Voice Lessons: SOVT-Straw, Why, When and How

Today we are taking about how to use a straw to make singing feel easier, more resonant, and more clear…

Here's my take on the why, when, and how to use it with the hope it becomes part of your vocal health routine.

Using the straw to vocalize is called an SOVT exercise… this acronym stands for Semi Occluded Vocal Tract. Just another way to say – your mouth is partially closed.

Why does it work?
Dr. Titze, the voice scientist that conducted the research and gave us this awesome exercise, explains it this way..."vocalizing through a straw puts our vocal folds in the best shape and position for vibration which encourages efficiency…”.

When the mouth is partially closed, increased back pressure reflects at the lips back to the vocal folds to help the folds vibrate with more ease and less effort.

So when should you use it?
If you have a breathy sound.
If your sound feels disconnected
If you feel the transitions in your voice from top to bottom are clunky or awkward.
If your sound is pressured or pushed.
If your voice feels tired or fatigued.

I love to use it as I begin to warm-up, in between teaching students, before and after a gig. It’s an awesome reset or cool down for my voice.

Add this in for 15 minutes a day and see how your voice improves…

Have fun with this exercise.
Let me know how it goes.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about this video.

Until next time,
Rejoice In You Voice!
Trica

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