Does Your Voice Have A Nasally Sound?
A nasally-sounding voice can be a common issue for a singer. Some might choose a nasal quality for their singing as an artistic choice. But for others, it can be the cause of their lack of enjoyment of their own voice. Creating general anxiety around practicing or performing with their voice. So, let’s focus todays blog on the causes of a nasally sounding voice and some things you can do to resolve that nasally sound.
What is “nasal” sound quality?
Well, the simple answer to this question is when your sound comes through your nose when you’re singing or speaking. But how does this happen?
It all starts when your vocal folds produce sound that travels upward through the vocal tract. While speaking or singing, the soft palate on the roof of your mouth rises until it presses against the back of your throat. This creates a seal called the “velopharyngeal value” that controls the amount of air that passes through your nose depending on the different sounds that you’re making.
If you were to make an “agh” (apple) the velopharyngeal value would be mainly closed letting in very little to no air flow into the nasal cavity. However, when making an “nnn” or an “ng” sound the velopharyngeal value is open allowing for sound to travel through the nasal cavity.
Hyponasal vs Hypernasal
There are two types of nasal sounds:
1. Hyponasal: When too little air goes into your nose while speaking/singing causing your voice to sound like you have a cold or nasal congestion
2. Hypernasal: When too much air goes into the nose while speaking/singing causing your voice to sound nasal
So, in this instance, your nasal sound would be caused by your voice being hypernasal meaning your body is allowing too much air into your nose while speaking/singing.
Is your voice nasally? Try this:
For some singers, it can be hard to tell whether their voice is nasally or not. So, let’s try an exercise that can help you to discover where your voice is resonating:
First, plug your nose while making a sound like speaking or singing. If you can feel a vibration on your fingertips that means that your voice may be hypernasal.
1. Find a thin straw or a straw with a small opening
2. Place the straw into your mouth
3. Use your fingers to plug your nose
4. Place one hand in front of the straw (4-5 inches away) and blow air through the straw making sure you can feel the air on your hand coming out the other end of the straw
5. Next, with your nose still plugged, try humming with an “oooh” (boo) sound through the straw making sure that you can still feel the air coming out of the straw on your hand
6. Repeat the previous step, but this time do this without the aid of the straw. Make sure to keep your nose plugged
7. If done correctly, you’ll be able to hear the “oooh” (boo) sound coming out of the mouth without feeling the vibration on your fingertips while plugging your nose
Keep in mind that any sound with an “N”, an “M”, or an “NG” like “BRING” will always be a nasally sounding consonant and there’s nothing you can really do about that nasally sound. But over time you will be able to learn how to direct your resonance properly to decrease the amount of nasal quality in your voice.
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/@registersmusic/video/7131111247189249286
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTd-mc4Us5Y&ab_channel=FauquierENT
https://www.healthline.com/health/nasal-voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5DuzFb6euE&ab_channel=FauquierENT