Straw Phonation, vocal straw exercises, straw singing… there are a lot of ways to refer to Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract training. They all mean the same thing: semi-occluding, or partially blocking, your vocal tract while you sing or speak.
While singing or speaking through a straw, your vocal tract is partially blocked. If the straw is the right diameter, it balances the air pressure above and below the vocal folds, keeping them separated just enough to reduce vocal cord impact. The result is low-impact resistance training for your voice.
Singers and speakers use this technique to alleviate vocal strain, eliminate vocal breaks, and develop a more powerful voice. Watch our video to see it in action.