Sing Better With Larynx Control

The Larynx is quite simply the house of your vocal chords. Controlling the larynx is the key to a good singer. Good singers can usually keep their larynx from rising up when reaching for higher notes. (which would prevent them from tapping into their entire range)

Steps

  1. Be aware how your voice works.
    • Have you ever pulled the open end of an air filled balloon tight and the air rushes out at a squeal like pitch, then the more you open the balloon, the quieter and lower the pitch gets. This is a literal representation of your vocal chords. Your vocal chords 'adduct' (move together then apart at high speed) and by pushing air through the chords you create sound. The higher the sound you make, the faster your chords will adapt.
    • When many singers reach for a higher note, the outer muscles in their neck will tense, causing flips, breaks and straining on the voice, this is what leads many to believe they can't sing, but it can be managed. EVERYONE can sing. If you can speak you can sing, you just need to learn how your muscles work. When the muscles around the larynx tense the larynx will rise to the jaw line, this is where you feel like you are at the very top of your range, and singing is quite uncomfortable with a 'frog in your throat' feeling. Some singers however may be able to carry on further into their range by using falsetto. (when more air is allowed through the vocal chords, causing a slight whispering sensation) [Katy Perry is a good reference for a singer that uses falsetto and flipping in their vocal style]
    • The larynx will rise as the result of tension, which can be caused by the anticipation that you will not reach the note. Mental attitude is a large part of singing, feeling relaxed and knowing you can reach the notes will prevent you from tensing up when worrying about the 'money note' that's coming up. So first of all, keep calm, everyone can control their larynx with practice. You can do it.
    • The larynx may rise if you are 'pulling'. This literally refers to a singer pulling the 'weight' from their chest voice over their first or second bridge (vocal registers)[the first bridge is where most inexperienced singers will either pull or flip]
  2. To prevent pulling, work around your vocal registers, employing different 'tools' to help you. A 'bratty' tone pulls the vocal chords closer together allowing higher notes without dragging too much weight up. (Think Jessie J or Nicki Minaj) This is one tools you may try so that you may access your higher voice without raising your larynx or flipping into falsetto.
  3. Make a yawning dopey sound. (think opera singer) Singing like this pushes the larynx down and allows you to go higher without pulling. It is great to get the feeling of singing without tension.
    • The tools are not often used (to a great extent) in actual performances. But using them whilst doing vocal scales allows you to get the feeling of keeping your larynx calm. However, there are no rules to say you can't use the tools in your vocal style, many singers have before.
  4. If you have persistent problems with your larynx, you may wish to attend singing schools that are designed to deal with the larynx such as 'SLS' or 'Singing success'
  5. The larynx is an important part of your voice to master, however,it is not the be all and end all of singing. Other things may alter your sound to your liking. (resonance & diction)
  6. If your range is small, and you have trouble changing it, then keep trying with a teacher. But do not stop singing. There are millions of different types of singers in the world ranging from Pavarotti to John Lennon to Madonna to Elvis. If one decided not to pursue their career because they did not sound like the other, would we not have missed them? If you can speak, you can sing and if you can sing you can improve.
  7. Keep singing, embrace your own voice and style and have fun.
  8. Music is a career that permits joy! Don't deprive yourself that joy be worrying about your voice.
    • Remember, EVERYONE CAN SING as long as they try their best.

Warnings

  • If your voice hurts whilst using the tools, stop immediately.
  • Remember to sing and project, not shout.
  • Pulling is a main cause of most vocal ailments.
  • Go to a vocal coach so they may see how you sing

Things You'll Need

  • To be able to speak. If you can speak, you can learn to sing.
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