In this video, let’s talk about semi occluded vocal tract exercises, and more specifically
about singing straw exercises.
But not just your regular straw exercises.
I am going to introduce you to special voice tools that can help you keep your voice healthy
for many years to come.
Let’s start.
Hi!
I am Katarina, speech language pathologist from How 2 Improve Singing and here on this
channel, I share practical tips about using your voice in a healthy way.
So, if this is a topic that interests you, consider subscribing to this channel and hitting
that bell notification icon so that you don’t miss any of my videos.
A few weeks back, I received an email from Patrick.
It said: Hi Katarina, I found your video on straw phonation on your YouTube channel.
It's great seeing a speech language pathologist really digging into the science of the technique.
I run a company OOVO that builds vocal tools to replace and enhance SOVT straw phonation
with purpose-built vocal tools.
We just launched a product the Sing Ring that might be of interest to you.
Would you be interested in trying one out?
To be honest, I did not reply right away.
Now, you may think that I am crazy – who does not want to try things for free, right?
Right.
Well, I was skeptical because I have seen similar products on the internet and I was
wondering how a more expensive straw is any better or different from the rest.
So, it took me a few days to reply: Sure Patrick, send it over.
But a few days later, I received a small package and I was in for a ride.
But before I tell you about the Oovo products, first let me recap what we know about straw
exercises or semi occluded vocal tract exercises or SOVT for short.
It simply means that there is a partial occlusion or narrowing in the vocal tract.
In straw exercises, the narrowing is at the front of your mouth.
This narrowing reflects some of the pressure back at the vocal folds.
It all sounds very complicated but the truth is that SOVT exercises produce sounds in a
very efficient way because the pressures below and above the vocal folds are equalized.
Straw exercises create optimal conditions for vocal fold vibration.
They vibrate with less effort, with less impact and they assume a more balanced shape.
In other words, semi occluded vocal tract exercises help you sing without straining,
with less vocal effort but more efficiency.
And therefore, these exercises have been used in voice therapy by speech-language pathologists
for a long time now, and there is a lot of research supporting undeniable benefits of
these exercises for vocal development, voice rehabilitation, and voice longevity.
So, I am happy to see that straw exercises are slowly becoming popular among voice teachers
and singers to deal with vocal issues like vocal range, vocal breaks, vocal folds closure,
vocal strain and tension and more.
So, that’s where the Oovo tools come in.
Let me show you the package I got.
I was truly impressed with every little detail that went into these products, starting with the packaging.
The bag is made from sustainable plants and it's compostable.
Here is a personal message: Enjoy Katarina.
Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Patrick.
A nice personal touch.
Now, the box is very elegant.
And here inside, we have an Oovo vocal straw necklace made of silver.
It comes with a care kit and instructions.
So, that’s the straw necklace.
Here we have the Sing Ring with its own carrying case.
It’s a clever vocal tool with four different levels of resistance.
It has a clean but smart design and it’s made of brass.
It’s like another wind instrument.
My initial impressions were really good, to say the least.
So, I went on the Oovo website to find out more about the founders Patrick Lundquist
and Amy Henson.
I even had a lovely chat with Patrick over Zoom.
He is a singer and now a business owner who got together with Amy, a passionate environmentalist.
And I think that this combination makes the Oovo products very unique.
They are ingeniously designed vocal tools made of materials that are sustainably sourced
with minimal footprint on our planet.
I will leave a ling to the Oovo website so that you can check it out.
During our Zoom conversation, Patrick told me that he was first introduced to straw phonation
many years ago when he was an assistant to jazz legend Al Jarreau.
Patrick was touring with him and a voice specialist offered straws as a tool for maintaining voice
longevity.
Then, a few years later, Patrick ran Grammy educational camps for aspiring musicians,
and again he came across straws as a vocal tool for better phonation.
That’s when his idea to produce Oovo tools started and was shaped in the following years
by partnering with Amy, by diving deep into vocal science and understanding how the voice
really works, by designing and testing several prototypes with the help of his friends, by
making connections with creative, dedicated and enthusiastic people around the world who
wanted to make something better and different for singers.
Patrick, thank you for sharing your story with me.
It was pleasure meeting you.
And here we are today.
But the question remains: does straw phonation really work?
The research gives us a definite yes even though you may not feel any difference in
your voice right away.
I see the benefits of using the straws in my own voice every day and I’ve seen how
this type of exercise helped many people with their voice issues.
You can also check out the comments below my other videos about sovt exercises that
attest to that too.
And if you are still not convinced, stay tuned for my next video, in which I will share a
method to assess your voice before and after a vocal exercise so that you can actually
tell if something is working for your voice or not.
Now, here are my 5 reasons why I adore the Oovo products:
1.
Clever design that has the best vocal interest in mind.
For example, the vocal straws necklace is light so that you can hold it in your mouth
without jaw or muscle tension.
The length and diameter work for most people – it gives you a good level of resistance
but not too hard for beginners.
It is practical because it is on a necklace, and I find myself use it more often than if
it was lying somewhere in the drawer or on the table.
2.
Muted sound.
I never realized this advantage of straw phonation before but it comes handy when you have to
live in close proximity to others or you have limited physical space for vocal practice.
Practicing with a straw allows you to reach your whole range at low volumes so that you
can practice anywhere in the house.
If you check the testimonials on the Oovo website, some people even use it on subways
to warm up their voices before auditions or performances.
3.
Several resistance levels.
The Sing Ring allows you to change the resistance levels really easily.
Just cover as many diamond-shaped holes as you want for the best set up.
If you are a beginner or just woke up in the morning, start with all holes open.
Then progressively, cover one hole at a time to increase the difficulty of the exercises.
4.
Environmentally friendly to the last detail.
Friendly to our planet but also these products are made from quality materials, sterling
silver, gold, rose gold or brass, that will last forever.
You don’t need another straw.
This is it.
This is all you need.
No more plastic straws or any other straws.
5.
Pretty design.
These products are like jewelry, one of a kind.
They make a beautiful gift.
So, if you are passionate about singing or you are really serious about vocal health,
tell your friends and family that you want an Oovo product for your next birthday, Christmas
or anniversary.
A practical gift that is effective and pretty at the same time.
The company slogan says it all: the best choice for a better voice.
In my next video, I will show you how to assess your voice so that you know if a vocal exercise
is working for you or not.
I will also demonstrate vocal exercises using straws, such as the vocal straw necklace or
the Sing Ring.
Stay connected by clicking that subscribe button.
Share this video with your friends and check out my other videos on this topic right here
below.
I will see you in my next video.