Stage 5 of 7 in the course
Articulation
Where the hiss is made
For “s”, air squeezes through a narrow gap between your tongue and your top front teeth. Where that gap sits changes how bright the hiss sounds.
- Narrow gap: where the air squeezes through.
- The hiss: brighter the further forward.
A forward, bright “s” is one of the easiest changes to make, and it doesn't touch your voice at all.
No pitch, no effort from your vocal folds, and it's one of the clearer differences listeners pick up on.
What to expect
Low effort and low risk. Some of it will feel like a tongue-twister, because some of it is one.
What changes it
A brighter hiss
Tip forward, a slight smile
- Do this
- Make a long “sss”. Then smile slightly, bring the tip of your tongue up close behind your top front teeth, and hiss again.
- You'll know it's working when
- The second hiss sounds brighter and thinner, like a smaller stream of air.
In the app: The bright hiss (A1), 1 min
A brighter hiss
S and sh, side by side
- STip forward, bright
- ShFurther back, darker
- Do this
- Alternate “sss” and “shh”. Then say sip and ship, see and she, sock and shock.
In the app: S and sh, side by side (A2), 1 min
A brighter hiss
Keep it into the word
- Do this
- Find the bright hiss, then carry it straight into “sun”, “say” or “sea”, without letting it slip back as the vowel arrives.
- You'll know it's working when
- The “s” at the start of the word is as bright as the hiss on its own.
In the app: Into a word (A3), 1.5 min
Putting it together: clear and forward
No pitch or voice involved: the lowest-effort change of all.
- Tip just behind your top teeth
- A slight smile
- Bright all the way into the word
Then try “she sells seashells” slowly, keeping every s and sh clear, and only speed up as far as the clarity holds.
This is practice, not medical care. Keep it comfortable: if your throat feels tight, sore or tired, stop for today. Read Looking after your voice, and see a speech and language therapist if hoarseness lasts more than a few days.