Your vocal cords create sound through vibration. The sound generated from these vibrations then moves up the throat, and into the mouth or nose. You are then able to move your tongue and lips into the right position to make the sound you want.
However, you may also feel other vibrations in your body. Some may describe more vibration coming from their chest when they speak, whereas others may feel more vibration in the throat or face.
It is important to be aware of where you are initially feeling most vibration, as this can help you to monitor any movement of this vibration as you work through the rest of this resource.
The activity below has been designed to support you in “tuning-in” to your vibration.
Activity to explore your resonance
1. Sit or stand in an upright but relaxed position.
2. Take a long, slow breath in through your nose.
3. Gently hum, keeping your jaw and lips relaxed. As you hum, use your hands to rub or massage your forehead, cheeks, jaw, neck, throat, chest and sides of your rib cage.
- Notice where you feel vibrations.
- You may feel it in many areas but it will be strongest in one or two.
- It might take you a while to tune into this – don't worry!
4. Then, try humming on different pitches and see how this affects where you feel the most vibration.
Note
It can be easy to become tense if you are finding this tricky. If you begin to feel tense, try taking some deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. If you still feel tense, take a break from this activity and try again later.
Some people find their breathing can be affected by stress or feeling tense. You may get into a pattern of breathing from the top of your lungs, not fully expanding your lungs.
Please note that if you are ‘binding’ this can also affect your breathing, so be mindful of this as you work through these activities.
How did this feel?
Can you feel where your voice is vibrating? Do you like the feel of your voice vibrating in your chest or do you feel your voice vibrating at the front of your face is more comfortable?
