Comedy Tapes

4. Listen to comedy tapes.
Pay close attention to the delivery and timing of the performer. Listen carefully to the vocal nuances used in communicating the material to the audience. Play the tape over and over in order to become completely familiar with the comedian’s rhythm and his or her style. You’ll soon recognize many of the techniques previously
discussed.
5. Practice gestures before a mirror.
Tell a joke or story that you plan to use in front of an audience and watch your hand motions. When you’ve come upon a natural gesture that looks good with a particular phrase or sentence, lock it in. Try to do it the same way every time. Make it part of your routine. Gestures are choreography. When they fit what you’re saying, use them over and over again. After a recent speaking engagement in Pennsylvania, an elderly couple approached me at the podium. “We really enjoyed your presentation,” said the husband with a broad grin. “My wife wears a hearing aid so she usually doesn’t like speakers.” “But I understood every word you said,” added the woman. “I especially enjoyed the way you use your hands. They’re so expressive.” I couldn’t help remembering when I first started to perform. Gestures were a big problem for me. I felt uncomfortable using my hands. They always seemed to get in my way. It was frustrating, but I knew that if I was going to stay in show business I’d have to do something about it. I bought a record album of Strauss waltzes and as the music blared from a little portable phonograph, I stood in front of a mirror and conducted the orchestra. My hands were awkward and clumsy. The arm movements looked lumbering and ungraceful. I practiced hours on end, but as the weeks wore on, I still felt uncomfortable. It was tiring and boring. Then one afternoon, I began to feel a freedom when I gestured. It was relaxed and effortless. My arms had a mellifluous movement. I realized that I’d finally gained control of my hands. From that day on I was comfortable gesturing. The couple in Pennsylvania reminded me of my effort in front of the mirror all those years ago and made it seem very worthwhile.