False Folds and Pharynx (say that three times fast)

 This week in Vocal Ped we went over the false vocal folds and and low pharynx. These were topics that I had some previous knowledge of but I'm still glad to learn more about these two crucial parts of the voice. The false vocal folds and their use in singing is something I've always been aware of, but never truly understood how it was happening or that a separate pair of fold were causing the action. While some of my colleagues find this very difficult to perform or even conceptualize in their head due to their classical background where false fold engagement is never used, I have always found it easy to engage them and I tend to utilize this engagement when singing CCM or Pop. I find it to be one of the best tools I have in my musical arsenal, but I only bring it out when necessary like all musicians should.

The low pharynx on the other hand, is something that I have more trouble with. I can always start a piece with widening, but once my mind starts to wonder to other parts in the music I'm singing, I tend to narrow and cause a significant change in my tone color. This has been something I have been trying to overcome since the pharynx is the primary resonator in our voices so having that in it's correct singing position is something to strive for. Many techniques Dr. Hoffman informed us of have worked greatly. Starting with a smile and "sending it" to the back of the oral cavity and low pharynx have really improved my widening.

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