In this unit:
- Sound
- How Your Voice is Produced
Welcome!
In this lesson you will learn how your voice is produced and the basic movements that begin each vocal practice.
You will learn how to release vocal tension and the most effective movements to unlock and strengthen your true voice.
How Your Voice is Produced

Your voice is made in the upper third of your body, from the larynx and into the mouth, chest, and head.
This area contains the core of your vocal mechanism. Thus we call it your, "Vocal Core."
The rest of the body supports and amplifies the sound waves created in the vocal core.
Larynx
At the top of your trachea sits the sound producing part of your vocal instrument: the Larynx.
Inside the larynx are your vocal folds (also called "vocal cords"). The air from your lungs vibrates causes your vocal folds to vibrate into sound waves.


Pitch

The muscles and ligaments connected to the vocal folds stretch and contract the vocal folds to change from high to low pitch.
When the vocal folds contract, they are shorter, thicker, and vibrate the air at a slower rate, causing a lower pitch.
When the vocal folds are stretched, they become thinner and vibrate the air at a faster rate, causing a higher pitch.

After the air is sounded in the larynx, the sound waves move to spaces inside of your vocal core in a consistent path:
High pitches move to higher spaces within your vocal core, and lower pitches move to lower spaces within your vocal core.
Resonance = Volume
After the air is sounded in the larynx, the sound waves move to spaces inside of your vocal core in a consistent path:
High pitches move to higher spaces within your vocal core, and lower pitches move to lower spaces within your vocal core.

The Thread of the Voice
When your body is properly aligned, your voice moves from high to low, low to high pitches in one long, unbroken line of sound.
We call this unbroken vocal pitch line the, “Thread of the Voice”.
The thread of the voice is your most healthy, core sound. It is the foundation upon which the mightiest voice tones are built.
The thread of the voice is also called the, "Inside Pitch Line."

Breath Support
After the initial sound is made in the vocal core, the lower 2/3rds of your body provides a cushion of breath pressure underneath to "Support" the vocal core.
We call this lower body breath pressure, "Breath Support."

Parts of the Vocal Core

Today we will identify the most important points within your vocal core and how to place each into a relaxed position.
These new positions will allow your vocal mechanism to unwind from old, unhealthy habits that have likely caused vocal strain and limited your full vocal abilities.
You will be surprised that such small movements can create such positive results. When these points within the vocal core are relaxed, your body easily opens and expands to support a much fuller, more pleasant and pain-free vocal sound.