The larynx is a vital component of singing because it plays an important role in producing the sound that comes out of a singer’s mouth. It is a small organ located at the top of the throat that houses the vocal cords. It is made up of a number of muscles and cartilage, which work together to produce sound when air is pushed through them.
The vibration of the vocal cords is what creates the sound waves that travel along the vocal tract and out of the mouth. When the vocal cords are stretched, the pitch is higher, and when they are relaxed, the pitch is lower. The larynx contributes to controlling the pitch of the sound, but it has other functions too.
The larynx is also responsible for controlling the volume of the sound, as it is the muscles in the larynx that open and close the vocal cords. The larynx also plays an important role in vocal technique. The proper use of the larynx can help a singer to produce a clear, strong, and well-rounded tone.
The most evident way in which we control our larynx is when we use it to EQ our voice. We can sing the same notes with darker or brighter tones, and the larynx (in addition to the lips, but that’s another story) helps us do that. This video is an example of this:
As you can see, this choir is modifying the timbre of their voices without changing the pitch of the notes.
It is important to learn how to use the larynx effectively in order to achieve this and a good vocal sound. To experiment with this feature of your voice you didn’t know you owned, try singing “1 2 3 4 5” on the same note. Then, without changing the pitch (singing the same notes), try to sound like a little child. Make sure you’re not switching octaves though! Did you manage? Well done, you’ve just learned how to raise your larynx! In order to lower it, try to sound like a big giant monster and sing those “1 2 3 4 5”. Did that work? If it didn’t, try to sing while you’re yawning, that should have the same effect, as we lower our larynx automatically when we yawn. Did it work?
Another way to use the larynx effectively is to use diaphragmatic breathing. This is a technique that involves breathing in deeply and slowly, and then allowing the breath to slowly travel up the vocal tract and out of the mouth. This helps to keep the larynx relaxed and in an optimal position for singing.
Always make sure you do your vocal warm-up before singing. This involves singing a few scales or simple melodies with specific sounds (SOVTE) to get the vocal cords warmed up and ready to sing. This helps to keep the larynx relaxed and ready to produce a good vocal sound.
It is also important to use the correct posture when singing. Good posture helps to keep the larynx in an optimal position for singing, and can help to ensure that the sound produced is clear and resonant. Finally, it is important to practice.
Practicing the proper techniques for using the larynx will help to ensure that a singer is able to produce a strong and resonant sound. Using the larynx correctly is an important part of singing, and when it is used correctly, it can help to produce a strong and resonant sound and it can add a lot of creative nuances to your singing when you play around with it. It is important to learn how to use the larynx effectively in order to achieve a good vocal sound, and to practice these techniques in order to ensure that a singer is able to produce a strong and resonant sound.
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