Creating vocal SPACE: Yawn vs. Apple Bite

Today’s video is on a controversial idea: I’m explaining why I DISAGREE with the common vocal advice to create lift in the soft palate by thinking about YAWNING.

NOTE: Like everything else in vocal technique (and life!) there is wiggle room here. Certainly, there are singers who are thriving with yawn space, and if that’s you, then rock on! Use this video as a chance to experiment with the different colors that the Apple Bite might create.

And thanks for practicing!

Like, subscribe, share, and SING!

For more exercises and voice education like this, be sure to visit

And for clear (fun) voice education right in your inbox every Friday, sign up for the Weekly Warm-Up Newsletter:

#HardPalate
#PalateLift
#YawnSpace
#SoftPalate
#TheWeeklyWarmUp
#ResonanceExercise
#SingingWarmUps
#VocalExercises
#VoiceExercisesforSingers
#VoiceExercises
#VocalResonance

[anttear]

This is the first quick tip for singing I have found that was both easy to execute and where I actually did notice a significant difference immediately. Seriously, thank you. It takes me forever to find my placement (every single day!) when I am practicing. I really struggle. This tip helped me find where I need to be better than any other tip I have tried in the past. I could cry ❤

[kathrynclass]

This helped me so much. The explanation of the soft palate moving up and back versus up and forward was the missing piece for me and I really appreciate you explaining that, because in the past, when I mimicked biting the apple, I was just biting with my teeth, but this time to your explanation caused me to imagine, biting an apple in a realistic manner, and that, combined with the expectation or awareness that I would feel an up and forward movement, made all the difference for me!

[Ricky_RSC]

I can't believe how almost nobody talks about this and how important it actually is, the "smile" or how you call it here "apple bite" just made my higher notes feel so much easier, free and in control, also improved my cord clossure a lot

[amyw.]

Thank you. As someone who yawns a lot during singing this is helpful.

[jessylow]

The visualization of biting an apple to create space truly works for me. Been struggling to get the correct technique until i came across the video. Awesome. Thanks

[erikasinger]

Yes. Really appreciate the "swallow and re-set" strategy; I've never known what to do in that situation.

[IlhanYondemir]

You're supposed to sing higher notes in fully yawn position. Of course with stretched vocal chords it would sound like this.
On the other hand, i agree with the mouth shape (biting the apple) but if you place the sound in front by thinking of it, it would be unforgiving for the vocal chords that tiniest excess of air would destroy the vocal chords (especially for men because we have an Adam apple there).
What i use lately consists the both, i form the sound from the back and aim for the hard palate (right next to soft one) for chest voice and vice versa for head voice. When used with bite, the voice by itself gets placed in the front. But the sensation will stay in the back and vocal chords will be relaxed. With diaphrahm sit in place and coming back very slowly, making a gentle air flow, it feels really relaxed and i can sing for hours with no fatigue. Of course mouth shapes with the words are really important too but its another subject..
This works great for me, your technique may work too but as i said, with tiniest excess of air, it might be really trouble, at least it's what i experienced in the past.

[catherinebergeron]

THIS is AWESOME ❤ helped me so much :) I felt such a difference and I can hear such a difference in my tone . Thank you

[vicsoriano]

This is game changing! Was always taught to do the yawn technique which actually added more strain to my voice. This is the antidote! Thanks!

[airi]

spectacularly helpful! thanks so much!

[SeeJeffSing]

Don’t agree with your terminology but your positioning is on the money. Your correct positioning is what for me is “like singing in a yawn.”

[carolwrobleski]

Totally agree. I came to this idea doing my own personal vocal work, but needed a good way of describing the sensation. Excellent demo! I can use this with my students with immediate results.

[lastouski]

The problem is that the most of exercises use inhale but we sing with exhale. It's totally different feeling. It's hard for me to connect them.

[Edecentfella]

Thank you teacher!!! You are the best!!!🫶🏼 Hello’s from overseas!!

[harperkay]

Thank you for your videos! They have been so immensely helpful for me as I am beginning my singing journey! I appreciate all the knowledge and effort you are sharing! :)

[mrludvidikus]

Awsome! That totally helped discover. Makes me wonder if there are muscles in our palate that allow us to make taut our palate without the lip cover or apple bite or yawn that we are trying to exercise?

[Rosannasfriend]

As simple as operatic versus contemporary style. I am familiar with this topic.

[ANOOPBAL]

You can use both right yawn and bite, can you?

[TheSpookyKitten]

"Biting the apple" has had a great affect on my saxophone sound. Thank you!!
I sometimes get tenison in my suprahyoid muscles (under the chin/tongue), do you have a visualisation like this that could help preventing that kind of tension?

[adoralux]

Would you get the apple bite sensation by just lifting the upper cheeks? I prefer to be told what muscles to move. Thanks.