Basically, if the larynx stays down and the vocal cords stay together from the very bottom

of the
vocal range to the very top everything is fine. This also applies to all vowel and consonant
combinations through out any phrase. If at any point the larynx jumps up or down or the tone
becomes breathy then there is something wrong with the vocal process.
The larynx is the big bump in the middle of the neck just below the chin. This houses the vocal
cords and controls the process of swallowing. When the larynx moves up, the muscles around the
cords act as a sphincter and closes so as to prevent swallowing down the windpipe and into the
lungs. This is a very important process when you need to swallow, but it is a very poor process
when you are trying to sing. If you place your hand on your larynx and yawn, you will find that you
can bring your larynx down as well. This is a good way to learn what it feels like to have the larynx
stay down. The end goal here is to be able to keep the larynx from moving down as well as up. It
should stay completely still as you ascend and descend.
The vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, are a pair of soft tissue cords that are joined at the front
of the larynx and extend back. When they close, the back end of the cords come together (adduct),
and the flow of air is temporarily stopped. When the pressure of air from the diaphragm overcomes
the pressure of the muscles holding the cords together, they are blown apart and sound is made
when they close again due to the resonation created. Then once again the air pressure overcomes the
muscle pressure and the process begins again. If a singer is singing an A above middle C, this
process happens 440 times every second. The pitch A above middle C vibrates 440 times per second.
That is very fast and it is somewhat difficult to see this process happen even if you can see down the
singer’s throat. Since the invention of the strobescopy it has become easier to view the vocal cord
resonation process. If the vocal cords begin to come apart, the tone becomes breathy and the
muscles around the outside of the larynx begin to tense. This becomes what is called a constricted
phonation and is quite harmful for the voice.
This is a very brief and condensed version of what happens when you sing, there is obviously a lot
more going on. But, to give you an idea of what is correct, take these two ideas and while you are
singing, monitor them. See if you can keep your larynx still and your cords together. You will
probably find that there is a certain area of your voice that is easy for you to accomplish this and
certain points of your voice that are more difficult. These harder areas are called bridges, The key to
Speech Level Singing is in understanding the bridges and the mix. Bridges in the voice are passage
areas from one part of our vocal range to another. In Italian, they're called passagi - or maybe you've
heard the term passagio. These passage areas are a result of vocal cord adjustments that must take
place in order for us to sing high and low in our range. These vocal cord adjustments produce
resonance shifts in our body.
Our first shift in resonance, or our first bridge, is our most crucial, because this is where our outer
muscles are most likely to enter the picture. If they do, they tighten around the larynx in an effort to
stretch the cords for the desired pitch.
Please see "Singing for the Stars", "Singers Advantage" or consult one of our certified teachers for a
more in-depth explanation of Speech Level Singing®.
Keep in mind, if you do not see a teacher's name listed on this site, they are not certified. We only
endorse the information and work of certified teachers. It is unethical and illegal for any teacher to
use the terms Speech Level Singing, Seth Riggs, or SLS that is not certified.