SOVTEs Part II

This week, we dive into what "semi-occluded vocal tract" means.

In the last Vocal Fitness Friday, we talked about sounds that help coordinate the vocal subsystems (lip trills, humming, singing through straws), called semi-occluded vocal tract sounds or SOVTs. 

What does “semi-occluded vocal tract mean?”

For example, in a lip trill, the occlusion is created by the lips, in humming, by sending the air through the narrow passages of the nose. The partial occlusion generates air pressure that goes backwards through the system (from the lips or nose to the vocal folds) meeting the air pressure coming up from the lungs.

This creates a kind of “cushion” of air above and below the vocal folds that allows the vocal folds to vibrate with the least amount of collisional force. Singing on these sounds allows you to exercise your voice in a way that creates less stress and less impact on the vocal folds. 

More soon,
Your SonoVoice Team

Next Week: SOVTEs Part III

You are a vocal athlete!

Athletes put superhuman demands on the human body. They practice to stay in shape, get better and prepare for the event. No athlete expects to perform at their best without working on their technique, practicing skills, and preparing for the game. 

The same goes for you as a vocal athlete. Practice will help you be prepared for your event: performance. Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut! If you want to be at your best as a singer, you’ll need to establish a regular vocal exercise and practice regimen.

In our weekly Vocal Fitness Friday email, SonoVoice's team of experts in science-based voice training  will be sharing information about how the voice works, tips on keeping your voice healthy, and ideas for vocal exercises for peak vocal fitness.