Ever wondered why your singing voice sounds remarkably different from your speaking voice? Or why no two singers sound exactly alike? The answer has to do with your make-up – - not the make-up you put on your face, but your actual physical make-up. Today’s blog is all about how the voice works because in order to be the best singer you can be, you must understand what’s happening in your body every time you sing. So, get ready for a virtual tour of your voice!

The first stop on our tour is your nose because in order to sing a note you have to breathe in. So go ahead, take a deep breath! Air comes rushing into your nostrils and makes a bee-line for your lungs. As your lungs fill with oxygen, they press down on the arched lining right above your stomach. This lining is called the diaphragm.

As the diaphragm is pressed down, you should feel your stomach, sides and back expand. But don’t get too comfortable! What goes in must come out! Your lungs will automatically begin releasing the air, and as this happens, the diaphragm shoots back up, pushing the air out of the lungs, bringing us to the next stop on our journey – - the voice box (or larynx).

The second stop,the voice box or larynx is most visible when you swallow. It is that little ball in your throat that moves up and down as you swallow. The voice box consists of two vocal cords or folds that sit very close to each other.

When you breathe out, the air rushes between these two cords, making them vibrate. This vibration produces the sound you hear when you sing! The size and thickness of the vocal folds determine the sound produced. For instance, men, whose vocal folds are twice the length of those of women, are able to sing very low tones. Additionally, the unique length and thickness of your vocal folds ensure that you will sound dramatically different from any other singer. But hold on! we have one more stop on our tour of the voice.

The last stop on this virtual vocal tour is the articulators, which include the mouth, nose, eyes, and face in general. Remember, the sound was produced in the voice box way down in your throat. In order for others to hear you sing, this sound needs to be magnified. As the sound escapes your voice box, it vibrates (resonates) on the bones of the roof of your mouth (hard and soft palate),nose, and virtually all of your face. This area is called your mask and is as important as a mike and amplifier are to a musician on stage. To feel your mask in action, simply hum. Do you feel a slight rattle by your nose? You should, because this proves that your mask is vibrating and your sound is the best it can be!