Week 7! False Folds and Low Larynx

 Summary-

Directly above the true vocal folds live the false vocal folds or ventricle folds. These do not always come together for sound production, but can play an important role in stylistic techniques (aside from their natural anatomical functions)! The larynx can also exist in high, low, or neutral/mid positions that each alter the tone color of the voice.

*see my previous blog post for a fun video of masterclass last semester. I sang a French art song immediately followed by a rock musical piece and we discussed the physical changes necessary for these huge stylistic shifts. Towards the end of the video I also noticed false fold engagement that I was not aware of at the time! I heard the sounds I produced but could not put an anatomical explanation behind it, and now it is exciting to look back and understand. That is my main contribution for this week, but I will continue to throw in some information below!*

False Vocal Folds

---can be narrowed or released, creating a more constricted or neutral sound, respectively

---can be felt with a squeezing/tightening of the throat after a gasp, and can be seen by endoscopy

Laryngeal Positon

---the two options we discussed this week were wide and release

---widening darkens the sound, often used to sound older, sadder, or affected for a character

---release is a speech-like coordination without adding any brightness or darkness to the sound

*Key Lightbulbs*

---the larynx does not have to be lower in lower range. It will naturally raise and lower with the pitches sung through the range, but it does not have to be dramatic. 

---Other areas of life can affect one's laryngeal position tendencies (or create other technical difficulties!)

------>example: I was a trumpet player for many years at the same time I was studying voice. My tight embouchure for brass also caused squeezing in the back of my throat that I did not realize was hurting my singing. It took years to learn how to freely allow air to travel in and out and allow my larynx to just hang out. Finding fold pathologies (see earlier posts!) in my college years that likely lived in my body since high school made me really evaluate how I was using my voice and body and how these formed my singing habits that I couldn't seem to overcome. Speaking voice, laughter, and lifestyle really really really impact the anatomy we need to protect!