How do Straw Exercises Help the Voice Get Better? #voicetherapy

With normal voice production, the lungs push air between the vocal cords causing them to vibrate. In order for vibration to occur, enough air pressure must also develop below the vocal cords. Known as subglottic pressure, there needs to be a match between this pressure and how tightly the vocal cords are positioned together. Vocal problems and fatigue occur when there is a mismatch or imbalance between the subglottic pressure and the vocal cords which are closed together against this pressure.

Vocalization through a thin straw puts the vocal folds in the most optimum position and shape for vibration. Known as semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT), this is accomplished by creating pressure above the vocal cords to partially negate the pressure from below.

As such, voicing becomes easier with the better position and shape of the vocal folds, especially to help start a clear easy sound whether the vocal cords are too stiff, or too tight from muscle tension dysphonia, or whether they are swollen due to inflammation. Furthermore, a strong clear voice can be sustained for longer periods of time without fatigue.

A regular drinking straw can be used at first, but as one gets proficient in these exercises, the goal is to use a 3-4mm diameter straw that is 5 inches long.

Depending on the vocal issue present, the diameter can also be varied. The more tight or pressed the voice, use a thinner or longer straw. The more breathy the voice, a wider or shorter straw can be used.

Check out this video to see what straw exercises are recommended to improve the voice!

Reusable Straws Made for Straw Exercises:

Video created by Dr. Christopher Chang:

Patient Actor

#sovt #strawexercises #dysphonia #muscletensiondysphonia #voicetherapy

[fauquierent]

*Check out this video to see what straw exercises are recommended to improve the voice!*
*Reusable Straws Made for Straw Exercises:*

[HappilyAnonymousGirl]

This is the perfect video for someone like me.

I love the animation and breakdown of how everything works. Thank you

[JudyRodmanvoice]

Thanks for the concise, clear demonstration of how SOVT exercises with straws work for the voice! I will be sharing.

[Dah_S.S]

I need this for real, my voice is low and it gets tired easily so my throat muscles hurt, it's worse if I try to speak louder because it feels like I'm forcing it, well I need to see a speech therapist 😢
(I edited to make it more clear)

[ghaafil_]

Theory suggest that flutists will be the best singers😅

[akane]

I suddenly stumbled into this, I need to learn from the basic.

[diegoemiliocorzo]

Solo vine a ver sin hay algún comentario Argentino

[eyehec]

a caray! yo pensé que se refería a otra cosa

[kamikan]

Gracias, lo voy a intentar aunque diosito no se enorgullewasca

[i]

I need these exercises and some speech therapy. When I try to speak my voice sounds constricted. It’s as if I’m lifting something really heavy and trying to speak at the same time, but it mostly happens when I am anxious. Sometimes I will try to say a word and my throat just closes and I can’t speak or I speak but my voice sounds so forced people can’t understand me. Sometimes it feels like I run out of air but I will take a deep inhale before trying to speak and it doesn’t help. Other times it feels like something in the back of my throat gets paralyzed and I strougle to speak.

[kitsune.kitsune]

¡¡¡LOS EJERCICIOS DE PAJA ESTÁN BIEN INTENSOS!!!

[ZIYUXIN-jmbx]

I'm just wondering why the more tight or pressed the voice use a thinner or longer straw. But the more breathy the voicea wider or shorter straw can be used.

[robertbrandywine]

I didn't quite understand. Are you trying to increase the air pressure above or below the vocal cords, or both areas? On second viewing, I think the object is to increase pressure *inside* the vocal cords. By increasing it above (after) the vocal cords, it keeps the pressure inside the vocal cords higher, longer.

[blackgalplus]

I have noticed that my voice is changing and I'm wondering if exercise can help, I'm 63 .

[vishalkansara]

Does this exercise help vocal nodules or should I be doing it if I have got vocal nodules?

[bportermusic]

I can't find any 4mm wide metal straws to buy though, only 6mm ones :(

[stephenmcgraw]

Will this exercise make my voice stronger to push my vocals

[nbovbhi]

I think the sound can be strengthened.

When praising and mentioning

😂😂😂😂

[NiniskoMueller]

but when you go high in the pitch... the straw loses the sympathetic buzzing at some point... no?

[spotify_ERROR]

nat\natbot GPT-3 [: " "... thank you. i cant figute out what size straw. smaller straws end up air released through my nose at the same time.