HOW the Straw WORKS: The Science Behind the Singing Straw and Straw Phonation

[@richardwheeler3357]

I'm an extremely new singer and still get very nervous to sing in front of people. I just got a singing straw pro in the mail, from my music theory teacher today! I am already blown away at how deep my voice can get when warming up with this straw! Phenomenal idea and one of my favorite tools already! I'm stoked to make this a part of my warmups. The reduced air flow makes a HUGE difference in both tone, range and length of each note. Coming from a novice singer here, I'M BLOWN AWAY at how much difference the straw actually makes. The video is extremely helpful and made me laugh for real. Thank you for having the passion and insight to make this happen.

[@SingingStraw]

SO excited for you! Keep us updated with your progress :)

[@psychicchic21]

I absolutely love the singing straw and the pro. I use it before every 3-4 hour gig and it has SAVED my voice and changed my life. I also teach voice and I recommend it for all of my students.

[@SingingStraw]

Ahhh yay!! Thank you!! :)

[@dima90g35]

It was good to see how the straw works! Thanks for the videos! I sing in church and recently started using the straw for warmups and it helps the vocal chords tremendously! I also use a neck massager on my throat (vibrating kind) it helps eliminate any tension in the throat/larynx/chords. Now I bet most of the viewers including myself would like to see you or your students do a song.

[@SingingStraw]

So happy you are noticing an improvement in your voice! :) Happy to have you here!

[@kimberlerysamuels9822]

What kind of massager you use for your throat? Im also interested on that.

[@carylkristineguillermo8081]

I’ve been using your videos for 2.5 months already and I’ve seen such improvement!! Also a lil side note the lighting looks different this time and it is gorgeous

[@SingingStraw]

Awe thank you!! Always finding ways to improve our videos in little ways :). So happy you are noticing an improvement in your voice!

[@yn575]

Hey I’ve got bilateral sulcus and been advised by my vial therapist to do straw exercise and then maybe surgery

[@SingingStraw]

Sending good vibes your way!

[@debsmommy1]

Would you recommend for children? If yes what age to start?

[@SingingStraw]

Yes, young singers can benefit too! We actually have a silicone Singing / Straw option that is great for young singers! check it out: www.singingstraw.com

[@Estan971]

Glad to know that it "resetting" your voice actually a thing!!! I have MTD, which affects my speaking and singing voice, and I'll find that once I start feeling tired or forceful with my speaking voice, a couple of exercises on the straw mid-day really helps me out. I even used to tell my coworkers (who looked at me a little crazy when I'd suddenly whip out my SS and excuse myself for five minutes haha) that it "resets my voice for some reason", so it's cool to hear that that's a legit thing!!! The singing straw has really made a difference in my life as I work through speech therapy and vocal lessons, so I can't thank you enough! I still have a long way to go, but I know that I'll get there and I'll have my handy singing straw every step of the way! edit: side note but, I want to make it clear that I'm using straw phonation at the direction of my speech therapist and vocal teacher, and that I'm being supervised through this process, of course!

[@SingingStraw]

Ha - love this!! It's totally a thing! Keep up the great work :)

[@buggy627]

I just got my straw. I was using a regular old straw before and though how different could it be? OMG it is sooooo different I was very wrong!! Even a cocktail straw I tried wasn’t the same. This thing is awesome!!!!!

[@SingingStraw]

Haha I always so it's like magic!! So happy you decided to give it a try :)

[@vandresv]

How different? Just get the same diameter straw and make it the same length.

[@iamjarrettdean9358]

Finally a woman that just comes out and says size DOES matter 😉🤔😆😅

[@SingingStraw]

🤣

[@jkdjose]

Just pinch a regular straw at the end to a certain diameter and it adds backpressure

[@SingingStraw]

Yep, I mention that option in many of my videos and livestreams. The S/S is for those of us who want a more consistent and convenient option!

[@singerAR0406]

I recently saw someone using a large diameter straw while blowing bubbles into a mug. What does that do?

[@SingingStraw]

That gives you a similar effect. The Singing / Straw is just much more convenient to take on the go! Plus they give a bit more variety in resistance levels. :)

[@singerAR0406]

@Singing Straw I ordered and received my singing straw. I feel the resistance. I also got the large tube which i really love, I think because it makes me relax a little bit more. I am in bad shape after having covid and not singing AT ALL for months. I am having trouble with the Singing Straw. I know that there should be resistance but I also feel like something gets stuck in it. Is that saliva? It feels glitchy if that makes sense.....

[@manuelorendain6382]

How long are the straws?

[@susanlawrence7562]

Hi, can you please add closed captions to your videos. I am hard of hearing and need to work on my voice. Thank you.

[@cobraofearth]

What about a coffee stirrer?

[@SingingStraw]

You can definitley use a coffee stirrer straw! We designed the S/S to be reusable and eco friendly - plus, it comes in different sizes for various resistance. :)

[@JohnFraserFindlay]

I just ried my wifes metal drink straw which is pretty long..that was tricky!! With my mouth cloesd on an "ooo" I found it harder to pitch. But that was on your riffing video.

[@SingingStraw]

You got this!! Keep practicing! :)

[@niharpradhan8419]

I want a deeper voice, which mm straw should i use?

[@SingingStraw]

I would play around with each size and see what feels best for your voice depending on the exercise you are doing!

[@addtothebeauty]

“Extrinsic muscular tension” - does this help with muscle tension dysphonia? I had therapy and felt better, but then I sang again and it all got bad again. Every fall/winter I get MTD!

[@SingingStraw]

With MTD, you definitely want to make sure you are seeing a laryngologist and SLP team! Best of luck!

[@practicallyascientist9971]

I used to do an exercise where i do lip trills on a pentatonic scale and then open up into a vowel at the end for the most effortless seamless best sounding riff. But i just couldn’t replicate it when singing. Soon as im down i go back to pressing. It’s so effortless that it feels like i have no control over it. How do you guarantee the carry over and teach your body to hold back the air and create that back pressure?

[@SingingStraw]

It takes time and practice. The Singing / Straw is a great tool that helps with a variety of issues and truly does give you INCREDIBLE results but working with a vocal coach is always recommended! If you're interested in lessons, check out our sister studio: songbirdsf.com/ We offer both in person and virtual!

[@waynegram8907]

What vowels do you use to make the vocal folds stronger? Anyway of signs of telling if the left vocal fold or right vocal fold is weak or weaker than the other, any tests to do?

[@SingingStraw]

There's no one vowel that helps more than another - it's more of a mixing and matching to find the shapes that work best for your voice, the note you're singing and the quality of sound you're going for!

[@KeonXavier]

SUBSCRIBED loved one 🤎

[@funkyvicar8298]

I sing at church and find my transition from head voice to chest voice and chest to head, voice is not a smooth transition [like a yodel]. I sing stronger in my chest voice [but not to high] than my head voice, but there are times that songs call for me to mix the 2 and I struggle . Will the singing straw help and do you have specific exercises for specific needs? Kind regards. Tinkabelle.

[@SingingStraw]

Hi there! The singing / straw will help with a number of things including strengthening, smoothing, and balancing your voice! This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipbZq5uHi66qfqM

[@bryanwalker9985]

I’ve noticed in all of your videos that when you actually use the straw, you blow air into your cheeks and keep it there for the duration. When I first started using the S/S pro I didn’t puff out my cheeks. Is there a right or wrong way with regards to air in your cheeks? Thank you for creating the S/S! I use it all the time!

[@SingingStraw]

It's a personal choice - whatever feels right for you!

[@reinortega23]

Amazing science or physics...

[@SingingStraw]

:)

[@Jessleemusic]

How do you properly use it? I find myself biting down on it? Is that wrong or should it just rest between my lips? Thank you!

[@SingingStraw]

I would definitely avoid biting or your teeth at all - just relax your jaw and let your lips seal around the straw!

[@Jessleemusic]

@@SingingStraw thank you so much!!!!

[@juliettepabst2134]

Hi Whitney! what happens if one only practices with the straw and no other exercise? Not what I'm doing but just curious :)

[@SingingStraw]

Nothing bad! Your voice will feel great, but you will be missing a key component of singing with your lips, haha! I encourage balance as much as possible, especially if you want to perform or pursue music professionally - get both types of exercises in :)

[@andreaanderson909]

I have some strain when I am using the 4mm singing star pro. I am wondering if I am using it incorrectly? My voice cuts out on some of the higher scales. What exercises can I do to heal my voice.

[@SingingStraw]

Check out this video for help with strain: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJXKmKmjZpWDftU

[@kimlenchus7140]

What happens when air is coming out of the other end of the straw. I believe I’m doing it correctly because I held my nose and I’m using the straw and not letting air out of the lip portion Any feedback would do as I’m a beginner with the singing straw however, I am a professional singer. Thanks!

[@SingingStraw]

It sounds like you are doing it correctly! You should feel some resistance when you vocalize through the straw. Try out a few of our exercises and see how they feel for you. You may need to up or down in diameter size depending on how the resistance feels. If you feel like you're fighting it, go up in diameter size (maybe even using 2 or 3 straws at once), if you feel like you would benefit from more resistance, go down in diameter. Hope that helps!

[@rodneyporter715]

Thank you. You are an angel. Good luck.

[@SingingStraw]

Thank you so much!

[@baldgirl23]

you can get these at starbucks

[@SingingStraw]

good luck with that!

[@wandajames143]

Sounds like your jam? 😂 size matters 😂

[@SingingStraw]

😂😂

[@wnlaurent]

Whoa I’ve never seen someone with my same exact name! Same spelling. Hello Whitney Nichole I’m Whitney Nichole.

[@SingingStraw]

Why hello, Whitney Nichole!!!!