Boy is it refreshing to see a vocal coach on here actually teaching useful, though more importantly, healthy and correct singing technique. Also to see that when you use concepts and words such as "head voice" or "head resonance" that you actually know, realize others might not, and explain that it's nothing to do with artificially manipulating the voice into going to your head or becoming smaller (or using falsetto! so many online tutorials confuse head resonance with falsetto, it horrifies me...), but rather it's the proper occlusion of the vocal folds vibrating in a healthy way, not too thickly. UA-cam, and the world, needs more coaches like you!
@R. Popoff Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment. It means a lot that the information I am delivering is being and understood and applied. I have many more videos coming out very soon. Please feel free to share these with your fellow singers and/or vocal coaches. Thanks again!! Peace, Jeff
I used to be a decent singer, but I had no technique at all. I developed an abduction problem of my vocal folds and this completely destroyed me. I can't afford expensive voice therapy, but your channel seems to be a great find! Thanks for sharing this incredibly useful video with us, I hope it will help me
Ciao Chiara! Thank you so much for your kind comment. Right now my "Let Your Voice Soar" instructional program is available for 20% off the retail price of $55.00 U.S. dollars. The program is designed to help singers (like you) realign and balance the voice. Here is the link to the program: www.reelhouse.org/voicesoaringstudio Peace and harmony to you! Jeff
OH MY GOD!!! How could anything possibly be better than lip rolls??? I did this straw technique and I literally am in shock that this got rid of all of the "morning fatigue"! Thank you!
Shane Calhoun I'm so happy to hear this! I use the straw almost everyday in conjunction with the vocal technique I teach. Thanks so much for your kind comment! Peace and harmony to you! Jeff 😎
I had a lesson with Jeff a couple of days ago and he really is a phenomenal teacher! As a baritone I had trouble with making to heavy of a sound and Jeff was the first person who could really explain how to use the breath in singing. I watched a ton of videos on youtube, but his technique is really the best I have come across.
I use to have a singing voice as powerful as Freddy Mercury about ten years ago but due to inactivity and poor lifestyle such as smoking etc my voice has suffered greatly and all I can muster these days is a husky whisper. After just ONE ten minute session of this my voice has changed drastically, I can reach high notes again and some power has returned. Just amazing after one session, what will I be like after a week!? Thankyou!
That's excellent, congratulations. I'm a little confused about if you are supposed to push air through the straw, or if you just sing like you normally would with your mouth around the straw. Should you be blowing into the straw?
@@robreilly6697 You don't blow into the straw at all. Press it to your lips to make an airtight seal and sing into the straw but don't force it and don't try to sing too loudly as this will defeat the purpose. Volume/loudness will come automatically with time so forget about that and just relax. You'll feel your abdominal muscles contracting by themselves, automatically, as air is diminishing in your lungs. That means you're doing it correctly. It's what your abdominal muscles are supposed to do.
Wow! That is awesome. Thanks for sharing that with me. I am so happy that this information is being spread around the world. Happy singing! Peace, Jeff
Thank you Jeff! I'm studying vocals at uni and have been battling some awful raspiness the last 3 weeks, and I think you've just given me the key to fixing it! KEEP IT UP!
Hey!! Thank you so much. I'm happy the straw technique has helped you. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write me at jeff@voicesoaring.com. I have an instructional DVD/CD coming out very soon, so keep an eye out for it. Peace, Jeffrey
Jeff. Happy New Year. Thank you for this amazing post!!! I had thyroid surgery 2 years ago and I am still waiting (and praying) for a complete recovery. I will incorporate this technique into my daily routine. Regards, Steve Judge (Scottsdale, AZ)
Hi Steve. I wish you the best in your road to recovery. The straw technique will definitely open up some space in the pharynx when applied correctly. If you have any questions about this concept, please do not hesitate to write me: jeff@voicesoaring.com. Thanks for watching and hope you are checking out the other tutorials on the channel. They are all great for re-building a voice post surgery!
@Luke Kent, two straws only if yoy're using those short and almost flat little cocktail stirring straws. Use one straw if they're a normal-sized or wide diameter smoothie or milkshake straw. The shorter and narrower diameter the straw, the more tesistance ot offers. The longer and wider doameyer tje syraw has, the less residtance. So practice with several lengths and diameters.
Thank you Marbella! So happy you are finding the tutorials helpful! 🌞 Please feel free to share them with your fellow singers and vocal coaches. I really appreciate your kind feedback.
Dear Jeff,I agree with you.I use some "tzzz" in between the front teeth.This opens as you said,the back "uvula",and throat cavity.Very usefull tip.Best regards.
John Schofield Thank you John for your comment! You're exactly right about the "tzzz' which is another type of SOVT (semi-occluded vocal track) exercise! Thanks so much for watching! Peace and harmony to you. Jeff
Dear Jeff thank you so much for sharing your vocal knowledge with all us (I had the joy and honor of studying with Alfredo Kraus in Spain,and with my friend and maestro David Jones at NY,among others.I'm still on career;after some gealth problems got back on track last year).Hope to hear more from you (watched and liked very much your "Desperado" song,Bravissimo).Saludos.John
Hey mquek7, this is similar to that approach, but it is not designed to replace the idea of finding your pharyngeal space through proper exercises. I will be doing a video on that subject very soon. This is really more medicinal in that it is a healing approach for inflamed vocal chords. I use the straws on gigs, especially between sets to make sure the vocal chords are not thickening up. It's a bit like stretching between sets at eh gym! The DVD by the way will include a cd of the exercises to practice with. The price has not been decided as of yet as we are still in pre-production, but I promise to make it as affordable as possible!
Barbara Drew Thank you so much Barbara. I am glad you found it helpful! Please feel free to share it with anyone who may be in need of this information. Peace, Jeffrey
Hi Andy. I am not sure you can actually sing in falsetto with a straw. Falsetto allows a lot of air to escape, so perhaps you're not supporting the sound. Stay in full voice as you do these exercises. That is how you'll get the full benefit of the straw. Thanks for watching!
Hi Jeff, all of your videos are very helpful, I really appreciate it. I have quite a particular question regarding the voice and physiognomy. I'm considering a procedure to expand my mandible and palatal about 8 mm (laterally) , as they are both quite narrow and that has an effect on my nasal breathing. The palatal expansion is called MSE and the mandible procedure MSDO. I'm trying to find out if this would impact my voice negatively somehow, but cannot find info that relates these procedures or width of the palate and mandible to the voice. Do you have an idea if doing this could affect my voice somehow? Thank you 🙏
Hi Tony. Unfortunately I cannot answer a medical question like this as I am not qualified to do so. However, feel f ree to write me at jeff@voicesoaring.com and tell me more details about this procedure and I will check with some associates to see if they know the side effects of this.
Would this straw technique explain why my voice feels so much more free after playing saxophone for a bit? Every time I play saxophone, and then sing, I feel like my voice is so much more open and relaxed
Hello kenjc22. The saxophone requires a certain amount of abdominal support to keep the air going correct? There is also a bit of air pressure built up inside the mouth cavity which creates enough compression for the reed to vibrate correct? This is very similar to what happens with the straw technique. In order to create enough sound to move through two small straws, the abdominals have to create enough resistance to move the air and some of that air gets trapped in the mouth space which in turn stretch and lengthens the vocal folds. The end result are vocal folds that are more elastic and ready to create free vibration. Does that answer your question? Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe if you haven't already for all the latest tutorials and updates!
Thanks for the very kind comment. Questions are welcome. Yes. You are pronating through the straw and the air is coming out of the end. Make sure you don’t over-blow too much air pressure as you use this concept, and make sure your tongue and jaw are relaxed and that you are engaging your abdominals as you sing. Hope you are subscribed to the channel. Thanks for watching and sharing! Peace,Jeff
There are times when I do straw exercises by humming that there is little air coming out and there are times, there is a lot of air coming out. Which is the right or better way of doing this?
Quick question pls. How exactly are we doing this? Am i humming, or blowing into the straw. Ciuld u pls explain exactly what the muscles are doing in the throat as we do the straw warmup? Thanks alot
We are not humming through the straw. We are singing through it. Obviously you cannot pronounce through it, but feeling that opening in the throat as you sing it what gets the results.
I really am so happy you share your knowledge. I will be singing for your teacher David Jones at NATS in Jacksonville fl on October 20. Carole Clifford is my teacher. I have a 4 octave range thanks to David Jones techniques that Carole is teaching. When I do the warm up like in your show that thins out cords- as you down in pitch, should it feel the same when I begin and go very low, for a soprano anyway.
Hi Marilyn. First off thank you so much for your kind comments. Carole Clifford was my first voice teacher! I adore her. She is a fabulous technician. You’re in good hands for sure. The main thing you need to watch for in the straw technique is that you don’t blow too much air pressure. And yes, when you descend you should feel it transition down to through the lower passagio then to chest voice. Does that answer your question? More tutorials are coming so stay tuned and please subscribe if you have not already. Peace and harmony to you! Jeff
Ηello Jeff and thank you for the wonderful video. I have two questions. When I go to high notes, sound gets more airy. Also, i kinda loose the vibration from the face. Must the vibration be apparent even in high notes?
The sound is going to get more airy as you go higher if you are pushing too much air pressure. Try to ease off the amount of air you are pushing through the straw, and go for more of a buzzy feeling. Also, it is not necessary to take any scales very high in the straw. Hope this helps. Peace and happy singing.
@@JeffAlaniStanfill yes, it feels also as if i push, i just can't trust my body enough to sustain the same airpressure. I will try though. Thank you for answering.
Hey Jeff! The problem I have, is that while I can do these exercises fine (and hit a D5 on a good day), once I start putting actual words in and trying to get my voice to a decent volume, and going through a long passage of high notes (A4-D5), everything begins to slowly fall apart! :'( I presume I'm just not resonating properly when using my mixed voice (think 80's heavy metal vocals), and in trying to compensate for a lack of volume I put myself in a bad position. I then go into full chest voice as a failsafe and just end up feeling a little hoarse at the end. Like my throat gets progressively scratchier as the song goes on and I start worrying about my voice cracking, so I switch to chest voice instead!
Hello. Are you trying to sing words while doing the straw technique? The straw is only meant to stretch the vocal folds and open the pharyngeal space. Anything beyond that needs to be approached with complete vocal technique. I recommend going through all of the tutorials I have up. I do believe you will find that these concepts presented in these video will begin to shed some light on your challenges and give you some healthy tools to conquer them. But you also need to work with a competent vocal coach. I give Skype lessons to singers all around the world. Write me at jeff@voicesoaring.com if you would like to discuss this further! Peace, Jeff
Hi Jeff fantastic video! I am much clearer now about the straw technique :) Could you reserve one copy of your DVD for me please? Would like to learn more from you. How much is it? Do you think the Straw technique is very similar to what some vocal teachers are teaching where the voice is imagined going forward to one small focused point in front of your lips? That seems to widen the pharyngeal space as well. Hope to hear from you soon and thanks so much!
7 років тому+1
Awesome, is it all right to use a larger straw, I am a beginning vocalist, please let me know, thanks Gary Apt.
Hi Gary. Yes, you can absolutely use slightly larger straw. I often use straws that are used for sodas. You don't want to go too large because you lose resistance in the air flow. The idea is to create (gentle) back pressure. Some people find the sipping straws are too small. But an ice tea or soda straw should do it. Here is a link to straw sizes. Thanks for watching! www.google.com/search?q=straw+sizes&tbm=isch&imgil=fkZOdGZGYak23M%253A%253B4p8eqy00cXGhcM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.glassdharma.com%25252Fsizes.php&source=iu&pf=m&fir=fkZOdGZGYak23M%253A%252C4p8eqy00cXGhcM%252C_&usg=__dG3i7jC_t5qwnFXhWse99p5jO2k%3D&biw=1920&bih=897&ved=0ahUKEwiMya67p-TVAhVI5oMKHbcaBlgQyjcIjQE&ei=i7aYWczXJMjMjwS3tZjABQ#imgrc=fkZOdGZGYak23M:
4:46 i have problems with my tongue due to opera habits, and sovt ‘s are hard for me to do. So my tongue must be relaxed and I don’t have to raise it in the high notes?? Sorry for asking this but my English is not very good. Muchas gracias
Hi! I have found this video and say: hopefully this help me out with my problem. Here we go: my problem is that when i'm trying to sing in my middle range the sound is so awful and not in tone that I stopped singing like 4 or 5 months ago. In low and hi range everything is ok, may I say better than before. There's anyway you can help me with specific exercises? I'm ready to send you (even if I feel embarrassed) example of what I mean. And of course ready to pay it. Thank's in advance for helping us! God bless you 🙏
Sir, I'm facing problem to ending words while it comes with continues line. I mean I'm facing breath control problem. Please tell me how to improve my breath control.
Cool video, thanks for this. I'm a baritone voice, I usually flip to my falsetto around an F or F# above middle C. With the straw in I can't get over a middle C. Is this normal? Thanks
To the thevagabondification. Try not to push too much air through. Too much air pressure will tighten the throat muscles and then the cords can't stretch. Also this is not necessarily designed to give you amazing high notes, but rather to open the pharynx and stretch the cords after too much speaking or singing. Check out the other videos on my channel for upper register exercises and thanks for watching!
Hey Colin. i recommend using two sipping straws or one soda straw like the ones used in McDonald's sodas. Hope this answers your question. Peace, Jeff :-)
@CATHY GRACE CATUBAY I think the point of this exercise here is to eliminate unnecessary tension, or something like that. (Sorry I'm not a professional...) Eventually you could reach higher notes too! Just remember to be patient with the exercises and go step by step. I'm also trying to relearn singing since I adopted bad habits in the past. Let's keep it up!
Hey Jeff, Tim here. Right now I have been trying to do this straw exercise more than ever. Is it fine if the notes get headier as it goes higher as long as there are no breaks?
I’ve been struggling lately like when I start a song my voice want push I used to sing before with no problem just wondering if the straw exercise will help me
Kuputo Wotsa Hi there. I recommend doing it before you sing a song to open up the pharyngeal. But be sure and use a variety of vocal exercises in addition to the straw work, such as any of the exercises presented here in the channel. Thanks for your comment/question and hope you are subscribed to the channel! Peace and happy singing!
Hi, I am experiencing heaps of vibration in my throat, I'm also getting the sound at the same volume and intensity as you but after doing this exercise my throat gets so sore and I can't talk for a day. I'm not pushing at all and very relaxed.
Alex you may need to change to a larger straw size like the ones use in sodas at MacDonalds. It sounds to me like you are pushing to much breath pressure. Try doing the same exercise without the straw but through a tiny opening in your lips. If that doesn't work try lips trills to get breath moving again. You likely are locking up your breath. Hope this helps. Peace, Jeff
Hi Jeff, I got rid of the excess breath pressure, thank you for your reply. I've also noticed that my tongue is always behind my bottom teeth, will this invite jaw tension since my tongue isn't moving back to make a sound? Sorry for the questions, it's just really concerning me and I'm not sure if my tongue is the reason.
Alex the tongue being behind the bottom teethe should not be a problem, but gently place a finger on your chin and apply a light pressure to keep the jaw from jutting forward. This should alleviate any unnecessary forward thrusting of the jaw. I'm working on a tutorial for jaw tension which should be out very soon so stay tuned! Peace, Jeff
Thanks Jeff, hmm.. A little weird because my jaw is not moving at all, and I've heard that my tongue should always be moving everywhere in the mouth (especially on the 'oo' when it should be slightly back) but it's positioned touching the bottom teeth all the time and I'm pronouncing the words properly. Now I've come to think that the resonating in my throat is due to lower soft palate and probably not opening the mouth wide enough? I used to be taught narrow embouchure (like, very narrow and tall) which has given me this muddy sound, and resonance in the throat.
Hi Toma. The straw is not to be used as a replacement for a good vocal warmup routine. If you watched the entire video, you noticed that I speak of using the straw as a means of stretching the vocal folds out if they have been over used through singing incorrectly of yelling. It's a voice therapy tool not a vocal exercise replacement tool. Hope that helps you and please, watch my other tutorials. Lip trills are jus the tip of the ice berg as far as vocal exercises are concerned. Peace, Jeff
Jeff Alani Stanfill Thank you very much for clarifying. I just can't control my larynx, when I do lip trills, I wanted to avoid it. I'll practice it. Thank you🌼
I recommend you reference Ingo Titze, the original physicist that created and defends the technique scientifically in numerous journals. He appreciates you getting the word out. Thank you!
Eno, you will most definitely feel a connection to your abdominals while singing through the straw. However, the concept is design ed to focus on expanding the pharyngeal space and gently stretching the vocal cords to reduce inflammation or puffiness. Check out my other videos on breathing and compression for exercises specifically designed to strengthen the breath support system. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for all the latest updates! :-)
I notice that you are using very small straws. I have a metal regular size straw I guess that would do also I will try doing that with one end in water to make more back pressure. This is new for me.
No. You may be oushing too much breath pressure or depressing the tongue if you are experiencing pain in the back othe throat. Try using a slightly larger straw. Hope that helps you!
Any concept that helps to stretch and thin the vocal folds will make the voice more pliable to reach high notes and low notes. But there are better exercises to work on developing low notes than this. The straw technique is really a medicinal anyways. Hope this answers your question. Peace and happy singing.
Jeff Alani Stanfill thank you so much!! I started watching your videos today and I am enjoying a lot. I will subscribe on your youtube channel. Who know futurely you can make a video with some techniques to facilitate singing the lower notes. Have a nice day.
I will definitely give this some consideration. In my instructional program called "Let Your Voice Soar" there is a whole section on training the lower male voice. You can learn more about it by visiting my website: wwwvoicesoaring.com. Thanks so much!
Jeff Alani Stanfill thank you very much!! I will check it out. You see, I can sing in the baritone and second tenor with natural comfort. And all my life I've always admired low singing ranges. There are days where I can sing lower notes with more comfort. Other days it will be the opposite and I will notice my voice singing higher notes with more comfort.
I cannot tell you that it will cure hoarseness because hoarseness can be related to many things including viruses, nodules, polyps, ruptured blood vessel in the folds, allergies and more. However, I state in the video that the concept of the straw lengthens and stretches the vocal folds when they are swollen from over-use. Hopefully that answers your question! Thanks for watching :-)
I cannot believe that there are people out there selling "singing straws". It's just a tube! Use a BIC Biro with the ink tube pulled out! Walk into a McDonalds and just grab some drinking straws! Pull the wires out of a length of electrical cord! Roll some laminated paper into a tube and tape it up! There's absolutely no reason to send anyone money for...a tube!
Monet Lopez. Are you using two straws? If you are only using one small cocktail straw, you will be pushing to hard. Remember, the idea is to let your singing voice come through the straw. There will be a very tiny flow of air coming through. Do not cover the end of the straw. Hope this all makes sense! Let me know? Jeffrey
I'm a big guy and when I breath in there is no way to keep my shoulders from rising without creating a tension to keep them down. Every singer is different. But thanks for the comment. Peace
Sir i have a vocal chord phonatory gap.So i can't even start to sing so if i start it start from just above from my ground voice.I was a singer and i had lot of techniques.But after a hard cough cold this phonatory gap include it was said by a ENT specialist please help me bring me your email adress please so that i can send you my voice clip to have more help from you.
This technique was well explained and demonstrated in this video. I'm going to share it in a SingWise Facebook post tomorrow.
Boy is it refreshing to see a vocal coach on here actually teaching useful, though more importantly, healthy and correct singing technique. Also to see that when you use concepts and words such as "head voice" or "head resonance" that you actually know, realize others might not, and explain that it's nothing to do with artificially manipulating the voice into going to your head or becoming smaller (or using falsetto! so many online tutorials confuse head resonance with falsetto, it horrifies me...), but rather it's the proper occlusion of the vocal folds vibrating in a healthy way, not too thickly.
UA-cam, and the world, needs more coaches like you!
@R. Popoff Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment. It means a lot that the information I am delivering is being and understood and applied. I have many more videos coming out very soon. Please feel free to share these with your fellow singers and/or vocal coaches. Thanks again!! Peace, Jeff
Im completely with you!
R. Popoff l
I used to be a decent singer, but I had no technique at all. I developed an abduction problem of my vocal folds and this completely destroyed me. I can't afford expensive voice therapy, but your channel seems to be a great find! Thanks for sharing this incredibly useful video with us, I hope it will help me
Ciao Chiara! Thank you so much for your kind comment. Right now my "Let Your Voice Soar" instructional program is available for 20% off the retail price of $55.00 U.S. dollars. The program is designed to help singers (like you) realign and balance the voice. Here is the link to the program: www.reelhouse.org/voicesoaringstudio
Peace and harmony to you! Jeff
I am Starting Lap #2 today. I couldn't wait this morning to get my voice Revved! Thanks Jeff - it's working.
OH MY GOD!!! How could anything possibly be better than lip rolls??? I did this straw technique and I literally am in shock that this got rid of all of the "morning fatigue"! Thank you!
Shane Calhoun I'm so happy to hear this! I use the straw almost everyday in conjunction with the vocal technique I teach. Thanks so much for your kind comment! Peace and harmony to you! Jeff 😎
I had a lesson with Jeff a couple of days ago and he really is a phenomenal teacher!
As a baritone I had trouble with making to heavy of a sound and Jeff was the first person who could really explain how to use the breath in singing.
I watched a ton of videos on youtube, but his technique is really the best I have come across.
Frederik Büllesbach Thank you!! It was great to teach you. Looking forward to future sessions.
i am an indian classical singer and i am getting good results ! great and thank you very much.
Tripti Chakraborty Wonderful!! I am very happy to hear that!!! 🎼🎶🎶🎶
I use to have a singing voice as powerful as Freddy Mercury about ten years ago but due to inactivity and poor lifestyle such as smoking etc my voice has suffered greatly and all I can muster these days is a husky whisper. After just ONE ten minute session of this my voice has changed drastically, I can reach high notes again and some power has returned. Just amazing after one session, what will I be like after a week!? Thankyou!
Sooperhero Max I’m so happy to hear you’re getting these results! 🕺🎤🎶🎶🎶
That's excellent, congratulations. I'm a little confused about if you are supposed to push air through the straw, or if you just sing like you normally would with your mouth around the straw. Should you be blowing into the straw?
PUNCH IT BISHOP! Freddy also never stopped singing.
@@robreilly6697 You don't blow into the straw at all. Press it to your lips to make an airtight seal and sing into the straw but don't force it and don't try to sing too loudly as this will defeat the purpose. Volume/loudness will come automatically with time so forget about that and just relax.
You'll feel your abdominal muscles contracting by themselves, automatically, as air is diminishing in your lungs. That means you're doing it correctly. It's what your abdominal muscles are supposed to do.
wow! Your singing voice came in so deep and resonant, sounds great
+Worms Hip Hop Thanks man!!!
my chorus teacher is showing us your video every class in order to help us
Wow! That is awesome. Thanks for sharing that with me. I am so happy that this information is being spread around the world. Happy singing! Peace, Jeff
a real singer teaching singing! Very nice, thank you.
rolye Thank you for your very kind comment!
Thank you Jeff! I'm studying vocals at uni and have been battling some awful raspiness the last 3 weeks, and I think you've just given me the key to fixing it! KEEP IT UP!
Hey!! Thank you so much. I'm happy the straw technique has helped you. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to write me at jeff@voicesoaring.com. I have an instructional DVD/CD coming out very soon, so keep an eye out for it. Peace, Jeffrey
Coach jeff your so amazing.great explanation.stay safe and godbless😊
Nice voice!
Thank you!!!
Jeff.
Happy New Year.
Thank you for this amazing post!!! I had thyroid surgery 2 years ago and I am still waiting (and praying) for a complete recovery. I will incorporate this technique into my daily routine.
Regards,
Steve Judge (Scottsdale, AZ)
Hi Steve. I wish you the best in your road to recovery. The straw technique will definitely open up some space in the pharynx when applied correctly. If you have any questions about this concept, please do not hesitate to write me: jeff@voicesoaring.com. Thanks for watching and hope you are checking out the other tutorials on the channel. They are all great for re-building a voice post surgery!
Your Amazing grace was...amazing. Nice to hear you sing.
Thank you so much!!!
Finally, vocal coach who can sing and has a beautiful voice.
I really appreciate your very kind comments! More videos to come. Thank you!!!!
Ive previously used this idea with one straw..Will adapt it to two straws. Thanks for this.
@Luke Kent, two straws only if yoy're using those short and almost flat little cocktail stirring straws. Use one straw if they're a normal-sized or wide diameter smoothie or milkshake straw.
The shorter and narrower diameter the straw, the more tesistance ot offers. The longer and wider doameyer tje syraw has, the less residtance. So practice with several lengths and diameters.
Very well done! Look forward to the next video!
Dr. Carole Clifford is an amazing voice teacher, friend, and mentor.
Excellent lesson. Clear and very understandable.
I really like your tutorial videos. They are very helpful for me, and they are a reminder to remember technique, "they will help guide you through".
Thank you Marbella! So happy you are finding the tutorials helpful! 🌞
Please feel free to share them with your fellow singers and vocal coaches. I really appreciate your kind feedback.
Jeff is the best!
Dear Jeff,I agree with you.I use some "tzzz" in between the front teeth.This opens as you said,the back "uvula",and throat cavity.Very usefull tip.Best regards.
John Schofield Thank you John for your comment! You're exactly right about the "tzzz' which is another type of SOVT (semi-occluded vocal track) exercise! Thanks so much for watching! Peace and harmony to you. Jeff
Dear Jeff thank you so much for sharing your vocal knowledge with all us (I had the joy and honor of studying with Alfredo Kraus in Spain,and with my friend and maestro David Jones at NY,among others.I'm still on career;after some gealth problems got back on track last year).Hope to hear more from you (watched and liked very much your "Desperado" song,Bravissimo).Saludos.John
Saludos.John
Wonderful! Thank you!
Hey mquek7, this is similar to that approach, but it is not designed to replace the idea of finding your pharyngeal space through proper exercises. I will be doing a video on that subject very soon. This is really more medicinal in that it is a healing approach for inflamed vocal chords. I use the straws on gigs, especially between sets to make sure the vocal chords are not thickening up. It's a bit like stretching between sets at eh gym!
The DVD by the way will include a cd of the exercises to practice with. The price has not been decided as of yet as we are still in pre-production, but I promise to make it as affordable as possible!
Interesting concept, feels very comfortable!
'm glad you find the exercise comfortable! That's great news. It is so good for the voice. Thanks for watching! Peace and harmony to you. Jeff
Excellent Video . Thank you
Barbara Drew Thank you so much Barbara. I am glad you found it helpful! Please feel free to share it with anyone who may be in need of this information. Peace, Jeffrey
Thanks for this super useful video. A straw with 9mm diameter is too big? Thanks 🙏
Yup can use any straw you want. Just remember that every size straw gives you a different resistance
Thanks! When singing Falsetto with a straw, the air seems not able to flow from the lung. Any tips? Thanks!
Hi Andy. I am not sure you can actually sing in falsetto with a straw. Falsetto allows a lot of air to escape, so perhaps you're not supporting the sound. Stay in full voice as you do these exercises. That is how you'll get the full benefit of the straw. Thanks for watching!
My voice coach has recommended this technique but she said to do it into water?? Im going to get some straws and give it go later thanks x
That works too, but doesn't create as much back pressure. Whatever works best for YOUR voice is the way to go. Peace and happy strawing!
Hi Jeff, all of your videos are very helpful, I really appreciate it. I have quite a particular question regarding the voice and physiognomy. I'm considering a procedure to expand my mandible and palatal about 8 mm (laterally) , as they are both quite narrow and that has an effect on my nasal breathing. The palatal expansion is called MSE and the mandible procedure MSDO. I'm trying to find out if this would impact my voice negatively somehow, but cannot find info that relates these procedures or width of the palate and mandible to the voice. Do you have an idea if doing this could affect my voice somehow? Thank you 🙏
Hi Tony. Unfortunately I cannot answer a medical question like this as I am not qualified to do so. However, feel f
ree to write me at jeff@voicesoaring.com and tell me more details about this procedure and I will check with some associates to see if they know the side effects of this.
@@JeffAlaniStanfill As usual, you are very kind Jeff. I really appreciate it. I'll email you. All the best, and thank you again.
I immediately subscribed cos I know you did a Masterclass training video with David Phelps. YOU'RE AMAZING!!!
Welcome aboard! Thanks so much for subscribing! More tutorials are on their way :-)
Thank you so much it helped me!
Would this straw technique explain why my voice feels so much more free after playing saxophone for a bit? Every time I play saxophone, and then sing, I feel like my voice is so much more open and relaxed
Hello kenjc22. The saxophone requires a certain amount of abdominal support to keep the air going correct? There is also a bit of air pressure built up inside the mouth cavity which creates enough compression for the reed to vibrate correct? This is very similar to what happens with the straw technique. In order to create enough sound to move through two small straws, the abdominals have to create enough resistance to move the air and some of that air gets trapped in the mouth space which in turn stretch and lengthens the vocal folds. The end result are vocal folds that are more elastic and ready to create free vibration. Does that answer your question? Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe if you haven't already for all the latest tutorials and updates!
Thank you for your great explanation. I’m sorry to ask a very basic question.
Are you blowing the air out of your mouth as you phonate ?
Thanks for the very kind comment. Questions are welcome. Yes. You are pronating through the straw and the air is coming out of the end. Make sure you don’t over-blow too much air pressure as you use this concept, and make sure your tongue and jaw are relaxed and that you are engaging your abdominals as you sing. Hope you are subscribed to the channel. Thanks for watching and sharing! Peace,Jeff
There are times when I do straw exercises by humming that there is little air coming out and there are times, there is a lot of air coming out. Which is the right or better way of doing this?
Will this technique help my fatigue voice? My voice is so tired of singing every night :(
Quick question pls. How exactly are we doing this? Am i humming, or blowing into the straw. Ciuld u pls explain exactly what the muscles are doing in the throat as we do the straw warmup? Thanks alot
We are not humming through the straw. We are singing through it. Obviously you cannot pronounce through it, but feeling that opening in the throat as you sing it what gets the results.
I really am so happy you share your knowledge. I will be singing for your teacher David Jones at NATS in Jacksonville fl on October 20. Carole Clifford is my teacher. I have a 4 octave range thanks to David Jones techniques that Carole is teaching. When I do the warm up like in your show that thins out cords- as you down in pitch, should it feel the same when I begin and go very low, for a soprano anyway.
Hi Marilyn. First off thank you so much for your kind comments. Carole Clifford was my first voice teacher! I adore her. She is a fabulous technician. You’re in good hands for sure.
The main thing you need to watch for in the straw technique is that you don’t blow too much air pressure. And yes, when you descend you should feel it transition down to through the lower passagio then to chest voice. Does that answer your question? More tutorials are coming so stay tuned and please subscribe if you have not already. Peace and harmony to you! Jeff
Thanks so much. Newest and oldest problem- how to decrescendo. This is where the most tenderest moment in most pieces and I cannot do it
I can tell you put some time into this. I appreciate your video
Thanks Andrew!
Ηello Jeff and thank you for the wonderful video. I have two questions. When I go to high notes, sound gets more airy. Also, i kinda loose the vibration from the face. Must the vibration be apparent even in high notes?
The sound is going to get more airy as you go higher if you are pushing too much air pressure. Try to ease off the amount of air you are pushing through the straw, and go for more of a buzzy feeling. Also, it is not necessary to take any scales very high in the straw. Hope this helps. Peace and happy singing.
@@JeffAlaniStanfill yes, it feels also as if i push, i just can't trust my body enough to sustain the same airpressure. I will try though. Thank you for answering.
Hey Jeff! The problem I have, is that while I can do these exercises fine (and hit a D5 on a good day), once I start putting actual words in and trying to get my voice to a decent volume, and going through a long passage of high notes (A4-D5), everything begins to slowly fall apart! :'(
I presume I'm just not resonating properly when using my mixed voice (think 80's heavy metal vocals), and in trying to compensate for a lack of volume I put myself in a bad position. I then go into full chest voice as a failsafe and just end up feeling a little hoarse at the end. Like my throat gets progressively scratchier as the song goes on and I start worrying about my voice cracking, so I switch to chest voice instead!
Hello. Are you trying to sing words while doing the straw technique? The straw is only meant to stretch the vocal folds and open the pharyngeal space. Anything beyond that needs to be approached with complete vocal technique. I recommend going through all of the tutorials I have up. I do believe you will find that these concepts presented in these video will begin to shed some light on your challenges and give you some healthy tools to conquer them. But you also need to work with a competent vocal coach. I give Skype lessons to singers all around the world. Write me at jeff@voicesoaring.com if you would like to discuss this further! Peace, Jeff
Hi Jeff fantastic video! I am much clearer now about the straw technique :) Could you reserve one copy of your DVD for me please? Would like to learn more from you. How much is it?
Do you think the Straw technique is very similar to what some vocal teachers are teaching where the voice is imagined going forward to one small focused point in front of your lips? That seems to widen the pharyngeal space as well.
Hope to hear from you soon and thanks so much!
Awesome, is it all right to use a larger straw, I am a beginning vocalist, please let me know, thanks Gary Apt.
Hi Gary. Yes, you can absolutely use slightly larger straw. I often use straws that are used for sodas. You don't want to go too large because you lose resistance in the air flow. The idea is to create (gentle) back pressure. Some people find the sipping straws are too small. But an ice tea or soda straw should do it.
Here is a link to straw sizes.
Thanks for watching!
www.google.com/search?q=straw+sizes&tbm=isch&imgil=fkZOdGZGYak23M%253A%253B4p8eqy00cXGhcM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.glassdharma.com%25252Fsizes.php&source=iu&pf=m&fir=fkZOdGZGYak23M%253A%252C4p8eqy00cXGhcM%252C_&usg=__dG3i7jC_t5qwnFXhWse99p5jO2k%3D&biw=1920&bih=897&ved=0ahUKEwiMya67p-TVAhVI5oMKHbcaBlgQyjcIjQE&ei=i7aYWczXJMjMjwS3tZjABQ#imgrc=fkZOdGZGYak23M:
4:46 i have problems with my tongue due to opera habits, and sovt ‘s are hard for me to do. So my tongue must be relaxed and I don’t have to raise it in the high notes?? Sorry for asking this but my English is not very good. Muchas gracias
Hi! I have found this video and say: hopefully this help me out with my problem. Here we go: my problem is that when i'm trying to sing in my middle range the sound is so awful and not in tone that I stopped singing like 4 or 5 months ago. In low and hi range everything is ok, may I say better than before. There's anyway you can help me with specific exercises? I'm ready to send you (even if I feel embarrassed) example of what I mean. And of course ready to pay it. Thank's in advance for helping us! God bless you 🙏
Feel free to send me a sample video or audio file to jeff@voicesoaring.com
Sir, I'm facing problem to ending words while it comes with continues line. I mean I'm facing breath control problem. Please tell me how to improve my breath control.
Cool video, thanks for this. I'm a baritone voice, I usually flip to my falsetto around an F or F# above middle C. With the straw in I can't get over a middle C. Is this normal? Thanks
To the thevagabondification. Try not to push too much air through. Too much air pressure will tighten the throat muscles and then the cords can't stretch. Also this is not necessarily designed to give you amazing high notes, but rather to open the pharynx and stretch the cords after too much speaking or singing. Check out the other videos on my channel for upper register exercises and thanks for watching!
dude you rock!!!
Thank you Teri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :--)
Hi again Jeff. Does it matter what thickness of straw to use please? Thanks, Colin.
Hey Colin. i recommend using two sipping straws or one soda straw like the ones used in McDonald's sodas. Hope this answers your question. Peace, Jeff :-)
This is helpful sir Jeff to hit a high notes?
@CATHY GRACE CATUBAY I think the point of this exercise here is to eliminate unnecessary tension, or something like that. (Sorry I'm not a professional...) Eventually you could reach higher notes too! Just remember to be patient with the exercises and go step by step.
I'm also trying to relearn singing since I adopted bad habits in the past. Let's keep it up!
Hey Jeff, Tim here. Right now I have been trying to do this straw exercise more than ever. Is it fine if the notes get headier as it goes higher as long as there are no breaks?
nice voice man
Thanks so much Kevin!!!!!
Thanks for the video i tried one exercise with the straw my throat got dry is it normal
Try to not blow so much air pressure. If your throat is getting dry, it is sigh you are pushing too much air throaugh. Hope that helps!
Thanks a lot 👍
I’ve been struggling lately like when I start a song my voice want push I used to sing before with no problem just wondering if the straw exercise will help me
Hi Jeff should i do this exercise before or after singing?
Kuputo Wotsa Hi there. I recommend doing it before you sing a song to open up the pharyngeal. But be sure and use a variety of vocal exercises in addition to the straw work, such as any of the exercises presented here in the channel. Thanks for your comment/question and hope you are subscribed to the channel! Peace and happy singing!
@@JeffAlaniStanfill Thanks 😊
I don’t close my vocal cords I just let air out and the part around it is very tense
Hi, I am experiencing heaps of vibration in my throat, I'm also getting the sound at the same volume and intensity as you but after doing this exercise my throat gets so sore and I can't talk for a day. I'm not pushing at all and very relaxed.
My head voice is fine with this exercise, by the way. Just not my throat.. I can't sing in my middle or low range.
Alex you may need to change to a larger straw size like the ones use in sodas at MacDonalds. It sounds to me like you are pushing to much breath pressure. Try doing the same exercise without the straw but through a tiny opening in your lips. If that doesn't work try lips trills to get breath moving again. You likely are locking up your breath. Hope this helps. Peace, Jeff
Hi Jeff, I got rid of the excess breath pressure, thank you for your reply. I've also noticed that my tongue is always behind my bottom teeth, will this invite jaw tension since my tongue isn't moving back to make a sound? Sorry for the questions, it's just really concerning me and I'm not sure if my tongue is the reason.
Alex the tongue being behind the bottom teethe should not be a problem, but gently place a finger on your chin and apply a light pressure to keep the jaw from jutting forward. This should alleviate any unnecessary forward thrusting of the jaw. I'm working on a tutorial for jaw tension which should be out very soon so stay tuned! Peace, Jeff
Thanks Jeff, hmm.. A little weird because my jaw is not moving at all, and I've heard that my tongue should always be moving everywhere in the mouth (especially on the 'oo' when it should be slightly back) but it's positioned touching the bottom teeth all the time and I'm pronouncing the words properly. Now I've come to think that the resonating in my throat is due to lower soft palate and probably not opening the mouth wide enough? I used to be taught narrow embouchure (like, very narrow and tall) which has given me this muddy sound, and resonance in the throat.
Hello. Tell me please is it healthy to use the straw for my warm up routine instead of a lip trill? ( it doesn't help me)
Hi Toma. The straw is not to be used as a replacement for a good vocal warmup routine. If you watched the entire video, you noticed that I speak of using the straw as a means of stretching the vocal folds out if they have been over used through singing incorrectly of yelling. It's a voice therapy tool not a vocal exercise replacement tool. Hope that helps you and please, watch my other tutorials. Lip trills are jus the tip of the ice berg as far as vocal exercises are concerned. Peace, Jeff
Jeff Alani Stanfill Thank you very much for clarifying. I just can't control my larynx, when I do lip trills, I wanted to avoid it. I'll practice it. Thank you🌼
hello sir..i am starting practicing now..and i am using straw from juice pack..it is okay?semi big and i used two..😊
Yes Mechaila, two straws are perfect!
thank you sir..God bless
Brilliant video...Not sure how it qualifies for 2 dislikes though...
***** Not everyone will agree with everything we say. But that's ok! Thanks for the support Luke!
I recommend you reference Ingo Titze, the original physicist that created and defends the technique scientifically in numerous journals. He appreciates you getting the word out. Thank you!
+Karin Cox Thank you. There is an annotation in the video that references Ingo Titze.
Inside or outside wich side pushing
You need to gently push the air out not in.
Do this exercice train Appogio and Diaphgram breathing too?
Eno, you will most definitely feel a connection to your abdominals while singing through the straw. However, the concept is design ed to focus on expanding the pharyngeal space and gently stretching the vocal cords to reduce inflammation or puffiness. Check out my other videos on breathing and compression for exercises specifically designed to strengthen the breath support system. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for all the latest updates! :-)
Ohh sir. Wowww. U made my day
I'm not a singer, but a voice over, if I don't know how to sing? please help
Oihane Mariñelarena do some vocal exercise first its on UA-cam and search for singing tips ☺☺☺
I notice that you are using very small straws. I have a metal regular size straw I guess that would do also I will try doing that with one end in water to make more back pressure. This is new for me.
Is the back of your throat supposed to hurt doing this?
No. You may be oushing too much breath pressure or depressing the tongue if you are experiencing pain in the back othe throat. Try using a slightly larger straw. Hope that helps you!
Will this technique help you with singing low notes? I wish to develop my lower singing range.
Any concept that helps to stretch and thin the vocal folds will make the voice more pliable to reach high notes and low notes. But there are better exercises to work on developing low notes than this. The straw technique is really a medicinal anyways. Hope this answers your question. Peace and happy singing.
Jeff Alani Stanfill thank you so much!! I started watching your videos today and I am enjoying a lot. I will subscribe on your youtube channel. Who know futurely you can make a video with some techniques to facilitate singing the lower notes. Have a nice day.
I will definitely give this some consideration. In my instructional program called "Let Your Voice Soar" there is a whole section on training the lower male voice. You can learn more about it by visiting my website: wwwvoicesoaring.com. Thanks so much!
Jeff Alani Stanfill thank you very much!! I will check it out. You see, I can sing in the baritone and second tenor with natural comfort. And all my life I've always admired low singing ranges. There are days where I can sing lower notes with more comfort. Other days it will be the opposite and I will notice my voice singing higher notes with more comfort.
subscribed !!!!!!
Thanks soooooo much!!
does it cure hoarse voice ? please reply sir. thank you.
I cannot tell you that it will cure hoarseness because hoarseness can be related to many things including viruses, nodules, polyps, ruptured blood vessel in the folds, allergies and more. However, I state in the video that the concept of the straw lengthens and stretches the vocal folds when they are swollen from over-use. Hopefully that answers your question! Thanks for watching :-)
Yup. This is based on research of Ingo Titze. Great!
Hi Jeff it's nelly
I cannot believe that there are people out there selling "singing straws". It's just a tube! Use a BIC Biro with the ink tube pulled out! Walk into a McDonalds and just grab some drinking straws! Pull the wires out of a length of electrical cord! Roll some laminated paper into a tube and tape it up! There's absolutely no reason to send anyone money for...a tube!
You’re absolutely right which is why I use whatever straw I can find. Doesn’t have to be an expensive “singing straw”!
Hi I can't get the air out the other side I'm still confused.
Monet Lopez. Are you using two straws? If you are only using one small cocktail straw, you will be pushing to hard. Remember, the idea is to let your singing voice come through the straw. There will be a very tiny flow of air coming through. Do not cover the end of the straw. Hope this all makes sense! Let me know? Jeffrey
Why does your shoulders go up while you're breathing in? Shouldn't your upper body be still and only the abdomen move?
I'm a big guy and when I breath in there is no way to keep my shoulders from rising without creating a tension to keep them down. Every singer is different. But thanks for the comment. Peace
Sir i have a vocal chord phonatory gap.So i can't even start to sing so if i start it start from just above from my ground voice.I was a singer and i had lot of techniques.But after a hard cough cold this phonatory gap include it was said by a ENT specialist please help me bring me your email adress please so that i can send you my voice clip to have more help from you.
jeff@voicesoaring.com
Jeff Alani Stanfill Thnq i will send soon.
Es fácil y me funcionó
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how to sing like jin, jungkook, taehung?
Are u reading a prompter or cards, I can see you're reading something while you talk.
2:55
reverse pot smoking lol
What if my voice flips
Let it flip. Your throat is telling you to relax and not blow so much air pressure.