The muscles controlling and surrounding the larynx represent one of the most important control system affecting the human voice. For most singers, learning to stabilize the larynx is essential for vocal health, the increase of range, and the proper blending of chest and head voice.

In this article I will attempt to shed some light on larynx position and offer some exercises that can help you improve your voice by stabilizing your larynx. Keep in mind that full time voice students may spend years on this! But a little awareness goes a long way in saving your voice from the harm caused by singing on a high larynx.

The Problem of a High Larynx

Consider the larynx to be a basket floating in a complicated web of tendons and membranes inside your throat. Your goal is to not allow the larynx to rise too much as you sing from low notes to high notes. To find your larynx, put your finger on the V that you feel in the front of your throat (commonly, the adams apple: the original problem ?) If you swallow, you feel it rise. We refer to this as constriction, because you are squeezing the space around the larynx. Good for eating, bad for singing!

You can tell if you’re singing on a high larynx if you notice:

• A heavy chest voice and a large break between your chest voice and head voice
• Vocal cords that feel scratchy and producing a lot of mucous
• Your voice feels worse the next day after singing
• Your head voice feels breathy, airy, and unfocused

There are some differing views on whether or not a high larynx is harmful or not, with some techniques suggesting that it’s acceptable (even desirable!) , and others suggesting that your larynx should be as low as possible. I base my findings on eighteen years of teaching, and constant study and testing of new ideas.

I believe that advanced singers can learn to sing with a high larynx, provided that they are working with a professional who knows what they’re doing. For most beginning singers, however, a larynx that is too high and surrounded by tense muscles can lead to significant problems with the voice.

Keep in mind that larynx control is only one of the five control systems I describe in my vocal method:

All of these systems function in concert, with stability of the larynx representing a long term goal of the method. The larynx houses the vocal cords, and operates in relationship with the whole voice (body, mind and Spirit), and is not in any way isolated. Each system effects the other systems in a structure of balance and coordination.

How to Stabilize your Larynx

There are a lot of techniques to help stabilize the larynx, but the first step of this long journey begins with awareness. Keep in mind that professional singers spend years getting this right! With your finger on the V of your larynx (or adams apple) sing along with a scale and notice if it is rising and falling with pitch.

Notice the difference between different vowels: Sing oo (like boot), and then sing Ah (like Father). I refer to this as the kinesthetic approach: which means that you feel what’s happening with your body. Gaining awareness of the position of your larynx is the first step

Next, consider your larynx to be a basket floating in a network of attachments, some reach up into the jaw, tongue,and head, and some reach down into the chest, sternum and lower body. We want to relax the neck, jaw, and muscles around the larynx, so we can avoid the unconscious reflex that pull up on the larynx when we sing high.

As you sing your scales, place your hands on the back of your neck and notice if there’s tension. Next, place your hands on your jaw, and check to see if your jaw is clenching at all. The more release you have in these muscles, the easier it will be to stabilize your larynx.

Proper breath support is also important in order to stabilize your larynx.

The basics of this are:

1. Breathe in without motion in your neck, shoulders, or face
2. As you inhale, feel your stomach inflate
3. As you sing a scale or song, keep some gentle pressure out against your abdominal wall
4. As you’re singing, try not to let your stomach contract suddenly

If you have any questions about the larynx, or singing generally, feel free to contact me at john@jdsvoice.com

John has been a professional Vocal Coach in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last sixteen years. He studied under Seth Riggs, Lynn Wickham, and Raz Kennedy, and studied the Alexander Technique under John Baron. He began voice teaching after working as a producer and arranger for other singers in San Francisco after college.

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Thinking of taking up singing as a hobby or career, then congratulations! Music is considered by many to be another form of language. It’s styles and genders can vary greatly across the globe. Much like an author writing a book on a subject that he feels passionate about, music allows one to express their feelings.

Music is something that provides happiness to the world and can often cross political, ethnic and religious divides. It is so moving that it can bring people together, give happiness or make them cry for joy. It is enjoyed by so many and the desire to perform is a dream pursued by several.

Many feel that they can not sing, but wish they could. There are others who have good voices and wish to improve them. Whether you want to begin singing or take steps to improve your voice, all you have to do is take a couple of singing lessons. These lessons are not only enjoyable, but will also better improve your melodic tone.

Once you’ve determined you’d like to pursue developing your singing potential, you’ll need to consider the different options for singing or voice lessons. There is of course the option of finding a singing teacher or voice coach.

You can also get lots of practice and learn some very beneficial things by singing in a community choir or the performing arts within your area. And finally, there’s the option of purchasing lessons and teaching yourself with the help of a book, CD or online interactive voice training.

When deciding the route you’re going to take you have to decide which will best serve you in pursuing your dream and also what works within your budget. Perhaps you have your own criteria in your mind that you know has to be met when making your final decision on the type voice lessons you’ll receive.

If you feel that a singing teacher best meets your criteria then consider a few things. Will finding a singing teacher in your area be a challenge? Will this one on one teaching fit within your budget? If not, will the teacher consider you sharing your lessons with a friend so cost can be split?

A personal singing coach is by far an excellent choice as they will be able to teach you first hand the importance of proper posture, breathing and voice tone. Professional coaches will also be able to expose you to the various genres of music and personally assist you determining what works best with your vocal abilities.

However, if you find that one on one professional voice lessons are simply not an option for you, then consider “do-it-yourself” lessons. These are also quite beneficial and definitely have certain attributes too. For instance they’re usually quite affordable, you can do them at your leisure, fitting it into your schedule when it best suits; or you can still take these lessons with a friend and be in the comfort of your own home. Ultimately the voice training has to fit what’s best for you.

So educate yourself on what voice and singing options are readily available and pursue it. Remember to always keep it enjoyable and take steps towards accomplishing your desire to sing or improve your voice.

About the Author: Do you want to improve your singing voice quickly with minimal fuss then visit my new blog with free singing tips from singing experts and reviews of the best singing related educational products. Please feel free to visit the blog and leave your comments.

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Music is an international language and the sounds of music expose our emotions, giving us great pleasure when we listen to it. The problem is that everybody wants to do better when it comes to music. People who cannot sing want to learn, and people who can sing always strive to sing better. No matter what category you fit in, professional singing lessons can help you improve your singing ways and you might also have a lot of fun while undertaking them.

In your quest of improving your singing capabilities you might stumble across the term ‘singing voice lessons.’ This is another way to say singing lessons, but there are some differences between the two. The focus of typical singing lessons consists of a range of things which contribute to the way you sound. The starting point is usually your ability to sing, or if you lack that ability. This is established on how you hold a note. Other things traditional singing lessons focus on include body posture, body language, passion and others.

Singing voice lessons also focus on other things, but it is the voice that stands in the center of the lessons, receiving the greatest part of the tuition. The difference between opera and punk is enormous, as the situation is the same between rock and roll and rap. So there cannot be only one universal approach, but one for every genre. There are coaches that can help you in more than one genre, but if you are focused on only one, you should benefit from the services of a specialist in that area.

Options for singing lessons are many. Some people prefer lessons that include only them and their teacher, also called one-on-one. But that option, however, is the most costly one. Another choice would be to study as a couple or small group, which can help keep the costs low and enjoy the process of improving your voice even more. However, following voice lessons does not always include a teacher or coach. You may also consider purchasing CDs and DVDs with this type of lessons.

If you don’t know where to purchase these helpful guides, the best place to start is the internet. The voice lessons represent tools that can help you learn how to sing and will offer you and idea about the proper and natural techniques. It may also be helpful to stand in front of a mirror and practice for several times a week. This is a way to observe the longevity and pitch. Something that goes along with self practicing is recording your own voice. That will help you get an idea of what direction you should go on to improve the tones of your voice, so that they appear more natural.

Once you have learned how to sing, there is always room for improvement in your voice and vocal control. Your development should not resume to an impressive voice, but your inner strength should be provided by your relaxed postures so that you can continue singing for hours. An expert singer is usually able to provide different types of voice for each different situation. As mentioned before, better singing goes in tone with better communication techniques. If you improve your voice so you can adjust it to every situation and develop great communication techniques, then you are on a sure path to success.

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