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How to Shape Your Voice

Shaping your voice allows it to remain powerful, for speaking, singing or even humming. By strengthening the physical methods of voice production, you strengthen your ability to create sounds for long periods of time or to create a range of sounds. While you cannot control certain aspects of your vocal folds (as in the case of asymmetrical folds), you can control how tightly you close your throat or how well you balance the air flowing from your nose and mouth. By doing this, you keep your voice in top shape.

Instructions

  1. Preparations and General Health

    • 1

      Drink water regularly to keep your vocal folds, mouth, throat and lungs in working order.

      In addition to drinking water, adding humidity to your environment prevents throat dryness, which can cause undue stress on your vocal folds and affect the shape of your voice.

    • 2

      Limit your volume. By keeping your voice at a reasonable level, you don't place additional strain on your voice, other than what is needed.

    • 3

      Rest your voice often, especially after extended periods of talking.

    Voice Shaping Exercises

    • 4

      Inhale as if you are yawning, with the tongue pressed to the bottom of your mouth and the jaw, shoulders, neck and head relaxed. When you exhale, make a sound with your throat. Do this several times, each time changing the pitch. This keeps your vocal folds in shape.

    • 5

      Vocalize an "m" sound in a comfortable, low pitch. Hold this for two or three seconds. Without stopping the sound, open your mouth slightly to create an "ah" sound. This helps strengthen the vocal folds for producing lower pitches.

    • 6

      Place your lips together and blow through them, vibrating your lips and creating a buzzing sound. Slowly move up and down in pitch. This may cause your nose to tickle at lower pitches.

Singing

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