All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast by Judy Rodman: September 2022

Training & insights for stage and studio singers, speakers, vocal coaches and producers from professional vocal coach and author of "Power, Path & Performance" vocal training method. Download All Things Vocal podcast on your fav app!

Monday, September 19, 2022

Raising and lowering the Larynx - should you? UPDATED 2022


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How high or low should your larynx be when you sing? This question is steeped in controversy and misunderstanding. However, it's also vitally important. Get it too wrong and you'll have some big vocal problems.

The controversy


Voice teachers don't always agree on what's best. If I understand it correctly (and please note I am not an expert in this kind of training), the Speech Level Singing (or SLS) method of Seth Riggs teaches that you should always have your larynx at the same level that you speak.  However, vocal coach Lisa Popiel suggests that there are times you would be correct to slightly raise or lower the larynx. She names 5 laryngeal positions, from #1 which is very raised to #5 which is very lowered.
  • She suggests that some rock singing and saucy musical theater tends to use a slightly more raised position (#2),
  • while classical, cabaret jazz and some R&B singing requires a slightly lowered position (#4). 
  • She warns that no one should ever use positions #1 (very raised) or #5 (very lowered).
Vocal coach Molly Webb also advises a movable larynx, and discusses the possible origins of the 'stable larynx' training. Quoting her from her article:

The larynx does (and should) move when you sing, and not just for controversial techniques like belting. Even in classical singing, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies have confirmed that the larynx gently rises up on the higher pitches, and depresses on the lower ones.

Here's what I recommend, from my experience with my and my clients' voices: 


As long as you only raise or lower the larynx so that you don't feel your throat or experience strain or fatigue, what you're doing is fine. In fact, as a session singer (or stunt singer, as I call it), I have to do sometimes over-do this to blend with all kinds of voices and styles for recording. Changing the level of the larynx is a way to create more tone colors than usual. Various character roles in musical theater can require more unusual tone choices, too.

In fact, it's not just slight raising and lowering that we need to allow. To accomplish higher notes, the thyroid cartilage which comprises the largest part of the larynx needs to be free to tilt in your neck! Tension in and around the larynx from trying to keep the Adam's apple stationary can interfere with these movements. What's the Adam's apple you say? Officially named the larygeal prominence, it's the pointy front of the thyroid cartilage that sticks out as a bump right in the middle of the neck. It's very noticeable in a man but a woman has a small one, too. I like to call it 'Eve's apple'! The front end of the vocal cords are attached directly behind it.

However, and it's a great big 'however', you should not lower or raise your larynx to the point that you become aware of it. That will give you vocal problems. Most contemporary genre singing really should be in what Lisa Popiel would call #3, the middle position, with the larynx freely and comfortably floating and tilting in the throat.

What can you do if your Adam's apple and larynx are too stationary, not free to move?


Well, a real ninja trick that works here is to get your jaw dropping and moving more flexibly in a bit of a chewing circle. A freer jaw will let the base of your tongue relax so it relaxes its tense restriction on the movement of the hyoid bone, which is the top of your larynx. To paraphrase the old song 'the jawbone's (indirectly) connected to the hyoid bone...'

What can you do if you are raising or lowering your voice box (larynx) too much?


Learning to PULL instead of PUSH your voice, as taught in my Power, Path & Performance method, is the best way I've found to protect your delicate and precious vocal instrument, and will help you immensely. This pulling instead of pushing for sound, among other things, allows the larynx to determine it's best position with no outside interference. Also...

Here is a very effective exercise I adapted for my students from yet another great voice teacher, the late Jeannie Deva:

Lightly touch your adam's apple with the tips of your fingers. Feel for it in the middle of the front of your neck; and ladies it will just be a little bump. Again, this is where the vocal cords are attached at one end, inside the thyroid cartilage. Now, just let your fingers be "brain flashlights" and make a mental intention not to tense the area under your fingers as you sing. It's an amazing tactic when your larynx tries to lift for high notes. Notice how high notes, including higher middle voice notes, just float out almost effortlessly instead of strain!

For low notes, try this to keep your larynx from lowering too much: Stand tall and put your hand on your sternum and try to pull your voice from there. It will help your lower notes sound rich, not hooty, and will feel better, too. Don't bend over or down to get the notes. Be aware of the vibration and keep your chest open.

In conclusion: Go with what WORKS:


These are great voice teachers I've named in this post. It can get confusing, I know, when experts differ. All I can be sure of is what I've experienced that WORKS, and this should be your criteria, too. From my experience, I say mostly just keep your larynx happily floating, actually rocking a bit, in the center of your neck. Allowing it the freedom to move slightly lower or higher should give your voice a wider range without strain!

Want some incredibly effective vocal exercises to get this right? Either book a lesson with me or get one of my vocal training products, all of which include not only exercises, but how to do them.

Want to see more detail? 


Here's a great video tutorial put out by AnatomyZone. For shortcuts, go to:
  • 1:45 min for the hyoid bone.
  • 4:45 min for the thyroid cartilage and the laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple).

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Thursday, September 15, 2022

Douglas Smith Interview: Voltage Brothers to Mercy Club, Working Night Shift

 

Doug Smith traded the limelight to be a flashlight in dark places. Listen in to this beautiful story...

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Things we talked about:

  • How we know each other from MTM Records
  • His teenage beginnings as member of the R&B band 'the Voltage Brothers'
  • Lessons learned from opening for Earth Wind and Fire and other experiences
  • How Doug (aka 'Truth') and Paul Scott (aka 'Pjaye')began focusing on record production and songwriting
  • Working at the top of the ladder with artists such as Millie Jackson, P Funk, Van Hunt, Nikka Costa and Prince.
  • His decision to quit and follow his new calling to the ministry.
  • His work with the homeless and solving food insecurities.
  • Coming to understand with total acceptance and joy that he 'works the night-shift'.
  • Creating a new musical venture called 'Mercy Club'.
  • What he has going on right now (lots!!)

More about Douglas A Smith 

Doug was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He traveled the world as a performer before being called to the ministry. In 2012 he opened the doors to Grace Community Ministries whose purpose is to draw souls, cross multicultural lines, eliminate stigmas and form positive faith-inspired relationships. He lives in Rochester with his wife Cyndi and their young children.

Doug's Links:
  • Grace Community Mission Ministries: https://www.gcmmispeople.com/
  • Youtube ‘MercyClubVevo' - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX55Jtl5fx4d5HBvxQlkYlw
  • Mercy Club website -  https://mercyclub.org/home (purchase music and leave a donation!)

 Video for new single 'Don't Shoot':



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