Sip, Sing, Smile: The Magical World of Singing Straws
If you’re in the singing world you would have heard of it. If you’re learning about this world then let me share with you the wonders of the singing straw. These nifty little things are no ordinary straws; but their smaller size and length give so many benefits to the voice! But first, let me explain how they work…
Like other Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises, a singing straw allows only a small amount of air to escape, and the back pressure from the remaining air helps the vocal cords to work more efficiently! So simple, but so helpful and beneficial. Let’s jump into what these benefits are:
Warm-Up Wonder: Just like athletes need to warm up before a game, vocalists also need to prepare their vocal cords for singing. Singing straws provide an effective and gentle warm-up for your vocal cords, helping to increase blood flow and reduce tension. Perfect for before a performance, singing lesson or just for the start of the day!
Building Resilience: Using singing straws regularly can help strengthen your vocal cords over time. The controlled airflow through the straw encourages better breath control and improves vocal cord muscle coordination, but with less effort and strain!
Finding Your Range: Whether you're an aspiring singer or just someone who loves to sing along to their favourite tunes, singing straws can help you explore and expand your vocal range. Are you wanting to get those high notes? Singing straw provide a safe and fun environment for experimenting with different notes and pitches!
Relieving Vocal Fatigue: After a long day of talking or singing or talking, your vocal cords might feel fatigued and tired! Blowing through a singing straw in a relaxed manner is a great way of relieving tension and promoting vocal cord health.
Enhancing Vocal Technique: Singing straws encourage the development of proper breath support and control, essential elements of good vocal technique. As you fine-tune your technique with the straw, you'll notice improvements in your overall vocal performance!
Now if that doesn’t convince you of how good singing straw can be for you, let me go one step further…
You don’t have to buy a singing straw to have the benefits of one!
You heard me right, there isn’t a need to go out and spend money - not straight away and not if you don’t want to.
There are wonderful ways that you can still get the benefits:
Using a regular straw: This will just allow more air to escape and provide less back pressure, but it will still give you some of the benefits of a singing straw! Amazing! And cheap.
H2O- Just add Water: Want a bit more resistance with your regular straw? Just put it into a glass of water! Another free tool, but it takes your regular straw to the next level
Other SOVT exercises: There are a whole host of SOVT exercises that do similar things to singing straws! You can check out my previous blog post telling you all about them! Naturally, each one is effecting your voice in slightly different ways, but it still has the basic similarities: little air escaping, back pressure, more efficient vocal folds!
So why not try one of these first! Then if you are seeing and feeling the benefits of it, take the leap! Treat your voice! And try out a singing straw.
With singing straws as your allies, your vocal skills will be ready to conquer the world, one delightful note at a time. Cheers to the music within you and the wonders of singing straws!
