Comments on: Raising and lowering the Larynx – should you? https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/ Vocal Coach • Singer • Speaker • Songwriter • Studio Producer • Podcaster Thu, 07 Mar 2024 01:12:23 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 By: Judy Rodman https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-195 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:22:17 +0000 #comment-195 Jim… I'm glad you've found something that seems to help your SD. I, too, have found that when I help someone with SD stabilize the larynx and diaphragm with posture and technique, it temporarily stabilizes the voice. I have written three blogposts on SD that might interest you. https://blog.judyrodman.com/2009/06/spasmodic-dysphonia-what-is-this.html
https://blog.judyrodman.com/2009/06/spasmotic-dysphonia-causes-and.html
https://blog.judyrodman.com/2009/06/spasmotic-dysphonia-causes-and.html

]]> By: jim https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-196 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:13:26 +0000 #comment-196 i have been told by specilists they felt i have spasmodic dysphonia. I have time again trying to lower my larynx for reading. Itsa constant thought but seams to be working with breath support.

]]> By: Anonymous https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-927 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 11:51:16 +0000 #comment-927 I have been singing for 30 years and have worked in shows such as My fair lady, Cats, etc. A couple of years ago I thought I would investigate Speech level singing, as it was something I thought may be useful. I paid a yearly joining fee and went to a few workshops with a SLS instuctor from Canada, ( which cost be a small fortune) as well as a trainer in Melbourne Australia. It was the biggest load of rubbish I have ever experienced. The trainer was constantly telling me to push my Larynx down, which really hurt!!! so much I lost my voice. With Classical technique low Larynx singing is fine, but trying to belt sing with this is impossible, I sounded like a dying cat. I found this very dangerous and the amount of money I had to pay was shocking. I am so glad i went back to my old method. I would love some feedback on this, Regards Jennie, Melbourne, Australia

]]> By: Judy Rodman https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-943 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 14:14:08 +0000 #comment-943 Thank you for your important balance to this subject. We must indeed be careful creating 'rules' in the arts. I agree with everything you've said. I would add that it 'works' as long as it doesn't cause vocal strain and fatigue… OR ear strain and displeasure from the listeners to the singer's chosen genre. Thank you again for your thoughtful comment!

]]> By: Anonymous https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-944 Tue, 04 Feb 2014 14:09:30 +0000 #comment-944 Interesting.

I would not disagree.

But,as a singer with 25 years experience onstage doing classical roles, you would think I might have a strong opinion on this.

I will add my two bits worth.

I have heard singers with higher and lower and variable positions, all who have fine careers.

So, we have to be careful about making any "rules". Louis Armstrong had the worst cheek control I have ever seen, but it did not stop him from playing the trumpet. Franco Bonisolli used a very low larynx, and he was the best Calaf I ever heard.

What I have observed…a variable position allows for differing colours; a high position thins the sound but can make the top easier for some; a lowered position darken the tone, and requires more effort and caution, as the voice be over-driven, but it works for many singers.

Myself, I have evolved into a variable floating posture, but mainly neutral. I find that suits me, as I have easy top notes and a bright tone.

So, I suppose you could say that my own singing mirrors your thesis.

Corelli started his career with a very low larynx, and ended it with a more neutral position. I liked both, as the former was great for Italian repertoire, and the latter suited the French.

For students, I would say start with a slightly lowered position, as it will help strengthen tone. For professionals, whatever works is right, although extreme low is going to be very dark, and extreme high is going to be shallow and (for me)uncomfortable.

But, in the end, if it works onstage with orchestra, then dare I say, it is right. And,in that case, you will find a wide range of right.

]]> By: Judy Rodman https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-972 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:46:11 +0000 #comment-972 Eisa… I completely agree with you here…I also find that an over- raised larynx is one of the most prevalent causes of vocal dysfunction in contemporary voice.

I appreciate your thoughts about this very important subject. I enjoy the discussion, and I feel it helps us all to bat these concepts about and raise our own awareness as coaches, as you said!

]]> By: Eisa https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-974 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:41:38 +0000 #comment-974 It's me again. When I said the larynx should be lowered as much as possible, I didn't mean one should sing that way, just that one should train that way. I wouldn't and don't sing with a 100% lowered larynx because that would be ridiculous. Singing does indeed have a neutral laryngeal position like you've pointed out, But without controlling/lowering the larynx towards a neutral position, the lower high notes will lack power and the upper high notes will lack resonance. That's a simple fact of singing and no amount of actions with a larynx that's too high will ever fix those problems. So my point was, don't get in the habit of letting the larynx go too high, because that doesn't really accomplish anything.

]]> By: Judy https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-978 Thu, 26 Sep 2013 11:04:40 +0000 #comment-978 Elisa, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I respectfully disagree with your opinions. Nothing I have studied or experienced in 40 years of professional singing leads me to thinking the larynx should be kept as low as possible… in fact, I find it vocally unhealthy, stressful and sonically undesirable to do so. Your reasoning here seems unsound and inaccurate. Yes, 'vocal coaches need to understand it more'. You don't have to take my word for this; if you do some further research into the field, studying other top coaches and the findings of voice science, I think you'll find that the floating sensation of the larynx in the neck is the goal for best and most efficient the operation of the vocal mechanism throughout the range.

]]> By: Eisa https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-979 Thu, 26 Sep 2013 10:53:32 +0000 #comment-979 The larynx has to be taught to be kept as low as possible, whether it's classical or pop. If the singer pushes and the larynx is allowed to rise, the vocal cords will become weak and the harmonics responsible for breathy and weak sound are always amplified. A person will sing with a high larynx position because they assume the vocal cords will have better compression at a higher texture, but in reality they are just hanging onto a extremely minimal amount of closure, after which a certain point, the voice will break because it can't do anything else in that position.

This is unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with aspiring singers, and vocal coaches need to understand it more.

]]> By: Judy Rodman https://judyrodman.com/raising-and-lowering-larynx-should-you/#comment-1603 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:39:16 +0000 #comment-1603 Leigh Ann…I love it when people try what I suggest and give me feedback- it really does all come down to the question: Does it work – for YOU? Thanks for commenting and letting me know!

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