Coordination and SOVTs

Clarification 

• Higher pitches require more breath pressure 

  • Folds are under greater tension, more force required to open them 

• Higher pitches do not require more air flow 

• Low Pitches: vocal intensity/breath pressure is achieved by more glottal resistance 

• High pitches: vocal intensity/breath pressure is achieved by controlling air flow 

• Always a coordinated dance between mechanism of the larynx and respiratory system

Semi Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises = SOVTE

What Do They Do? 

• Increase intraoral pressure in the vocal tract 

• Reduc collision force/amplitude in the vocal folds 

• Healthier adduction of vocal folds 

• Improve resonance 

• Alter the vocal fold configuration to a more efficient shape (p.55) 

• Massaging effect - pulsating air pressure on the vocal folds

When Would We Use These? 

• Anytime! 

• Beginning of warm up 

• Cool down 

• Vocal Rehabilitation 

• Musical phrases that are gripping or feel effortful 

Types of SOVT exercises

• Straw phonation- diameter matters, various sizes 

• Straw phonation in water - standard drinking straw 

• Blowfish 

• Cup with a hole 

• Kazoo 

• Coffee stir straws 

• [m], [v], [z], [n], [ng] 

• Lip trills  

• Tongue trills 

• Raspberries 

• Tiny [u]

• These are not necessarily one-size-fits all ,

Don’t be willy-nilly during execution 

• Free/dynamic alignment 

• Inspiration quality 

• Articulators (jaw/tongue/lips)

• Nasal leakage 

• Even airflow- where is the support?

• Unhurried 

• Not too loud!