How to Work a Marionette

Last Updated: May 2, 2021

Working a Marionette is a lot easier than you might think, but the basic premise is still the old "practice, practice, practice"... This article will show you a few beginner methods for your puppets, but there are many different movements to create a lifelike and entertaining performance for you to enjoy working out for yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Preparation

1
Take your puppet out of the box. To do so, follow these steps (assuming you put him away using the method below):
- Carefully, drag him out by the wooden bar (the 'control') - never by his feet!
- Hold the control in two hands and twist it round and round to decrease the amount of spin and lower the puppet until all the strings are off the control.
- Open the control to form a cross.
2
Stand above the marionette in a comfortable position. Do not stand precariously as the excitement of moving the puppet can unbalance you.
3
Align the marionette so that the strings are not tangled together.
4
If you are right handed, hold the back bar of the of the control in your right hand, gripping with forefinger and thumb.
5
Stand him on the ground.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Movements

1
Bowing. Hold the back string in your left hand and lower the control. Tilting the front end of the control up at the same time the marionette will raise his arms.^{[1]
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2
Moving the hands. Pull the left front string up (raises left hand) or down (raises right hand) to move the hands. Pulling the left string up and out simultaneously will lift both hands.
3
Moving the legs. These work in the same way as the hands, but with the string that is attached to the legs.
4
Walking. Pull the leg string up and down so that the feet make a walking motion, whilst moving the marionette forward will create a simple movement to this effect.^{[2]
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5
Dancing. Dancing is great fun with a puppet, and can be done in multiple ways. One such way is to make a walking movement again, but instead of moving the control forwards, bounce it up and down. Once you have mastered this, hold the right hand and left leg string together and move them up and down, up and down. To create the best effect, tip the control from side to side as he dances to make his head tilt in time with the music.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Packing Away

1
When you have finished practising your puppeteering, you MUST pack your puppet away carefully.
- Close the control.
- Spin him round to his right until the strings are in one thick string.
- Now, take the control in two hands and roll over and over so about 3" remain not on the control.
- Hold his legs to lay him in the box, separated from his control by some tissue paper to prevent scratching.

Community Q&A

Question

How long does it take to learn how to use a marionette? I think it is hard.

Community Answer

Well, it depends on the kind of marionette. It usually takes a week to nail a marionette but it depends on your skill. It takes dedication and hard work, so keep trying!
Question

How do I make a simple marionette?

Community Answer

Check out this article on making a marionette.
Question

Can I use a teddy bear?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Unless the arms and legs are loose and floppy, it would be difficult to manipulate a normal teddy bear. Most jointed bears have tight joints that do not allow any motion with string attachments.
Question

How do I make a marionette with three strings that connect to the head and left limbs only move?

Community Answer

Middle string to the head, left string to arm. And then put a another string a little more to the left on the same side. You can also make one with a cross wooden or plush marionette and three strings: One on the head and one on the right hand. And another one on the left hand.