How the Vocal Cords Work When We Sing
As singers, we often focus on breath control, pitch, and emotion, but have you ever stopped to wonder what’s actually happening inside your throat when you sing? Understanding how your vocal cords work can help you improve your technique, protect your voice, and take your singing to the next level.
The Vocal Cords: Your Built-in Instrument
Your vocal cords (also called vocal folds) are two small, flexible bands of muscle tissue located inside your larynx (voice box). Despite their name, they aren’t really “cords” but rather folds of tissue that vibrate to produce sound.
How Sound is Created
When you sing, three main things happen:
Breath Support: Singing starts with proper breath control. Your diaphragm pushes air up from your lungs, creating airflow through the trachea (windpipe).
Vocal Cord Vibration: As air passes through your larynx, your vocal cords come together and vibrate rapidly. This vibration creates sound waves.
Resonance and Amplification: The sound produced by your vocal cords is then shaped and amplified by your throat, mouth, and nasal passages, giving your voice its unique tone and character.
Pitch and Vocal Cord Tension
The pitch of your voice depends on how tight or loose your vocal cords are:
Higher Notes: The vocal cords stretch and thin out, vibrating faster.
Lower Notes: The vocal cords relax and become thicker, vibrating more slowly.
Think of this like a guitar string—tightening a string raises the pitch, while loosening it lowers the pitch.
Head Voice vs. Chest Voice
Chest Voice: When singing lower notes, the vocal cords are thicker, and the vibration is deeper. This produces a fuller, richer tone.
Head Voice: In higher notes, the cords thin out, and vibration shifts upward, creating a lighter, more resonant sound.
The Role of Vocal Cord Closure
For a clear and strong voice, the vocal cords must come together properly. If they don’t close fully, air leaks through, causing a breathy or weak sound. Good vocal technique helps improve closure and control.
Why Vocal Health Matters
Since your vocal cords are delicate, overuse or strain can cause damage, like nodules or inflammation. Proper hydration, warm-ups, and avoiding excessive shouting or throat clearing can help keep your voice in top shape.
