- What kind of ear you have.
In all cases, it takes practicing on a daily basis after learning until it feels very comfortable. Most actors are able to achieve this by the time they need to perform.
Accent reduction takes more time. See Accent Reduction FAQs below.
when should i begin learning a dialect for a role?
As early as possible before you need to perform it. Before rehearsals begin for stage productions is best. Outside of the script at first. That way you don't tie your lines to the dialect. In practice, that's not always possible. You want as much time as possible to get comfortable with it.
what's the best way to practice a dialect?
- Work from sounds and not from spellings. Many English words are spelled one way but sounded another way. Dialects address changes in sound.
- Always work out loud. This helps you to re-train your muscle memory.
- Listen and repeat. With the provided audio files, listen to a phrase or sentence, hit the "pause" button, and repeat - out loud - what you just heard.
- Just listen, when in a situation where you can't speak (library, dentists office).
is it difficult to learn a new dialect?
Everyone can learn a dialect, but there are factors that affect how long it takes:
- Is the dialect from the same language (An American from Los Angeles learning a Tennessee dialect)?
- Are you learning an accent from a different language (American learning a French accent)?
- Are you good at imitating sounds?
- How much time can you to devote to practice?
what do you mean by "custom" dialects and accents?
Each client is different and unique. Each production has its own requirements and challenges. Each character may have unique dialect needs.
- I customize by how you learn. Visual learners need help with re-spelling and how to practice.
- I customize the work for the needs of your production or your character. Was your character born in the US, but the parents mostly speak Dominican Republic Spanish at home?
- I research the odd or rarely-used dialect -- and design custom materials (French-Malagasy or Swindon, England.)
- I customize materials, drills, and exercises according to your situation and what you most need to work on. You may be trying to reduce your Chinese accent and learn General American, having learned British English in school.
Accent Reduction
WHY SHOULD I REDUCE MY ACCENT?
Some people wish to reduce their accents and sound more American for various reasons:
- Some have jobs for which their current accent creates communication barriers due to understandability issues.
- Some non-American actors wish to increase their casting possibilities to include American roles.
- Some feel uncomfortable having a strong accent that is different than others in certain situations.
How hard is it to reduce an accent to sound more general american?
This is variable. Reducing an accent is easier than completely eliminating it. The following can affect your progress:
- The strength of the accent you begin with. If you are from Texas and wish to sound less regional, that is easier than if you are beginning with an Asian or a French accent.
- If you are not American, your grasp of the English language can be a factor.
- Whether you were taught American English or British English.
- How good an "ear" you have for hearing and repeating sounds.
- How often you practice the drills and exercises between lessons.
will my native accent be gone for good?
Many people don't want to lose their accent altogether. It's part of who they are. You can learn a General American accent to be used situationally, without losing your native sound.