How do vocals work

Larynx Highly specialized structure atop the windpipe responsible for sound production, air passage during breathing and protecting the airway during swallowing.

Glottis also called Rima Glottides Opening between the two vocal folds; the glottis opens during breathing and closes during swallowing and sound production. Voiced sound for singing differs significantly from voiced sound for speech. Resonance: Voiced sound is amplified and modified by the vocal tract resonators the throat, mouth cavity, and nasal passages. Articulation: The vocal tract articulators the tongue, soft palate, and lips modify the voiced sound.

The articulators produce recognizable words. Sound is produced when aerodynamic phenomena cause vocal folds to vibrate rapidly in a sequence of vibratory cycles with a speed of about:. Singers create sound by using the abdominal and back muscles, the rib cage, lungs, the oral cavity, and more. As air pressure builds up against them, the folds snap together and a sound is created.

When they are snapped gently, a soft sound is heard; when they snap forcefully, a loud sound is the result. The quicker the cords open and close, the higher the resulting pitch will be. These are durable little suckers: vocal cords open and close times per second during normal speech. The vocal folds opening and closing. The false vocal folds sit just above the true vocal cords and prevent food, etc. When you start to sing, you begin by breathing. The brain coordinates voice production through specific nerve connections and signals.

Signals to the voice box for moving voice box muscles motor nerves come from:. Key Information. Shorter path of right RLN: The right recurrent laryngeal nerve continues in the upper chest and loops around the right subclavian artery, just behind the clavicle collarbone , then travels the short distance in the neck to the larynx.

The left and right vocal folds are housed within the larynx. The vocal folds include three distinct layers that work together to promote vocal fold vibration. See figure below. When we want to speak, we take a breath inhale and then start speaking on the exhale. It is this flow of air moving up the windpipe and through the voice box between the vocal folds that starts and keeps the vocal folds vibrating until you stop talking or run out of breath.

Vocal fold vibration is the sound source: it is also called phonation system 2. The vocal folds are two small muscles that have a moist covering, within the larynx. When you breathe, the vocal folds are open to allow air to flow from your upper airway into your trachea and lungs.