How Can I Learn to Sing With an Open Throat?

Singing with an open throat helps to hit the highest notes.

Singing with an open throat requires maximizing the space in the vocal tract. The mechanics of accomplishing this involve raising the soft palate (soft upper portion near the back of the mouth) and lowering the pharynx (portion of the throat situated behind the mouth and nasal cavity). This allows for an increase in resonance and a richer vocal tone. Correctly singing with an open throat also creates more freedom and enables you to reach higher notes without straining.

Instructions

1. Ensure that you have a good singing posture. Without a proper posture, the muscles around the throat are in a state of imbalance and cannot operate optimally.

2. Use the Bel Canto technique called "lifting." Assume a "pleasant facial expression" by gently using the cheek muscles in the same way that you would start a smile. This will help to strengthen these muscles and undo any incorrect tension that exists.

3. Inhale on a "K" sound. Form the inside of your mouth in the same way that you would if pronouncing the letter "K" and slowly breathe in. This helps in training you how to lift the soft palate.

4. Sing the vowel "uh." Practicing singing phrases with your mouth shaped in the "uh" position will help train the muscles around your pharynx--ensuring that it will stay in a low position.

5. Direct your focus away from the back of the throat. This tends to result in a "throaty" tone and produces unnecessary tension.

Tips & Warnings

• The term "open throat" is actually somewhat of a misnomer. In reality, it mostly means that one is singing with correct muscle balance and a smooth transition between vocal registers.

• Certain methods, such as yawning and singing with an expression of surprise, are actually counterproductive to achieving an open throat while singing.

References

• Singwise: Singing With An 'Open Throat': Vocal Tract Shaping