Strengthening Your Vocal Cords

Now that you're engaging your support properly, we need to start thinking about the vocal cords.

What Should Your Vocal Cords Be Doing?

When we are training and trying to strengthen the voice, we want to make sure that we're closing our vocal cords every time they vibrate. It's crucial that we do not allow a gap of air to come through the vocal cords.

Many untrained singers:

• Sing with a gap of air coming through their vocal cords
• Produce an airy sound

For example, when you hear "ha," you might notice a hiss of air coming through the vocal cords as the sound is produced.

The Problem with Airy Sounds

The issue with using this type of sound is that you:

• Are not able to build strength into the voice.
• Experience a situation where trying to get louder only results in a more airy sound.

If I try to get louder, I just get more airy. I don't actually get louder.

Proper Vocal Cord Closure

What we want to do is close the vocal cords completely. For example:

• "Ah. Ah. Ah."

From there, we can achieve much louder sounds:

• "Ah. Ah."

We want to ensure that our vocal cords start off in a closed position to train the voice and strengthen the muscles in the larynx that are necessary for tone production.

Getting Acquainted with Vocal Cord Closure

Now, I want you to get acquainted with what it feels like to close your vocal cords very strongly.

Try This Sound

Give this sound a try:

• "Huh. Huh. Huh."

When you're making the H sound, your vocal cords close completely, cutting off your airway. When you make the sound, your vocal cords then reopen. The pressure that you feel between these two sounds is complete chord closure.

Vocal Exercise for Implementation

There's a great vocal exercise you can use to implement this knowledge into your singing.

The Great Thing About This Exercise

• It doesn't need a piano to practice.
• You can practice while in the car or throughout your day, whenever there's nobody around.

How to Practice

1. Make the H sound:

   • "H."

2. At the end of the H sound, make an ah sound:

   • "Ha."

Notice how the H is very pressurized. Avoid going "ha. Ah." A lot of people want to loosen up on the pressure created with the H.

Hold the Pressure

We want to maintain that pressure, and you can even put this on a scale or slide through your range.

• You'll notice a great increase in your level of vocal cord closure throughout your singing.

Disclaimer

Please remember:

• This is not meant to be overdone.
• Avoid over-pressurizing to the point where your tone gets raspy or gritty.

This exercise is intended to produce a very pure tone.