SECRET EXERCISE EVERY SINGER SHOULD TRY!
If you’ve ever struggled with vocal strain, pitch control, or stamina while singing, there’s a surprisingly simple tool that can help: a straw! Yes, that little plastic or metal tube you’d normally use for sipping a drink can actually transform your voice. The exercise is called “singing through a straw,” and it’s one of the most effective vocal training methods out there.
What Is Straw Singing?
Straw singing is a type of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) exercise. That’s just a technical way of saying that you partially close your vocal tract (the space where sound resonates) to create back pressure while you sing or hum. By phonating (making sound) into a straw, you give your vocal folds a gentle massage while trainig them to work more efficiently.
Vocal Benefits of Singing Through a Straw
So why are voice teachers and vocal coaches around the world obsessed with this exercise? Here are the main benefits:
- Reduces Vocal Strain
- Improves Breath Support
- Smooths Out Your Registers
- Increases Resonance
- Heals and Recovers the Voice
How to Do the Straw Exercise
Here’s a simple step-by-step routine you can try today:
- Choose your straw, regular narrow straw works best. The smaller the straw, the more resistance you’ll feel.
- Start With a Hum, place the straw between your lips and hum gently into it. You should feel vibrations in your lips, face, and maybe even your head.
- Slide through your range, try gliding up and down your vocal range on a comfortable “siren” sound. Don’t push, let the straw do the work.
- Sing a simple song, pick a melody you know well and sing it through the straw.
- Transfer the feeling, after a few minutes, remove the straw and sing normally.
Final Thoughts
Singing through a straw may seem simple, but it’s one of the most powerful tools for vocal health and development. It helps align your voice, smooths out tension, and gives you a natural boost in resonance. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, adding straw exercises to your daily routine can make you singing feel easier, stronger, and more effortless.