Straw Phonation: The Key to Better Vocals or Just a Trend?
- Louise Young
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
1. What straw should I be using?
Narrower straws: create more resistance, which helps you focus on breath control, vocal fold coordination, and ease of sound production.
Wider straws: allow for a larger volume of air to pass through, which might help you focus more on maintaining steady airflow and consistent breath support.
2. When should I be doing each exercise and why?
Warm-ups: Use the straw for 5-10 minutes at the start of your practice session. Focus on smooth, even airflow, and relaxed phonation. This helps to activate the breath support system, warm up your vocal folds, and loosen up any tension.
Cool-downs: At the end of your session, using a straw can help you release any tension that has built up during singing and allow the vocal folds to return to a relaxed state.
Targeted exercises: Straw exercises can also be used throughout your practice to work on particular issues, such as breath control, vocal strain, or vocal flexibility. You might use the straw for specific passages that require smoother transitions or to work on extending your vocal range without strain.
3. This frees my voice up for a while & then it goes back to feeling tired.
Muscle tension: After using the straw, your vocal muscles might still be carrying tension that builds up over time. The straw helps release tension temporarily, but if there’s underlying tension in your vocal technique (such as improper posture, breath support, or tension in the throat), it may return after a while.
Fatigue: If you’ve been singing for a long time without proper technique, or if you push your voice too hard after using the straw, it could lead to fatigue. Try incorporating more breaks during your practice and avoid pushing too much when your voice starts feeling tired.
4. I can create consistent bubbling throughout my range, but my voice is still tight when I sing.
Breath support: Sometimes, the sensation of bubbling with the straw can make it feel easier, but the breath support might still be inconsistent.
Vocal tract tension: Even if the voice feels free during straw exercises, there might be tension in the throat or jaw that isn’t being addressed.
Resonance: The voice may be tight because it isn’t resonating properly. Making more space in the mouth and allowing sound to resonate around the nose, cheeks, and forehead can alleviate tension.
5. This puts me off warming up because I never see a difference.
Consistency: Consistent practice is key. It may take several sessions to see the cumulative benefits of straw phonation, and results might not be obvious right away.
Gradual improvement: Rather than focusing on big changes, track smaller improvements. Are you able to sing with less tension over time? Are your range and resonance improving? The benefits can be subtle and might not always be immediately visible in your voice, but they are still there.
Mindset shift: Try focusing on the process and feeling how your voice responds to each practice session. Vocal training is often about gradual, long-term improvements that may not be immediately noticeable but compound over time.
Every client receives personalised exercises based on their needs/goals. With all my training thus far, I personally believe the benefits of regular straw work are game-changing. However, without a solid understanding and mindfulness, it won’t be as effective.
Comments