Phonation
The Larynx & Air Pressure Systems
About Phonation
In its simplest definition, phonation is the act of making sound through the larynx for speech or singing. Muscular action allows the vocal folds to come together (adduct), and as air from the lungs is released, the vocal folds are set into vibration. In this section, we will dive into some of the major issues that singers, teachers of singing, conductors, and others may face with the creation of efficient, sustainable, and repeatable vocal sounds.
PHONATION TOPICS
Breathy vs. Pressed Sounds
Hypo- & Hyper-Adducted Phonation
An exploration of the degree of closure of the vocal folds, from a very breathy, relaxed glottal closure (hypofunctional phonation) to a very pressed, highly tense glottal closure (hyperfunctional phonation).
Vocal Exercises with Back Pressure
Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) Exercises
Creating back pressure in vocal exercises as a way to diagnose and workshop issues with phonation, resonance, and breathing.