| We will be discussing an incredible creation, the | | | | strength of the airflow from the lungs, generated |
| Human Voice. During my 26 years of training this | | | | from the lower abdominal muscles and controlled |
| incredible gift, I never cease to be amazed at the | | | | by the diaphragm, contributes to loudness of |
| lack of knowledge of it's most basic functions and | | | | overall sound. As this air column passes through |
| how it is often taken for granted or even | | | | the vocal chords, a fundamental sound is |
| intentionally or unintentionally abused by misguided | | | | produced. |
| vocalists. Let us take a glimpse at this powerful | | | | The vocal chords are, then, stretched according |
| instrument and, hopefully, develop a healthy | | | | to the information received from the brain and a |
| respect. | | | | certain pitch is produced. This is information is |
| Larynx | | | | important weather we are singing or speaking. As |
| From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | | | | I have clearly written about in my book, Singing |
| The larynx (plural larynges), colloquially known as | | | | and Speaking on the Edge of a Grunt, Public |
| the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals | | | | Speakers and Actors must perform the same air |
| involved in protection of the trachea and sound | | | | support and control of any singer. In fact, if a |
| production. The larynx houses the vocal folds, and | | | | speaker, actor, etc. is to be effective, they must |
| is situated just below where the tract of the | | | | also alter their pitch and volume like any singer. |
| pharynx splits into the trachea and the esophagus. | | | | This connection of similar vocal training for these |
| I must first say that I consider the Larynx to be | | | | different vocal disciplines is often not supported. |
| one of the greatest miracles and gifts that | | | | They are seldom considered to be doing the |
| mankind has ever been given. Let's pause for a | | | | same thing when they perform. But, in my world, |
| moment and consider life without a larynx. If you | | | | they all need to become Vocal Warriors. We are |
| could not speak, sing or laugh I think you would | | | | all doing the same thing. We are using our voice |
| agree that your life would change in a major way. | | | | to express entertainment and ideas to others. |
| We have actually been born with a free | | | | Strategies for vocal development are the same |
| instrument. It is more functional and complex than | | | | for all. This is an important cornerstone of my |
| any instrument created by man because it can | | | | teaching philosophy. |
| not only create pitch, but it can also communicate | | | | After the basic sound vibration exits the vocal |
| words when used in connection with the parts in | | | | cords it is altered as it travels through the vocal |
| the throat and the head that produce diction and | | | | tract, eventually exiting the mouth and nose. The |
| tone. | | | | changes occur based on the individual construction |
| No other instrument can do this. With many | | | | of your unique body and on the position of the |
| people, though, they shy away from singing | | | | pharynx tongue, lips, and mouth. The process of |
| because many students, in my experience, think | | | | altering a source sound as it passes through the |
| they sound poor. This is often because, as in my | | | | filter of the vocal tract creates the many |
| case, somebody close to them laughed at them | | | | different vowel and consonant sounds of the |
| when they sang and maybe said they had no | | | | world's languages. Further, this is where |
| talent. Unfortunately with the voice, many people | | | | comedians, for instance, alter their sound to mimic |
| have completely forgot that, like any other | | | | other people's voices or others create cartoon |
| instrument, it must be trained to reach its | | | | characters. |
| potential. | | | | The vocal folds can be held close together by |
| I agree that there exists many people who sound | | | | adducting the arytenoid cartilages. The muscles |
| wonderful without any training. The mistake many | | | | attached to the arytenoid cartilages control the |
| of these people make is that they can achieve | | | | degree of opening. |
| "exceptional" voices if they would submit | | | | Vocal fold length and tension can be controlled by |
| themselves to effective training. This is because | | | | rocking the thyroid cartilage forward and |
| their basic voice is so far advanced without | | | | backward on the cricoid cartilage, and by |
| training. Often times they conclude they have a | | | | manipulating the tension of the muscles within the |
| "natural talent" and " have a perfect voice that | | | | vocal folds. This causes the pitch produced during |
| does not need training". Another problem these | | | | phonation to rise or fall. |
| "natural voices" have is the lack of knowledge of | | | | To summarize, these two basic movements exist |
| how to achieve effective breath control. As I | | | | within the larynx. |
| have learned through my many years, humans do | | | | 1) Bringing the vocal chords together so they |
| not breathe correctly under normal conditions. All | | | | vibrate and produce a fundamental vibrating sound |
| of us must learn this basic and vital ability. | | | | when air travels between them. |
| For example, if you were learning the clarinet, you | | | | 2) Once the fundamental sound is produced, the |
| would not expect to just be able to play it once | | | | vocal chords are stretched (just like tightening a |
| you purchased your instrument. That would be | | | | guitar string and the pitch rises) and the pitch |
| ridiculous! Anybody would expect that they would | | | | changes. |
| have to take some kind of lessons. One reason | | | | Although there exists more complex muscle |
| we forget this in respect to the voice is that our | | | | movements within the larynx needed to produce |
| instrument already works. Since we have used it | | | | sound, these are the most fundamental and |
| to communicate, starting with our first scream | | | | easiest to understand. After all, my main goal is |
| after being born, we have already developed | | | | for you to understand the fundamental basics of |
| some level of vocalization and pitch. | | | | vocal production so you can apply them daily and |
| Another consideration is that, with the clarinet or | | | | improve your sound. I am not trying to prepare |
| any other instrument, if you do not want to play | | | | you for pre-med school! |
| or learn, you can sell your instrument and chose | | | | This information is only the beginning to |
| another. With the voice, though, you are stuck | | | | understand the complexities of how to operate |
| with what your have. This is why many people | | | | the Human Voice. To become a powerful and |
| harbor ill feelings about their voice for many | | | | accomplished vocalist, you must have a thorough |
| years. For many, it is easier to just keep quite | | | | understanding of the Abdominal Muscle Systems, |
| than take another chance at being ridiculed for | | | | the Larynx, the Resonating Cavities in the Throat |
| singing poorly. This result is a shame as most | | | | and Head and the many facets of Diction that are |
| people can be trained to sing effectively. To reach | | | | used to produce the multiple styles of Music or |
| our vocal performance goals, we must first be | | | | Speaking production. |
| grateful for the gift we have and believe that it | | | | This information is only the beginning to |
| can improve with correct information and effort. | | | | understand the complexities of how to operate |
| Now we can discuss the nuts and bolts of this | | | | the Human Voice. To become a powerful and |
| marvelous creation called the larynx. | | | | accomplished vocalist, you must have a thorough |
| The larynx, also known as the voice box, is an | | | | understanding of the Abdominal Muscle Systems, |
| organ in the neck of mammals that protects the | | | | the Larynx, the Resonating Cavities in the Throat |
| trachea and is the miracle organ that creates | | | | and Head and the many facets of Diction that are |
| sound production. The larynx houses the vocal | | | | used to produce the multiple styles of Music or |
| cords. It is positioned just below where the tract | | | | Speaking production. All these subjects are |
| of the pharynx, the part of your throat you see | | | | thoroughly discussed in my book, Singing and |
| when you look straight back into your mouth, | | | | Speaking on the Edge of a Grunt which can be |
| splits into the trachea (passage to the lungs) and | | | | viewed through the "ebooks" link below. |
| the esophagus (passage to your stomach). | | | | Thank you for reading. Please visit my web site |
| Sound is generated in the larynx. Further, this is | | | | for more information. |
| where pitch and volume are manipulated. The | | | | |