Hi everyone. In this video, you'll learn exercises to improve your resonatory system. This video is
part four of the Basics of Voice Production series. Make sure to watch the earlier videos
that discuss how the voices made, vocal warm-ups, and exercises to improve your breath support for
speaking. Now let's talk about specific exercises you can do to improve the next vocal subsystem:
the resonatory system. The resonatory system provides the voice with its distinct quality,
and it's why we all sound different from each other. The resonatory system is made up of the
open spaces within the throat, mouth, and nose, so you can think of this system as an open space. The
sound that is made at the vocal cords is only a buzzing sound, and we all sound very similar
at this level. It's sort of like "pft" sound, and as that sound from the vocal cords bounces around
in the open spaces of the resonatory system, certain frequencies of the sound are amplified
and certain frequencies of the sound are dampened. And the result is your unique-sounding voice. When
you use your resonatory system to its fullest capability, your voice might sound more rich,
full, warm, pleasant . These are some adjectives that my clients have used to describe how a
resonant voice sounds to them, and once you know how to speak with a resonant voice, your voice
should feel effortless, easy, and light. It's a voice that is produced without any tension
in the throat or mouth. Now to the exercises. The best way to work out your resonance system is to
hum. When you hum, you are making an "mmm" sound. The M sound is a nasal sound in American English,
and we want to take advantage of that open space in the nasal passage in order to promote
more resonance in the voice. Start by humming on a comfortable pitch. I want you to put your
fingers on the bridge of your nose to feel the vibration of your voice. Do you feel it? This
vibration is a good sign. The more vibration you can achieve, the better. You may also feel
vibration along the lips or the front of the face. So as you complete these exercises, remember the
vibration is good. Now put your fingers under your nostrils so you can feel the airflow. You should
feel a steady stream of warm air coming out. Another tip: make sure you relax your throat
as you hum. If you tense up your throat, your hum will sound like this. Kind of strained,
and you won't have any vibration along the nose or mouth. You also will have very little airflow
coming out of your nose. You want a relaxed throat and a buzzy sensation along your nose,
lips, and face, and lots of airflow. Now hum up and down a scale. Hum as low as you can go.
Then hum as high as you can go. Focus on lots of buzz and lots of airflow. Do this
eight to ten times or more depending on how long it takes for your voice to feel buzzy
and relaxed. After you've done a few scales on a hum, you might find that it is already easier
for you to talk. Try it hum up and down a scale a few times with a nice, resonant,
easy voice. Feel the buzz along your nose lips and face and make sure you have a good amount
of airflow coming out of your nose. Now talk. Say, hi my name is Julie. If you warmed up your
resonatory system correctly, you'll probably feel that your voice is easy, light, rich,
maybe even louder. Now let's take the hum one step further. Let's use words that begin with
an M sound like moon, and hold out the M sound. Try to have a buzzy vibration in the nose, lips,
and front of the face for the entire word. Don't let the sound travel to the back of your
throat. K eep things forward. Now say moon man, and hold off the M and N sounds. Feel the buzz,
keep the sound forward. You can continue with this exercise using additional words and phrases
that have lots of M and N sounds, and remember to hold out the M and N sounds until you feel a nice
vibration along your nose, lips, and front of the face. Here are some examples. Meet my mom. Never
nap at night. Mice might make more money. Meet me at the movies. Nothing needs to go next. Thanks
for watching. Stay tuned for the next part of the Basics of Voice Production series: exercises to
improve your phonatory system. And let me know how I can help you with your voice production.