Raising and lowering the larynx (Goo + mmm)
Move the larynx to normal, low and high positions, steadily distinguishing different tone colors with the same “mmm” sound.
▶ First, watch the movement in the video
Check the technique, then move on to the explanation and audio examples.
Why practice this?
Many voice-training articles say you should lower the larynx rather than raise it when singing. We think it depends on the voice you want to produce.
Let’s practice controlling the larynx so you can sing with it either raised or lowered.
Expected benefits of larynx raising and lowering practice
What benefits can we expect from raising and lowering the larynx?
It becomes easier to adjust your tone to the voice you want. Choosing an appropriate larynx position for each range can also make high and low notes much easier.
Exercises and key points
What is the larynx?
Do you know where the larynx is?
No, I have no idea.
It is roughly at position (C) in the diagram below.
The diagram alone may be hard to understand, so here is an easy way to find it.
Place your hand near your Adam’s apple and swallow.
Did you feel something move?
Something moved upward!
Yes, the part that moved is where the larynx is.
Now let’s try lowering the larynx!
Place your hand at the front of your neck as before, then yawn.
A big yawn makes the larynx descend farther.
How did that go?
It moved! It went lower than its usual position!
Movement of the larynx helps us swallow food without it entering the airway and breathe comfortably. Raising the larynx narrows the throat space; lowering it widens that space.
Doesn’t your voice become a little deeper and thicker when you make sound while yawning?
Conversely, raising the larynx makes a higher voice easier. Give it a try.
How to practice raising and lowering the larynx
Let’s make sound and practice the following three positions.
(1) Larynx lowered: giant voice. (2) Larynx raised: tiny-person voice. (3) Between the two: ordinary voice.
I have never controlled my larynx deliberately, so this sounds difficult…
Anyone can learn by taking it slowly, one step at a time. You will be fine!
First, close your mouth and hum “mmm” as naturally as your ordinary speaking voice. This is your reference larynx height.
That one is easy!
Next, let’s learn how to lower the larynx.
Yawning is an easy way to lower the larynx.
Did you feel the larynx lower when you yawned?
With the mouth closed, create the wide space you feel when holding back a yawn, like a large tube from mouth to throat, and hum “mmm”. Imagine being a giant about ten meters taller, with a deep, muffled voice. Keep the tongue tip against the back of the lower teeth.
My voice sounds deep and thick!
Yes, that is good!
Next, let’s practice raising the larynx.
The larynx rises naturally when you swallow.
Pause just before swallowing to experience the raised-larynx position.
With the larynx raised, press the tongue from tip to base against the whole palate, reducing the mouth and throat space almost to zero, and hum “mmm”. Aim for a piercing tone like a tiny person only a few tens of centimeters tall.
This might be a little difficult…
If it still feels difficult, alternate repeatedly between your normal larynx tone and any other larynx tone you can make, even imperfectly. This will get the surrounding muscles working.
Once you can make sounds with the larynx raised and lowered, use the app to check how well you are doing.
Listen to the examples and try
Keep the volume low and play the examples one at a time to hear the differences between the voices.