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Need an Effective Vocal Warm-up Tool?

Sunday, April 3, 2022 by Karen Lecky-Springer | Vocal Tips

By far, the most common question I get in the studio from parents and students alike is: What is your favorite way to warm up effectively?

The answer is quite simple; SOVT (Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract) exercises. SOVT exercises are a fancy way of saying that you are singing with the mouth partially closed. 

Some of my Favorite SOVT exercises include:

Why do SOVT exercises work?

SOVT exercises relieve pressure off the vocal folds, thus allowing the folds to vibrate more freely with ease and with less effort. 

When the lips are closed, or partially closed, back pressure reflects off the lips and back to the vocal folds. This creates a balancing effect on the folds from above (back-pressure from lips) and below (air from the lungs).



What is Straw Phonation and Why is it My Exercise of Choice?

Simply put, Straw Phonation is singing with a straw in your mouth and focusing the sound through the straw. 

The benefits of Straw Phonation are almost immediately noticeable. 

  • It FEELS easier to sing! This is a result of the reduced impact on the vocal folds due to the acoustic energy (positive backpressure). Compare Straw Phonation to doing exercises in a pool; there is less impact and stress on the muscles while still allowing them to stretch.

  • Less Vocal Fatigue. As the vocal folds abduct (open), positive pressure in the vocal tract pushes the vocal folds apart. As the folds adduct (close), negative pressure in the vocal tract pulls the vocal folds together. Think of giving someone a push on a swing at the exact right moment. When the two pressures in the vocal tract line up with the opening and closing of the vocal folds, it's as if the folds are getting a stronger "push" on the swing without having to "pump" as hard. 

  • Aids in finding proper RESONANCE. Studies show that the use of SOVT exercises, like that of Straw Phonation, increases the formants in the 2500-4000HZ range- also known as the "Twang Region." This range is known to facilitate easier, more resonant singing. SOVT exercises help singers more efficiently find the "Singer's Mask" 


How to Vocalize with a Straw

Just as little as 15 minutes a day is all you need to maintain ideal vocal health. Use this tool as a warm-up, cool-down, and even to "reset" the voice after excessive use or when ill. Remember to try different lengths and widths of straws to find an optimal balance of backpressure. Ensure that your lips are firmly sealed around the straw and that no air is escaping through your nose (you can plug your nose to check if air wants to leak out). 

  • slides and glides from any pitch- low to high; high to low; or rollercoaster slides (low to high, to low, to high, etc.)

  • octave leaps

  • arpeggios

  • scales

  • simple melodies

  • sing sections of rep through the straw

  • punch a hole in a styrofoam cup and stick the straw through the hole. Then press the opening of the cup to create a seal around the mouth and sing your rep on text in the cup. I LOVE doing this!

  • vocal fry through the straw


Can't find a straw?

If you can't find a straw, try one of these other SOVT exercises:

  • MMMM

  • NNNNN

  • NNNNGGG

  • ZZZZZZ

  • VVVVVV

  • DDDJJJ

  • Lip Trills 

  • Tongue Trills


Take a moment this week to sing through the most challenging passage in your current rep. Try it again, but this time using a Straw. After a few repetitions of the passage with the straw, go ahead and try again without the straw aid. You should be able to sing the passage with more vocal freedom, less effort, and a more resonant tone.

Happy singing!