The Power Of Straw Phonation: Exploring SOVT Exercises

Author: Jesse Nerenberg, Reg. CASLPO, Speech-Language Pathologist
Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Introducing SOVT Exercises

3. The Science Behind Straw Phonation

4. Benefits of Straw Phonation

5. Practical Applications

6. Tips for the Basic Straw Phonation Exercise

7. Advanced Variations

8. Alternatives When a Straw is Not Available

9. Conclusion

Introduction

Often when I’m working with a client who wants to work on their voice, I get them to do something that, on the surface, may seem very strange: I get them to breathe and phonate through a straw into a cup of water. Many people may be wondering, “Why the heck are you making me breathe through a straw?” The answer is simple physics.

The technique of straw phonation has gained considerable attention for its effectiveness and simplicity. This technique is part of a broader category known as Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) exercises. Both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and vocal coaches use the technique to help clients improve resonance and vocal health. As a speech-language pathologist at Well Said, I use it all the time. This is because it offers a unique approach to improving vocal function, reducing strain, and enhancing vocal quality. Having come from an acting background, I am often surprised at how few voice professionals are aware of the technique, let alone use it. If I had my way, we would all be walking around with a metal straw close at hand to help reset our voices all day long. But why does this exercise even work to begin with?

Introducing SOVT Exercises

SOVT exercises involve partially occluding (closing up or obstructing) the vocal tract to create back pressure that helps the vocal folds vibrate more efficiently. This category includes several techniques such as lip trills, tongue trills, humming, cup phonation, and straw phonation. The common denominator is the semi-occlusion, which means that the vocal tract is partially closed, leading to beneficial aerodynamic and acoustic changes.

The Science Behind Straw Phonation

When phonating through a straw, the vocal tract is semi-occluded, meaning the air and sound are exiting through a narrow portal, which increases the pressure above the vocal folds. This back pressure supports the vocal folds in maintaining a stable and efficient vibratory pattern. The increased back pressure during straw phonation leads to several benefits:

1. Reduced Vocal Fold Collision Force: The back pressure helps to balance the pressure above and below the vocal folds, reducing the impact force during voicing. This can prevent vocal fold damage and promote healing in cases of vocal fold pathology. Think of it as a gentle massage for your vocal folds.

2. Improved Glottal Closure: The semi-occlusion encourages more complete and efficient glottal closure, which is essential for clear and strong voice production. Without the folds coming together (approximating), no sound can be produced.

3. Lowered Phonation Threshold Pressure: The pressure needed to initiate and sustain phonation is reduced, making it easier to produce sound with less effort. This can also aid in relaxing accessory muscles that surround the folds that may become overactive, as is the case in such conditions as muscle tension dysphonia.

4. Enhanced Resonance: The back pressure can improve the resonance characteristics of the vocal tract, leading to a richer and fuller sound. If done properly, you can literally feel the straw in your mouth vibrating (almost like a kazoo), which increases awareness of forward vocal resonance/vibration and forces you into a healthy vocal “posture.”

Benefits of Straw Phonation

(Aka “When and why should I do this exercise????”)

1. Vocal Health and Rehabilitation:
   Straw phonation is particularly beneficial for individuals with vocal pathologies such as nodules, polyps, or muscle tension dysphonia. By reducing the collision force of the vocal folds, this technique allows the vocal folds to heal and recover from trauma. It also helps to ease tension in the laryngeal muscles (the ones that control and surround your voice), promoting a voice that is more relaxed and efficient.

2. Vocal Warm-Up and Cool-Down:
   For professional voice users, including singers, actors, teachers, lawyers, diplomats, and public speakers, straw phonation can serve as an effective warm-up and cool-down exercise. Warming up with straw phonation prepares the vocal folds for the demands of performance by gradually increasing blood flow and flexibility. Similarly, cooling down with straw phonation helps to relax the vocal folds and reduce any post-performance strain. Additionally, the exercises can be done in just a few short minutes, making it very efficient timewise.

3. Improved Vocal Technique:
   Straw phonation can aid in developing better vocal technique. By encouraging efficient vocal posture and reducing tension, the exercises help voice users achieve a balanced and coordinated use of their vocal folds. It promotes a smoother transition between vocal registers and enhances overall vocal control.

4. Accessibility and Convenience:
   One of the significant advantages of straw phonation is its simplicity and accessibility. All that is needed is a straw and some water (for more advanced exercises). This makes it a convenient tool for both therapy sessions and home practice. While I have met many clients who find it difficult to achieve a lip trill or tongue trill (or both), I have yet to meet one who is not able to breathe and phonate into a straw. It truly is almost universally accessible and easy.

Practical Applications in Speech-Language Pathology

One of the most beneficial aspects of SOVT Straw Phonation is, as noted earlier, it can be both activating (increasing closure of the vocal folds) and relaxing (releasing tension in muscles). This makes it the veritable Swiss Army knife of voice therapy exercises because it can be used with a wide variety of clients. As always, understanding vocal habits, any existing pathologies, and unique vocal demands is crucial for determining whether the exercise may be beneficial.

Tips for the Basic Straw Phonation Exercise

1. Choose the Right Straw:
   I always tell people to use a “regular drinking straw.” You know the straws you would get if you order a fountain soda at a fast-food restaurant? Perfect size. This is because the diameter of the straw can affect the level of resistance. A narrower straw provides more resistance, which can be beneficial for some clients but is a bigger challenge. If a straw is too wide in diameter, there will be less “occlusion” providing resistance. Any material straw will work, but I personally encourage using metal straws. They are strong and will last forever. They travel well, clean easily (even in the dishwasher), and in recent years have become widely available. I ordered a pack online but have also seen them in grocery stores.

2. Proper Posture and Breathing:
   I always tell clients to place the straw in their mouths “a little further back” than if they were drinking. It will not feel intuitive at first, but it allows for more forward vibration. Do not grip the straw with your mouth, lips, or teeth. Just have it resting there. Keep one hand holding the straw as opposed to gripping it with your teeth. As well, maintain good posture with a relaxed neck and shoulders. Diaphragmatic breathing (aka a good supported belly breath) should be used to support the phonation process.

3. Breathe and Phonate Through the Straw:
   Start with a steady stream of air, with the voice turned off. Do this about 5 times. Then turn the voice on and produce a steady, sustained phonation through the straw, as if you were saying “OOOOOOOOOO” into it. This can be done on a single comfortable pitch. Next, add gentle pitch glides (sirens) first going up and then going down. The goal is to feel a consistent and smooth flow of air with minimal effort. Finally, introduce pitch variation by singing a song into the straw like Happy Birthday or O Canada.

4. Feedback and Adjustment:
   Focus on physical sensation, feeling a relaxed and easy voicing is key, as is sensing the vibration in and around the straw. I tell clients to think of the exercise as a series of layers: first is breath control with no voice, then the voice is turned on, then pitch is introduced in one direction (up, then down), and finally pitch variation is added. This makes the exercise easy to remember.

Advanced Variations

As you become more comfortable with basic straw phonation, advanced variations can be introduced to target specific vocal needs:

1. Straw in Water (aka Bubbles in a Cup):
   Phonating through a straw with the tip submerged 1-2 centimetres in water adds another layer of resistance and visual feedback. The bubbles created by the phonation provide an additional visual cue.

2. Pitch Glides and Scales:
   Incorporating pitch glides and scales through the straw can help in working on pitch range and flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for singers and individuals with pitch-related goals.

But What if I Don’t Have a Straw Handy!?

It is true that you do not always have a straw easily accessible. This is when you can use the other SOVT exercises such as lip trills, tongue trills, or even gentle humming to achieve similar results. By following the same layers of the exercise (voiceless, voiced, pitch in one direction, pitch variation), your voice can be feeling relaxed and reset in just a few minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, straw phonation, as a part of the broader category of SOVT exercises, offers a powerful tool to help you achieve a healthier voice. If you are looking to work on any aspect of your voice, working with an SLP can be a great first step to demystify the process and help you achieve the best version of your vocal instrument. And all you need to bring is a straw.

To speak with a psychotherapist or one of the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or calling (647) 795-5277.