Can the Singing / Straw™ Help Develop Falsetto?

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to find your falsetto, let me stop you right there.

Your voice doesn’t come with an expiration date… it just needs the right tools and a little patience.

And yes, even at 76, the Singing / Straw™ can help you uncover those lighter, higher tones you thought might be long gone.

Falsetto isn’t about age or “natural” talent: it’s about coordination. 

It’s teaching your vocal folds how to come together just enough to vibrate freely without squeezing or straining.

That’s where the Singing / Straw comes in.

By creating gentle back pressure (that’s the “semi-occluded” part of SOVT), the straw helps rebalance your voice and reintroduce efficient airflow and vibration patterns. 

You’re not forcing falsetto… you’re inviting it. 

And that invitation still stands, no matter how long it’s been since you’ve used that part of your range.

Falsetto After 70 = Totally Possible

Here’s what happens when we “age” vocally: folds thin , breath support may weaken, and muscles can lose some speed and elasticity. 

That can make high sounds feel shaky or nonexistent. 

But this doesn’t mean those notes are off-limits forever.

Your vocal mechanism still has memory and potential. 

Even if you’ve never developed falsetto, your voice can learn it now. 

The straw supports that new muscle memory gently… more like coaxing than forcing.

It’s smart practice, not brute force.

We typically recommend semi-occluded exercises for older singers because they can help reduce strain while encouraging fold closure and coordination. (And that’s not just limited to your singing voice, but your speaking voice, as well!)

Our straws give a safe environment to experiment and play without risking vocal injury. 

How to Introduce Falsetto Using the Straw (Gently & Wisely)

1. Start with easier resistance. Don’t dive into the thinnest straw right away. Use one or even two straws together to lower resistance. Once your voice settles in, you can move toward a more challenging straw.

2. Glide, don’t jump. Begin with slides or sirens… for example, start in your middle range and glide upward (then back down). Keep it smooth, light, and “airy”. Over time, those slides strengthen your  fold coordination in your higher register.

3. Hold sustained notes. On a comfortable pitch that feels “almost falsetto,” hold it through the straw for a few seconds. Then try the same note open (no straw). You’ll often notice it’s clearer. That’s your folds learning.

4. Do short, consistent sessions. Five minutes a day is better than 20 minutes once a week. Stick with it, be consistent. The straw is your training tool! Like free weights, but for your folds… small, consistent reps build long-term strength.

5. Stay relaxed and watch your neck. Use deep, steady breathing. Don’t raise your larynx, shrug your shoulders, or grip your jaw. If you feel strain, gently back off: it’s usually a signal your setup or resistance is too much.

A Quick Myth Bust (Because yeah, we’ve heard it, too!)

Myth: You must “move the sound to a different part of your mask” to access falsetto.

Reality: Focusing too much on where the sound “feels” often just creates tension. 

With the straw, you don’t need to chase some weird, mystical sensation. 

You just train vocal fold function (closure + airflow balance). 

The “feels” will settle naturally with coordination.

Ready to Try It (Your Perfect Match Awaits)

If you’re feeling curious about whether this will work for your voice, the first step is matching the right straw (resistance) to your current level. 

Take our Perfect Straw Match Quiz! It’s quick (2 minutes), zero pressure, and it’ll guide you to the best setup to begin training your falsetto with confidence.

Remember: 76 is not “too late.” 

It’s just a number.