Mastering the Art of Voice Acting: Practice vs. Experimentation
- Tom Dheere
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
The Importance of Practice in Voice Acting
Voice acting is both an art and a science. It blends creativity and emotion with technique and discipline. As a voice actor, you must constantly strive to enhance your skills. Practice is key, but how you practice matters.
Finding Your Unique Voice
Many aspiring voice actors obsess over mimicking famous characters. However, those jobs are already taken! It’s crucial to discover your own voice. Understanding the difference between practicing and experimenting in voiceover work is essential. When you approach your craft like both an expressive artist and a scientist, you’ll develop unique talent as an artist.
How Drummers Approach Practice
I’ve always been fascinated by drumming. My brother, a seasoned drummer, was part of high school and college marching bands. I often found myself amazed by his talent. One of my favorite YouTube channels, Drumeo, features drummers who listen to a song they’ve never heard before, create their own drum track in a few takes, and compare it to the original. This is a great parallel to voice acting. Both musicians and voice actors need to approach their craft with an experimental mindset. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about discovering what works.
For example, Drumeo’s guest drummer, Megadeth’s Dirk Verbeuren, is a drumming virtuoso. His incredible interpretation of songs, even after hearing them just once, is not the result of strict practice. Instead, it stems from years of experimentation and trial and error. How did Dirk manage to pull off such a great performance in a short timeframe? It was through practice—not the type that stifles creativity but one that encourages freedom and adaptation.
How Voice Actors Approach Practice
For voice actors, the same principles apply. The most successful voice actors experiment with different voices and performances. This experimentation allows their natural voice to shine through. But how is this approach different from traditional practice? It lies in embracing creativity in voice acting rather than merely replicating existing characters.
The Secret to Successful Voice Acting: Experimentation
Bad practice leads to reinforcing poor habits. However, good practice is more about understanding your voice’s limitations while developing your storytelling skills. Successful voice actors focus on experimenting with their own voices, not just replicating characters. By doing this, they craft unique, engaging performances. Not only does this leave an impact, but it also establishes a repeatable process.
When it comes to voiceover auditioning, experimentation is crucial. It’s just as important as refining techniques. Learning how to cold-read a script, adjust your performance based on casting requirements, and deliver an engaging, believable take requires years of experience. But it’s not just about getting it “right” each time (because there’s no “right” answer). It’s about trying new things consistently and improving with each opportunity.
Why Practice Should Include Experimentation
Experimentation is a vital part of practice for voice actors. It allows you to refine your skills while adapting to different genres, characters, and styles. The more you experiment, the more you learn about your abilities. This learning enables you to deliver fresh and original performances.
Ready to Take Your Voice Acting to the Next Level?
Explore our recommended resources and start experimenting with your craft today! A must-read is "Talent is Overrated" by Geoff Colvin. This book dives deeper into the concepts of deliberate practice and skill development.
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Through VO Strategist, Tom has provided voiceover business and marketing coaching since 2011. He is also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated a wide variety of voiceovers. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.
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