Fairbanks Vocal Lessons
On “Open Throat” Versus “Closed Throat.”
The “open throat’ position in singing is usually thought of as calling for a high position of the soft palate, a low position of the tongue, grooved if possible, and a middle position of the larynx.
All of these positions, however, are dependent on “nasal” resonance, with its illusion of the tone being forward. This has the effect of relaxing the upward pulling muscles, making possible an enlarged, flexible throat opening, and a low flexible tongue. The middle position of the larynx reflects “nasal” resonance just as a high larynx reflects nasality, and a low larynx reflects a gutteral quality.
The open throat position, because of less constriction in the mouth and throat, allows for finer adjustments in the larynx. This is in keeping with the theory that the vowel set or shapes which are formed in the back of the mouth, to include the back of the tongue, the pharynx, and the soft palate, are reflected in singing in the shaping and tensions of the larynx, the vocal cords and the epiglottis.
A flexible “open throat” position, then, may be said to be conducive to better tone quality, greater power, finer pitch accuracy, and a more even vibrato.
The “closed throat” position, which is typical of the speaking voice, because of greater constriction in the mouth and throat, prevents the finer adjustments in the larynx that would improve the singing voice in quality, pitch accuracy, power, and an even vibrato.
Problem: To establish a flexible “open throat.”
Procedure: (use hand or large mirror to throw reflected light into the throat.)
Breathe through your nose with your mouth opened wide.
Notice that the soft palate is low and your tongue high, blocking off the mouth. Now breathe through your nose again with your mouth opened wide, and then change to mouth breathing. The palate rises and the tongue flattens or lowers. This is the open throat position.
Sing the word “hung” with the mouth opened wide, and add a final ah sound: “hung - ah.” The ng hum lowers the palate and raises the tongue to shut off the mouth cavity. If the final ah sound is enunciated loudly, the soft palate will rise to a high position and the tongue will fall to a low position. This is also an open throat position.
Open the mouth widely and pretend to yawn. This usually results in an actual yawn. In the first part of the yawn, the throat opens wide to allow for a large inhalation of air. This is a flexible open throat position, a desirable position for singing.
In the second part of the yawn, the throat is constricted, suspending the flow of the breath. This is a constricted closed throat position, an undesirable position for singing. This exercise is essential to the vocal lessons in Fairbanks.
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